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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.
Getting to & from the Conrad Bora Bora
The Conrad Bora Bora is about a 20 minute boat ride from Bora Bora Airport. The hotel offers transportation for 13,560XPF (~127USD) per person roundtrip.
However, we were coming from the St. Regis, which required a separate transfer. The hotel would charge $200+ for a private transfer like that, though a blog reader mentioned a good experience using a private taxi service, which I reached at [email protected].
They charged 14,000XPF (~130USD) for the transfer for both of us. On the plus side, it was much cheaper than what the hotel would have charged directly. Unfortunately they showed up 30 minutes late and I felt like we were going to have to start plugging holes in the boat, since it was really run down. So whether or not that’s worth it is up to you. 😉
Despite our private transportation, the hotel seemed to know we were coming, since I let them know when we were planning on taking a boat, and I’m guessing we were the only ones who had arranged separate transportation. The boat arrived at the main dock, which is also where the welcome center is.
Conrad Bora Bora arrival dock
We were offered a welcome drink and cold towel, and Caroline, the guest relations manager, immediately drove us to our villa on a golf cart.
Conrad Bora Bora welcome drink
On departure we used the Conrad Bora Bora’s transportation from the hotel to the airport, so paid half the roundtrip cost. They had quite a big boat, especially compared to the St. Regis.
Conrad Bora Bora airport transfer boat
Arriving at Conrad Bora Bora
Arriving at Conrad Bora Bora
Conrad Bora Bora location
I’m going to have a lot of nice things to say, but let me start with one of the slight negatives about this resort. The Conrad doesn’t have an ideal location. Below you can see where the St. Regis is — it faces inwards towards the lagoon of Bora Bora, so not only do you have great views, but the water is really calm.
Meanwhile the Conrad Bora is on the outer edge of Bora Bora, and faces into the open ocean. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still crystal clear water and it’s calm enough so you can swim and kayak in the immediate area, but you don’t have the same views or the same amount of calm water as you’d have at the St. Regis.
Conrad Bora Bora map
Here’s a resort map, just to give you a general orientation:
Conrad Bora Bora beach & pool
People come to Bora Bora for the beaches, and not surprisingly, the hotel doesn’t disappoint. The hotel has a beautiful stretch of beach with powdery white sand and crystal clear water. The beach was pretty consistently empty, though in fairness we were staying in low season.
Conrad Bora Bora beach
Conrad Bora Bora beach
Conrad Bora Bora beach
Along the beach were a variety of non-motorized water sports, including kayaks.
Conrad Bora Bora beach activities
Conrad Bora Bora beach activities
Just past the beach is the infinity pool, which is big and gorgeously designed. It was also never full.
Conrad Bora Bora pool
Conrad Bora Bora pool
Conrad Bora Bora pool
There was plenty of seating around the pool, including traditional lounge chairs with umbrellas, mini-cabanas by the pool, and more.
Conrad Bora Bora pool seating
Conrad Bora Bora pool seating
There was also a pool bar.
Conrad Bora Bora pool bar
By the pool there was also complimentary sunscreen.
Conrad Bora Bora complimentary sunscreen
Conrad Bora Bora property
The hotel is partly built into the side of a hill, so just past the beach and main pool is the hotel’s main building, which has a couple of the restaurants and some of the other public areas.
Conrad Bora Bora main building
Conrad Bora Bora main building
This area was covered but open-air, and had fish ponds, a pool table, the main reception desk and concierge, and a bar.
Conrad Bora Bora main building
Conrad Bora Bora main building
Conrad Bora Bora reception
Conrad Bora Bora main building
Conrad Bora Bora main building bar
Conrad Bora Bora main building bar
Conrad Bora Bora main building bar
The hotel had a variety of paths along the water. For example, our overwater villa was at one end of the property, so we’d first walk down the dock, and would then walk down a long path to the main part of the resort.
Conrad Bora Bora overwater villas
Conrad Bora Bora pathway
But there were paths like this along the entire hotel.
Conrad Bora Bora
Conrad Bora Bora
The opposite end of the resort even had a mini-golf course, though we never did play.
Conrad Bora Bora mini-golf
Conrad Bora Bora mini-golf
The resort looked even prettier at night.
Conrad Bora Bora at sunset
The Conrad is built into the side of a hill, and you can go all the way to the top. The spa is right at the top, but it can be worth going just for the views, especially at sunset, I’m told.
Conrad Bora Bora hilltop view
Conrad Bora Bora hilltop view
What’s cool is that in addition to having a cool view of the resort…
Conrad Bora Bora hilltop view
…you also have a cool view of the interior of Bora Bora, which you don’t otherwise have a view of from most of the resort.
Conrad Bora Bora hilltop view
Conrad Bora Bora gym
The Conrad has a 24/7 gym, which was pretty well equipped. It consisted of two main rooms, one with cardio and one with weights.
Conrad Bora Bora gym
Conrad Bora Bora gym
Conrad Bora Bora gym
Conrad Bora Bora spa
We only visited the spa on our last afternoon, right before departure. While spa treatments aren’t cheap, my gosh, this is an absolutely beautiful spa.
Conrad Bora Bora spa
Conrad Bora Bora spa
Conrad Bora Bora spa
The spa has a relaxation room, steam room, sauna, and has individual villas, each of which act as treatment rooms.
Conrad Bora Bora spa relaxation room
Conrad Bora Bora spa
The spa menu read as follows:
We each got 50 minute signature massages. While not cheap, on the plus side the taxes and service charges are included here, so it’s not that bad given where you are.
Conrad Bora Bora Iriati French Restaurant
Now let’s talk a bit about food at the hotel. Breakfast is served daily at Iriati French Restaurant, which is the hotel’s signature restaurant located in the main building. This restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, though we only ever went for breakfast.
Breakfast is served from 7AM until 10:30AM. Thanks to my Diamond elite status we received complimentary breakfast. Seriously, look at how beautiful this restaurant is, and it even had tablecloths. The Conrad breakfast restaurant made the St. Regis look like a Four Points by Sheraton, by comparison (and not one of the nice Four Points properties either).
Conrad Bora Bora Iriati French Restaurant
Conrad Bora Bora Iriati French Restaurant
Conrad Bora Bora Iriati French Restaurant
Both mornings we sat in the first “row” of tables, with a view of the water.
Conrad Bora Bora Iriati French Restaurant view
We received a complimentary “continental” breakfast, which consists of the whole buffet (including both hot and cold options).
The buffet was excellent, and I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
Conrad Bora Bora breakfast buffet
In addition to the buffet, the hotel has a menu off of which you can order eggs, pancakes, etc. The hotel does charge a supplement of 1,200XPF (~11USD) for ordering off the menu.
That menu read as follows:
Conrad Bora Bora poached eggs
Conrad Bora Bora Tamure Beach Grill
For lunch on two days we ate at Tamure Beach Grill, which is the restaurant right by the beach and pool. It serves lunch from 11:30AM until 3:30PM. It’s only otherwise open on Tuesday nights for a themed dinner.
Most of the restaurant has sand “floors,” and then there’s also some seating along the pool, where you have to walk along a path, and you’re basically sitting somewhat “under” water.
Conrad Bora Bora Tamure Beach Grill
Conrad Bora Bora Tamure Beach Grill
Conrad Bora Bora Tamure Beach Grill
Conrad Bora Bora Tamure Beach Grill
The lunch menu read as follows (note that all prices include taxes and service charges, and 1USD=107XPF):
The food here was exceptional. The food we had here was better than anything we had at the St. Regis.
Conrad Bora Bora lunch
Conrad Bora Bora lunch
Conrad Bora Bora lunch
Conrad Bora Bora lunch
Conrad Bora Bora lunch
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar
Upa Upa Lounge is the hotel’s cocktail bar and sushi restaurant, and it’s located on the arrival dock. It’s open daily from 5PM until 11PM. The restaurant has gorgeous outdoor seating…
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar
The indoor seating is very nice as well (yes, those are Roche Bobois couches, and I don’t even want to know how much they cost).
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar
One night we had cocktails and some sashimi and sushi here. The menu read as follows:
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar drinks
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar dinner
Conrad Bora Bora Upa Upa Lounge Bar dinner
Conrad Bora Bora Banyan Chinese Restaurant
On our last night we had dinner at Banyan Chinese Restaurant, open from 6:30PM until 9:30PM. This included both indoor and outdoor seating.
Conrad Bora Bora Banyan Chinese Restaurant
The menu read as follows:
While the food otherwise was excellent, I’d say the food here was only alright. It wasn’t bad at all, but was completely unmemorable.
Conrad Bora Bora Banyan Chinese Restaurant dinner
Conrad Bora Bora Banyan Chinese Restaurant dinner
Conrad Bora Bora Banyan Chinese Restaurant dinner
Conrad Bora Bora Banyan Chinese Restaurant dinner
Conrad Bora Bora room service
We ate room service lunch our last afternoon, as it was raining, and we had spa treatments planned before our departure. The room service menu read as follows:
Conrad Bora Bora room service
Conrad Bora Bora room service
Conrad Bora Bora room service
Conrad Bora Bora room service
Conrad Bora Bora service
Service at the Conrad Bora Bora was mostly excellent.
First and foremost I have to commend Caroline, the guest relations manager. I could never work in hospitality, because I’m an introvert and interacting with people all day would make me so exhausted. Some people belong in hospitality, because they’re outgoing and can’t help but make you smile. Caroline was one of those people.
It was amazing to see the connection she developed to so many guests, and she constantly greeted people around the resort. She had such enthusiasm for her job, and that’s beautiful to see.
Here’s one cute example of what she did, which was completely unnecessary, but very kind. When we showed up at the Conrad we were wearing St. Regis hats. We bought these overpriced hats at the St. Regis because we stupidly didn’t bring any hats, but wanted to avoid a sunburn.
As she drove us to our room when we arrived, she jokingly said “you can’t be wearing those hats here.” A couple of hours later after we returned from walking around the resort, we found the below gift and note in our room.
Conrad Bora Bora hats
That’s one of those little touches that leaves a lasting impression, in my opinion.
But in general I also found the service to be very good. Almost everyone working at the hotel was a local, so there was still an element of “island time” to everything. However, I do feel like the service training was a bit better than at the St. Regis.
The only exception was at the Chinese restaurant, which was a disaster. I think this simply came down to the restaurant being horribly understaffed. The restaurant was booked out, which maybe they weren’t expecting in low season, so they only had a couple of people working there. The servers were literally running around the restaurant.
Conrad Bora Bora random musings
Our transfer from the hotel back to the airport was only at 5PM, and I’d note that the hotel let us check out at that time. That was very kind of them.
For those interested in going to Bora Bora, here’s the shuttle schedule and pricing:
The hotel also had this handy sheet with 10 things you can do in Bora Bora:
Personally our activities were limited to jet skiing and a stop for lunch, going to the main town once, and going snorkeling to look at sharks and sting rays (or more accurately, Ford doing that, and me being in the boat hoping he doesn’t die).
Conrad Bora Bora bottom line
I loved the Conrad Bora Bora, and can’t say enough good things about it. Our overwater villa was gorgeous, the resort is generally in very good condition with excellent food and beverage outlets, and I can’t wait to return.
The only downside to the Conrad is that the location isn’t quite as spectacular as that of some of the other hotels located in the “lagoon” area. Personally I don’t think that’s a deal breaker at all, as you can do day trips to the main town, or can go on snorkeling trips.
I’d return to the Conrad in a heartbeat, and all things considered thought it was a step up over the St. Regis. What a pleasant surprise.
If you’ve stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora, what was your experience like?
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