The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

Overall a very good stay but there is some room for improvement. Having freshly opened just a few months prior to our arrival, this was one resort I had been keeping my eye on as it was the newest on the motu (or rather, most recently renovated and rebranded after closing for over 4 years and being bought out by Marriott). There were speculations as to whether this would be branded a Ritz-Carlton or a W but many, including myself, were rather surprised to find it branded as a Westin. Pre-arrival was a little patchy. The good (and excellent) points first - I had purposely studied the resort map prior to booking and arrival to see if they could specifically select the one bungalow I wanted where my wife and I had a completely unobstructed view of Mount Otemanu and no other bungalow had even an inkling of a line of sight into ours. I had dropped the Westin concierge team a few room numbers that I specifically wanted. We also exchanged information about dietary requirements prior to arrival but there was some prolonged mix-up between payment as I had been requested to partially pre-pay around 40% of the hotel bill prior to arrival and changes in the amount to prepay a couple of times. This was not ideal but not a dealbreaker. We arrived early, having spent the night in Tahiti. Meeting the arrival team at Bora Bora Airport after disembarking the small local airplane was very smooth and we quite promptly made our way over to the transfer boat. For the price we paid, the option of a slightly more elegant mode of transport would have been preferable. $250 round trip for 2 people is not a bad price to pay for transfer especially in Bora Bora but for a rather small boat that is quite bumpy and crowded for only a 15-20 minute ride is rather steep. The Westin appears to have picked a prime location on the motu with premium views of Mount Otemanu head on. A small traditional ceremony was had announcing the guests arrival as we all made our way to the lobby for check-in. With around 6-7 groups/couples having arrived at the resort on one boat and at times only one person manning the check-in desk, there was a bit of a queue and again not expected for a resort of this price, location and calibre. We had to wait around 25-30 minutes before even speaking to someone about checking in. We had been given some good news - my top choice for the bungalow I had wanted was available and was allocated to us which was very welcome as it was our honeymoon and I wanted things to be as specific as they could be. I commend the Westin on this front. We were also given a tour of the property on the buggy which is expansive and has multiple facilities. However, we had to wait around 4 hours before we could use our room as the previous guests were still in there and the room needed to be made up so this was no fault on Westin’s behalf in my opinion. The lobby is rather small with a nice outdoor area and 2 outdoor sun beds where we perched down for a couple of hours and then explored the pool. After waiting what felt like forever, we arrived at the room. We had booked the second highest category of room - the Premium Otemanu Overwater. Plenty of space for luggage and belongings and it was spacious. The dual vanity with mirrors sliding across to allow direct view through the bedroom and outside was a nice touch. Amenities were plentiful but a rather poorly stocked mini bar and again at this price point of over £2,000 a night, I would expect a complimentary mini bar. The bed was very soft and comfortable, fan and AC was fantastic and the glass window into the floor below again was a welcome addition. The beach bag and water bottles were particularly helpful for when we were going out and the bottles for filling up at the numerous water refilling stations including ice, the nearest of which was only a 20 second walk from the villa. On the downside, the bottle was very chlorinated tasting and took several months to get rid of the smell and taste but a nice souvenir nonetheless. We were given some freebies as it was our honeymoon which were some snacks and drinks which weren’t very tasty but to each their own. A rather generic placard from the GM was also placed alongside this but at a resort of this size, handwriting welcome letters would be tiresome I expect. The room was very clean and cleaned at least twice - sometimes three times - daily and was almost getting excessive at one point. Chocolates awaiting our bedside areas after going out for dinner and having had the room cleaned again was a pleasant touch. The bath has a rather odd placement looking out between slats to other bungalows and the main way in but I rather that than having the bathroom and sinks in one big room with the bed also - this is what lower category rooms award you with, which I find a bit Frankenstein-ish. The outdoor area of the bungalow was also very good but a rather small pool for an almost top category room in the entire resort. Sun beds were nice and a small outdoor hand shower for if we got in to the sea. Side note - I am a terrible swimmer (I cannot swim) so I dare not step in, and the downside to having a room with likely the most premium view of Mount Otemanu on the entire resort was that we were far out and thus deeper waters with stronger currents. There was also a lot of water traffic at least every 20-30 minutes or so passing in front of us but again, this does not feel like a fault of the Westin here. Recent construction here means that there isn’t as much wildlife as neighbouring resorts yet but we did spot a ray, a barracuda and even a turtle at one point. What was rather unwelcome was that there were still some cranes up in the distance of the resort and construction going on, which was both an eyesore and an earsore at times. Booking for restaurants in the evening was simple - dial up the concierge and it was done. Bugs were a non-issue. Breakfast buffet was not as large as a selection I would have liked it to be but some good offerings. This is where my review falls down. I had specifically gone to the buffet and seen a sign for vegetarian sausages and so I placed some in my plate and ate them. Going for a second round of what was on offer, I saw the same sausages having been swiftly re-labelled to chicken sausages and was informed by the chef that these had been mislabelled and safe to say I was not pleased with this mishap, especially as I had informed the resort of my dietary requirements quite strictly beforehand. The manager came over apologetic and had promised us vegetarian sausages the following day but this is not a mistake that should be made by the resort. Food otherwise was good, dessert was a standout. We mainly went to Tipanier for dinner and there was not much variety between nights. The themed night was a spectacle and recommend to attend if it is on during your time. Other facilities including the gym was rather small for a Westin and in a place that felt quite detached from the rest of the resort. The turtle sanctuary was very nice and I respect the work the staff there do. I did not go to the spa as the price for 2 of us to have an hours spa felt rather exorbitant at an all in cost of nearly £400 so we opted for a local massage which was well received by the pair of us. Daily transfer to the island was easy to follow and catch at the resort’s allotted times. The floating breakfast to our bungalow and canoe ride around the bungalow on my wife’s birthday was again very well presented but the lack of drink options and only one coffee was not optimal for having spent almost £300 on. Other activities on offer were plentiful including jet skis which we booked through the hotel was $325 for a couple of hours for both of us but felt well worth it, with the instructors and route bordering on magical. We also stopped on a local small island and learnt how to open coconuts and it is small additions like these integrated from local culture which really elevated the overall experience. There were many other experiences on offer - a romantic beachside dinner, a sunset cruise which I considered but did not feel worth it at the price point of over £1,500. Plenty of sunscreen by the pool was also available and the food there was decent. Taking the clear bottom canoes out on the water from the beach was easy and is recommended close to the resort around the lagoon. The overall atmosphere and ambience of the resort felt isolated and serene but in a good way. Just don’t let the cleaners increase their rate to 4 times a day or the room will feel sterile. Check out and transfer back to the airport was just as smooth as arriving at the resort. Both my wife and I were satisfied overall with the resort and experience. Would we return? Yes, provided some minor hiccups are rectified but I would still recommend this resort to those considering it. I just think with the calibre it is at, it doesn’t feel right to call it a Westin. It should be the W Bora Bora.

After a long and tiring journey through Australia and New Zealand, we ended our holidays by relaxing for 10 days in Bora Bora. The only downside is that to reach this piece of paradise, it is mandatory to stop over in Tahiti and almost always spend the night there. Bora Bora is made up of a main island, home to the iconic Mount Otemanu, surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon and a series of coral islets (motus) with white sand and lush vegetation, where the resorts are located. For our stay, we chose the recently opened The Westin Bora Bora. The property offers various types of villas—some on the beach, others over the water; some with a pool, others without; all varying in size. The facilities are new and well maintained, including restaurants, a large pool, spa, gym, ecocenter, and more. The gardens and surrounding vegetation are beautiful and carefully kept, and there are several beach spots with white sand. The lagoon water is calm, warm, crystal clear, and displays a breathtaking range of blue hues. Yes, this is one of the most stunningly beautiful destinations we have encountered in our many travels—but also one of the most expensive. Upon arrival at the airport, we were welcomed with Polynesian tiare flower garlands. The transfer to the resort was by boat and included in the final price. We were taken to the sound of music to the front desk, where check-in was handled in a friendly and efficient manner. We were then given a brief tour of the resort along with the necessary explanations. We received an upgrade to a Premium Overwater Villa with a pool (#244). The room was spacious, with a separate walk-in closet area. The living area featured a large sofa. There was a ceiling fan, and the air conditioning maintained a comfortable temperature, although it was not completely silent. The king-sized bed had a comfortable mattress, but the duvet was too warm and heavy, so we removed it. However, the blanket provided was too short, which prevented complete comfort. Part of the room had a glass floor panel, allowing us to see the lagoon water and fish passing below. The bathroom was large, with double sinks and a separate shower and bathtub. The range of toiletries was of average quality and somewhat limited; on a few occasions, we had to request shower gel. There was plenty of coffee and tea in the room, but no bottled water. Instead, water had to be collected by ourselves from designated stations along the walkways to the villas. For this purpose, we were given reusable flasks. Now, the highlight: the villa had a deck with sun loungers, chairs, a table, and a small pool—all over the lagoon, with direct access via steps. From here, we enjoyed a stunning view of the photogenic Mount Otemanu. This is where we spent most of our stay. Additionally, both in the room and on the deck (as well as in the bathroom), there were speakers that allowed us to play our own music playlist. However, the outdoor volume should be limited, as we had neighbors whose music was too loud and had to be asked to turn it down. Housekeeping was efficient, including turndown service. We also spent some time on the beach, where the water is shallow, unlike the deeper water in front of our villa. The daily breakfast buffet was served at the Tipanier restaurant. Although good, it did not particularly impress. Flies were a major inconvenience at the buffet. For dinner, we tried all the restaurants (Varavara, Tipanier, and Maere), but honestly, none of the meals stood out. As expected, prices were high. The Polynesian night at Tipanier was worthwhile for the show, and the Asian dinner at Maere, with a fixed menu, did not quite suit our tastes—and was very expensive. However, the service there was of a superior level. At the bar, we enjoyed the daily happy hour and an exceptional sunset. It is worth emphasizing that all the staff who served us, whether in the restaurants or anywhere in the resort, were outstanding—they anticipated our needs and treated us in a very personalized and friendly manner. It is only a pity that one of the bartenders, although hardworking and kind, needed more training: on two occasions, he spilled the daiquiris we ordered on us—one of us on one day, and the other on another day. We were granted a late check-out at 3:00 PM, although not without some difficulty. In summary, Bora Bora truly lives up to its reputation and is a piece of paradise on Earth, making us overlook other less positive aspects of the resort. The property’s infrastructure is luxurious, more so than its amenities. There is certainly some need for further staff training, and the food and dining experience require urgent attention. Our final rating would be 4.5… however, the idyllic setting easily leads us to give it 5 stars on TripAdvisor!

Our stay at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa was absolutely unforgettable. We stayed in a Mount Otemanu View Villa, and it exceeded every expectation. Waking up each day to the breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu was surreal. Bora Bora is already one of the most beautiful places in the world, and this villa gave us a front-row seat. The villa itself was stunning: modern, spotless, beautifully designed, and thoughtfully updated with luxurious touches throughout. One feature we especially loved was the Bluetooth speaker system that played throughout both the villa and the patio, which made relaxing in the room even more enjoyable. We also loved the glass floor! Being able to see directly into the water was amazing. The service throughout our stay was exceptional. Every staff member we encountered was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind, making us feel so welcomed from start to finish. Dining was also fantastic, with our favorite restaurant being Varavara. The food, atmosphere, and overall experience there were incredible, though honestly, every meal we had at the resort was excellent. We also loved the provided bikes, which made it so fun and convenient to explore the property. It was such a nice added touch! If you’re considering staying here, do it. The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa delivered an unforgettable luxury experience in one of the most stunning destinations on earth. Counting down the days until we can return!

Great experience. The resort is beautiful and in great shape. We had a slight issue at check in, but the GM responded quickly and handled it to satisfaction. Our room was in great shape and very clean, highly recommend a villa with pool!

We were a little worried before checking in due to the mixed reviews and the fact that the resort had only recently reopened. But our actual experience turned out to be fantastic — easily the best among all the 5‑star hotels we stayed at on this trip. 1. Exceptional location The setting is unbeatable, with what I’d consider the best, most direct view of the mountain. Waking up to that scenery was unforgettable. 2. Newly updated, modern rooms All the rooms have been fully refreshed and feel modern, functional, and surprisingly spacious. The pool villas with mountain views are especially worth it — private, comfortable, and beautifully designed. 3. Food exceeded expectations Contrary to some older reviews, we found the food to be genuinely good, and the pricing is more reasonable than other 5‑star properties in Bora Bora. It made dining on-site an easy choice. 4. Thoughtful touches The reusable water bottle gift was one of the highlights of our stay — high quality and a great keepsake that shows attention to detail. Overall, the Westin Bora Bora far exceeded our expectations. The combination of location, updated rooms, good food, and thoughtful service made it a standout stay. We would absolutely return.