I Starvation-Gamed my manner onto the small airplane from Tahiti to Bora Bora and plopped down in a window seat: I used to be informed to take a seat on the left facet for the perfect views of the notoriously photogenic French Polynesian island. The recommendation was stable, as turquoise waters and sand bars appeared out of nowhere, giving me a glimpse of the sweetness I used to be about to immerse myself in.

Inside quarter-hour of deplaning, I used to be on a ship headed to a non-public cove on Motu To’opua, a small islet in Bora Bora. As we approached land, I caught a glimpse of the overwater bungalows at Conrad Bora Bora Nui sitting within the turquoise lagoon.

A heat welcome and a swift check-in later, I used to be on a golf cart en path to my luxurious one-bedroom villa, which, with its thatched roof and picket interiors, blended harmoniously with its pure environment. Roger Godin, the resort’s common supervisor, described the resort as a mix of recent luxurious and Polynesian attraction.

Throughout my keep, I used to be typically shocked by how intimate and personal the resort felt. It was solely at breakfast that I bought an inkling that it could be totally booked. And this phantasm is a spotlight of the visitor expertise. «Conrad Bora Bora Nui is designed to offer a way of seclusion and tranquility, permitting friends to completely immerse themselves within the pure fantastic thing about Bora Bora,» Godin informed Journey + Leisure. «Our resort provides a novel place and form that gives one hundred pc privateness, making friends really feel as if they’re almost the one ones right here, removed from the mass tourism expertise.»

Bora Bora has a repute as a honeymoon destination, however after just a few days right here, I noticed that the island—and the resort—are price visiting, whether or not or not you are celebrating a life milestone.

«We create unforgettable experiences for each sort of traveler. Whether or not you’re honeymooners searching for a romantic escape, households in quest of luxurious and journey, or pals on a getaway, our resort has all of it,» Godin stated.

This is what it is like to remain at Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

The Rooms

The resort provides 114 suites and villas divided into a number of classes, together with lagoon view suites, backyard villas, seaside villas, overwater villas, and the presidential overwater villas.

«Every sort gives distinctive options equivalent to direct lagoon entry, personal swimming pools, and beautiful views,» Godin stated, including that lagoon view suites with their spacious dwelling areas are a superb choice for households, whereas the backyard villas and seaside villas provide extra privateness inside a secluded, lush atmosphere.

I stayed in an overwater villa, which Godin described because the «quintessential Bora Bora expertise.» Contained in the bungalow have been all the fashionable conveniences I might need: air-con, an enormous toilet with a bathtub, a closet, and ample seating. Outdoors, I had a non-public deck with an infinity pool and beautiful views of the lagoon.

A ladder on the facet of the deck allowed me to dip into the ocean and snorkel each time I happy, whereas the coral reef below my bungalow ensured an array of colourful fish have been swimming always. One of the particular moments throughout my go to was an early morning after I watched sharks, rays, and a faculty of fish swim by as I sat on the deck.

One other spotlight is the two-story presidential overwater villa, which provides friends 3,229 sq. toes of area, lagoon views, an infinity pool, and a devoted butler.

Whatever the room class, friends have entry to an island host, the resort’s tackle a butler. «This ensures that each visitor’s keep is tailor-made to their wants, making every go to really unforgettable,» Godin defined.

Meals and Drink

Conrad Bora Bora Nui has 5 eating places and bars: Iriatai, a fine-dining French restaurant; Banyan, a contemporary seafood and Chinese language restaurant; Tamure Seashore Grill, an open-air kitchen serving Mediterranean and Polynesian fare; the Tarava Pool Bar, the place friends can order drinks by the pool; and The Upa Upa Lounge Bar, which provides cocktails and lightweight bites. Godin informed T+L that the cooks at every restaurant use native substances to whip up dishes that showcase the flavors of Polynesia.

«Company can get pleasure from themed eating experiences, personal seaside dinners, and quite a lot of worldwide cuisines,» Godin added. One instance is the weekly Ahi Ma’a, a Polynesian dinner and present that takes place each Friday. The night options stay leisure, together with native dancers and a fireplace present, together with a buffet of Polynesian dishes ready in an underground oven. Company can even jet off to the personal islet of Motu Tapu for a picnic within the water. (And by picnic, we do not imply finger sandwiches—assume lobster and champagne at sundown.)

However one of many coolest eating experiences was having my breakfast (contemporary fruit, bread, and poisson cru) delivered by canoe and arrange on my deck, after which having fun with my meal whereas taking within the view of the infinite blue waters.

Actions and Experiences

The resort has an infinity pool with in-water chaise lounges and cabanas, in addition to the swim-up Tarava Pool Bar. There are additionally actions with native consultants—you’ll be able to learn to open a coconut, dabble in weaving banana leaves into luggage, learn to tie a pareo in numerous methods, or take a ukulele class.

And, in fact, water adventures abound. Company can try kayaks, snorkel gear, and paddleboards. Different actions, equivalent to jet-skiing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, and outrigger canoe rides, may be coordinated upon request. (Throughout my go to, the resort organized a snorkeling journey to a close-by website, together with swimming with sharks and rays.)

The Spa

The resort’s hilltop spa boasts surroundings so beautiful that I used to be a couple of minutes late checking in for my remedy. The upward path is lined with aromatic tropical blooms of each coloration conceivable, whereas the panoramic views that unveil with each step are jaw-dropping. Getting into Hina Spa—the title pays tribute to the Polynesian moon goddess—instantly units the tone for sheer leisure with earthy tones and views of the ocean.

Every serene remedy suite seems to be out to the lagoon, whereas the opulent double remedy villas additionally function whirlpools.

The resort has partnered with French skincare model Biologique Recherche to supply a variety of therapies, from a Polynesian physique scrub to a Detoxifying Algae Wrap. (Godin shared that one of many signature therapies is the Face Sculpting Therapeutic massage.) I booked the Tahitian therapeutic massage, a medium-pressure Polynesian-style therapeutic massage, that left me so relaxed I wanted there have been on-site nap pods.

Household-friendly Choices

The resort provides a devoted youngsters membership that includes actions equivalent to arts and crafts, treasure hunts, babysitting companies, and a kids’s playground. Moreover, there are family-friendly lodging, together with the Lagoon View Suites and Seashore Villas.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The resort has accessible amenities, together with ramps and pathways, and visitor rooms with roll-in showers, seize bars, and facilities positioned at a decrease peak.

As for sustainability, Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s eco-friendly efforts embody the set up of photo voltaic panels, recycling initiatives, sourcing sustainable substances and merchandise for its eating places, and implementing energy-efficient practices. The resort additionally works with marine biologists to guard and restore the native reef. «We actively take part in coral reef preservation and assist native artisans by showcasing their crafts in our boutique,» Godin stated.

Location

Conrad Bora Bora Nui is located on a secluded personal island within the Bora Bora lagoon. To get right here, you must fly to Tahiti’s Fa’a’ā Worldwide Airport (PPT) after which take a 45-minute interisland flight to Bora Bora Airport (BOB). Right here, the resort’s workforce will usher you onto a yacht that may ship you to the resort’s dock, the place a welcome workforce greets you with a refreshing drink.

Professional-tip: I like to recommend giving your self just a few days on Tahiti to discover its many native choices. And when you’re on the lookout for a top quality keep near the airport, Hilton Hotel Tahiti is a superb choice with incredible meals, service, and the island’s largest pool.

Tips on how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Company can save as much as 40 p.c by reserving upfront and earn double Hilton Honors factors for every evening of keep. AARP members can save as much as 10 p.c. For the newest data on resort offers and reductions, go to the «Offers» web page on the resort’s web site. Nightly charges begin at $1,000.

Each T+L resort evaluation is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.