Conrad Bora Bora
Nestled in the heart of French Polynesia's iconic turquoise waters and framed by the stunning Mount Otemanu, Conrad Bora Bora stands as a beacon of resort tranquility. With its modern beauty and up-to-date amenities, this resort promises an unforgettable escape if you are seeking a slice of paradise. We just returned from this haven and can’t wait to share the inside scoop!
Location
Bora Bora is an island famous for its stunning lagoon, encircled by a barrier reef and dotted with islets called “motus.” Bora Bora is known for its iconic overwater bungalows, breathtaking sunsets, and vibrant marine life. Not only can you check ‘overwater bungalow’ off your bucket list, but you can also check ‘swimming with rays and sharks’ off as well!
While most of the resorts of Bora Bora are situated around the lagoon facing Mt. Otemanu, the Conrad is on an opposite motu, facing the wide open ocean. It provides an entirely different vibe to the Four Seasons and other resorts around the lagoon.
Getting here
Bora Bora is 7.5 hours from LAX or San Francisco via Air Tahiti Nui, United or Air France. Hawaiian Airlines also has a nonstop flight each week (4 hours) if you want to combine your stay with Hawaii!
Time of Year
Bora Bora and the islands of French Polynesia do have a “rainy season” that runs from November to April. The rates during this season are lower, but you can expect afternoon rains some days. Traveling May-October is a safer bet, but if you’re wanting to visit Bora Bora for a lower cost, consider traveling during one of the shoulder season months.
I recommend staying for 5-6 nights to make the travel time worth it. After that, you could consider staying at another resort, on a different island, or even venturing to Hawaii to break up the travel.
How much does it cost
Bora Bora is one of the most expensive island destinations for both accommodations and on-island spend.
Rooms at the Conrad Bora Bora start around $1200 per night in peak season BUT this is for their tropical rooms. The overwater bungalows start around $2000 per night in peak season.
Major Traveler can get you daily breakfast, resort credits, early check-in and late check-out, a room upgrade and more perks to add value to your stay! Depending on the time of year, we also have access to complimentary night promotions!
When you arrive, you can expect to pay an elevated price for food. A burger, and most entrees, range around $40. Cocktails are around $20-$25. You can purchase wine duty free for your stay or you can visit the main island of Bora Bora for lower priced wine purchases and snacks!
The Conrad includes roundtrip transfers to and from the airport! Not all resorts do this, so it’s worth checking this out before you travel as the transportation can be pricey (for a 15 minute boat ride!).
The Resort
The Conrad is a bigger resort that spans over a larger and wider area. I love that wherever you are at the resort, you can always see the ocean. What makes it even more magical is that you can see 5 different shades of ocean blue in your view! The overwater bungalows wrap around the resort a bit here, so while you’re relaxing on the beach or by the pool, you always have a sense of place with the bungalows in view. There are two beach areas here along with an infinity pool.
In my opinion, what sets the Conrad apart is its vibe. Much of Bora Bora has this very calm, quiet, resort vibe to it. The Conrad Bora Bora brings a vibrant and fun atmosphere to the island. There is a swim-up bar with friendly bartenders and light music. Many people brought floats to enjoy right off of their overwater bungalow - this also created a social vibe as everyone would talk to each other casually while floating or share music. The resort seemed to have a very social ambiance!
The Rooms
The Conrad has a large range of rooms from tropical villas to overwater villas. In my opinion, the overwater bungalows are well worth the splurge. If you are coming from the East Coast, staying in an overwater bungalow is absolutely the best option - if you stay in one of their tropical villas, you might find that it resembles a Caribbean resort vibe.
Many of their overwater bungalows have private pools. The lagoon here is shallow in many places and getting into the water via ladder can sometimes be a challenge. The positioning of the resort can also make it windier and cause a small ocean current (nothing that prohibits you from swimming!). I think a private pool is definitely worth it here to provide a place to relax and enjoy.
My persona favorite villas here are the King Otemanu Overwater Villas with a private pool. The view is amazing, the water is calm and they are located towards the end of the resort, where there is much peace and quiet!
Make sure to reach out to the Major Traveler team for the best villas at the Conrad Bora Bora.
The Food
The Conrad Bora Bora has a solid variety of restaurant options. You can also enjoy a beautiful private dinner on your overwater deck - this is especially fun as there is a lot of sea life here to watch while you dine. We saw a pod of manta rays swimming by one evening!
There are three main restaurants for dinners - Iritai, Banyan and Upa Upa. You can also enjoy Tamure on certain nights. Two times a week, Tamure is turned into the venue for a Polynesian night, where you can find an authentic buffet and beautiful Polynesian dancing. The evening ends with a fire show!
Iritai is a high end French restaurant and Banyan is a high end Chinese restaurant. We loved both and thought the cuisine was excellent! Upa Upa is a more casual lounge over the water. It offers Japanese style cuisine and a really fun cocktail list. This is a great place to visit for pre and post dinner drinks.
The Spa
The Spa is a standout feature of the Conrad Bora Bora. If you’re a skincare fan like me, the spa partners with the French Brand Biologique Recherche! The facials here are dreamy.
If you’re on a honeymoon or romantic vacation, you will definitely want to book one of their couples rooms. The spa sits on the highest point of the motu and all of the rooms overlook the most incredible panoramic views.
Pro tip: there is also a view point just past the spa! If you’re walking around the resort one morning, make sure to walk up the hill to the view point. You’ll find some breathtaking views of Bora Bora mainland and Mt. Otemanu, plus all the shades of blue you could imagine.
Book Your Next Stay
Major Traveler is running a special promotion through the end of the summer! If you book your stay at the Conrad Bora Bora with our team, you will receive an additional $200 resort credit to apply to your stay. This is at least a $300 resort credit to be used on any incidental spend during your stay.
And, as always, you will receive daily breakfast for 2, a room upgrade (pending availability, early check-in, late check-out and all of the VIP treatment!
