Conrad Bora Bora Nui

I'm not an avid reviewer but feel I'd be remiss if I didn't share my experience (and that of other couples on the same trip) and let others know what they're signing up for. I don't mind paying five-star prices, but I do expect in return five-star service and quality... I'm also based in LA and NYC, so I'm not a stranger to it. You expect in Bora Bora, so they're going to stick it to you a little bit, but they take it to another level that verges on being obnoxious or passive-aggressive towards visitors. An example: $35 for 3 sad-looking scallops. There's some very likable staff here, but there's seemingly no experienced management, so the resort is somewhat left to the forces of nature; people are left to figure it out, so it's gone a little feral/rough around the edges. Service/hospitality training is needed. This includes both administration, servers, and even the masseuse (that didn't feel like a professional massage). My deluxe over-water bungalow had holes in the curtains, the outdoor furniture was beat up and rusting. Or, you'd use the bar's bathroom—one is blocked, the other undergoing work, and one occupied. At breakfast, there's cheap furniture. The relatively nice table is covered in an old warped brown plastic cover. Felt a bit ironic when they say, "Welcome to Paradise.". (Context: I paid over $20k for accommodation for a 9-night stay for a couple.). Due to flight timing, many arrive earlier, hot and bothered after a long trip... to NO AIR CONDITIONING IN COMMON AREAS and very few fans (but air conditioning is conveniently in the staff admin office and indoors at the Chinese restaurant). Also, for these arrivals, breakfast has ended, and there are no other dining options until lunch. "Welcome to Paradise.". Hard to savor dining when you're fighting humidity. There's not really any beach service to speak of. Or you'll be waiting a LONG TIME. Beware: if you don't make a restaurant reservation in advance, you may be stuck... They don't have enough to cater to capacity. The food is extremely slow. Beware: Our trip coincided with New Year's Eve. We were NOT informed in advance that all dining options would be closed except for a buffet option costing approx. $800 for 2 (not including drinks) and that it was MANDATORY—meaning we'd be charged regardless of attendance. Unethical. "Welcome to Paradise.". They couldn't point to any advertised material or communications that stated this. I felt bad that I'd invited friends to join us who'd previously experienced the St. Regis. We will always make the best of an experience. It's wonderful to hire a boat for half a day, do the picnic, and swim with amazing fish. Go to a cool, obscure restaurant on a mountaintop for real food and service. There are a lot of amazing places in the world, and Bora Bora needs to step it up and can't rest on its laurels, or people won't return. It will get left behind. There's a lot of competition. Probably, next time, when I'm looking for a beach getaway, I'll hit something like the One and Only Mandarina in Mexico for luxury pampering and clear waters. If you're looking for a couple's luxury, go to the Regis or Four Seasons. This place will not compare. If you've got a tribe with kids and get a great deal on this place, this might be an option for you. Only come here if you get a bargain, not if paying 5-star prices.

The resort was a bit depressing. Hardly any people. We stayed in over the water bungalow. It was difficult for staff to provide things. Since one cannot go anywhere the dining options were limited. The worst part was that they purposely put false charges on your dining bills . Once you question it they quickly remove them . Once does not expect this type of behavior from a luxury hotel. We were warned by someone in Hilton Papeete so were alert . Be careful.

We recently visited the Conrad and had an amazing time. It was our fourth visit, and we are still impressed with the employees all around. A special shout-out to Daven, the breakfast staff, the pool staff, and Stefany, our housekeeper. But overall, we always feel welcomed by all of the employees there! The Conrad is the best location in Bora Bora in our opinion. We love the views, and we have experienced several different villa types. You can’t go wrong with the Conrad and we will definitely keep coming back!

We spent the holiday season at Bora Bora Nui with our group of three families (six kids aged six to nine), and two moments in particular stood out: 1. Fruit Race with Tehau I participated in the resort’s fruit race alongside Tehau, and through that friendly competition, we ended up forming a really nice connection. Afterwards, he showed us how to properly open a coconut—so much tastier than the one we’d had on another trip. This personal interaction added a warm and memorable touch to our stay. 2. Kids Club Holiday Help The resort arranged free Christmas gifts for all the children, handed out by Santa. Unfortunately, one of our six-year-old boys received a different present than the other boys—which left him feeling down. While we didn’t want to make a fuss, I decided to ask if it was possible to match the dinosaur toy the others received. The lady in charge of the Kids Club went above and beyond; by the next day, she had tracked down the exact same dinosaur, making our little one’s Christmas complete. All in all, we had a wonderful time, and the personal touches made our holiday especially meaningful. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bora Bora Nui for a truly special getaway.

My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and we couldn't have imagined how special our stay would be. Zuzana Miksova special thanks to you-you went above and beyond to make our trip unbelievable, and Mr. Abdoulaye thank you for your kindness!