Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora

I had a night to fill before checking into the St Regis, so I stayed at the Maitai Polynesia and was very happy with that choice. The rate was great for what I got, and the basic room in the main building was all I needed, especially with the St Regis coming next. The staff were friendly from arrival through checkout. The beach was the highlight. We spent hours swimming around the hotel's private coral garden and, in February, there were so few people that it felt like we had the beach to ourselves. Towels and snorkels were provided, which was handy. We didn't eat at the hotel, so I can't comment on the food. It was a memorable stay. I didn't take many hotel photos, but I did get some of the coral garden.

The room was spacious, and the location was great. Matira Beach, the main beach on Bora Bora's mainland and its only public beach, is a 7-8 minute walk away. Several restaurants and a supermarket are also within walking distance. You can order traditional flower crowns at reception; they're lovely and make great photo props 😁. The downside is that the rooms are close to the main road, so it can get noisy.

The location works well, but the breakfast was awful, and the standard rooms are extremely basic, with mold in some of them. The staff are nice, though. For an overwater bungalow, I wouldn't book this place expecting a bargain to make up for the experience. It's average and far from many things you might want to do. If you can afford it, I'd choose Four Seasons, St. Regis, Westin, or one of the other usual options. This is only an okay stay if you're on a budget, and I wouldn't recommend it.

The garden is lovely and the location is great, but the food and rooms let this place down. Breakfast was poor, and the buffet dinner had limited choices and wasn't good. The main hotel rooms feel stuck in the 80s and need refurbishing. Most of the staff were very nice, with a few exceptions. This was easily the weakest place we stayed during our three weeks in Polynesia. Our hotels in Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa, and Fakarava were all considerably better. Next time we'd pay more for somewhere better in Bora Bora, or skip the island altogether.