St. Regis vs Four Seasons Bora Bora: Which One is Better 2023

If you are looking for the top resorts in Bora Bora, you are on the right track and have come to the right place. St. Regis and Four Seasons are two of the most luxurious and exclusive hotels in Bora Bora. When booking your dream vacation, you are most likely thinking St. Regis vs Four Seasons Bora Bora. Which one is better?

I know this because I thought the same thing. Bora Bora is a once-in-a-lifetime destination to visit. And, as I am sure you know by now, it is also pretty expensive.

If you are going to dish out a lot of money for a Bora Bora vacation, I am sure you will want the best of the best.

In this guide, I’m breaking down the differences and similarities between St. Regis and Four Seasons Bora Bora. By the end of this post, my goal is to help guide you into choosing the best resort for your Bora Bora vacation. Let’s get started!

Is Four Seasons or St. Regis Bora Bora Better

To be upfront with you, the answer to is Four Seasons or St Regis Bora Bora better depends on a couple of factors. Such as, who you are traveling with, your budget, and what you are looking for on your trip to Bora Bora.

It is important to know that both accommodations, St Regis and Four Seasons are outstanding. Anyone who has stayed at either resort will most likely recommend it and tell you it was the best vacation of their life.

When comes down to it, either one you choose, I am confident you will still have an incredible experience and trip. So don’t be like me, and stress out about it too much.

St Regis Vs Four Seasons Bora Bora

Comparing the two hotels side by side you are not going to see too many differences. They both offer 5-star service, a plethora of luxurious amenities, overwater bungalows, gorgeous views of Bora Bora’s turquoise waters and Mt. Otemanu, and so much more.

To help you decide on which hotel to book for your Bora Bora vacation, I have created a table of the two hotels’ similarities and differences:

In My Opinion, Here Are the Best for Each Category:

The St Regis Bora Bora Resort

Paradise at St Regis Bora Bora awaits only a 15-minute boat ride from Bora Bora’s Airport. From the moment you step off the boat, the staff welcomes you and offers top-notch service. St. Regis is known for its signature and one-of-a-kind butler service.

Your butler is available to you 24 hours a day. They pretty much can help with anything, we had ours help blow up my unicorn float for the lagoon, but they offer services like unpacking/packing, garment pressing, setting up dinner reservations, and beverage service.

⭐ Tip: Book your dinner reservations with the guest concierge in advance to get first dibs on reservation times, especially at the popular resort restaurant, Lagoon. You can contact them here: [email protected]

✅ Book your dream vacation at St. Regis Bora Bora here

The Overwater Bungalows at St. Regis Bora Bora

St. Regis offers a variety of accommodations, including rooms and suites beachside or next to their reef-side garden. All of which boost unforgettable views. However, what truly makes your trip to Bora Bora special, is staying in an overwater villa.

St. Regis has the largest overwater bungalows in the South Pacific. The spacious villas feature a luxurious bathroom, a large living space with glass cutouts on the floor to provide views of the tropical fish, and a bedroom that overlooks the sparkling lagoon.

The best part of the bungalows is the enormous decks that are surrounded by Bora Bora’s infamous turquoise waters. Walking out to our deck for the first time was definitely a “pinch me, I can’t believe this is my life” moment. I wanted to soak in every single second we had together with that view.

If you upgrade your villa you can wake up to incredible Mt. Otemanu views. We originally did not book an overwater bungalow with an Mt. Otemanu view, but at the last minute, we upgraded, and I am so happy we did. It was so worth it!

Unique Amenities at St Regis

As a luxurious hotel, St. Regis Bora Bora offers many amenities to enhance your stay. They have a fitness center, two pools with private cabanas, and a white sandy private beach with stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. Or treat yourself to a full body massage at their lavish spa, located on its own private island.

There are a couple of amenities that St. Regis has that stand out and make them unique. One that we particularly loved was the bikes. Each guest gets their own personal bike to explore the resort. We had so much fun hopping on our bikes and gliding around the resort discovering every inch of paradise.

They also offer a complimentary golf cart service throughout the property if you choose not to ride a bike, or want to be picked up before your dinner reservation.

The St Regis Lagoonarium

Another reason to choose St Regis Bora Bora is its unbelievable Lagoonarium. The Lagoonarium has an incredible view of Mt Otemanu and is also loaded with amazing tropical fish. The underwater sanctuary is easy to access for snorkeling.

The resort can provide you with snorkeling equipment. However, we decided to bring our own, and I am so glad that we did.

This is the snorkel gear that I bought for our trip. It didn’t take up too much space in the suitcase and worked out great. ⭐ Tip: leave the flippers at home and borrow the ones from the resort.

I also brought water shoes that I wore on our excursion. They are lightweight and pack easily. Also super cheap!  

St. Regis Kids Club

For families traveling to Bora Bora St. Regis offers a Kids Club for children ages 5 to 12 years old. The club is free, open every day, and provides an array of child-friendly activities.

Restaurants at St Regis Bora Bora

There are four amazing restaurants and a cocktail bar at St. Regis Bora Bora that you can choose to dine at throughout your stay. The restaurants range from modernized French Polynesian food to authentic Italian dishes, and an Asian restaurant for a unique culinary experience in Bora Bora.

However, the restaurant that is worth the splurge and probably one of the best meals you are going to have in French Polynesia is at the Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges.

Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges

Many people boat in from other resorts just to get a meal at the Lagoon Restaurant, it is that well-known and delicious. Besides having a menu created by the three Michelin-starred chef, Jean Georges. The Lagoon Restaurant has fantastic views (the best on the island) of Mount Otemanu and the lagoon.

⭐ Tip: I highly suggest booking your reservation before sunset and enjoying a cocktail before your meal on their deck.

The menu highlights local produce and fresh catches. A must-try is their Uravena dish.  The Uravena fish is a very rare and local fish that can only be found at the Lagoon Restaurant. It tastes so fresh and is served in a delicious passion fruit sauce.

In addition to the Uravena, other favorites were the foie gras and their house-made vanilla ice cream. Lagoon gets its vanilla locally from a Tahitian vanilla bean farm.

Marriott’s Loyalty Program

Another perk of staying at the St. Regis Bora Bora is that if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can use points for your stay. It’s a lot, but Marriott offers a couple of credit cards that can help you quickly accrue points.

Also, a great bonus is that Marriott will often allow you to upgrade your room with either straight points or a mix of cash and points.

Reasons You May Not Want to Book the St. Regis Resort

St. Regis Bora Bora is not perfect, and there may be some reasons why this is not the resort for your stay.

For example, out of the top resorts in Bora Bora, St. Regis is one of the most expensive, especially if you are not a Marriot Loyalty Member. And as I am writing this post, you will spend more with a stay at St. Regis than at the Four Seasons.

Another reason, many people think that the rooms and suites at the St. Regis Bora Bora are outdated. Personally, I did not think this when we were there. However, many people discuss that the bungalows could use a renovation, especially when compared to the Four Seasons overwater bungalows.

✅ Check rates for St. Regis Bora Bora here

Four Seasons Bora Bora

Located on its own private motu (island), Four Seasons Bora Bora is one of the top luxury resorts you can book for your stay in French Polynesia. The property is absolutely breathtaking. The resort features jaw-dropping views of the famous Mount Otemanu all over the island.

You can’t beat the customer service and attentiveness of the staff at the Four Seasons Bora Bora. They go above and beyond every time. They let you use their app to contact them if you need anything.

The resort also has a beach-facing infinity pool, a private sandy beach, four restaurants, a lush Spa and Wellness Center, free guided snorkeling tours of the lagoon sanctuary, and countless outdoor activities.

The Overwater Bungalows at Four Seasons Bora Bora

The Four Seasons features some of the most beautiful accommodations you will find in Bora Bora. They offer three different types of rooms. You can either book a beachfront villa estate, an overwater bungalow suite, or a specialty overwater bungalow suite with a plunge pool.

If you are willing to splurge a bit, a suite with views of Mt Otemanu is 100% worth it. The views of the mountain are stunning, especially during sunset.

How Many Bungalows Does Four Seasons Bora Bora Have

Four Seasons Bora Bora resort includes 108 overwater bungalows and 7 beachfront villas. The overwater bungalows feature your own private deck with panoramic views of the lagoon, a living room, and a spacious ensuite bathroom. The tub even has unobstructed views of the lagoon!

The room’s decor is inspired by traditional Tahitian style. In the villas, you will find little pieces of Bora Bora everywhere from its high ceilings and thatched roofs, to teak-wood furnishings, and textile patterns.

The bungalows sit above Bora Bora’s crystal clear waters with views of the beach, lagoon, or the spectacular Mount Otemanu. They also have villas with plunge pools. The pools are perfect for families because the waters below your bungalow could be deep or have a strong current.

✅ Book one of these incredible overwater bungalows at the Four Seasons here

Unique Amenities at Four Seasons Bora Bora

One thing that sets Four Seasons apart from St Regis is their newly renovated overwater villas. Many guests have commented that St Regis’s bungalows are outdated and worn compared to the enhanced Four Seasons overwater bungalows.

Also, the overwater villas are a little more secluded from your neighbor and allow for more privacy than at St Regis Bora Bora.

The Four Seasons has a lagoonarium as well. You can snorkel and learn more about Bora Bora’s marine life, tropical fish, and corals with the resort’s marine biologist.

Kid’s for All Seasons Program

What also makes the Four Seasons Bora Bora unique is its capability to attract honeymooners and families to the resort. The resort is large and exclusive enough to make for the perfect option for couples.

However, the resort also provides a ton of daily activities and amenities that are great for those traveling with children. Including their Kid’s for All Seasons program which is a children’s and teens club. The club has a playroom, video games, an outdoor playground, and a splash pad.

The resort offers plenty of activities to keep the entire family busy including, tennis, volleyball, and badminton courts. A fitness center with free fitness and yoga classes. Also, complimentary snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks.

Restaurants at Four Seasons Bora Bora

The Four Seasons Bora Bora offers a variety of cuisines at the four on-site restaurants, including Polynesian, Mediterranean, and Asian specialties.

In your overwater bungalow, you are surrounded by so many unbelievable views. Taking advantage of room service is a must! You can have your breakfast delivered by a Polynesian canoe or enjoy a romantic and intimate dinner on your private deck overlooking the water.

Reasons You May Not Want to Book Four Seasons Bora Bora

One of the reasons you may not want to book Four Seasons over St Regis is that they do not have a loyalty program. A huge perk of staying at St. Regis is that you can use Marriott points towards your accommodations.

Another reason you may choose St. Regis over Four Seasons is the food. St. Regis has a larger variety of restaurants, and most guests overall prefer the food at St. Regis.

✅ Check rates for Four Seasons Bora Bora here

Should You Stay at Both Resorts

If you can’t decide, another option could be to book a stay at both resorts. What I thought was very interesting when I visited Bora Bora was that a lot of people resort hop. They will book two or even three resorts for their stay in Bora Bora.

Resort hopping is a great way to mix things up and make your trip a little more interesting. Especially if you plan on staying for ten days or more. St. Regis and Four Seasons are close to each other, so it would only be a short boat ride away.

However, if you are staying in Bora Bora for less than a week, I wouldn’t recommend it. It would waste valuable time packing up and moving. Also, you could be spending a lot extra on resort fees.

How Many Days Should You Stay in Bora Bora

To fully experience the beauty of Bora Bora, you should stay four to five days (or 3 to 4 nights). Bora Bora is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation! Also, not the easiest destination to get to.

Four to five days in Bora Bora will allow time for you to unwind and relax, plan an exhilarating excursion, and truly be able to soak in everything Bora Bora has to offer.

If you are staying a week or more in French Polynesia, I recommend combining another island with Bora Bora. Such as Moorea or Tahiti. Or if you only came to see Bora Bora, you could split your stay between two different resorts.

Bora Bora Top Excursions

Once you have decided on your accommodations in Bora Bora, it is now time to book some awesome excursions. Both hotels offer a large variety of activities and excursions that you can view on their website and book through them.

⭐ Tip: Your hotel can assist you with booking excursions. However, I suggest booking your own excursions. When we planned our trip to Bora Bora, I found that it was cheaper for me to book the same excursion on my own.

Here are two booking sites that I trust and use when booking tours when I travel:

• Viator Bora Bora
• Get Your Guide Bora Bora

You can search here for highly rated tours in Bora Bora or below are a few that I recommend.

The Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch

This is the excursion that we decided to do on our trip to Bora Bora and loved the experience. The Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch offers a little bit of everything for the perfect day away from the resort.

I have been snorkeling plenty of times before, but I have never snorkeled with stingrays and sharks before. So I loved having this unique experience on our Bora Bora excursion.

The tour includes boat pickup from your hotel, snorkeling in a coral garden with thousands of tropical fish, and snorkeling with stingrays and sharks.

After working up an appetite, your guide will take you to a small private island where you will have a yummy authentic Polynesian lunch. Another amazing experience. The tables sit in the lagoon and little fish and even sting rays swam up to our feet.

✅ Book the Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch here

Island Tour & Getaway on the Bora Bora Mountains By Quad/ATV

Another adventurous excursion you could consider is an Island and ATV Tour. I recommend this tour because you can explore the main island of Bora Bora.

Your stay at your resort is wonderful and trust me, it is hard to leave. However, the main island is where the majority of the locals live and it is a great way to experience Tahitian culture.

Your professional and local guide will have you off roading to some of Bora Bora’s best viewpoints. You will also drive through the heart of the main island, Vaitape. Vaitape is the largest village on the island where you can find local shops, restaurants, and bars.

This Island Tour is perfect for the traveler looking for a unique and thrilling experience in Bora Bora.

✅ Book the Island Tour & Getaway on the Bora Bora Mountains By Quad/ATV here

Other Helpful Tips For Planning Your Bora Bora Vacation

When traveling to Bora Bora, you will have a layover in Papeete, Tahiti. Papeete is the capital of Tahiti and the main hub of the French Polynesian Islands.

It is where Faa’a International Airport is located, the only international airport in French Polynesia. For the Top 10 Things to Do in Papeete: Your Layover Plans in Tahiti you can visit my guide here.

For more advice and help to plan your trip, find my Bora Bora Itinerary: Tips & Guide to Planning Your Vacation. To find more affordable accommodations and flights to Bora Bora, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons or low season.

Also, the majority of flights to Bora Bora travel through Los Angeles or San Francisco. Find out how to get to Bora Bora from SFO (the best way) and other tips for booking your flight, the cheapest time of year to fly, and how many days you need in Bora Bora.

Bora Bora Packing List

• Durable suitcase- I just purchased my first AWAY luggage and I am obsessed. There are so many amazing features, but my favorite is the interior compression system and durable hard shell exterior to help you pack more for your trip.
• Reef-friendly sunscreen & aloe
• Bathing suit
• Water shoes These are the ones I have, they are lightweight and pack easily. Also super cheap!  
• Snorkel gear (leave your flippers at home, excursions offer them). This is the one I bought for our trip. Doesn’t take up too much space in the suitcase and worked great.
• A unicorn float to relax in the lagoon- trust me, it’s so worth it! And then you can just leave the float at the hotel for more space in your bag coming home.
• Pack some rope to tie the float to your bungalow. 
• Alcohol, pack your own from home or you will spend a fortune at duty-free and on the island. 
• Rashguard– cute two-piece rashguard set. Great to help prevent sunburn on excursions.
• Rain jacket (if you are traveling during the wet season)
• Outlet converter- this is the outlet converter I have and it’s the best! You can charge multiple electronics at once and it’s a worldwide adapter.
• Dresses/nice clothes for dinner
• Underwater camera/GoPro. If you do not have one, get a waterproof case for your phone. We also used the case in the hot springs in Italy- worked like a charm.

In Conclusion: St Regis vs Four Seasons Bora Bora: Which One is Better

I hope this guide has helped you decide on St. Regis vs. Four Seasons Bora Bora, and which is the best resort for you. Either resort you choose, you are going to fall in love with Bora Bora and have an unbelievable experience.

Which resort will you choose for your Bora Bora vacation: St. Regis or Four Seasons?

In my personal opinion, if you are able to spend a little extra on accommodations, I would book the St. Regis Bora Bora. Both resorts offer similar luxury amenities, awesome service, and overwater bungalows with epic views.

Ultimately what makes my decision for St. Regis Bora Bora over Four Seasons is the food. The Lagoon restaurant is one of the best in Bora Bora, and the other restaurants at St Regis are outstanding. They also offer a larger variety of cuisine.

Read More About Bora Bora

• Bora Bora in December: Ultimate Guide & Tips
•  How to get to Bora Bora from SFO & more must-know tips.
• Bora Bora Itinerary: Tips & Guide For The Perfect Vacation
• Top 14 Things to Do in Papeete: Your Layover Plans in Tahiti