In the last installment I covered the overwater villa that we stayed in for our two night stay at the Conrad Bora Bora, while in this post I wanted to cover everything else about the property.
Continue reading: Review: Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
This is a very detailed review, maybe I’m missing something but don’t see anything about the actual room?
@Jason he reviewed the room in a separate installment - check the lost of installments at the top of this post 🙂
@Jason, The previous review talked about his room. When staying at a resort, Lucky often talks about the room in one review, and the resort as a whole in a separate review.
Isn't the Conrad Bora Bora one of the newest luxury resorts there? I think it opened in 2017 so it makes sense that it looks amazing. I just hope they maintain the property well. I went to Bora Bora back in 2016 and recall seeing some construction there during a full island tour. The closed Hotel Bora Bora (Aman) is just across the lagoon from Conrad Bora Bora on the main island so in terms of location it's not that bad. In time, I bet the Conrad has some gorgeous snorkeling given its location. Loved your photos!
@ Joey -- Yep, it used to be a Hilton, but underwent a significant renovation to become the Conrad. I also hope they maintain it well. For what it's worth, it's owned by HNA Group as well (just like the St. Regis), so I have my concerns in that regard.
Very expensive for food & activities. I guess that is to expected in Bora Bora... we would need to save our pennies to make this happen (even with free breakfast because of HH Gold). This is on my list thought always thought St Regis.... will now consider the Conrad. Thanks
Very expensive for food & activities. I guess that is to be expected in Bora Bora... we would need to save our pennies to make this happen (even with free breakfast because of HH Gold). This is on my list though always thought St Regis.... will now consider the Conrad. Thanks
I don´t know if the pictures don´t do justice, but both Conrad and St Regis Bora Bora seems to be much less picturesque than Conrad and St Regis Maldives. I also searched on AirBNB and wasn´t impressed by the images either.
Is it more hype from a historical touristic destination or am I wrong?
Just spent five nights there. Wonderful experience as well! Would love to go back very soon.
I was here at the same time as Ben and Ford. I took a picture with them, and my wife said that I was happier clicking a picture with them than I was throughout our honeymoon clicking pictures with her...Thanks for all the help you guys provide!!
Stayed there when it was a Hilton.
Beautiful property, food was terrible, went into town every night after the first night.
A freak high tide came through, polluting the water table, many people got sick, including my wife and I. Wasn't just Bora Bora, when we arrived at our next resort on Raritoa, the whole resort was sick.
The water isn't always potable in French Polynesia. Didn't stop me from going back several years later (but didn't stay at the Hilton, but the iHG Thalassos).
"The restaurant was booked out, which maybe they weren’t expecting in high season" - Assuming you meant low season.
Great review. Was fortunate to stay her after the rebrand and was hooked up with an upgrade to one of the two Presidential villas. Ate most meals in the room as it was simply too amazing to leave. I look forward to a return.....
Restaurant and food looks so much better than St. Regis. While I understand the concerns about the location, this property is much better in almost every single aspect than the St. Regis!
Thanks for the review. Based on our honeymoon experience, I want to give a vote to the value of staying on the main island (we were at the IC Le Moana, which is not as nice as the IC Thelasso, but is on the main island). Even if the Conrad food was good, I just hate the idea of being stuck at the resort for dinner, when there were several really good, and more reasonably priced restaurants on the main island. These restaurants would also pick you up for free from your on-island hotel. Presumably they would do the same from wherever the Conrad drops you off, but you have to pay $22 pp ($44 for a couple), plus you're on the Conrad shuttle's schedule for dinner.
why did you redact part of the menu of the Tamure Beach Grill TAHITIAN corner section???
Great review again and glad you saved the best for last!
I stayed there 3 nights last October in a Lagoon View Villa and ... slightly preferred the decor of it compared to the OWB ... but just a matter of taste?
It is obvious that Bora Bora is not the nicest island of French Polynesia but boy ... those resorts on the lagoon are just astonishing and my arrival from the airport, by boat in all those shades of blue... a lifetime memory!!
Awesome report. I love the Conrad brand. Have yet to visit Bora Bora. Next up. And I love the the mini golf course! Thanks Lucky.
Stayed when the change from Hilton to Conrad had just taken place and they hadn't done the Conrad makeover yet. Judging from the pictures they took a huge step forward. I actually found the Conrad a better choice for being able to get back and forth to the main island. The St. Regis and Four Seasons want you to be trapped at the resort and the shuttle costs reflect that. Good review Lucky
Lucky--thanks very much for the review. You mentioned that the facilities didn't seem overcrowded while you were there. Do you think the hotel would have felt differently if it were at full capacity?
We are heading there in about a week, and for a while, all of the over-water villas in all categories have been completely sold out. We are Diamond on points and we upgraded in advance to an over-water villa (for more than you paid, sadly, but we didn't seem to have much negotiating room and I now understand why). Per your last post, we did ask about rooms 105 and 106, but heard back that those rooms were deluxe and already booked (i.e., no further upgrade for me).
While you pay for this stay with points. How much do you actually pay for food and other things not covered by points. As others have pointed out it seems very pricey.
Before this resort was a Hilton, wasn't it the SPG Luxury Collection Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa? I stayed in that 15 years ago. The layout of the property as well as the hillside villas all look very familiar but I can't remember what atoll it was on.
Ben, while I have not stayed here, I have stayed at many Conrads across the world (the most unique and aspirational location being Koi Samui, Thailand) and when I compare my experience with the international properties vs. domestic ones in the U.S., it’s like night and day. Have been very disappointed with the experience and ammenities offered as a Diamond here in the states. While we all know and have probably seen huge differences in the quality of big/leading American hotels that are located abroad (whether it’s a Hilton, Sheraton, etc.) I figured that the Conrad brand would be pretty consistent across the board, no matter the location, mainly because of the lower number of overall properties and that it is their luxury brand. Any insights as to why there clearly is a different (and better) experience overseas vs. say in NYC or Chicago? I’d be curious to try out the brand new property in Wash D.C. but frankly the last 2 stays in the U.S. have been subpar so not sure I want to waste $/points/weekend certificates for a stay in an American city.
Girlfriend and I spent a week in Sept of last year here. We thought it was perfectly fine, but not exceptional or memorable. I do appreciate their attempt to provide a wonderful service experience, but it fails compared to some smaller luxury chains.
Stayed there when it was SPG Bora Bora Nui for our Honeymoon. 15 years ago. Loved it. Great resort. Great Staff. Nice overwater rooms. Food and Wine are expensive so plan on dieting when visiting......
The separate breakfast menu did not have a price indicated for the extra items. However, it does list prices on the back page for drinks. The server told us the food items were included as part of the buffet. There were ample options to choose from the buffet, but we ordered crepes one morning and eggs benedict another morning. We were not charged. This was in February 2019. Has the policy reverted back to a $12 charge?
@ AMY -- Did your rate maybe include breakfast? I'm not sure if there are different policies for different guests, but we were charged for add-ons for having breakfast based on my Hilton status.
I'm just a Diamond member with free breakfast. I asked the server about the surcharge because I had read that there was one. I don't remember seeing servers telling other guests about a surcharge, and many guests did order eggs, etc. How would guests know about a surcharge since the menu doesn't indicate any price? Only beverages had a price tag.
When did you visit? I can't imagine a policy change timed just for my visit. 🙂
I was there 3 nights last October, free continental bkfst thanks Hilton Honors Gold and there a fixed surcharge if ordering from special menu but ... they kind of “forgot” to charge it?
We stayed here not long after it opened and I dream about it daily. It was a once in a lifetime trip for us. I couldn’t recommend it higher. We were able to stay in the overwater pool villa due to the fact it wasn’t even open when we booked and WOW. We had perfect sunsets every night over the horizon so I’m glad we faced the open ocean. The staff were so kind and helpful and helped us make it even more incredible than it already was!
How were you able to get such good prices for boat transfers? I was quoted 22000 xpf from st Regis to conrad by that private taxi company. Also, hotel boat transfer was charging 44000 xpf for 2 persons. Ridiculous!!!!
Ben, sorry you obviously had such a poor experience at the St. Regis, but having just come back from both properties, I honestly find the comparisons laughable. The St. Regis is far superior to the Conrad in so many different ways.
The St. Regis staff is so much more attentive, friendly, courteous and plentiful. I mean, let’s just start with StR butler service vs the Conrad assessing a delivery charge for a bucket of ice?!? It’s like there was no one working the pool or beach at the Conrad either. There are certainly some nice staff at the Conrad, but *everyone* at the St. Regis is 100% customer focused, from butlers to dining staff to concierge to the guys at the beach.
The locations are literally night and day. The Conrad has expansive views of the open sea, and that’s about it; the St. Regis has Mt. Otemanu in view from just about every part of the property, and also the crystal blue water that Bora Bora is famous for literally everywhere. The water is much rougher at the Conrad.
I won’t disagree that the rooms are much newer and more modern at the Conrad, albeit much smaller than the St. Regis. But this is not a place one comes to to stay inside a resort room anyhow. And there are a *lot* of *really* bad (location-wise) villas at the Conrad. Unless you're in the 100s, you shouldn’t even bother paying for an overwater experience since you can’t use it. God forbid you should end up on the man-made Motu, where you have an over-rock experience.
And I also won’t disagree that the Conrad using the French restaurant for breakfast was a nice touch, because hey who doesn’t like tablecloths, but the food was much, much better - and more varied - at the St. Regis. Plus all you desire made to order was included there. The hyperbole about the Four Points was a bit much in that review, but I'd love to know which one has such a gorgeous beachfront breakfast setting on crystal blue waters because I’ll be booking that ASAP for my next trip.
Again, won’t dispute you obviously had a poor experience at the St. Regis, but I could write literally the same things about the Conrad in regards to very poor disrepair in tons of areas, half the bikes not working, bird crap everywhere, etc, and we didn’t see any of that at the St. Regis. We did, however, see the most amazing setting for a resort and its overwater villas, and I don’t think there’s anyone who could possible dispute that that aspect is far, far better than the Conrad.
Just came back from Conrad Bora Bora, we were staying at the overwater villa, loved it! We stayed there the entire 7 nights of our trip, can't compare it with St. Regis or Four Season. I agreed the room is clean and well maintained, service was great and staff are friendly. 7 nights there seems long but in fact about right to us. Everyday was spent so quickly and you don't want to miss the sunset from the villa! Highly recommend the full day snorkeling tour with sharks and rays (with lunch on the Motu), we've been to so many nice resorts and did so many snorkeling tours, this one is fantastic and unforgettable! Must do the full day with lunch, and also join the one with the outrigger, not the regular boat! You won't regret!