Conrad Bora Bora Nui evaluation

Editor’s observe: Conrad Bora Bora offered TPG with a complimentary three-night keep in order that we might get an inside take a look at the resort and its facilities. The opinions expressed under are fully these of the writer and weren’t topic to evaluation by the resort or any exterior entity.

Resort reporters have explored a few of the greatest lodges on the earth, however there are some locations and properties that cease even probably the most scrutinizing of us in our tracks — and it isn’t simply due to the turndown service.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui is exactly this sort of resort. The Hilton-affiliated property is a traveler favourite due to its luxe lodging that seamlessly mix in with the crashing waves, lush panorama and mountainous backdrop of Bora Bora. The property has appeared in every little thing from “Preserving Up With the Kardashians” to “The Golden Bachelorette” (and possibly many “dream trip” and Hilton Honors factors redemption imaginative and prescient boards).

I used to be fortunate sufficient to lately verify into an overwater villa at this property in French Polynesian paradise. Let’s simply say it was slightly troublesome to power myself to take a look at.

This is what it was like staying at Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

What’s Conrad Bora Bora Nui?

There are a number of luxurious resorts to select from when contemplating a Bora Bora getaway. Nonetheless, Conrad Bora Bora Nui will get excessive marks for its extra secluded location on Motu To’opua — away from rivals like the brand new Westin, St. Regis and 4 Seasons — and its spectacular views of Mount Otemanu.

The ultraluxury resort options a mixture of suites, land-based villas and overwater villas. Views, further bedrooms and personal swimming pools depend upon how a lot you are keen to splurge. Whereas actually family-friendly, Conrad Bora Bora Nui seemed to be all about honeymooners, babymooners and loads of American vacationers (and presumably Hilton Honors members) throughout my go to.

Learn how to e book Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Whereas my three-night keep was complimentary, nightly charges at Conrad Bora Bora Nui begin at $890 or 120,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening. (Though, the bottom charge I see for the King Overwater Pool Villa like mine over the following few months is $1,643 per evening.) Have in mind: Conrad Bora Bora Nui costs a 5% service cost per keep (however this excludes tax).

Guide instantly by way of Hilton to earn and redeem Hilton Honors factors throughout your keep and luxuriate in perks related to elite membership tiers.

Alternatively, these with The Platinum Card® from American Specific can e book by way of the American Specific Fantastic Resorts + Resorts platform; this provides friends elitelike advantages comparable to midday check-in, availability-based upgrades, day by day breakfast, assured late checkout, and a $100 food-and-beverage credit score to make use of on-site.

When reserving the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you will wish to use one of many bank cards that earn probably the most factors for Hilton stays, in addition to one which probably affords computerized Hilton Honors elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:

• Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass® Card: Earn 12 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Hilton lodges, computerized Gold elite standing and the power to improve to Diamond standing by means of the top of the following calendar yr by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar yr.
• Hilton Honors American Specific Enterprise Card: Earn 12 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Hilton lodges, computerized Gold elite standing and the power to improve to Diamond standing by means of the top of the following calendar yr by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar yr.
• Hilton Honors American Specific Card: Earn 7 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Hilton lodges and computerized Silver elite standing (with an improve to Gold by means of the top of the following calendar yr if you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar yr).
• Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card: Earn 14 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Hilton lodges and computerized Diamond elite standing.

The data for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

The placement

It takes slightly journey dedication and dedication to get to Conrad Bora Bora Nui, however I promise it is price it. Bora Bora is in French Polynesia, however you will first fly to Faa’a Worldwide Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti; that is additionally in French Polynesia, and it is the primary worldwide level of arrival to the islands from the U.S.

I would advocate preserving it within the Hilton household and staying on the Hilton Resort Tahiti for an evening or two to fight jet lag earlier than hopping on a smaller inter-island flight aboard Air Tahiti (to not be confused with Air Tahiti Nui, which affords worldwide flights from Papeete to the U.S.).

Spherical-trip airfare for this 45-minute flight can run within the $300 to $500 vary, relying on demand, so monitor airfare accordingly. Whilst you cannot use conventional airline factors to redeem flights aboard Air Tahiti, you’ll be able to e book by way of bank card journey portals like Chase and American Specific.

When you land in Bora Bora, there’s nonetheless another — albeit very scenic — a part of your journey earlier than you’ll be able to get pleasure from welcome drinks at Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Due to the resort’s islet location, you must take a ship.

You possibly can e book water transportation instantly by means of Conrad Bora Bora for 18,000 French Pacific francs (about $150) round-trip per particular person and 9000 French Pacific francs (about $75) for youngsters between 7 and 12 years previous. It is a beautiful, 20-minute journey to the resort and, whereas dear, is probably the most environment friendly technique to get from the airport to paradise.

In case you have slightly extra time in your palms and wish to get monetary savings, you’ll be able to take a free ferry from the Bora Bora airport to the primary island of Vaitape; from there, the Conrad runs a water shuttle for 9000 French Pacific francs (about $75) round-trip for adults. Youngsters from 7 to 12 years previous get a 50% low cost, whereas these 6 and youthful journey totally free.

Checking in

Y’all are in all probability bored with listening to me crack “The White Lotus” jokes and comparisons anytime I’m going on a visit. However as we rounded the atoll and noticed a bunch of smiling Conrad Bora Bora Nui staff waving to our approaching boat from the dock, it actually did give a Season One vibe.

It was straightforward to get into the island spirit, with reside Polynesian music carried out close to the open-air foyer as we made our technique to check-in. Pleasant Conrad staffers greeted me with a relaxing towel and welcome drink whereas we dealt with all of the arrival paperwork and baggage hand-off.

Whereas a foyer is not essentially probably the most thrilling a part of a keep, the intermittent glass-bottomed flooring of the neighboring Upa Upa Lounge Bar provided prime aquatic life views (and glorious views of sharks at evening, due to underwater lighting). They had been nearly as decadent because the views of the turquoise blue Bora Bora waters.

The rooms…er…overwater bungalows

Conrad Bora Bora Nui options a mixture of suites, land-based villas and overwater villas (together with the Presidential Overwater Villa seen in “Preserving Up With the Kardashians”). My King Overwater Pool Villa put the “extremely” in “ultraluxury,” due to its open-concept structure centered round a spacious sundeck; the deck was full with an overwater hammock and pool superb for lounging in throughout dawn or sundown. There was loads of room to stretch out, and the overwater villa’s vaulted ceilings made the room really feel much more spacious.

The king-size mattress was the centerpiece of the villa, which additionally included two seating areas, a walk-in closet and a large dual-vanity rest room with a soaking tub and walk-in rainfall bathe. A TV was tucked away in a cupboard on the foot of the mattress, however who desires to look at tv when you have got an uninterrupted waterfront view to go along with turndown service?

The overwater villa featured facilities you’d anticipate at a luxurious resort, comparable to twice-daily housekeeping, laundry providers, a Bluetooth sound system, a minibar, and complimentary tea and Nespresso.

However there have been additionally unique-to-Conrad Bora Bora Nui choices like an incense ritual, which allowed me to pick out from an incense menu (I went with sandalwood) to have burned throughout turndown service.

My private favourite providing was breakfast supply by way of canoe. It arrived by way of an outrigger canoe and included a mixture of pastries, fruit, poisson cru (a Tahitian dish of tuna, cucumber and bell pepper in coconut milk), fresh-squeezed juice and occasional. Whereas I am nonetheless a giant fan of “regular” breakfast buffets, it is laborious to return after having your iced espresso and croissant arrive in opposition to the backdrop of lapping water and a recent dawn. This service prices 19,800 French Pacific francs ($170) for 2 individuals.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui featured Byredo tub merchandise. And sure, it was an indulgent expertise to chill within the soaking tub earlier than mattress with a glass of wine and a smooth jazz playlist easily emanating from the Bluetooth audio system overhead. (Fantastic, I am unable to inform a lie: It was the Spice Women, and I had it blaring.)

Nonetheless, climbing down a brief ladder off the again of the villa and into the ocean was an excellent higher water exercise. You may lease snorkel gear and take a look at the fish every morning or get a couple of laps in earlier than breakfast. Both approach, there was no scarcity of enjoyable methods to get in some early morning cardio.

Eating at Conrad Bora Bora Nui

There may be quite a lot of eating venues at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, from upscale French fare at Iriatai (which additionally serves breakfast) to Chinese language at Banyan to extra informal fare on the thatched-roof Tamure Seashore Grill.

Sundown mai tais at Upa Upa are a should. (A particular thanks goes to the Conrad’s mixologist extraordinaire Aurélie Marie, who even taught us how one can make mai tais and educated us about thow the right technique to pronounce it’s “might tay” and never “my tie.”)

The resort’s poolside bar, Tarava, can be an ideal spot for a drink. Most venues are indoor-outdoor of their structure, so eating alfresco is sort of at all times an possibility.

When not included within the nightly charge or with Hilton Honors elite standing, Iriatai’s breakfast buffet prices 5,700 French Pacific francs (about $52) per particular person and contains quite a lot of western staples like omelets, bacon, pastries, fruit and charcuterie. Made-to-order a la carte gadgets like eggs Benedict and crepes are additionally included.

I indulged within the discovery menu (12,500 French Pacific francs or $109) one evening at Iriatai. This consisted of an appetizer, most important course and dessert. The white tuna tartare with a yogurt “veil” and basil was not solely a theatrical begin to the meal however a lovely expertise for the style buds. A hearty lower of lamb arrived as the primary present.

Whereas I haven’t got a lot of a candy tooth, the grapefruit, ginger and honey panna cotta had been a recent, gentle technique to spherical out this style of France by the ocean.

Iriatai additionally options reside acoustic music for dinner on Thursdays, so we popped in after eating at Banyan that night. (Cyndi Lauper covers at the moment are my most popular technique to finish a dim sum dinner.)

Whereas the Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s Polynesian dinner and present is often held at Tamure Seashore Grill, inclement climate moved the expertise to Iriatai throughout my keep. It really made the expertise extra expansive as a result of dancers had been weaving across the bar and again outdoors to carry out a fireplace present to a really enthused eating viewers (this author very a lot included!). This To’opua Nui Shores & Grill Polynesian present on Tuesday usually prices 17500 French Pacific francs ($150) per grownup.

Banyan is a bit more tucked away amid (because the title suggests) banyan timber on the identical elevated perch as Iriatai. The elegant area encompasses a smaller indoor eating space together with a couple of outside tables, so reservations are extremely beneficial.

My meal was extra of a family-style tasting menu of dim sum like steamed dumplings, wok-fried beef and fish, and fried rice. Diners can anticipate to spend 13,000 French Pacific francs (about $113) for a discovery menu of a soup starter, most important dish and dessert.

A 29,000 French Pacific franc ($254) immersion menu for 2 contains the dim sum choices featured in my dinner, whereas the large splurge at Banyan is the 30,000 French Pacific franc ($263) Peking duck menu for 2.

Whereas Tamure was the extra laid-back eating possibility at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, it featured a few of my favourite meals.

The grilled fish burger served on a squid ink bun (4,100 French Pacific francs, or $36) was simply the recent catch I used to be on the lookout for with my first lunch on the resort shortly after my arrival. Grilled rooster tacos (3,500 French Pacific francs, or $30) had been a surprisingly sturdy possibility as properly, due to a crunchy cabbage, pico de gallo and grilled corn accompaniment.

Given the abundance of recent fish in Tahiti and Bora Bora, I additionally began every meal with tuna sashimi (2,400 French Pacific francs, or $21); it got here with a pleasant mix of salty and candy due to soy sauce and grapefruit.

Wellness facilities and actions

Conrad Bora Bora Nui excels within the wellness and amenity division. Clearly, when you’re staying in an overwater villa, you’ll be able to simply take a couple of steps off your deck and swim within the sea or unwind in your personal pool. (Some landside villas additionally function personal swimming pools.) However there may be additionally a most important pool space that overlooks the seashore and features a sturdy mixture of solar loungers and seating areas. The exercise rental heart can be close to the pool, so you’ll be able to lease issues like snorkeling gear.

Vacationers on the lookout for a decadent splurge ought to head to Hina Spa, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s wellness oasis. It is on the prime of the property’s hill and overlooks the lagoon. Remedy rooms supply views of the water, Mount Otemanu or Maupiti Island. Some remedy rooms (just like the one I had) additionally function a whirlpool tub, whereas others are outside and supply panoramic views of the encompassing space.

My 60-minute Hiro Energy Therapeutic massage (25,000 French Pacific francs, or $215) was a deep tissue athletic therapeutic massage that ironed out any lingering jet lag and soreness from journey. The aware masseuse took time after to level out methods to raised forestall rigidity in all my typical achy areas going ahead. Whereas the therapeutic massage was the primary present, the view from my remedy room left me desirous to spend one other 60 minutes (and even days) simply chilling and taking within the sundown.

Hina Spa’s hillside perch is likely to be superb for wellness therapies, nevertheless it’s additionally a first-rate spot from which to admire the dawn over Mount Otemanu (for these keen to get up early and e book it up the hill).

Whilst you may not instantly consider heading to the resort fitness center if you’re in paradise, the resort encompasses a surprisingly sturdy health heart. It has free weights and energy coaching machines, in addition to a cardio space with a mixture of elliptical machines and treadmills. There are additionally group health courses, private coaching and group runs provided by way of the resort fitness center.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui additionally has a non-public island known as Motu Tapu that is obtainable for picnics, personal eating and cocktails. Alas, the climate wasn’t our pal every time we tried to go to the island.

The resort additionally arranges excursions for guests to tour Bora Bora, go snorkeling, and swim with manta rays and sharks; we had been in a position to participate on this tour, and it was way more enjoyable and much much less terrifying than it sounds. The shared tour is obtainable on Mondays and Thursdays and prices 17,400 French Pacific francs ($150) per particular person. Reservations are required.

Causes Conrad Bora Bora Nui may not be for you

Whereas Conrad Bora Bora Nui may need a everlasting berth in my prime resort stays of all-time record, no resort is ideal. So right here are some things that may make this property not the most effective for you:

• Nightly charges aren’t low cost, and a la carte meals pricing is not both. This could possibly be a non-starter for some vacationers, so maintain an eye fixed out for award redemption offers on factors to not less than cowl the nightly charge a part of the equation.
• It does take slightly little bit of dedication to get to Conrad Bora Bora Nui from the U.S., particularly when you’re touring from the East Coast, like I used to be. Whereas I feel it is completely well worth the time, these on the lookout for a extra handy getaway from residence may wish to discover various locations.

Accessibility

Conrad Bora Bora Nui affords accessible villas and suites with options like seize bars and ramps, however it’s best to name the resort on to safe these lodging when reserving. Journey by way of boat is important to get to and from the resort, however the resort can present ramp entry to get on and off Conrad’s water shuttle.

The property is sprawling, however there’s a buggy service to get from villas or suites to all public areas of Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Additional, accessible facilities like seashore wheelchairs can be found, so all friends can get pleasure from a day alongside these sandy shores. Company can dial 9 from the villas and request a pick-up from the Membership Automobile service, and the resort can present wheelchairs for friends upon request.

Trying out

I am at all times a bit blue to depart a seashore trip, however a particular form of “trip is over” doldrums set in when it got here time for the workers to carry my baggage to the dock. Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s staff is a pleasant, hospitable bunch that makes a getaway right here really feel each luxurious and laid again. It is also very evident this staff is completely satisfied to work right here and happy with the property they symbolize.

After farewells to Conrad Bora Bora staffers who grew to become buddies, it was time to get again on the water shuttle and wave because the dock grew smaller and smaller … and to start out counting my Hilton Honors factors stability to determine how quickly I might get again right here.

I recommend y’all do the identical — a extremely luxurious paradise beckons.

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