Four Season's Resort Bora, Bora

Many people, on hearing we had decided to take a 6 day trip to Bora Bora, launched into "why would anyone want to go to Bora Bora. There's nothing to do there. There are lots of bugs. Its only good for honeymoons"

Needless to say, after 12 years and four kids, 'nothing to do' sounded great. However, we found there was quite a bit to do and we didn't even get to do everything we wanted. After a little investigating, it seemed clear that the place to stay was the Four Seasons. Located on a motu- not the island itself-it offers amazing views of the mountain, a private beach, fabulous grounds, and the most wonderful staff I have ever met.  I'm not sure what the other resorts offer in terms of activities, but the Four Seasons Resort had everything we could need, want, or imagine. And then some. And needless to say, we found no bugs.

So for anyone wondering if they should go, I say definitely. And if they should stay at the Four Season's -Absolutely!

The Resort in Bora Bora exceeded all my expectations. It was like the perfect vacation you never even imagined. Even before we arrived they helped arrange all our on shore excursions, including getting us a table at La Villa Mahana for dinner.

We were welcomed at the airport and transported to our island paradise on the resort's private boat. Once there we were greeted by our own guide and taken on a little drive through the resort, down the winding docks, and finally to our own over the water bungalow. The little carts were really fun and we were tempted to ask if we could drive. But we didn't. On our first few walks back to the resort, we were usually picked up by a cart and told to call next time. I think they liked driving the carts  too.  
 December is the "low" season for Bora Bora and we found we were two of the only 60 or so guests.We had rain late one night and a little sprinkle one evening. Otherwise it was   sunny and clear and we enjoyed the non-crowded beach and restaurants.

Our new home!

The "Bungalow" was a mere 1060 some square feet. The size of our first house. It was all open but could be partitioned off by large sliding doors. This was nice in the event we didn't want to be roused too early by the sun. Our bungalow would have had a perfect view of  a sunrise, but we were never up early enough to see it. Maybe next time.

There were cut-out windows to the water below throughout the bungalow.

We brought a laptop and got a power converter from the front desk so we could load and send pictures to family back home. The room was also equipped with a coffee maker and fridge. We made coffee once and the fridge was restocked with water bottles every day. And it was useful the for the bottle of Tahitian wine we picked up in the gift shop. There is also an ice bucket which housekeeping offered to fill every night.

The wooden  doors and glass doors in the bedroom could be opened to really enjoy sleeping over the water.

The generous shower, with a rain shower overhead as well, also had a window to the water.

If you did open the bedroom doors, this was your view.

The deck had lounge chairs, table, and deck chairs.  Plus the chest was full of snorkels, fins, and masks.We had several of our meals here. In the evenings we turned on our deck lights and watched the fish coming to swim in it. The first day there we found a ray while snorkeling off the deck and one night we saw a reef shark.

The deck had a swimming platform and fresh water shower.

And of course a ladder, which the staff keep meticulously scrubbed.

Behind the bed was a closet and shelving. And lots of towels.

The ceiling over the bed.

His and hers vanities. With hair dryer, cottons balls and Q-tips. Even a scale. Tooth paste was availabe in the gift shop and only in large tubes.

The toilet was separate, also with a look down window to the water.

We chose a lagoon view bungalow and were given #432. It was on the very outside and faced away from the resort.  Next to us was the more expensive mountain view bungalow with a plunge pool. But the view from our side deck was lovely, and who needed a plunge pool when you had the water?

The Restaurants

The Four Seasons has three restaurants. We never sat at the Sunset Bar, but I believe they all three offer dishes from the same menu. The Tere Nui was the main restaurant and where breakfast was served every day, unless you ate in your room. Breakfast was a buffet which offered egg dishes, meats, potatoes, french toast, waffles, fresh fruits, and an assortment of pastries, plus a lot of other things I didn't even get to try. Every morning  they served a 'juice of the day'. Freshly blended shakes of mango, pineapple, coconut, kiwi, or whatever else got thrown into the mix. I really liked the carrot-ginger-guava. Or something like that. They also brought a full carafe of coffee or tea.

We had lunch in the restaurant once. 

A watermelon and feta salad,

Ahi tuna with mashed bread fruit.

Then we had lunch by the pool,

And lunch  on the beach,

And lunch at the bar

On Thursdays they offer a barbecue with everything from lobster to curry chicken, to lamb. Along with grilled vegetables and fruit.

And for desssert an assortment of treats. I chose the creme brule and it was heavenly.

My favorite lunch was the shrimp pita with cilantro and french fries, or salad. I liked the fries. Crispy and hot. I ordered it four times.

And then of course there are the drinks. The bartender was from France and had worked at three other Four Seasons across the globe

 before coming to Bora Bora. He was very good at what he did, and  it was fun to sit at the bar  and watch him work, effortlessly turning out his wonderful creations all the while conversing fluently  in French, then English, shake it a few times, then add a flower and there it was. Sometimes he would  have extra after mixing a drink and would  us pour us shots of whatever it was he'd just blended up. A fun way to try drinks.

The Mai Tai was very good.

 The fancy coconut one was very good. The blue one that I can't remember the name for was very good. Maybe it was the Shark Bite?

But my favorite was the kiwi mojito, which, when they bring it to you in the pool on a hot day after a snorkel, is just about the best thing.

And don't forget to try the local drinks.

 Vin de Tahiti- a local wine from grapes grown on Ragiroa. I would have liked to go to the vineyard, but again. Next time.

And the local beer, Hinano.

shark and rays

We scheduled three activites. Or rather the Resort scheduled them all  for us. The only one that did not turn out was paragliding. The wind conditions were not good and they offered to re-schedule us for the following day, which was the day were were leaving. We were bummed to not be able to go, but it leaves something new to do next time.
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The jet-ski tour was great, but too short. I think we could have stayed out for hours. You need to go with a guide, whom you follow, as there are reefs and shallows everywhere. It was great and we'd definitely do it again.

The shark and ray tour was also set up by the Resort, and one I would absolutely do again. The boat "Shark Boy" picked us up at the dock in the morning, along with some other guests. We got water and towels from the hotel and lathered on tons of sunscreen.

Steven was our guide, captain, and entertainment. It was impressive how he could drive, sing, and play the ukelele-all at once.

First he took us to see the sharks, along with a few Sting Rays and other fish.

It was really amazing, how much there was to see. You could stand the whole time, or just float and stare down at the incredible show.

The Sting Rays were magnificent. And big. Steven told us you didn't need to be concerned about being stung, they were actually very gentle and playful. They felt like big slimy,rubber discs, covered in fine sand paper. At first it was a little disconcerting, especially when they came up to snuggle your chest and back. And they are not slight creatures. I had to grab Shane a few times one did a 'drive by' into me to keep my balance.

Their faces were actually kind of cute and after awhile you start thinking of them as puppies. Steven gave us peices of fish to tantalize them with. We let them eat it before we left.

Steven also told us, in light of Steve Erwin's experience, that if you didn't get in the rays' faces, startle them, or step on them you would be safe. But it was difficult when they carpeted the sand and once three of us found ourselves surrrounded and not able to get back to the boat easily.

We stopped and Steven set up a table and some snacks.