InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, French Polynesia
In terms of top bucket-list places in the world, Bora Bora has long been a dream for us. From endless rows of palm trees to unlimited shades of blue, the islands of French Polynesia are famous for a reason. And Bora Bora is the crown jewel of this island nation and the very picture of romance and idyllic tropical paradise. It’s essentially the chance to travel to your screensaver destination you’ve been seeing for so long. To have your very own tropical fairytale with a thatch-roofed, overwater bungalow and a chance to wake up to views of endless turquoise water and the famous Otemanu Mountain. There are few places quite like the 5-star InterContinental Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa, but what really set them apart was their reinforced efforts to maintain a sustainable and eco-friendly luxury resort. They are pushing the limit on not only creating an amazing experience, but doing so much more for the environment which really gets us excited and we can’t wait to tell you more about it.
BEST TIME TO VISIT BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
High Season falls between May and October. This is dry season in Bora Bora, which means a lot of sunshine. August is a very popular month especially with an influx of European travelers. You will want to make your reservations far in advance if you plan to travel during this time, but note that the hotel and resort prices are at their highest during high season. September and October are ideal months because the weather is great, and kids are back in school so resorts and beaches tend to be less crowded. Note: Humpback whale season also coincides with high season as whales will be in the area from August - October to give birth to their young in the calm lagoons of French Polynesia.
Low Season is from December to March. This is going to be the rainy season on Bora Bora (8-10 inches of rain per month on average, compared to the 3 inch-monthly average during dry season). This means more rainfall than the rest of the year, but still some opportunities for sunshine, it just becomes more of a gamble. Visiting during this time means lower rates and much less crowds,
Shoulder Season is during the months of November and April. These months will be the best time to visit Bora Bora. You won’t have to battle crowds or high season prices, but still be able to enjoy good weather and tranquil atmosphere without all the people.
AIRPORT TRANSFER / ARRIVAL
Only an 8-hour nonstop flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco, Faa’a International Airport (PPT) on the island of Tahiti, is where all international flights land upon arrival to French Polynesia. There are actually 118 different islands and atolls to explore, and you can see some of the other islands we visited here. But for this blog, we are focusing just on Bora Bora. After arriving to Pape’ete, you will need to board an additional flight to Bora Bora through the inter-island airline called Air Tahiti (not to be mixed up with ‘Air Tahiti Nui’ which provides international transit). You will want to sit on the left hand side of the plane in order to have the best views of Bora Bora as you prepare for landing. The plane boards from the back, so the left side will always be the left side 😉.
You fly over the barrier islands (‘Motu’) and then land at the airport, which itself is on an island. From there, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the Thalasso team, and they will escort you to your boat transfer. This boat transfer will cost up to 7,000 XPF ($70 USD) per person one way.
Sustainability
Energy
Thalasso is the first property in the world to successfully implement a private air conditioning system using cold deep-sea water from the surrounding motu island. The revolutionary Sea Water Air Conditioning - or SWAC – uses sustainable technology free from harmful hydrofluorocarbons to make a completely environmentally friendly and renewable source of energy.
They also have solar panels on site for providing additional energy into other resort needs.
Recyclability & Agriculture
They maintain strict recycling policies for processing water as well as limiting the use of single-use plastic such as plastic straws and utensils. They also have implemented rainwater collection tanks for landscape irrigation and composting program for nourishing their tropical gardens.
culture
They find ways to integrate rich cultural experiences into the resort’s daily life with the local cuisine, daily activities to learn traditional practices such as basket & hat weaving from palm fronds and showcasing local craftsmen and businesses from around the island.
ACCOMMODATION
Thalasso offers overwater bungalows as their only accommodation option. Among the 84 spacious bungalows, you have varying views and sizes, but just know that there are no on-land accommodations. This gives the entire resort a very magical feeling when you see the glowing lights of each bungalow hovering over the bay, and also gives an overall very quiet and peaceful feeling to the whole island as it feels very intimate. Upon arrival we caught a golf cart for a tour of the property, and quickly realized just how large the property is. Because Thalasso sits out on the motu (island surrounding the main island of Bora Boora), it is very spread out and has a very secluded and private feeling to it.
The bungalows are an elegant mix of contemporary design with traditional Polynesian architecture, all of which include a double-level terrace with direct access to the lagoon. Depending how far out you are on the pontoon, the water can be up to 20 feet deep!
The main differences between the bungalows are going to be the location on the pontoon, the view, and private pool. The Pool Overwater Villas and Teremoana Suites have their own private pools, while the Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond, and Diamond Otemanu villas all feature a larger double-level terrace with direct access to the lagoon.
Teremoana Suite – Deserving its own category, the Villa Teremoana is located at the very end of the pontoon, and is the most luxury option you can find at Thalasso. With unobstructed views of the famous Mt. Otemanu and all the privacy you could want, the villa is quite large with two large bedrooms and bathrooms, full size kitchen, and of course, a private pool. It can hold a maximum of 8 people (4 adults and 4 children) or 6 adults. These suites will run easily over $2,000 / night but can be a great option for larger families or a friends getaway. Also included in your stay at the Teremoana suite is a welcome gift, transfer fees, and one day access to the Deep Ocean Spa facilities.
RESTAURANTS
Onsite there are several dining options to choose between, from casual poolside to French fine dining. Since you are on the motu, you will plan to eat all of your meals on site at Thalasso, but don’t worry, there is certainly something for everyone. Even if you have special dietary needs, the chefs and staff are eager to please and can accommodate (we suggest letting them know ahead of time in case they need to make any specific preparations). I am Vegan Paleo and Davis is Paleo, but neither of us had any issues in finding delicious meals at any of the restaurants.
Le Reef – The main restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. In the mornings, they offer a breakfast buffet which is freshly prepared and delicious. It includes fresh local fruit juices and Polynesian dishes as well as whole fruit, omelet station, and other foods. For dinner they offer an a la carte menu of various international cuisines, and every week they have a special themed BBQ buffet with live Polynesian dancing.
Le Sands Bar and Restaurant - A more relaxed and casual feel, Le Sands is open for lunch and dinner. The menu is a variety of international cuisine ranging from salads & sandwiches, to light bites & finger food, to grill & Polynesian specialties. For lunch you can choose to eat at one of the tables along the beach and enjoy the gentle breeze . Dinner you can eat by candlelight looking out into the sunset and stunning view of Otemanu Mountain.
Le Corail Restaurant - If you are looking for a more romantic and private night out, Le Corail restaurant is limited to only 13 tables. It is an upscale fine dining restaurant with French influence where you can choose from either the chef’s tasting menu or a la carte. It requires advance reservation and is the nicest dining option on property, so it could be great if your looking for a special treat.
South Beach Bar - Perfect for light bite and finger food out by the pool and beach loungers. They serve a variety of snacks and drinks during the day including our favorite, fresh young coconut.
Romantic Dinner – Set along the beach with one of the most romantic views in the world, a secluded dinner during sunset is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Bora Bora. You can have a special dinner set up on the beach or on the end of the pontoon just for you and your loved one.
Canoe Breakfast - One of our favorite experiences of the stay was having breakfast brought to the bungalow via canoe. French Polynesia is one of the few places in the world you have have this unique dining experience, so we’d highly recommend you give it a try for one of your mornings. First they paddle up with your breakfast assortment in a traditional outrigger canoe decorated with fresh palm leaves and flowers. Then as they set up the delicious spread, you have the chance to hop in the canoe and go out for your own little private tour of the lagoon.
AMENITIES
WATER ACTIVITIES
For water lovers there are a large variety of water sports and activities to choose from!
Stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling equipment are available free of charge. The view of Mt. Otemanu is incredible, so why not take a floating adventure out into the lagoon? They also have traditional outrigger canoes which you can give a try, though be warned, they can be more challenging then they look ;)
For a charge, you can also choose from jet skis, parasailing, or daily excursions out to the reef to see the wild array of marine life including fish, stingrays, and even black tipped sharks. There is also an option to enjoy a sunset cocktail cruise.
POOL
The views of the mountain from the pool are simply stunning. With ample space for lounging poolside on a balmy Bora Bora day, this is the perfect spot to hang out.
BEACH
There was enough space to find a quiet spot along the pristine waters in the lagoon. There really are no bad views at this resort, and we soaked it in as much as we could. You can choose from sun loungers, hammocks and private cabanas.
LAGOON
There is a very calm lagoon if you want some variety for your water indulgence. The beach of the lagoon is not large, but they have quite an array of tropical fish in their hand planted coral gardens below the surface. This is also where the wedding chapel is located with a view out over the water. This is where Le Corail fine dining restaurant is located.
SPA
The Thalasso Deep Ocean Spa offers multiple relaxing services. Our favorite was the massage with a lagoon view. While you are laying on the massage table, you actually look through a glass floor that reveals the lagoon below filled with exotic fish and clear turquoise water. We have never seen anything like this before! Also, once you get book a service with the spa, you can receive access to the entire spa area for the rest of the day. They have multiple jacuzzi and different temperature pools to experience. In back, they also have a very calm and relaxing room to just lay down and look out to the ocean.
GYM
If you are looking to stay active on your stay (other than the water-sports and beach activities) there is an on-site gym with all of the standard fitness equipment. They also offer special yoga or fitness classes as well as an outdoor track through the gardens for jogging and walking.
Gardens
Thalasso has many gardens along the property for you to wander through with fresh topical flowers and beautiful landscapes. One special garden in particular offers you the chance to "‘Lock your Love” in Paradise. Similar to the “Lock Bridge” in Paris, you can purchase a lock from the island shop and attach it to a chain of other lockets on a palm tree. Its a fun tradition if you come to celebrate a special occasion such as a wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary.
SERVICE
The staff at InterContinental were very helpful and kind whenever we needed anything. You’ll find smiles and friendly greetings from anyone you meet along the island with attention to detail to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable. There were always plenty of fresh towels by the pool, attentive waiters, and someone to drive you back to your villa in case you prefer a ride instead of walking back.
There were a couple times we had to ask for something multiple times over before actually receiving it, but all in all, the standard of service was pretty inline with our expectations at a 5-star resort in Bora Bora. One thing that was missing for us though, was a butler. Typically at other 5-star resorts we had access to our own personal butler service which helped to make sure nothing was out of line. With all the good that is going on at Thalasso, this would have topped it off.
Its hard to quite fully put into words the feeling of staying at the InterContinental Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa. The experience of catching a boat out to a secluded island where you stay over the water with constant views of the iconic Mt. Otemanu, is hard to describe. For us it felt like we were in a dream. The magic of Bora Bora is alive with Thalasso, and a stay here will most definitely not be regretted.
If you have any other questions about the stay or what its like on Bora Bora let us know in the comments below!