Le Bora Bora By Pearl Resorts

We recently returned from celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary at the Le Bora Bora by Pearl Beach resort booked through Claudia and her team at Pacific For Less. We love this resort! Pacific For Less worked with the resort to make sure our trip was perfect. The resort is modern and clean and incorporates Polynesian culture everywhere you look very tastefully. Local artists were brought in and the influence of their skills creates a unique atmosphere. The rooms are comfortable and a work of art in their own right. The grounds are expansive and well cared for as all of the facilities are. Attention to detail is very evident in everything they do. The resort is environmentally conscious by having solar panels on every bungalow and the only solar catamaran on the island. During our stay we witnessed conservators inspecting the many coral heads around the resort ensuring a healthy and thriving eco system. The food from the three restaurants is very good and beautifully presented. The staff greeted us by name and were extremely friendly and helpful attending to our needs and questions. We have stayed at another resort on the island in the past but would never consider staying anywhere again.

The room was like a dream! We opted for a beach villa with a private pool. It was very clean, and while it looked exactly like the photos, it was even lovelier in person. The pool was naturally warm, and the gardens surrounding it smelled heavenly. The staff was mostly friendly and engaging, with a very high staff-to-guest ratio due to it being the off season. The grounds were like something out of a Monet painting, Jurassic Park, and Blue Lagoon. Never have I seen more beautiful waters, views, or moonlit beaches. The perfect setting — it really is a dreamy resort. Now for the parts that will never make me go back or recommend it to friends and family who have Bora Bora on their bucket list. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, and the boat ride to their private island was breathtaking. We were greeted with flowers, kindness, and incredible customer service. The first two days were like something out of a dream. Monday evening, as I was preparing for bed, I noticed two muscle relaxers missing from my pouch. I had labeled medication baggies with prescription labels attached and the same count in each. My anti-anxiety medication was in its original bottle for travel because it’s a controlled substance, and those weren’t counted — but later I realized three of those were missing as well. The medications were on a small vanity in the bathroom, tucked behind a lamp in the corner — not hidden, but not out in the open either. There was absolutely no need for anyone to touch anything on that counter. This bothered me all night, and I didn’t sleep well, feeling like someone had taken them. The next morning, as we planned to take a ferry to the main island for shopping, I immediately thought about the money in my wallet, which I had left zipped in the corner on the counter instead of in the safe. Sure enough, I knew instantly something was wrong. I hadn’t touched my purse or money since arriving, but I know I had six $50 bills, two $20s, and about $10–15 in smaller bills — and I now had $170. We immediately met with the manager. He gave us a $200 credit toward our bill to compensate for the monetary loss and promised an investigation, saying they could track who entered the room by key cards. He told us he would keep us updated, but we never received consistent follow-up despite multiple conversations. Each time we checked back, there was another delay or explanation. When we checked out, the matter was still unresolved, and despite exchanging emails, we have never heard back. During this same stay, my husband became very ill after dinner one evening. By the next morning, he was extremely fatigued and spent the rest of the day in bed and in the bathroom. We chose not to report it because we didn’t want to be the couple complaining about everything. When we returned home, lab work confirmed he had Campylobacter, most commonly caused by improperly prepared chicken — which he had eaten as a complimentary appetizer the night he got sick. I spent the last three and a half days of our dream trip alone, while he spent another week and a half recovering from severe dehydration and bowel issues. About a week and a half later, we sent customer service and the president of Relais & Châteaux a copy of his lab results along with the details of our experience, and we still have not received a response. I do take responsibility for not placing my belongings in the safe. At the same time, this was the most expensive luxury property we have ever stayed at, and I honestly never felt like I should have needed to worry about anything left on the counter in our private villa. The resort is undeniably beautiful, but because of the unresolved security concerns, lack of follow-through, and the illness that overshadowed our stay, we would not return.

Set on the motu west of the main island of Bora Bora, this boutique resort is set apart from all the big names. You feel like you are the only ones there. Spring for the direct boat ride from the aiport to the resort. It's a 20 minute ride door to door. And if you get lucky like us, you get a private ride as no other passengers were arriving at the time we did on a Friday. The property is lush and inviting. The buildings are beautifully appointed and well mainted. The staff is Incredible.... professional, genuine, kind and welcoming. We stayed in an over water bungalow (OWB)... room 124. It was not too far from the main beach and pool, so we didn't have to walk far. The foot of the bed had a glass viewing area that you could look straight down and see the water and whatever fish happened to be swimming by. The private outdoor deck had 2 lounge chairs as well as 2 regular chairs and a small table so that you could have your own private retreat overlooking the water. The deck also had a net t and large pillow that you can lay on to sun yourself. Entry into the water was easy with the steps and ladder. After your swim, snorkel or frolic in the water, you then could rinse off with the small handheld shower before entering your room. Note... if you happen to be out in the water... highly recommend keeping your phone and room key on the deck with you. The room attendant tidied our room while we were out in the water and locked the sliding door to the deck... thus "locking" us out. hahahaha! Thankfully, I had my room key on the table outside so that we could just walk around to the main stairs into the coral garden and then let ourselves in via the front door. There are water refill stations around the property to refill your water bottles and carafe in the room. The pool is so relaxing and features a "swim up bar". The beach has a bunch of lounge chairs and umbrellas for all enjoy. Because we visited during low season, there was never a problem getting a seat at the pool or the beach. There are several "water toys" you can enjoy such as kayaks, standup paddle boards, smash ball sets, etc... The concierge can arrange all kinds of other off property activities should you want to go snorkeling or a sunset cruise or jet skiing, etc... The concierge is also where you go to book reservations for dinner at the 3 restaurants. Otemanu is the main dining... offers Breakfast and Dinner. Poerava is their gourmet restaurant the is only opened Tuesday - Saturday, and offers either a 3 course menu or a 5 course menu. This venue only has 8 tables and the setting fees like you are in zen garden. Highly recommend if you are looking for an intimate experience. Uaina is a casual tapas/small bites/sushi bar. It also serves as the bar for Otemanu so any drink you may want, they can mix up. Miki Miki is the day time restaurant that serves up small plates, sandwiches, pizza, salads, etc.. throughout the day. Their menu is also available at the pool bar. Friday Nights... 6-7pm... they have a Polynesian performance on the beach. A definite highlight of our stay. Net ... Net.... The location of the property is quiet and not near any other resort. The staff were Excellent. The OWB were lovely and comfortable. We will be back again some day.

We recently stayed at Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts, and unfortunately it was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences we’ve ever had — especially at this price point. From the beginning, service felt disorganized and at times unprofessional. On our first day, I asked for extra sauce with my meal and was met with “wow, really?” and a look of surprise — and then charged $10 for it. Later in our stay, we were served the wrong bottle of wine. Although we hadn’t consumed it, we were initially told we would be charged because it had been opened. It took nearly an hour of discussion with a manager to resolve. The most upsetting dining experience occurred when a guest was smoking inside the restaurant. I have smoke allergies and had to leave dinner early. Staff did nothing. When we raised the concern, we were told by the Director of Operations that we should have addressed the smoking guest ourselves if the waiter did not intervene. That response was shocking — guests should not be expected to manage other guests’ behavior. Transportation coordination was equally problematic. Concierge booked a boat for our dinner reservation, yet the boat left early without us. We later realized the Director of Operations was standing right by the boat as it departed but did not assist or acknowledge us, even as my husband expressed concern about missing our reservation. Instead, he continued greeting other guests. We then struggled to reach concierge by phone, missed our arranged transportation on the other end, and ended up in the wrong cab without speaking the local language. It was incredibly stressful and avoidable. Halfway through our dinner, the taxi cab driver approached us and told us that the hotel boat was leaving immediately and if we didn’t get on, we would be missing the last ride back to the hotel. Apparently, this was communicated to him by the hotel. We had to stop eating and rushed out of the hotel only to find no no boat at the boat dock. We called the front desk and they told us the boat would not be coming for 45 minutes. We were really disappointed that we were rushed out of our dinner to just have to sit there and wait for a boat that wasn’t coming for that long and it was not the last boat of the evening either. The most disappointing part of our stay, however, was our interaction with the Director of Operations. During our final meeting, rather than focusing on our experience or offering a sincere apology, he repeatedly fixated on disputing a private email review my husband had filled out that they send to guests on their last day , insisting it was “not fair or accurate.” He even asked us to change it! He told us to wait in the lobby during checkout while he “looked into” applying a refund for the affected meal. We sat there for approximately 30 minutes. When we finally approached the front desk, we were told the charge had already been removed and that he was not planning to return to speak with us. The situation felt dismissive and unprofessional, particularly after being asked to wait. A refund for the meal was issued only after I specifically requested it — and this was after discussions with three separate managers throughout our stay. We had just come from Moorea, where hospitality was warm and proactive. The contrast was stark. Bora Bora is beautiful, but true luxury is about service recovery and leadership. Unfortunately, this stay did not reflect that standard.

I am well traveled, and this is my third time in French Polynesia, but my first time at La Bora Bora. I have to say, I am blown away. The beauty, comfort, kindness, and romance is over the top! Nowhere on their website or in these reviews, do I see mention of the incredible gardens. There are acres of tropical gardens, including large totems, statuary, a vegetable garden, all manner of tropical foliage, enormous butterfly installations, not to mention a Jurassic Park! My favorites are the lily ponds. They would make Monet jealous. White and lavender flowers unfurl in the morning sun. I have seen quibbles with the food in previous reviews, and I don’t understand them. We are mostly vegetarian, which is difficult in this part of the world, but every meal has been creative and delicious and there are many options spread over several lovely restaurants. We chose a beach villa which borders on the turquoise lagoon in front and features a walled private garden with dipping pool in the rear. Bed and linens are all very comfortable. Towel swans and flowers welcomed us. I think it is Heaven on Earth and I never want to leave.