This Seasons Editors’ Pick: Bora Bora

Sprawled across 44 acres of the most magnificent landscape you will ever lay eyes on Bora Bora offers its travelers the epitome of carefree, tropical bliss. A place that has been beckoning honeymooners and wanderlust adventurers for ages is even more breathtaking in real life and has to be experienced firsthand to fully appreciate its organic beauty and magical surroundings.

It all begins as you land at Motu Mote airport in Bora Bora, the roughly fifty-minute flight from Tahiti prepping you for what awaits; simply stated, heaven on earth. With bags whisked away, the gracious staff at The St. Regis Bora Bora guide you to your luxury watercraft, a short fifteen-minute boat ride and your vacation of a lifetime awaits. It can be said that first impressions are worth their weight in gold, if this is true The St. Regis Bora Bora is a gold mine. A scented chilled towel, fresh tropical juice and a colorful, fragrant lei wrapped around your neck set the stage for incredible things to come.

As you take your golf cart tour around the island simple awe takes precedence, the juxtaposition of the clearest blue waters set against bright green tropical foliage, a setting resembling that of a screen saver. After seeing the highlights of this world-class resort your very own appointed butler escorts you to your over-water bungalow, a brief rundown of all the luxuries included and you melt into pure vacation mode. The resort is known for having the largest over-water villas and suites in the South Pacific. An array of room types are available ranging from Deluxe Overwater Villas to the beachfront Royal Estate—the largest villa in Bora Bora. All accommodations feature spectacular views and in-room amenities, including the legendary St. Regis Butler Service, 42-inch plasma TV and surround sound systems, an outdoor shower and a deck, and lagoon access. The most invigorating setting to begin and end your day, the bungalow’s private deck offers an idyllic setting for sunrise, sunsets, or anything in between. Glass of champagne in hand, toasting to Mount Otemanu in the near distance, this moment and viewpoint will be ingrained in your memory forever.

No need to worry about how to spend the perfect day in this French Polynesian paradise, your personally appointed butler has you more than covered to make sure you have the getaway of a lifetime. St. Regis Butler Service has been a treasured hallmark of the brands’ experience for more than one hundred years and is what sets them apart from so many hotel chains. From a perfectly pressed shirt ready for a romantic dinner for two to a favorite book at hand for an evening read to a thoughtful, last-minute gift for a loved one, to packing and unpacking services no request is too small or unattainable any time of the day.

A multitude of activities are offered on property, from the most relaxing to full adrenaline, the choices are endless to spend your days getting the most out of your time in paradise. For those that choose to stay active, several options are available, from a state-of-the-art fitness center fully equipped by Technogym to tennis, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving to even deep sea fishing with the resort’s expert guides. For the snorkel lovers out there, a truly special experience awaits you at the resort’s Lagoonarium, a protected underwater sanctuary showcasing a myriad of species of tropical fish, coral, and other sea creatures that perfectly represent the Tahitian marine underworld.

If relaxation and rejuvenation are on the horizon no need to fret, there is no shortage of ways to fully melt into this tropical wonderland. From laying in an over-water hammock to yoga sessions on the lagoon’s beachfront to an afternoon spent basking in the sun at the resort’s two pools, the staff make it a full priority to offer the most serene of settings. For the ultimate in holistic healing, a visit to the resort’s iconic Iridium Spa is an absolute must during your time here. Located on its own private island, Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort offers a sensory experience inspired and fully enhanced by its natural surroundings. The most idyllic of settings to completely let go, this relaxation sanctuary also boasts breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu from its private beach, showcasing the perfect place for a couple’s massage surrounded by nature. Iridium Spa offers its guests a wide array of tantalizing spa treatments to help achieve a holistic balance of mind, body and spirit; from the Polynesian Taurumi Massage to an Outdoor Candle Massage for two to a Balneotherapy session a visit here is sure to please the senses.

Culinary Offerings
Several dining options are available during your stay, from casual fare to a Michelin-star experience and everything in between, guests have a wide array of choices for the finest of cuisine. With four outstanding restaurants and a cocktail bar by the beach, the culinary team offers a wealth of epicurean delights from modernized French Polynesian food to international dishes from all over the globe. Start your day off with an authentic Tahitian breakfast delivered by canoe to your bungalow; Poisson Cru, freshly baked croissants, exotic fruit platter, and fresh squeezed juices among other decadent bites, the ultimate wake-up call in paradise.

For a more casual dining experience with the most outstanding beachfront views pull up a chair at Te Pahu, the resort’s open-air restaurant where you can sample a taste of bold and intricate flavors of French Polynesia and Bora Bora. For those craving, an authentic Italian dining experience look no further than Far Niente Ristorante. Paying homage to time-honored traditions of Italian cuisine and boasting a wine list that is second to none guests can enjoy the most savory of dishes in the most romantic of settings. For rich Asian flavors, the resort offers the first sushi restaurant and sake bar in the region. With a team of passionate chefs at the helm, Bamboo Restaurant engages original creativity and a seamless connection between the philosophies of contemporary Japan and the purest of flavors created from fresh local French Polynesian seafood.

For the pinnacle of all culinary experiences, The St. Regis Bora Bora is home to the region’s most esteemed restaurant Lagoon by Jean-Georges. Created by three Michelin Star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the menu at Lagoon features French-Asian fusion cuisine using the very best of local ingredients in the most exotic of settings. Step out onto the terrace to marvel at the awe-inspiring views of Mount Otemanu in the distance or take in the beauty of the marine wonderland below through the restaurant’s glass-paneled floors. With the most spectacular of romantic settings coupled with unparalleled Michelin stared cuisine it is no wonder why Lagoon is considered Bora Bora’s top dining establishment.

This luxury world-class resort truly needs to be experienced firsthand to understand its unbridled natural beauty. Combining the hallmark St. Regis service with the island charm of French Polynesia makes for a guest experience that is simply second to none. It is no surprise that honeymooners from all over the world venture here to make memories that last a lifetime; one of the very few places on this vast planet that displays such allure that it almost does not seem real.