Bora Bora’s bucketlist luxury hotels : Four Seasons vs St Regis

St Regis Bora Bora

Bora Bora is one of those bucketlist destinations that is known for its stunning luxury resorts, and there are two that pretty much stand out – the iconic Four Seasons Bora Bora and The St Regis Bora Bora. If there is ever a destination to splurge on a bucketlist luxury hotel, it would have to be Bora Bora, cos the resort is a destination all in itself!

Four Seasons Bora Bora

So which should you choose given a choice? This was one of our most asked questions after we visited both properties. In this blog post I wanted to compare the two hotels in different categories so that you can decide what might suit you better.

About the properties :

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Four Seasons Bora Bora is part of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts group, and is easily one of their best properties worldwide. This renowned luxury resort in Bora Bora has some of the best views of Mount Otemanu and is known for their exceptional service, stunning property, luxe accommodations and overall experience.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

St Regis Bora Bora is part of Marriot International hotels and is truly an iconic luxe paradise like none other. It is the only Forbes 5 star resort in Bora Bora and is renowned for its exceptional service, stunning natural beauty, featuring crystal-clear turquoise waters, lush tropical landscapes, and breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu.

Location, Setting and Size 

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Situated on a private motu (islet) with views of Mount Otemanu, the resort offers a sense of seclusion with lush tropical surroundings and crystal-clear lagoons.

The resort itself is a lot more smaller and intimate compared to St Regis. But The resort grounds are just beyond breathtaking, probably my fave resort grounds ever! We preferred it over St Regis.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

St Regis is also located on its own private island, the resort provides breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu as well.  It features a mix of tropical gardens and pristine beaches, with easy access to the main island. Both resorts are literally a 5 minute boat ride from one another so lagoon wise its pretty identical.
What we loved most about St Regis was that it was such a big property, we literally felt like it was a destination by itself. You also get bikes to ride around and this was so much fun! Of course, you can always request for buggy service.

Accommodations

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Main deck and bathtub views at Four Seasons Bora Bora

Known for its overwater bungalows and beachfront villas, the accommodations are spacious and luxurious. The overwater bungalows come with glass panels for viewing the marine life below, and some have private plunge pools. The overwater villa at the Four Seasons is a lot smaller, but felt more modern and had views of the mountain from all around – the bedroom, living area, the deck and even from the bathtub.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

Plunge pool and deck views at St Regis Bora Bora

Also offers a range of overwater villas and beach villas, some of which are among the largest in Bora Bora. Infact The resort has the largest overwater villas in French Polynesia and the South Pacific, starting at 1,550 square feet! The villas all feature private terraces and direct lagoon access and some have plunge pools. The villa was massive and we loved having the space in the villa, but we preferred the views and layout at the Four Seasons a little more.

Amenities and Activities

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Lagoon area at FS
Offers a variety of amenities including a full-service spa, infinity pool, fitness center, and a range of water sports like snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The resort also has a marine biology program and a turtle sanctuary. The lagoon area here is absolutely serene and had a variety of tropical fish and coral.
FS – main beach (above) and pool (below)
One of the main differences is that main beach area and pool area were all facing the mountain, so you get amazing views all around. We liked these aspects a little more at the Four Seasons.
To help coordinate aspects of your stay they have the FS app where you can chat with representatives that will handle everything for you.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

Lagoonarium at St Regis
Boasts a luxurious spa, an outdoor pool, fitness center, and offers various water activities. The lagoonarium here in my opinion was way prettier and a lot more vibrant marine life wise than the Four Seasons. The lagoonarium had myriad species of tropical fish and coral, the snorkeling here is spectacular. Its soo pretty, I literally had to pinch myself to realise that scene was real life.
St Regis – main beach (above) and pool (below)
The main beach and pool area, while still stunning, don’t have direct mountain views.
One of the most stark differences is that St Regis had the added benefit of personalized butler service for all guests, this felt a lot more coordinated and easier than using an app.

Dining Options

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Amazing breakfast buffet at FS

Features several dining options including Arii Moana for fine dining, Tere Nui for all-day dining, and Fare Hoa Beach Bar and Grill. The resort emphasizes fresh, local ingredients with a blend of Polynesian and international cuisines. We both liked the breakfast buffet options a lot more here.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

Offers a wider range of dining experiences from speciality restaurants like Lagoon, Farniente, and Bamboo to Te Pahu, a more casual beachfront dining option.
Amazing Speciality dining at St Regis
We both preferred the dinners/fine dining at St Regis more. In terms of overall dining options and food we thought the St Regis was better. We literally didn’t have a single bad meal.

Service and Staff

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Known for exceptional service, with staff that are attentive and go out of their way to cater to guests’ needs. The resort often receives high praise for its warm and welcoming atmosphere.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

Renowned for its personalized butler service, the staff are highly trained to provide bespoke experiences. The level of attention to detail and personalized service is a standout feature. We personally thought the general hospitality was better at the St Regis.

 

Price Point

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Generally, room rates can be slightly higher compared to St. Regis, but this can vary depending on the season and type of accommodation. Four Seasons is part of American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts so you can try to get the best value by using AMEX points.

St. Regis Bora Bora:

Typically commands comparable or marginally lower prices but not by much and again this depends on the season and type of accomodation. If you are loyal to Marriott or have the Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you can use the Bonvoy platform to book your stay to get the best value.

Also checkout Costco travel deals as both resorts have incredible deals every once in awhile on Costco.

Overall Experience/ Clientele 

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Offers a family-friendly environment with plenty of activities for all ages, yet also provides seclusion and luxury for couples and honeymooners. I love that the resort caters to all kinds of travelers and has something for everyone.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

Often appeals to honeymooners and couples seeking a romantic and luxurious escape. The resort’s emphasis on personalized service and exclusivity makes it a favorite for special occasions.

Summary

Four Seasons Bora Bora:

Ideal for families and those looking for a blend of activities, luxury, and a family-friendly environment. It offers a slightly more relaxed and diverse experience.

St. Regis Bora Bora: 

Perfect for couples and honeymooners looking for a high level of personalized service, larger accommodations, and an exclusive, romantic atmosphere.

Both resorts offer exceptional experiences but cater to slightly different audiences based on their specific strengths and offerings. And honestly they are both absolutely incredible and I am pretty much split right in the middle as they both won in specific categories. They are both easily two of our favorite luxury resorts in the world and we would go back to both in a heartbeat. Check out both my individual reviews for more – Four Seasons Bora Bora and St Regis Bora Bora.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jyo

 

 

 

 

French Polynesia, Hotel Reviews, Oceania, Travel

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

home

about

travel

lifestyle

shop

contact