Assessment: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

As we neared the end of our trip to Bora Bora, we spent three evenings at the Four Seasons Bora Bora to wrap up our time in this island paradise.

This property is widely regarded as the pinnacle of excellence on the island and tends to be a magnet for honeymooners.

Indeed, given the Four Seasons’s global reputation for quality and service, I held lofty expectations heading into our stay – and it was to my great surprise that the resort fell short of those expectations by quite a distance.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Booking

If you’re contemplating a stay at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, be prepared to pay quite a hefty price. The going rate for a standard room falls between 250,705–368,990 XPF ($2,500–3,500 USD, $3,300–4,600 CAD) per night, with some leeway on either side.

For this trip, I stayed for three nights at a favourable industry rate. However, our stay was definitely on the more expensive side even with an industry rate; indeed, this was arguably the most cash per night I’d shelled out for a hotel stay so far along my travels.

Four Seasons doesn’t have a traditional loyalty program with points and elite status; however, there’s still a way to get added value for your stay by booking through Four Seasons Preferred Partner.

This exclusive program offers complimentary breakfast for two and a $100 (USD) property credit, amongst other benefits, at no additional cost.

Furthermore, you can combine the Preferred Partner benefits with all available rates, including prepaid, promotional, flexible, and fully refundable rates.

If you’re planning a stay at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, it’s definitely worth your while to book through Four Seasons Preferred Partner and take advantage of these exclusive perks.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Location

Bora Bora is an alluring cluster of islets, nestled within the mesmerizing Leeward Islands of French Polynesia. Formed around the remnants of an extinct volcano at its core, it’s a magical place, situated smack in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean.

Characterized by a stunning central lagoon encircled by various islets, Bora Bora steals the spotlight as the most coveted destination within the Tahitian islands.

To get to Bora Bora, you first take an international flight to Papeete (PPT), the capital of French Polynesia and home to the sole international airport serving the region.

From Tahiti, the journey continues with a short 45-minute scenic flight to Bora Bora with the inter-island carrier, Air Tahiti or Air Moana, transporting you to the awe-inspiring island of Bora Bora.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora is tucked away on the northeastern side of the island, perched right on the outer coral reef.. It’s nestled on a slender strip of land, offering a prime location; the St. Regis Bora Bora is just a stone’s throw away, situated on a connected islet.

Conveniently, the hotel is a mere 10-minute boat ride away from the airport. Additionally, the resort offers a daily shuttle service to Bora Bora’s main town of Vaitape for its guests’ convenience.

For those seeking a more personalized experience, the option to hire a guaranteed private boat for transport around the island is available at an additional fee.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Check-in

Depending on the number of passengers travelling to or from the airport at a given time, the Four Seasons employs various boats for transportation. During our visit, we were provided with a private boat for our arrival, and a shared boat for our return journey.

On the outbound journey on the private boat, the staff took care of our luggage, ensuring that it was promptly delivered to our bungalow at the resort.

Stepping onto the boat, we found ourselves immersed in dark mahogany and teak woodwork, which created a pleasant setting that’d serve as our backdrop for the next 15 minutes.

On a negative note, however, as we stepped off the boat, we couldn’t ignore the fact that the check-in experience left something to be desired.

Regrettably, there was no arrival committee waiting to greet us as we pulled up to the dock, and we ended up having to wait for a considerable amount of time before finally getting to check in at the counter.

Furthermore, it didn’t seem like there was a dedicated butler or team member checking in with us; instead, we were simply left to our own devices to line up at the check-in desk.

Even the Conrad Bora Bora Nui had a dedicated staff member welcoming each guest, so this check-in experience at the Four Seasons – which prides itself upon a highly personalized guest experience – felt distinctly weak in comparison.

Nevertheless, we were extended with a warm gesture in the form of a welcome drink, and a knowledgeable staff member confirmed our stay in a One-Bedroom Mountain-View Overwater Bungalow.

Among the hotel’s base-level accommodations, this bungalow reigns supreme, with uninterrupted views of Bora Bora’s signature mountain, Mount Otemanu. Just keep in mind that these views also come with a higher price tag compared to the lower-tier bungalows. 

Once we completed the check-in formalities, we were treated to a buggy tour that acquainted us with the resort’s layout before taking us to our residence for the next three nights.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – One-Bedroom Mountain-View Overwater Bungalow Suite

To get to the overwater bungalows, you’ll head along a pontoon that stretches over a waterborne utopia, reaching into the clear-blue waters with Mount Otemanu towering ahead.

There are three base-level overwater bungalow types at the resort: Beach View, Lagoon View, and Mountain View. As the names imply, while the layouts may share some similarities, it’s the views that set them apart.

Among the choices, the Mountain-View Overwater Bungalows reign surpeme, providing an unparalleled perspective that faces Bora Bora’s distinctive peak.

As we arrived at our bungalow, I was impressed by the modern appearance of our teak wood oasis, enhanced by the whimsical thatched roof that was intricately woven with pandanus leaves.

These one-bedroom suites boast an impressive expanse of 1,080 square feet. The interior design serves as an excellent display of the interplay between modern design and Polynesian cultural essence, combining sleek furnishings with local artwork and handicrafts as accent pieces.

Indeed, among the suites we’ve experienced across three Bora Bora resorts so far, I’d say these bungalows at the Four Seasons were certainly a standout.

A spacious living room welcomes you with a comfortable seating arrangement featuring a love seat, an armchair, and a few ottomans.

To add to our arrival, a welcome amenity awaited on the coffee table of Champagne, pastries, and a welcome note.

Moving onward from here, the flat-screen TV is mounted on an ocean-themed accent wall, elegantly positioned on the right-hand side.

To the right of the entrance, a cabinet plays host to a thoughtfully stocked minibar and Nespresso machine, as well as a kettle. The minibar items at the Four Seasons Bora Bora are all complimentary, which is always wholeheartedly appreciated.

Transitioning into the bathroom area, you’re greeted by a walk-in shower with a rain shower head and handheld wand to the right, enclosed behind glass doors.

Adjacent to the shower, the toilet is housed behind its own compartment.

There’s a double vanity on opposite sides of the walk-through bathroom, tastefully adorned with LED light surrounding the edges of the mirror.

A novelty of this bathroom is the small glass window on the floor that offers a glimpse into the underwater sea.

Meanwhile, the real gem is the expansive soaker bathtub for two, allowing you to soak in utter relaxation while overlooking the breathtaking scenery.

Moving from the bathroom to the bedroom, you’ll find ample personal space, with the bed positioned in the centre of the room. Stunning lofted ceilings add to the feeling of spaciousness.

The king bed proved to be an oasis of comfort, both for sleeping and for spending more than our fair share of time lounging and gazing outside at the stunning lagoons and mountain peaks in front of us.

In the bedroom, a cozy reading nook adorns the right-hand wall, and there’s an abundance of closet space.

And yet, the paradise continues outside, where there are two lounge chairs perfectly positioned to soak in the mesmerizing views.

On the other side of the deck, a quaint dining area resides, offering an intimate setting for meals accompanied by the gentle lapping of the lagoon waters.

It should be noted that the more exclusive villa types at the Four Seasons Bora Bora offer private plunge pools and other extra perks, whereas these base-level bungalows lack such a feature.

However, rather amusingly, the bathtub in these can be transformed into a makeshift private pool by simply filling it up with water and opening up the partitions between the bathroom and the outdoor deck.

On the other hand, the balconies may not be the most private. You can easily see over to the villas in front of you, and likewise, you can be seen from the balconies behind you.

Nevertheless, we were quite charmed by our Mountain View Overwater Bungalow, which offered an enchanting ambience that combined Four Seasons’s signature luxurious style with Polynesian little touches throughout.

I’d say that our suite was the best and most memorable part of our stay, which is both a compliment to it and an indicator that the rest of the experience perhaps didn’t quite live up to the lofty expectations it had set. 

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Resort Layout

The Four Seasons Bora Bora is quite expansive, featuring 108 bungalows and seven villas spread over distinct sections across a uniquely shaped islet.

As you explore, you’ll come across a series of boardwalks leading to the overwater villas, the main pool, the dining area, and the inland lagoon, as well as the spa and fitness centre facilities.

Notably, there are two pontoons extending over the ocean in “Y” formations, which house the resort’s overwater bungalows.

At the heart of the resort, you’ll find a stunning beach, tennis courts, the arrival pavilion, and various water sports activities.

On the left side of this central area, you’ll discover all the resort’s restaurants, the main beach, pool, and kids’ club – all just a short distance from the overwater jetties.

Meanwhile, the spa and fitness facilities are located towards the northern part of the resort, away from the lagoon.

The grounds of the resort are meticulously maintained. Some may draw comparisons to the nearby St. Regis; in my opinion, the grounds at the Four Seasons falls slightly short of the exceptional visual appeal of its neighbour, but are beautiful nonetheless.

One element worth mentioning is the relatively narrow boardwalk that leads to the suites and villas compared to other Bora Bora resorts.

This limited space means that bicycles aren’t accommodated, leaving guests with the options of walking or requesting a buggy, which might involve a waiting time.

Even the buggies occupy the entire width of the boardwalk, requiring guests to step aside to allow for their passage.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Breakfast

To kickstart our mornings, we headed over to Tere Nui, the Four Seasons Bora Bora’s open-air restaurant. This is the resort’s sole breakfast option, and serves a combination of buffet offerings and a range of à la carte dishes from 7:30–10am daily.

Nestled amidst verdant gardens, we were treated us to jaw-dropping morning views of the lagoon, beach, and Mount Otemanu. With that said, the buffet spread left something to be desired, with a rather limited selection.

While there were enough choices to appease our hunger, I was expecting a bit more considering the calibre of the resort. Then again, this seems to be a common observation across Bora Bora resorts as a whole.

The buffet included a range of hot Western favourites, such as bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and pancakes.

The cold buffet selection at the Four Seasons Bora Bora was much more abundant, offering freshly baked goods, an açai station, a yogurt and granola station, a salad bar, and a few local favourites.

Among the highlights of the breakfast were the smoked fish selection and various pastries.

Overall, the breakfast spread at Tere Nui was satisfactory, with its fair share of highlights, but there’s also plenty of room for improvement in terms of the variety.

Nevertheless, the beautiful setting, combined with the delicious smoked fish selection and pastries, still made for a pleasant start to our days.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Dining

The Four Seasons Bora Bora has fairly limited dining options, with only two dedicated restaurants for dinner and an all-day dining venue.

We ate at Arii Moana one evening, which is the designated formal dining option and signature restaurant on-site. Contrary to its formal label, the setting has a relaxed atmosphere, and serves Mediterranean cuisine and a few French-inspired dishes that focus on local ingredients.

The restaurant had a pleasant ambiance to enjoy a meal; however, it falls a bit short in terms of menu variety, and the overall dining experience didn’t leave us with a lasting impression.

Additionally, one of our dietary preferences was inadvertently overlooked, despite being mentioned twice: once during check-in at the start of our stay, and another time when placing our orders at the start of the meal.

(We weren’t charged for the item in the end due to the error on the restaurant’s part, which was an appreciated gesture of service recovery.)

On another night, we headed to Vaimiti, the Asian fusion restaurant. This spot has a prime location right above the water with stunning views of Mount Otemanu. Once again, the restaurant has an open-air setup, with a relaxed atmosphere and Polynesian-inspired décor.

Regrettably, the food quality was just mediocre here as well, which was disappointing considering the resort’s overall well-regarded stature.

Located on the sandy shore of the lagoon, next to the pool and beach, is Faré Hoa Beach Bar & Grill, which is the resort’s all-day dining venue with a modern grill concept. Here, fresh local fish, steaks, and starters and side dishes are the focus.

Lastly, Tere Nui, where breakfast is served, occasionally hosts themed dinners like Polynesian dinners and shows.

All things considered, I found that the Four Seasons Bora Bora falls short in terms of a memorable dining experience, such as what we had at the highly impressive Lagoon by Jean-Georges at the St. Regis Bora Bora.

On the plus side, we opted for room service on one evening, and were satisfied with the flavourful combination of massaman curry and udon noodles.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Pools & Beach

Positioned on the outermost edge of the property, the pool and main beach area are strategically located away from the main hub of the resort, allowing for an added sense of tranquility.

The infinity pool is complemented by a neighbouring warm whirlpool, both surrounded by swaying palm trees and views directly overlooking the beach and lagoon.

Scattered across the pool area, generously sized cabanas add an elevated touch, and are adorned with curtains.

These cabanas are excellent and serve as perfect sanctuaries for an entire day of blissful relaxation. Personally, I found them to be a highlight of my time here, as they provided me with a quiet place away from the sun’s strong rays, and allowed me to simply unwind and savour the beauty of the surroundings.

What’s more, there’s no additional fee required to secure these cabanas; it’s simply first come, first served.

As a pleasant surprise, they didn’t seem to be too hotly contested, either. On the day of our departure, we granted ourselves an effective late check-out by taking up residence at one of the cabanas.

Stepping onto the sandy beach, there’s also a generous selection of beach chairs available for unwinding and soaking up the sun. And as a bonus, there’s a quaint little motu, a reef islet with vegetation, adjacent to the beach.

The Faré Hoa Beach Bar & Grill is conveniently nearby, which is especially handy if you happen to get hungry after a long day of lounging and swimming. Additionally, on-site water sports rentals allow you to engage in various activities right from the beach.

One noteworthy aspect of the resort’s pool offerings is the thoughtful provision of complimentary water and sunscreen at the pool and beach area. 

However, I thought that it was a slight drawback that the Four Seasons Bora Bora only had one main pool. Introducing an adults-only pool would certainly enhance the resort’s offerings, especially considering that it’s a notable feature at its nearby rival, the St. Regis.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Spa

Perched atop the highest point of the resort is the Te Mahana Spa, which embodies the essence of Tahitian charm. This exceptional spa facility stands out as one of the resort’s highlights.

The spa includes two distinct heated relaxation pools accessible to all guests, irrespective of whether or not they have booked a spa treatment.

One of these pools offers a breathtaking vista of Mount Otemanu, while the other gazes out over the vast expanse of the ocean. Both areas are equipped with recliners, and are wonderful places to spend some time.

Apart from the two stunning relaxation pools, there are seven air-conditioned treatment rooms, which you can access by strolling along elevated walkways that hang above a lush plantation of pandanus trees.

Additionally, a couple’s suite and two open-air treatment pavilions are nestled harmoniously within the depths of the tropical grove.

Adjacent to the spa, you’ll find a well-equipped fitness facility, with a good selection of equipment ranging from treadmills and ellipticals, to weight machines and free weights.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer great lighting, and generally provide a lovely space for sneaking in a workout while on vacation.

There were also some light snacks and refreshments available.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Activities

As part of the Four Seasons Bora Bora’s recreational offerings, guests are provided with complimentary use of non-motorized water sports equipment.

We took advantage of this and enjoyed a fun kayak ride one day out on the crystal-clear lagoon. Stand-up paddleboards are also available for rental.

In addition, there’s a selection of motorized watersports activities that come at a cost. You can choose from a menu and pay for the specific experience you’re interested in.

If you’re interested in exploring beyond the resort, you can head over to the Concierge desk. Staff here can help you arrange for activities with external providers in Bora Bora, such as snorkelling tours, fishing excursions, and sightseeing trips.

As an added convenience, the Four Seasons Bora Bora provides a daily boat shuttle to the main island. The boat ride to Vaitape, which is the main town, takes about 30 minutes, and departs once a day and returns at 3:30pm.

If you plan to take advantage of this service, keep in mind that there is a round-trip per-person shuttle fee of 4,000 XPF ($35 USD, $45 CAD).

Four Seasons Bora Bora – Service

The Four Seasons brand is known for its exceptional service and guest experience, which is why the rather poor service we received at the Four Seasons Bora Bora stood out so sorely.  

During check-in, staff inquired about any dietary restrictions we might have. We made it clear that mushrooms were a no-go for us; however, when we ordered room service, the dish we chose didn’t specify the presence of mushrooms, yet it arrived with mushrooms regardless.

Later, at dinner, we specifically requested a dish without mushrooms, reiterating our dietary preferences. Surprisingly, even after mentioning it for the third time, the dish still arrived with mushrooms. It was disheartening to encounter a lack of attention to detail in such a basic aspect of our order.

In terms of service recovery, the server promptly apologized and attempted to have the chef remake the dish, but unfortunately, the kitchen was already closed.

However, we appreciated their responsiveness and willingness to address the issue. As a gesture of goodwill, the charge for the dish was removed from our bill, alleviating some of our disappointment.

When it comes to the other dining venues, while the service at Vaimiti was frustratingly slow, we were at least fortunate enough to have a fantastic experience at Faré Hoa Beach Bar & Grill.

We ordered from the beach grill while relaxing in our cabana on the final day, and we were greeted with delightfully warm smiles and attentive service from the staff here, who went above and beyond to ensure that we felt welcomed and taken care of.

Aside from the dining experience, we encountered a few other inconveniences during our stay, such as the minibar not being refilled proactively – which somewhat defeats the purpose of having a complimentary minibar in the first place.

And speaking to a few other guests, we discovered that we unfortunately weren’t alone in having arrived at the Four Seasons Bora Bora hoping for a transformative experience, only to end up feeling quite disappointed. 

Conclusion

While our stay had its positive notes, our overall experience left us with the impression that the Four Seasons Bora Bora is somewhat coasting on the reputation of the Four Seasons brand. 

One highlight was the incredible overwater bungalow, which was tastefully decorated with a perfect blend of modern flair and regional influences. Note that base-level suites at this resort don’t offer a private plunge pool, but you can get pretty close by filling the bathtub and opening up the partitions to the majestic Mount Otemanu views.

Alas, there were some notable areas that fell short, especially considering the price point. The check-in process could be made more personalized, the dining facilities left much to be desired, and the absence of bicycles to get around the property was also disappointing.

What truly surprised us, however, was the letdown in service, which is very unexpected for a renowned service-forward brand like the Four Seasons. Indeed, speaking to a few other guests who shared our concerns, there’s an overall sense that the resort may be leaning too heavily on its reputation these days without necessarily living up to it.

If you’re considering Bora Bora properties, I’d have to recommend the nearby St. Regis Bora Bora over the Four Seasons, and the latter definitely has some catching up to do if it wishes to remain competitive in the area.

It’d be disappointing to see such a renowned property continuing to rest on its laurels, and I hope to see the Four Seasons Bora Bora stepping up its game in the future to deliver on the high expectations associated with its name and price.