Resort
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
9.4
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The polished benchmark of Bora Bora's lagoon: overwater bungalows on a private motu facing Mount Otemanu's jagged silhouette.
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French Polynesia
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is the lagoon by which all others are judged: a ring of coral enclosing water of an almost theatrical blue, with the twin peaks of Mount Otemanu rising at its centre like a stage set. The island's name has been shorthand for paradise since the first travellers' accounts, and arrival by air over the reef explains why instantly.
The resorts occupy their own motu islets around the lagoon, stringing overwater villas toward the mountain view. Days pass between snorkelling with rays, lagoon picnics on sandbars and spa pavilions above the water — luxury reduced to its serene, saltwater essentials.
The best hotels in Bora Bora
Resort
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
9.2
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Bora Bora's most extravagant villas—some of the largest overwater retreats in the world—arranged around a private lagoonarium.
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Beach Resort
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
9.2
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
An all-overwater-villa resort on a motu facing Mount Otemanu, pioneering deep-seawater cooling and a lagoon-side thalassotherapy spa.
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Best areas to stay
The Eastern Motu
The islets facing Mount Otemanu hold the island's flagship resorts, with the classic overwater-villa view across the lagoon.
The Southern Lagoon
Quieter motu resorts near the main pass offer superb snorkelling and slightly easier access to the main island.
Vaitape & the Main Island
The little port town and island interior reward a circle-island tour, with local eateries, pearl boutiques and Matira Beach's public sands.
Dining & nightlife
Dining centres on the resorts, from overwater fine dining to beach barbecues under the stars, with Polynesian poisson cru a fixture on every menu. A handful of local restaurants around Vaitape and Matira reward a lagoon crossing. Evenings are for stargazing rather than nightclubs.
Travelling as a family
Families find shallow, sheltered lagoon water ideal for young snorkellers, along with kids' clubs at the larger resorts and boat days spotting rays and blacktip reef sharks. Overwater villas suit older children; beach villas are the practical choice for toddlers.
Travelling as a couple
Bora Bora is the honeymoon summit: overwater villas with glass floors, private motu picnics, couples' massages above the lagoon and champagne sunsets against Otemanu. A private sunset cruise and a Polynesian dance evening complete the rite.
Cultural highlights
- Lagoon excursions among rays and reef sharks
- Mount Otemanu viewpoints on a circle-island tour
- Polynesian dance and fire performances
- Tahitian pearl farms and boutiques
The Browntravels Edit
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