Space is the quiet luxury of the St. Regis Bora Bora. Overwater villas here start at around 1,550 square feet, among the largest in the South Pacific, with a separate living room, a proper bedroom and a bathroom big enough to get lost in. With a glass floor panel framing the lagoon below, a deck that drops straight into turquoise water and Mount Otemanu standing guard across the lagoon, it is easy to see why this resort is a perennial honeymoon favorite.
The St. Regis occupies Motu Ome'e on the eastern side of the lagoon. It has a few aces the competition cannot match. There is a private Lagoonarium, a protected coral garden alive with tropical fish, where you can snorkel from the pontoons. There is a spa that sits on its own little island. There is a kid-free pool with cabanas for days when you want peace. And there is the famous St. Regis service, with guest liaisons who start planning your honeymoon before you even leave home. It is grand, polished and unapologetically extravagant, the kind of place you choose when you want the honeymoon to feel like an event.
Highlights at a glance
- Overwater villas from about 1,550 square feet
- Private Lagoonarium for snorkeling
- Spa set on its own islet
- Kid-free pool lined with private cabanas
- Overwater Lagoon Restaurant with Otemanu views
- Complimentary bicycles and snorkel gear
Motu Ome'e and Its Lagoon
The resort spreads across roughly 17 hectares of Motu Ome'e, a flat, palm-covered islet on the lagoon's eastern side. Facing west toward the main island, it has wide-open views of Mount Otemanu. The water in front shifts from pale aquamarine to deep sapphire as the day moves on.
The heart of the property is the Lagoonarium, a protected underwater sanctuary woven between pontoons and islets. Coral heads and schools of tropical fish, including Napoleon wrasse, make it a superb snorkeling spot with no boat required. Around it, landscaped gardens, white beaches and pathways link the villas, restaurants and two pools. Bicycles are provided free of charge, which is the nicest way to get around.
The Villas
The overwater villas are the main event. Each has a separate living room and bedroom, generous bathrooms, a glass viewing panel in the floor and a deck with steps down to the lagoon. Higher categories add plunge pools, outdoor whirlpools or prime Otemanu views. For a honeymoon, it is worth upgrading to a villa facing the mountain; watching the sun set behind its peak from your own deck never gets old.
Beach villas sit among palm trees with more privacy and direct access to the sand, a nice option if you would like a garden and pool on land. At the top of the scale is the Royal Estate, a roughly 13,000-square-foot compound with three bedrooms, a pool, a spa suite and its own private beach. Overkill for two? Perhaps, but this is a splurge for a celebration you'll only have once.
Where to Eat and Drink
Dining is one of the resort's strengths, with enough variety for a full week:
- Lagoon Restaurant, the overwater signature, with glass floor panels, Otemanu views and seafood-focused cuisine
- Bamboo, for pan-Asian dishes
- Te Pahu, on the beach, serving French Polynesian cuisine and hosting a weekly Polynesian night with dinner and a show
- Farniente, an Italian restaurant
- Aparima Bar, with swim-up cocktails by the main pool
- 727 Bar, the beach bar for sunset tapas and drinks
In-villa dining runs around the clock. Private dinners can be set up on your deck or on the beach. At sunset, make your way to the 727 Bar or Lagoon Restaurant for the most romantic light of the day.
Why guests fall for it
A Spa on Its Own Island
The St. Regis Spa occupies a small private islet within the resort, overlooking the Lagoonarium, which gives it a uniquely secluded feel. Treatments draw on Polynesian traditions and plant-based rituals. Facilities include balneotherapy, a whirlpool and a steam room. Spend a half day here together, with a couples' treatment followed by time soaking in the warm water.
Beyond the spa, there is a fitness center and an outdoor area for yoga and beach workouts. Most importantly for honeymooners, the Oasis pool is reserved for adults and lined with private cabanas, a quiet retreat from the livelier main pool.
Lagoon Life
Complimentary snorkel gear means you can explore the Lagoonarium whenever you like. The activities team can also arrange:
- Dives and snorkel trips to swim with blacktip reef sharks and rays
- Sailing and boat excursions around the lagoon
- Watercraft rentals for exploring independently
- Polynesian cultural activities with the resort's cultural ambassador, such as flower crown making and pareo painting
A complimentary daily shuttle runs to Vaitape on the main island (except Sundays and holidays), handy for browsing pearl shops or joining a 4x4 tour of the island's interior. Many couples, though, find that the Lagoonarium, the pools and their villa deck are entertainment enough.
What Wins Guests Over
Couples consistently gush about the size of the villas, noting that even standard overwater categories feel more like apartments than hotel rooms. The views of Mount Otemanu and the glass-floor panels are close behind, along with the joy of stepping straight off your deck into the lagoon.
Service is another frequent theme. Reviewers praise staff for being gracious and anticipating needs, from welcome touches to restaurant recommendations. The Lagoonarium is a big hit with snorkelers and the kid-free pool earns praise from honeymooners seeking quiet. The dining variety, especially Lagoon Restaurant at sunset, makes longer stays easy.
Logistics and Fine Print
The resort's boat transfer from Bora Bora Airport takes roughly 20 minutes and is charged per person, so factor it into your budget. Dining and drinks are pricey, as they are everywhere in Bora Bora; check for packages with breakfast or dinner included. Marriott Bonvoy members may be able to redeem points here, which can make a meaningful difference.
The resort welcomes families and has a kids' club, so the kid-free pool and secluded villas become important if you want a purely romantic atmosphere. The property is large, so request a villa nearer the main facilities if long walks or bike rides are not your thing. Finally, the shuttle to the main island runs on a set schedule, so plan excursions with the concierge. Dengue occurs in French Polynesia, so pack repellent for evenings ashore. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you go.
Insider tips
- Upgrade to an Otemanu-view overwater villa with a plunge pool for sunsets behind the mountain.
- Email the guest liaison team before arrival to set up surprises, dinners and spa times.
- Book Lagoon Restaurant at sunset and request a table near the glass floor.
- Use the free bikes to explore the motu, especially in the cooler early morning.
