St Regis vs 4 Seasons Bora Bora: which one is greatest?

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In the present day: St Regis vs 4 Seasons Bora Bora: which one is greatest?

That includes an insanely stunning lagoon and luxurious tropical surroundings, the South Pacific island of Bora Bora is without doubt one of the world’s most stunning locations. If you find yourself contemplating a luxurious vacation in Bora Bora, likelihood is that you simply’re confronted with the dilemma of staying at both the 4 Seasons Bora Bora or the St Regis Bora Bora, the 2 most unique 5-star inns on the island. I lately stayed at each resorts (learn my evaluation of the St Regis Bora Bora right here and my evaluation of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora right here). Whereas each properties are top-notch resorts and situated very shut to 1 one other in Bora Bora’s mesmerizing lagoon, there are some main variations between the 4 Seasons and the St Regis, which could have an effect in your journey expertise. Right here’s my detailed comparability of each resorts, which makes it apparent that there’s a clear winner, at the very least in my humble opinion.

Bora Bora additionally options two different 5 star resorts: the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (which I reviewed right here) and the Conrad Bora Bora. I’ve left them each out of this comparability for 2 causes: (1) the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa will quickly be refurbished and rebranded underneath the umbrella of a brand new luxurious resort model; and (2) the Conrad Bora Bora doesn’t take pleasure in any view in any respect of Bora Bora’s iconic Mount Otemanu because it’s dealing with away from the mountain (so I’d not advocate to remain at this resort for the reason that view of Mount Otemanu is without doubt one of the foremost causes to journey to this distant island vacation spot).

Have you ever ever stayed on the 4 Seasons Bora or the St Regis Bora Bora? If wo, what was your expertise and which resort did you like? Go away a remark.

For ease of navigation, I’ll examine the next elements of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora (saying a winner in every class):

1. Design
2. Overwater villas
3. Seaside villas
4. Views of the lagoon & Mount Otemanu
5. Views of the sundown
6. Seaside
7. Eating places & meals
8. Breakfast
9. Spa
10. Retailers
11. Room charges, bills on website & worth for cash
12. Snorkeling & lagoonariums

1. DESIGN

Each resorts function a standard design, with thatched roof pavilions and Polynesian structure. In a way, they each really feel very comparable, however IMHO, the 4 Seasons Bora Bora feels a bit extra stylish and chic in comparison with the St Regis Bora Bora (though the distinction is marginal).

• Opened in 2008, 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora was designed by Paris based mostly architects Didier Lefort and Pierre-Jean Picart, with San Francisco based mostly BAMO as the inside designers. Taking cues from its beautiful surrounding, the native tradition and pure assets, the property’s design fuses traditional Polynesian structure with refined magnificence that’s 4 Seasons. Design inspiration is drawn from components particular to Bora Bora, together with native instruments, small utilitarian furnishings, and adornment together with feather, bone, carving, and tattoos.
• Opened in 2006, the St Regis Bora Bora was designed by architect Pierre Lacombe and inside designer Meriem Corridor, who each spent a complete yr on website planning what was to turn out to be the St Regis Bora Bora. Lacombe select easy and pure supplies for constructing the resort, comparable to pandanus to line the ceilings, Asian hardwood for the flooring, and sturdy granite for some ending touches. Corridor’s work started the place Lacombe’s left off, and he or she infused the décor with a contact of female, including rugs, draperies and fabric to melt Lacombe’s clear traces. The general result’s a serene resort, which feels extra like a Polynesian village than a resort.

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

2. OVERWATER VILLAS

Each resorts are well-known for his or her overwater villas that are perched over the lagoon with views of both the lagoon or Mount Otemanu. The 4 Seasons Bora Bora options 108 overwater villas unfold alongside two jetties, whereas the St Regis Bora Bora has 77 overwater villas situated alongside one Y-shaped jetty. There are some main variations between the overwater villas at each resorts:

• In 2019, all villas on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora had been refurbished and fitted with a recent Polynesian really feel, full with new furnishings, fixtures, lighting and know-how. Consequently, the decor of the villas feels recent and stylish, and undoubtedly has a wow issue. Sadly, that’s not the case on the St Regis Bora Bora, the place the villas are exhibiting their age a bit – particularly within the (dated) bogs – and will use a refurbishment within the close to future.
• The overwater villas on the St Regis Bora Bora are the biggest overwater lodging within the South Pacific. Villas have separate bed room and lounge areas, with window panels imbedded within the flooring, which permit to look into the turquoise-blue lagoon and marine life swimming beneath. Though the overwater villas on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora additionally function separate bedrooms and dwelling rooms, they aren’t as spacious at their St Regis Bora Bora counterparts (though the distinction in dimension is hardly noticeable because of the sensible structure of the 4 Seasons’ overwater villas).
• At each resorts, among the overwater bungalows are fairly removed from the seaside and foremost resort space, so strolling backwards and forwards can take a while and get annoying. Nonetheless, on the St Regis Bora Bora, complimentary bikes are supplied in addition to golf cart service (24/7), which makes it very straightforward to get round. On the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, bikes should not supplied for the reason that resort’s jetties are too slim for bikes and buggies to go on the identical time; company need to both stroll or depend on the 24/7 buggy service, which regularly includes a 15 min wait (particularly whenever you’re staying on the villa on the jetty’s far finish).

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora (due to the nicer room decor)

3. BEACH VILLAS

Each the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora function a few seaside villas:

• Nestled alongside the pristine shores of Bora Bora’s enchanting turquoise lagoon, the seven beachfront villa estates on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora are well-liked for household gatherings, prolonged stays or group getaways. There are one-, two-, and three-bedroom choices, all of which have infinity-edge swimming pools, enclosed gardens and panoramic views of Mount Otemanu. All villas additionally take pleasure in direct entry to a personal stretch of white sand seaside.
• The St Regis Bora Bora has 13 seaside villas, which all have personal out of doors Jacuzzis whereas the 2 two-bedroom villas additionally include personal swimming swimming pools. Nonetheless, opposite to the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, the seaside villas should not situated on the lagoon facet of the resort however on the reef facet, the place they give the impression of being out over a rocky shore (there’s no seaside right here) and the Pacific Ocean. The one exception is the resort’s largest villa – the Royal Suite – which is about on a secluded cove on the resort’s pristine lagoon-facing seaside; this villa options three bedrooms, a personal swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora (due to the views and entry to a personal seaside)

4. VIEWS OF THE LAGOON & MOUNT OTEMANU

A serious distinction between each resorts is the view: the complete 4 Seasons resort is looking to the long-lasting Mount Otemanu, emphasizing the killer views, which isn’t the case on the St Regis.

• Though the St Regis Bora Bora instantly faces Mount Otemanu, the well-known mountain on the middle of the island, solely few areas of the resort take pleasure in an iconic view of the mountain: the arrival dock, a couple of dozen overwater villas, 727 Bar and Lagoon by Jean-Georges Restaurant. All different components of the resort – together with the seaside and the swimming pools – are dealing with the alternative facet in direction of an inlet of the turquoise lagoon and don’t include a view of the mountain (until you wade into the ocean, after which the mountain pops on the horizon).
• All public areas of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora (aside from the spa) are situated alongside the shoreline and thus include a stupendous view of the lagoon and the mountain. That features the seaside which enjoys the most effective view from all of the Bora Bora resorts I’ve stayed at. So if a view of the mountain is what you’re searching for (and let’s face it, that’s why most vacationers flock to Bora Bora), the 4 Seasons is much superior to the St Regis Bora Bora.

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

5. VIEWS OF THE SUNSET

Each resorts take pleasure in a view of the sundown and so they each have a bar from the place to observe the sundown (the informal Vaimiti Bar on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the stylish Bar 727 on the St Regis Bora Bora). The one distinction is that on the St Regis, the solar will disappear behind the island’s mountains about half-hour previous to the true sundown, whereas the 4 Seasons Bora Bora enjoys an unobstructed view of the sundown (from each a part of the resort, together with the seaside) till the very finish when the solar disappears on the horizon.

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

6. BEACH

Each the St Regis Bora Bora and 4 Seasons Bora Bora are situated on personal coral islets (‘motus’), that includes their very own personal seaside golf equipment, that are solely out there to their company. There are a couple of variations although:

• The personal seaside of the St Regis Bora Bora consists of coral sand (which isn’t very gentle) and has some rocky components alongside the shoreline. In distinction, the seaside on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora options tremendous gentle, white sand, which is nice for barefoot walks.
• As already talked about, the seaside on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora faces the mountain and enjoys spectacular views of Mount Otemanu whereas the seaside on the St Regis Bora Bora faces an inlet of the turquoise lagoon and doesn’t include a view of the mountain.
• On the St Regis Bora Bora, the water sport middle is situated on the seaside, and sometimes this will likely trigger noise disturbance, particularly when jetskis depart or arrive (and there’s numerous them on the St Regis Bora). On the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, there are two water sport facilities: one for non-motorized sports activities (e.g. kayaks, peddleboards) is situated on the seaside, whereas the opposite one for motorized sports activities is situated in one other a part of the resort (consequently, there’s hardly any noise disturbance from jetskis on the 4 Seasons).

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

7. RESTAURANTS

Each resorts function all kinds of eating choices, however once more, there are some variations:

• Lagoon by Jean-Georges Restaurant is the St Regis Bora Bora’s signature restaurant and it presents essentially the most chic eating expertise on the island. Suspended over the water and providing hanging views of Mount Otemanu, the venue delights the senses with a memorable advantageous eating expertise that has earned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten his famend popularity as one of many world’s main Cooks. Signature dishes embody crimson tuna coconut, beef truffle and lamb thyme.  Sadly, the 4 Seasons doesn’t have a restaurant that matches the gastronomic expertise provided by Lagoon by Jean-Georges Restaurant.
• The opposite eating places on the St Regis Bora Bora function a extra informal vibe: Far Niente Restaurant presents Italian delicacies whereas Bamboo Restaurant serves Asian delicacies ready with a wide range of Japanese and Chinese language strategies. Each eating places are situated subsequent to the one another within the resort’s backyard subsequent, and regardless of their moderately uninspiring setting, they serve nice meals. The St Regis Bora Bora doesn’t have an actual seaside restaurant for dinner (it’s solely seaside restaurant – Te Pahu – is barely open for breakfast and lunch).
• The 4 Seasons has three eating places: Arii Moana serves Mediterranean delicacies, Vaimiti is an Asian restaurant, and Faré Hoa Seaside Bar & Grill is an open-air restaurant with toes-in-the-sand allure which serves recent native fish and a advantageous choice of steaks. Meals in any respect the venues is great (and marginally higher than the meals served on the St Regis Bora Bora’s informal eating places). All of the eating places are additionally situated alongside the seaside (which is a plus in comparison with the backyard location of the informal eating venues on the St Regis Bora Bora). However as already mentioned, the 4 Seasons Bora Bora lacks a really distinctive restaurant befitting its fabulous popularity (which is moderately disappoinrting).

Winner: St Regis Bora Bora (due to the Lagoon by Jean-Georges Restaurant)

8. BREAKFAST

Breakfast at each the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora is comprised of a buffet, complemented with à la carte dishes. IMHO, the buffets at each resorts are moderately restricted and a bit underwhelming for ultra-luxe inns of this class (particularly when in comparison with the lavish breakfast buffets provided at among the different 4 Seasons and St Regis resorts on the earth, such because the 4 Seasons property in Mauritius or the St Regis Maldives).

Winner: none (each resorts ought to up their recreation with regards to their breakfast choices)

9. SPA

Each the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora function a devoted wellness middle on their expansive resort grounds.

• Located on the best level of the resort’s motu, the Te Mahana (the solar) Spa on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora options hovering ceilings, raised walkways, in- and out of doors therapy pavilions, in addition to two decks with a Jacuzzi, one dealing with the Pacific Ocean and one overlooking the gardens. However whereas the spa presents nice therapy, the power feels a bit dated and its setting is just not as stunning because the spa on the St Regis Bora Bora.
• Having fun with a hanging, movie-set view of Mount Otemanu, the St Regis Bora Bora’s attractive spa is situated on a small island in a man-made lagoon. The Iridium Spa is comprised of 1 out of doors and 5 indoor therapy rooms, a Balneotherapy room, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, a boutique and a soothing lounge with a hypnotic view. The spotlight of the spa is its stunning backyard the place company can loosen up pre- or post-treatment.

Winner: St Regis Bora Bora

10. SHOPS

Though purchasing won’t be the first purpose to journey to Bora Bora, each resorts do have some boutiques on website interesting to ‘shopaholics’:

• The 4 Seasons Bora Bora presents among the most spectacular outlets I’ve ever seen on the resort. There are three giant boutiques on website, the principle one being MoeMoea (that means “dream” in Polynesian), which sells the most effective of resort put on, informal and lively attire, equipment, girls’s luxe attire, swimwear and extra. The shop options well-known manufacturers comparable to Camilla, Missoni, Onia, Strong & Striped, Vilebrequin and Zimmermann. The property’s two different outlets embody Tahia, a pearl boutique, and Manua, a store promoting domestically made crafts like Bora Bora’s hand-painted pareos.
• In comparison with the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, the outlets on the St Regis Bora Bora should not as giant, don’t really feel as luxurious and provide a extra restricted vary of merchandise. There’s a common store promoting a small choice of garments and artectacts, a luxurious jewellery boutique and an artwork gallery.

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

11. ROOM RATES, EXPENSES ON SITE AND VALUE FOR MONEY

For the reason that 4 Seasons and the St Regis are the highest resorts in Bora Bora, it shouldn’t come as a shock that they rank among the many world’s costliest resorts. Room charges in excessive season are above $1500 USD per night time and a three-course dinner is round $100 USD per particular person (excluding drinks). Each resorts are roughly equally costly (though I really feel you get higher worth for cash on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora due to the higher views, seaside, and villas). That mentioned, the St Regis Bora Bora has the key benefit that it participates within the Marriott Bonvoy  program, which makes it doable to e book free nights on the resort utilizing Marriott Bonvoy factors (though that excludes transfers, meals, and any excursions on website). As well as, Marriott Bonvoy elite members are nicely handled on the St Regis Bora Bora, with free WiFi, a room improve (when out there), early check-in or late check-out (when out there), and complementary breakfast (for prime tier members). The 4 Seasons Bora Bora doesn’t take part in any loyalty program, so the one option to keep right here is by paying the total fee.

Winner: St Regis Bora Bora (due to the Marriott Bonvoy program)

12. SNORKELING & LAGOONARIUM

Each resorts are situated inside Bora Bora’s insanely stunning lagoon. The lagoon’s clear, turquoise waters and the encompassing coral reef make for some memorable snorkeling amongst tropical-colored fish, innocent reef sharks and big manta rays. The most effective snorkeling is loved on half-day or full-day excursions (provided by many tour operators) the place you get to cruise round Bora Bora’s many motus and make stops alongside the best way to snorkel in coral gardens, swim amongst playful rays, and expertise the joys of swimming with docile sharks. However each the St Regis Bora Bora and the 4 Seasons Bora Bora additionally provide their company snorkeling on website of their lagoonariums, that are internal, partly man-made lagoons teeming with unique marine life. At these lagoonariums,  company can study extra in regards to the native aquatic life from marine biologists and stand up shut and private with the fishes. The  snorkeling expertise inside the lagoonariums of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora may be very comparable, though the lagoonarium on the 4 Seasons is at least double the scale of the lagoonarium on the St Regis, therefore providing extra prospects to discover.

Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora

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