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Right this moment: St Regis vs 4 Seasons Bora Bora: which one is finest?
That includes an insanely stunning lagoon and sumptuous tropical surroundings, the South Pacific island of Bora Bora is likely one of the world’s most stunning locations. When you’re contemplating a luxurious vacation in Bora Bora, likelihood is that you just’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 resorts on the island. I not too long ago 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 resorts, 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, not less than 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 below the umbrella of a brand new luxurious lodge 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 because the view of Mount Otemanu is likely one of the fundamental purpose 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? Depart a remark.
For ease of navigation, I’ll evaluate the next features of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora (saying a winner in every class):
- Design
- Overwater villas
- Seaside villas
- Views of the lagoon & Mount Otemanu
- Views of the sundown
- Seaside
- Eating places & meals
- Breakfast
- Spa
- Retailers
- 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 stylish 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 primarily based architects Didier Lefort and Pierre-Jean Picart, with San Francisco primarily based BAMO as the inside designers. Taking cues from its beautiful surrounding, the native tradition and pure sources, the property’s design fuses basic Polynesian structure with subtle magnificence that’s 4 Seasons. Design inspiration is drawn from parts 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 whole 12 months on web site planning what was to grow to be the St Regis Bora Bora. Lacombe select easy and pure supplies for constructing the resort, reminiscent of 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 lodge.
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 have been refurbished and fitted with a recent Polynesian really feel, full with new furnishings, fixtures, lighting and expertise. Because of this, the decor of the villas feels contemporary 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 displaying their age a bit – particularly within the (dated) loos – and will use a refurbishment within the close to future.
- The overwater villas on the St Regis Bora Bora are the most important overwater lodging within the South Pacific. Villas have separate bed room and front room areas, with window panels imbedded within the ground, 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 residing rooms, they aren’t as spacious at their St Regis Bora Bora counterparts (though the distinction in dimension is hardly noticeable because of the good format of the 4 Seasons’ overwater villas).
- At each resorts, a few of the overwater bungalows are fairly removed from the seashore and fundamental 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 because the resort’s jetties are too slim for bikes and buggies to cross on the similar time; company need to both stroll or depend on the 24/7 buggy service, which regularly entails a 15 min wait (particularly while 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 seashore 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 widespread 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 seashore.
- The St Regis Bora Bora has 13 seashore villas, which all have non-public out of doors Jacuzzis whereas the 2 two-bedroom villas additionally include non-public swimming swimming pools. Nonetheless, opposite to the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, the seashore 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 seashore right here) and the Pacific Ocean. The one exception is the resort’s largest villa – the Royal Suite – which is ready on a secluded cove on the resort’s pristine lagoon-facing seashore; 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 seashore)
4. VIEWS OF THE LAGOON & MOUNT OTEMANU
A significant distinction between each resorts is the view: your 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 straight faces Mount Otemanu, the well-known mountain on the heart of the island, solely few areas of the resort take pleasure in an iconic view of the mountain: the arrival dock, a number of dozen overwater villas, 727 Bar and Lagoon by Jean-Georges Restaurant. All different elements of the resort – together with the seashore and the swimming pools – are dealing with the alternative facet in the 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 (except for the spa) are situated alongside the shoreline and thus include a stupendous view of the lagoon and the mountain. That features the seashore 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 on the lookout 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 seashore) 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 non-public coral islets (‘motus’), that includes their very own non-public seashore golf equipment, that are solely obtainable to their company. There are a number of variations although:
- The non-public seashore of the St Regis Bora Bora consists of coral sand (which isn’t very smooth) and has some rocky elements alongside the shoreline. In distinction, the seashore on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora options tremendous smooth, white sand, which is nice for barefoot walks.
- As already talked about, the seashore on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora faces the mountain and enjoys spectacular views of Mount Otemanu whereas the seashore 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 heart is situated on the seashore, and sometimes this may increasingly 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 seashore, whereas the opposite one for motorized sports activities is situated in one other a part of the resort (in consequence, 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 provides probably 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 positive eating expertise that has earned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten his famend status 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 provides Italian delicacies whereas Bamboo Restaurant serves Asian delicacies ready with quite a lot 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 reasonably uninspiring setting, they serve nice meals. The St Regis Bora Bora doesn’t have an actual seashore restaurant for dinner (it’s solely seashore restaurant – Te Pahu – is just 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 contemporary native fish and a positive collection of steaks. Meals in any respect the venues is superb (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 seashore (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 status (which is reasonably 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 reasonably restricted and a bit underwhelming for ultra-luxe resorts of this class (particularly when in comparison with the lavish breakfast buffets provided at a few of 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 in terms of their breakfast choices)
9. SPA
Each the 4 Seasons Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora function a devoted wellness heart 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 remedy pavilions, in addition to two decks with a Jacuzzi, one dealing with the Pacific Ocean and one overlooking the gardens. However whereas the spa provides nice remedy, the power feels a bit dated and its setting shouldn’t be 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 beautiful 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 remedy rooms, a Balneotherapy room, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, a boutique and a calming lounge with a hypnotic view. The spotlight of the spa is its stunning backyard the place company can calm down pre- or post-treatment.
Winner: St Regis Bora Bora
10. SHOPS
Though procuring won’t be the first purpose to journey to Bora Bora, each resorts do have some boutiques on web site interesting to ‘shopaholics’:
- The 4 Seasons Bora Bora provides a few of the most spectacular retailers I’ve ever seen on the resort. There are three giant boutiques on web site, the principle one being MoeMoea (that means “dream” in Polynesian), which sells the most effective of resort put on, informal and lively attire, equipment, ladies’s luxe attire, swimwear and extra. The shop options well-known manufacturers reminiscent of Camilla, Missoni, Onia, Strong & Striped, Vilebrequin and Zimmermann. The property’s two different retailers embody Tahia, a pearl boutique, and Manua, a store promoting regionally made crafts like Bora Bora’s hand-painted pareos.
- In comparison with the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, the retailers on the St Regis Bora Bora should not as giant, don’t really feel as luxurious and supply a extra restricted vary of merchandise. There’s a normal store promoting a small collection of garments and artectacts, a luxurious jewellery boutique and an artwork gallery.
Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora
11. SNORKELING & LAGOONARIUM
Each resorts are situated inside Bora Bora’s insanely stunning lagoon. The lagoon’s clear, turquoise waters and the encircling coral reef make for some memorable snorkeling amongst tropical-colored fish, innocent reef sharks and big manta rays. The perfect 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 way in which 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 supply their company snorkeling on web site of their lagoonariums, that are interior, 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 throughout 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 as a minimum double the dimensions of the lagoonarium on the St Regis, therefore providing extra prospects to discover.
Winner: 4 Seasons Bora Bora
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