The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

When I was looking at booking our honeymoon (sept 2016) I couldn’t find a great comparison of the Four Seasons Vs St Regis so I decided to stay both (5 nights each) and to write a comparison that people may find useful. Bora Bora itself is stunning, the photos don’t do it justice, it truly is unlike anywhere else, I think if you’re coming from the UK like us, it is usually the Maldives or bora bora dilemma and the long flight puts people off. One thing about the Maldives is that when you are at sea level you don’t have the view anymore, all photos of the Maldives are taken from above, whereas Bora Bora has stunning views. We flew London-LA-Tahiti-Bora Bora, because of the time difference we left our wedding on Sunday lunch time and were on the beach at the four seasons on Monday morning! Bora Bora is VERY expensive, we honestly budgeted about £400 a day spending money to average out to include some excursions, make sure if you go you save spending money as when you are there you want to be able to do everything. 2 pizzas and 2 beers is about £90! St Regis Having been excited for a change of scenery, to be honest I instantly realised how special the Four Seasons is. St Regis is much more of a resort, more food options, more pools, more people, more social. Unlike the four seasons it isn’t located on its own island so across the water you can see some locals huts etc, staff accommodation and other water villas from a nearby hotel, not an issue for me. We decided to go for a beachside villa here with private pool, it was HUGE!!! They had left chocolates and champagne for us and we were not on the lagoon side but the sea so you could see and hear proper waves which was nice. again though, we were in the shade by lunch time so ended up at the beach. I do kind of wish we had gone for an over water villa again as I think these are amazing, I didn’t see in the ones at st regis so I cannot comment but I am sure they are nice. We had bicycles to cycle around which I loved, great exercise and good fun, especially after a cocktail! Their snorkelling lagoon was amazing, much bigger fish than the four seasons and they had feeding sessions etc. I was very excited about more supper options (Italian/ indian etc) but the food quality was not as great as the four seasons. We went to eat on the main island one night which was a lot cheaper and it was great also, I cannot remember the name of the restaurant. I didn’t go to the spa here so I cannot comment but we did go on the jetski tour of the island which was great! We also did the 45 minute helicopter which was INCREDIBLE, expensive at £800 for 45 mins but so memorable if you can do it. There was nightly entertainment (singer) which was funny but he was dreadful and so cringe, serenading people, it was very awkward but funny and it did get people talking! The Four Seasons We stayed here first, the Boat collection from the airport was all very swift, we were given beautiful shell necklaces, water and a very warm welcome, the four seasons boat was definitely the nicest. I was worried that there would be a check in queue upon arrival as we shared a boat with about 5 other couples but we all had a personal member of staff to greet us, go through paperwork and give us a tour of the island/ resort as we couldn’t check in yet. They let us use the breakfast facilities and honestly sitting there having breakfast with that view I will never forget. The rooms at the four seasons are beautiful, pretty private and peaceful with everything you need. We had a sunrise villa but changed half way through as the sun disappeared from our deck by about 3pm so we moved to a sunset villa, the views were incredible! The staff at the four seasons were probably the best I have ever encountered, they honestly couldn’t do enough, they all knew your name, even the gardeners! The food was amazing, everything was always perfect, I would say that the food got a little repetitive, it was seared tuna, steak or lobster mainly and it was all amazing but one day it would have been nice to maybe have some pasta or something different, they did have a lovely sushi restaurant/ bar too. the French restaurant was probably my favourite, the chef even offered to cook us whatever we wanted the next night, it was 10/10. The resort is quite large but golf buggies collect you upon request but I personally loved walking around, the snorkelling lagoon was beautiful, everything was amazing. It is unusual to stay somewhere so high end with such a relaxed feel, everyone was friendly and down to earth. These aren’t negatives for some people and it may have just been the time we were there but by the end of our 5 nights we didn’t seem to have spoken to any other guests…. this is unusual for me and at the st regis we made a lot of friends. The spa was AMAZING, great couples massage, bumped into Usain Bolt whilst in the spa! Whilst here we did the sunset jeep safari which I loved! We also did the private dinner sunset cruise, it was very very special but for about £700 I think it is a lot! It was stunning but a table on an island with a portaloo and shack kitchen. All in all, this hotel is probably one of the most special places in the world I think, everything was perfect. I was looking forward to some different food etc when we moved on to the St Regis There is so much more I could say but in conclusion if you only stayed at one I would choose the Four Seasons, I can only describe it as very special. If like me you are staying for 10 nights I would do 5 at each but would start at the St Regis as it is amazing in its own right and if you only stayed here you would have an amazing time but if you are coming from the four seasons I just felt it wasn’t as exclusive or high end.

We have been there with our kids and we spent a lovely time over there. Everything was perfect, the environment is something surreal and also the people too. I wish to go back again with my love soon. Kids wife and i was completely shocked from the transfer with a private boat and the water bungalow... all around you can go with a bike and no stress at all!!! Cheers!

The St. Regis is everything you would expect and want from a dream honeymoon in Bora Bora - luxurious, extravagant, picturesque, and so unique. Thank you to Pacific for Less for arranging our entire week-long honeymoon at the St. Regis, from our flights and boat transfers, to our dinner reservations and our tours. Pacific for Less included a free shark, sting ray, and snorkeling group tour which we absolutely loved. We also had a daily meal plan that included a great breakfast buffet and a 3-course dinner at any restaurant at the hotel, which was so convenient and also included the Polynesian show and buffet. We thought the food at the resort restaurants was excellent. We almost never paid for food, as we brought snacks with us, and only a couple times ordered a pizza and smoothies on the beach for lunch. The tap water is safe but you have to specifically ask for it at all the restaurants, or you will be charged $10 for a bottle of water, which we realized our first night. We had a gorgeous end of the pontoon bungalow facing Mt Otemanu, and even though it was one of the farthest bungalows from the main resort, we had no problems walking to the main restaurants, as it is only a 10 minute walk. The Lagoonarium was awesome, as it had huge fish that you can't find in the other coral garden in the lagoon. Overall, we would 100% recommend the St. Regis to anybody looking to make a once in a lifetime trip to Bora Bora - it's worth the splurge - and 100% book with Pacific for Less!

This hotel is a whole new level of luxury. Everyone here tries to make everything for you so that you have all the time to relax. This starts with the amazing butler service being offered 24/7 and both our butlers Giulo and Filip were so friendly and helpful and they made our stay so much more relaxed and a lot easier. The hotel venue is very big but the the hotel offers bicycles as well as 24/7 pick ups with golf carts which was very good. The food in the restaurants is very good but also expensive. However we did not expect otherwise for a hotel of this quality as well as for the fact that the hotel is on an island and most things have to be imported. The villas are nice although next time we would book a lagoon side ocean villa instead of the reef side villa as it can get quite windy there. Personally writing as an 18 year old I felt like it's more a hotel for couples being on their honeymoon instead of for families although that was just my personal feeling and it did not have any drawbacks for us whatsoever as the hotel still offers kids club for younger ones. Overall, I would definitely recommend this hotel!

The St. Regis was amazing. We went for our honeymoon and it was even better than expected. The overwater bungalow was huge. It had a large bathroom, huge bedroom, living room, and outdoor deck. Jumping into the ocean off your own deck is amazing. The have a lagoonarium with many types of fish and a smaller lagoon with 3 different sharks. There are two great pools with one being adults only. The beach is great with many water activities to do like water bikes, jet skis, and paddle boarding. The service at the hotel was impeccable including the butlers, waiters, bartenders, and the entire staff. The best meals were at the Lagoon. The beef tenderloin was amazing I had it twice. You eat dinner while sharks and other fish swim beneath the glass floors. Joris the manager was outstanding! He provided amazing service and was extremely personable. He always made sure we had fresh drinks and the food was perfect. He even offered to take multiple pictures. David the bartender made a different specialty cocktail every night, which were outstanding. We went there almost every night for drinks because of the view, the service, and David’s and Joris’ outstanding customer service and personalities. The service at the other restaurants were great as well especially Punan, who provide amazing service throughout the whole trip. We visited many places including Hawaii, but this trip blows them all away. We spent a little over $5,000 for the trip for 10 nights including excursions so it is expensive, but this is a once in a lifetime trip.