Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Every person we met at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, from drivers and guides to restaurant teams and resort attendants, showed the same warmth, pride, and care. You could tell they love their work and sharing the place with guests. That feeling started with our drivers, who made sure we were comfortable all the way from the airport, and continued throughout our honeymoon. The resort was stunning, and we had plenty to do without feeling rushed: pickleball, tennis, volleyball, kayaking, and snorkeling among the corals. Evans made our snorkeling tour magical with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Timmy took us on an exhilarating jet ski trip and made us a beautiful traditional bag from bamboo leaves, a keepsake we'll treasure. Those personal touches made the stay feel once in a lifetime. For couples planning a honeymoon, the Four Seasons Bora Bora is pure magic.

The lagoons here are unlike anything I've seen, and the snorkeling was stunning, far beyond what we expected. Staying in an overwater bungalow was unforgettable. Poe went above and beyond to find the right room for our family, which made the trip even more memorable. Every staff member shared the spirit of “Mana,” making us feel at home. This place really does live up to its welcome: welcome home.

The bungalows are huge, beautifully designed with modern local touches, and the turquoise lagoons are just as gorgeous. We snorkeled almost every day and swam at the beaches; the water was warm and crystal clear. We had a blast on the jet skis, off-roading, and even the helmet dive underwater. It's an amazing, luxurious place, though seriously expensive. We found it worth it overall. Food was good, but very pricey. The Oro’a night was a highlight, with traditional meals and fire dances. The spa and pool were a treat, with great mountain views, and the daily breakfast had lots of delicious options. There were letdowns too. Shopping was poor, with basic jewelry and clothes costing thousands of USD or more. They knew we were celebrating a birthday, but did nothing for it. For almost $3k USD a night, even a cake or bottle of champagne would've meant a lot. Service could be underwhelming: pool servers were slow and didn't seem happy to help. We requested a microwave in the app around 9 AM, and it didn't arrive until about noon, after we reminded them. We had to be out at noon, so that was another frustrating experience. Better service and more attention to celebrations would make a big difference. Still, it's a beautiful place.

Bora Bora itself was everything we'd hoped for: incredible scenery, beaches, water, and marine life, well worth the long trip from Europe. We stayed two weeks and have experience with Four Seasons, Aman, and other high-end resorts in the Maldives, Seychelles, and Asia, including places in the same or lower price range. Based on that, we expected more from Four Seasons Bora Bora for the cost and brand. The service was mostly very good. Staff were friendly, attentive, and clearly trying. But the property felt neglected, and even good service couldn't make up for upkeep that didn't match the price. Calling it merely “aged” misses the problem. It's a buildup of little things that drag down the whole stay: dirty bathrooms by the restaurants with strange splashes, discoloration that sometimes looked almost moldy, and an odd smell; a spa changing room like a cheap gym; dispensers that looked cheaper than airport bathroom ones and needed more cleaning; and general cleanliness that made us hesitate to take off our sandals, let alone use the spa's reusable plastic ones and hope they'd been cleaned. The rooms also needed maintenance, with cracked wood and missing slabs that could easily be replaced. Food was mediocre, especially breakfast. The cold cuts often looked like leftovers, and fruit was surprisingly limited for a tropical resort, usually just cantaloupe and honeydew, sometimes ripe, sometimes hard and flavorless. On a good day there might be a few kiwis or grapes, but nothing like the colorful selection we'd expected. The three restaurants offer some variety, but you have to book ahead and availability is often limited, which doesn't feel very relaxed. Four Seasons Bora Bora may seem like the best option because there aren't real alternatives, but it doesn't meet world-class standards and felt average at best. Bora Bora is absolutely worth visiting once, and the hotel is good enough to tick it off the bucket list. We wouldn't return.