The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa assessment

Once I was little, my dad’s finest buddy, Douglas, spent three weeks yearly in a seaside bungalow in French Polynesia. And each winter, like clockwork, a colourful stamp-covered package deal would arrive within the mail containing tiny treasures (polished shells, wood collectible figurines, dried hibiscus flowers, and so on.) collected throughout his journey to paradise. Positioned within the higher left-hand nook of every package deal was — in my guide — probably the most thrilling return tackle: Bora Bora.

Quick ahead 20 years, and I discovered myself strolling alongside The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa’s pristine seaside, looking out the pearly white sand for treasures to ship to Douglas after my first journey to the island, fully in awe of its legendary turquoise waters.

Even for individuals who have been within the factors and miles world for years, reserving a bucket list-worthy expertise utilizing factors earned from on a regular basis bills by no means loses its wow issue. An ideal instance of mentioned once-in-a-lifetime redemption: an overwater bungalow getaway in Bora Bora on the first resort to open on the island in eight years.

Once I had the chance to verify into the just lately reflagged Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, which reopened in September 2024 following a head-to-toe renovation, I did not hesitate.

This is what it is like staying at Marriott’s latest South Pacific getaway, house to the island’s largest assortment of luxurious overwater bungalows.

Associated: 30 finest Marriott motels on this planet

Getting there

Should you’re touring to Bora Bora from the U.S., it will be an extended journey it doesn’t matter what — however how lengthy you spend on a aircraft will differ fairly a bit relying in your origin. I, for instance, was touring from Portland, Maine. This meant I needed to take a six-hour cross-country flight to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) to then catch my roughly eight-hour flight to Faaa Worldwide Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti. I flew Air Tahiti Nui, one of many major airways providing nonstop service between the U.S. and Tahiti. I spent one night time in Papeete at a close-by resort after which took an hourlong flight out to Bora Bora. In whole, I clocked round 15 hours of flight time.

As soon as on the island’s (very, very small) Bora Bora Airport (BOB), I headed to the Westin’s check-in desk, the place I used to be greeted by a pleasant employees member with a wonderful jasmine flower lei. From there, I used to be guided to Westin’s glossy switch boat for a soothing 15-minute experience over the lagoon’s gleaming cerulean waters.

Reserving particulars

After looking out the resort’s web site for charges over the subsequent 12 months, the bottom money charges I might discover for The Westin Bora Bora begin round $623 (for February 2026), and the bottom factors charges over the subsequent 12 months are 67,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors (for January 2026).

Understand that the excessive season is from Might by means of October in addition to late December, so these months are while you’ll see the steepest charges — cash-wise, these can climb properly above $1,000 per night time.

The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa expenses a $106 each day resort price that features round-trip transportation between the resort and the airport (or between the resort and the mainland) for as much as two visitors per keep, a welcome bottle of Champagne upon arrival, entry to actions like wine tastings and coconut palm weaving, each day health courses like Pilates and yoga, a seaside bag and high-speed web entry. (Observe that Marriott doesn’t waive resort charges on award stays.)

When reserving The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, you will wish to use one of many bank cards that earn probably the most factors for Marriott stays, in addition to one which presumably presents computerized Marriott Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:

• Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Platinum Elite standing and 25 elite night time credit per yr towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per yr towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per yr towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Gold Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per yr towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card (see charges and charges): Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Silver Elite standing and 15 elite night time credit per yr towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card (see charges and charges): Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, computerized Silver Elite standing and 5 elite night time credit per yr towards a better tier.

The knowledge for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Alternatively, those that maintain a Chase card, just like the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and charges) can switch their Chase Final Reward factors to Marriott to guide this property. In any other case, card holders can use their Chase Sapphire Most well-liked to guide a keep on the Westin Marriott Bora Bora and get 2 factors per greenback spent on the journey buy.

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Restricted time provide: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked — highest-ever 100,000-point bonus after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.

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Standout options

• Not too long ago renovated overwater bungalows (lots of which have plunge swimming pools) function open areas with fashionable, beachy decor, floor-to-ceiling home windows and Westin’s iconic Heavenly beds.
• There are a number of stunning seaside areas all through the property, every with unimaginable views and loads of lounge or seating choices.
• The spa presents a regionally impressed wellness menu with tranquil remedy rooms overlooking the lagoon.
• The on-site eco-center is without doubt one of the major turtle rehabilitation facilities in French Polynesia.
• The up to date landscaping is gorgeous, with plentiful and colourful native wildlife round each flip.

Drawbacks

• Money charges are typically very excessive year-round, particularly throughout peak season.
• Service was very pleasant (albeit sluggish at instances), even when the eating places weren’t too busy.

The vibe at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

Toes-in-the-sand, laid-back luxurious was the secret just about in all places in Bora Bora from what I might inform, beginning with the teeny airport the place safety was a breeze (you primarily exit and stroll straight onto a dock to catch a experience to your respective resort) and lengthening to the way in which boat captains would exuberantly name out “Ia ora na!” (a Tahitian greeting) throughout the water to different passing boats.

Previously often called Le Meridien, the unique property closed throughout the coronavirus pandemic to bear refurbishments and ended up staying closed — and reflagging to the Westin model — till its grand reopening in September of 2024, debuting as the primary new resort in Bora Bora since 2017. The completion of intensive renovations revealed modifications like new landscaping that launched dozens of latest crops to the motu (i.e., small islet) and an entire overhaul of the lodging, eating retailers, spa and past.

The structure of the resort felt reflective of the vacation spot’s far-flung island magnificence and likewise provided the choice for my keep to really feel as personal or as social as I wished. A protracted wood dock led as much as the sandy shores of the motu, with two stretches of overwater bungalows extending out into the lagoon on both aspect of the expansive essential seaside dotted with loungers and palm bushes. There was one other extra secluded seaside on the north-facing aspect of the property, which was the place I spent most of my time snorkeling.

The resort’s major complicated was composed of two flooring and provided an open-air really feel. The pool and essential seaside space (in addition to a number of eating places) sat on the primary degree, whereas the breezy check-in space, concierge, resort retailer and some extra eateries had been on the second degree. Rows of blue and pink Westin-branded bikes might be discovered all through the property for visitor use, making it simple (and quick) to get from place to position if I did not really feel like strolling.

By day, visitors strolled or biked leisurely in regards to the resort in swimsuits, typically with out sneakers. Within the evenings, individuals would get a bit dressed up in elevated resortwear for dinner, however the vibes had been nonetheless fairly informal. Clientele-wise, unsurprisingly, I largely noticed {couples} younger and outdated, from newlyweds and honeymooners to these celebrating thirtieth — even fiftieth — wedding ceremony anniversaries. I noticed perhaps three households whole and just one toddler.

The employees was pleasant and at all times provided a smile and hiya to passersby. The restaurant hosts tended to recollect visitor names and infrequently struck up conversations about how my keep was going and what the day’s actions held in retailer — with many of the staffers being native, they had been a wonderful supply of details about Bora Bora and had been at all times prepared to assist reply questions or direct me to somebody who might.

Exploring the resort, with its paths that meander across the property’s bounty of lush crops and flowers (manicured in a approach that also maintains a way of wildness), was a spotlight of my time at The Westin Bora Bora.

The room at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

With 128 overwater bungalows — a few of which have plunge swimming pools — The Westin Bora Bora stands out as having the best variety of overwater lodging on the island. Moreover, there are 14 seaside villas positioned alongside a sandy stretch that overlooks the property’s serene personal lagoon. All bungalows and villas have views of both the island, the lagoon and/or Mount Otemanu.

My 613-square-foot Premium Otemanu Overwater bungalow was positioned on the farthest level of the wood dock connecting all of the bungalows, permitting me to get as shut as doable to Otemanu, which loomed excessive throughout the lagoon.

The bungalow featured a entrance entrance hallway with a spacious toilet to the left and an infinite walk-in closet to the appropriate (the closet supplied an iron and an ironing board, loads of clothes hangers, a secure, slippers, umbrellas and plenty of cupboard space).

It then opened into a big suite-style bed room with a king-size Westin Heavenly mattress, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV and a seating space in a single nook with an L-shaped sofa and a espresso and tea station with a minifridge beneath. There was additionally an oblong window in the midst of the ground that exposed the blue lagoon beneath (very best for catching a glimpse of colourful fish, or, if fortunate, a sea turtle).

Upon my arrival, every thing from the toilet counter tops to the mattress linens and the espresso station was adorned with colourful, recent hibiscus, frangipani and native greenery.

However one of the best a part of the entire house was undoubtedly the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doorways that opened up onto a big deck holding an infinity plunge pool, two white linen-clad loungers, a small breakfast nook and a ladder main instantly into the glimmering blue lagoon.

There have been sweeping views of Otemanu instantly in entrance of the bungalow after which views of the lagoon in each instructions on both aspect. Wood partitions on all sides of the deck ensured that there was ample privateness (although generally you possibly can hear music or individuals speaking from neighboring bungalows).

Although the bed room and deck had been tied for first place when it comes to my favourite place to spend time within the bungalow, the toilet was phenomenal. The spacious countertop featured his and hers sinks set beneath mirrors that might truly slide open to look into the bed room. There have been floral-scented Noa Noa bathtub merchandise, loads of fluffy white towels of various sizes (in addition to two seaside towels) and two robes hung above a deep soaking tub. On one aspect of the bathtub was a bathe (full with each a hand-held wand and a rain bathe fixture), whereas the opposite had a small wash closet. Each of those enclosed areas featured a wonderful geometric, black-and-white tile design.

Foods and drinks at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

When staying at an island resort, I believe it may be simple to tire of getting the identical eating choices again and again. However with six eating places and bars on the property, The Westin Bora Bora had one thing to go well with each style — and loads of regionally impressed flavors, which was my favourite half (I am nonetheless dreaming of all of the unimaginable fruit!). Plus, in a vacation spot like this one, you are just about assured to snag a stellar view irrespective of the place you are sitting.

Tipanier

A French-inspired restaurant, Tipanier was my go-to spot for breakfast most days (there are each buffet and a la carte choices), although it additionally welcomed visitors for dinner (which is often a la carte). Professional tip: Ask the concierge about arranging dinner throughout the weekly Polynesian present, which presents buffet and a dwell efficiency.

I loved breakfast twice. The buffet, which prices $52 per particular person, consisted of an enormous unfold of recent juices, pastries, native fruit, meats and cheese, recent sashimi, an omelet station, conventional Western sizzling breakfast dishes and a number of other regionally impressed choices.

Throughout the dinner buffet that includes the dwell Polynesian present ($155 per particular person), there was every thing from tuna sashimi and grilled swordfish to barbecued meats, recent salad choices and roasted veggies.

Company can select to sit down indoors in a high-ceilinged, ethereal house or out on the patio overlooking the personal lagoon and seaside villas.

Maere

Maere, the resort’s extra formal signature restaurant, is helmed by the property’s govt chef, Laurent Brun, who explores world cuisines through a tasting menu (with wine pairings accessible) that modifications each night time. Overlooking the resort’s personal lagoon, the venue presents visitors the chance to dine inside or out on the deck.

The night time I dined right here, I loved an Asian market-inspired menu ($130 per particular person) that includes dishes like pink tuna sashimi with nori and thinly sliced swordfish nigiri, white mahi-mahi with white miso eggplant, steamed root vegetable raviolis with inexperienced mango salad and a few of the finest Vietnamese beef pho I’ve ever had.

Varavara

With part-indoor, part-outdoor seating in a setting with a thatched roof and loads of greenery, Varavara is open for lunch and dinner on the bottom ground subsequent to the principle pool space. With a direct view of Mount Otemanu, it is a beautiful setting for both meal, however I notably loved having dinner right here and watching the twinkling lights of the bungalows as night time fell.

For dinner, I had refreshing tuna sashimi ($17) adopted by a Napoletana spaghetti ($28), which was easy however hit the spot.

Once I tried the restaurant for lunch, I loved a hearty cheeseburger and fries ($36.50), an excellent meal after an extended day of snorkeling.

Te Ava, Honu Tiki and ‘O’A

There are three bars at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa: Honu Tiki, which presents beachside cocktails (I had an excellent, very robust mai tai on the seaside right here); Te Ava, the bar on the fringe of the principle infinity pool; and ‘O’A, positioned on the second degree.

‘O’A is a little more formal and presents a classy open-air setting with sweeping views of Otemanu and regionally impressed cocktails. (Should you like rum, that is the time to attempt one of many venue’s rum-based concoctions — you possibly can even prepare to attend one of many complimentary rum-tasting courses accessible right here throughout the day.)

In-room eating

In-room eating (which we should always actually name in-bungalow eating) provided an expansive menu all day lengthy. Service was fast (it at all times arrived inside half-hour of inserting my order), and I opted to take pleasure in these meals poolside at my bungalow.

For one lunch, I loved a crisp and flavorful Caesar salad ($30) with an ice-cold coke ($8.50). I loved the salad a lot that I ordered it for lunch the subsequent day (this time topped with juicy grilled rooster) alongside conventional Tahitian dish referred to as i’a ota ($21.50), which consisted of recent tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk with crunchy veggies. I might’ve eaten this day by day.

Facilities and repair at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

Whereas it was tempting to spend the whole lot of my journey in my overwater bungalow, the vary of facilities (some included within the resort price, others at an additional price) was too good to cross up.

The infinity pool on the heart of the resort, which featured six cabanas and loads of loungers and umbrellas, missed the principle seaside, the lagoon and Otemanu past. This was undoubtedly the hub of exercise and the first hangout spot throughout the resort. It was the place to be for individuals who wished to socialize beneath the solar with a cocktail in hand.

As beforehand talked about, visitors might use the on-site bikes to navigate across the property. The nightly charge included nonmotorized water sports activities (I kayaked and snorkeled many instances, however paddleboarding was additionally an choice), and there was additionally a volleyball internet on the principle seaside. Company might pay to rearrange a Jet Ski journey or boat excursions to snorkel with native sea life.

I used the Westin’s health heart a few instances throughout my go to. Absolutely air-conditioned and with excessive ceilings, three full partitions of home windows and loads of cardio and weight-lifting gear, it was a fantastic place for a exercise. Company might additionally join complimentary morning yoga or pilates courses.

In fact, one of many highlights of The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa was the Heavenly Spa.

With two rest areas (one open-air and one enclosed with air-con) and its personal personal lagoon-facing infinity pool and waterfront remedy rooms, this was probably the most tranquil house on the property. It was an excellent place to unwind after a day within the solar.

I opted for a 60-minute Aito therapeutic massage ($253), whereby my therapist used deep tissue methods and native oils for optimum rest. I particularly appreciated that she used a regionally made lotion to deal with my sunburn after the therapeutic massage.

As quickly as I heard in regards to the resort’s on-site eco-center, I used to be very excited in regards to the alternative to spend an hour studying in regards to the heart’s conservation efforts — it is one of many largest eco-centers in French Polynesia and one of many area’s major care facilities for injured sea turtles.

Company can tour the middle and be taught in regards to the necessary work that its specialists are doing to rehabilitate sea turtles and revive marine ecosystems in Bora Bora and past.

In fact, you get to spend a while with turtles, too, which was a magical expertise.

Through the concierge, visitors might prepare actions each on and off the resort. I opted for a morning boat and breakfast expertise ($133) that concerned being picked up in an outrigger canoe proper from my bungalow’s out of doors deck, having fun with a fast experience by means of the lagoon after which coming again to my bungalow for an unimaginable breakfast of espresso, pastries, fruit and eggs.

Out and about

The Westin Bora Bora is definitely the kind of resort the place you probably will not really feel the necessity to go wherever. In actual fact, visitors might discover it tough to depart their overwater bungalow, not to mention the motu.

Nevertheless, for these with a way of journey and time to discover this little pocket of paradise, the concierge desk can be pleased to help with planning, from snorkeling journeys within the surrounding waters (I snorkeled with black tip sharks and a few very pleasant stingrays) to guided excursions of Vaitape, the principle island’s largest settlement, and even all-terrain-vehicle journeys.

I might been hoping to take the boat from the resort to the principle island (which runs a number of instances a day and is included within the resort price), because the concierge had helped me guide a motor scooter through Avis, the rental firm that companions with the resort, so I might discover the principle island alone. (There may be one essential highway that encircles the island, so it is fairly simple to navigate.) Nevertheless, because of the unpredictable nature of the climate and the way quick my journey was, I finally selected to forgo this outing.

For these looking for a thrill, it is value wanting into climbing Otemanu, however take into account that summiting the height can take over 4 hours and entails some difficult terrain.

Accessibility

The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa presents two accessible room varieties: Plunge Pool Seashore Villa and Lagoon View Overwater. Each choices provide mobility-accessible areas with roll-in showers; nevertheless, the resort web site notes that these rooms will not be geared up with hearing-accessible options.

I didn’t discover a carry on the essential pool. The overwater walkways resulting in the bungalows on each side of the resort had been extensive sufficient for a wheelchair, however I observed that there have been many staircases all through the resort to get from ground-level amenities to the second-floor amenities (the place the check-in desks and concierge had been positioned, along with a resort retailer and one of many major bars).

Provided that this resort is barely accessible through boat, it is best to contact the resort forward of reserving to make sure it may accommodate any particular accessibility wants.

Trying out

To say it was tough to half with my overwater bungalow and its knockout view of Mount Otemanu can be an understatement — having spent solely 3 1/2 days in Bora Bora, I left keen to come back again for an extended journey. However even throughout such a brief journey, I bought a way of how particular this French Polynesian vacation spot is — and why Douglas made the epic journey from the East Coast yr after yr. I hope to take a leaf from his guide subsequent time and return for 3 weeks.

Within the meantime, I will be dreaming of sunsets over Otemanu and stockpiling my Marriott factors to redeem one other overwater bungalow keep at The Westin Bora Bora.

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