Editor’s note: Conrad Bora Bora provided TPG with a complimentary three-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
Hotel reporters have explored some of the best hotels in the world, but there are some destinations and properties that stop even the most scrutinizing of us in our tracks — and it’s not just because of the turndown service.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui is precisely this kind of resort. The Hilton-affiliated property is a traveler favorite thanks to its luxe accommodations that seamlessly blend in with the crashing waves, lush landscape and mountainous backdrop of Bora Bora. The property has appeared in everything from “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” to “The Golden Bachelorette” (and probably many “dream vacation” and Hilton Honors points redemption vision boards).
I was lucky enough to recently check into an overwater villa at this property in French Polynesian paradise. Let’s just say it was a little difficult to force myself to check out.
Here’s what it was like staying at Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
What is Conrad Bora Bora Nui?
There are a variety of luxury resorts to choose from when considering a Bora Bora getaway. However, Conrad Bora Bora Nui gets high marks for its more secluded location on Motu To’opua — away from competitors like the new Westin, St. Regis and Four Seasons — and its spectacular views of Mount Otemanu.
The ultraluxury resort features a mix of suites, land-based villas and overwater villas. Views, extra bedrooms and private pools depend on how much you’re willing to splurge. While certainly family-friendly, Conrad Bora Bora Nui appeared to be all about honeymooners, babymooners and plenty of American tourists (and presumably Hilton Honors members) during my visit.
How to book Conrad Bora Bora Nui
While my three-night stay was complimentary, nightly rates at Conrad Bora Bora Nui start at $890 or 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night. (Although, the lowest rate I see for the King Overwater Pool Villa like mine over the next few months is $1,643 per night.) Keep in mind: Conrad Bora Bora Nui charges a 5% service charge per stay (but this excludes tax).
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Book directly via Hilton to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points during your stay and enjoy perks associated with elite membership tiers.
Alternatively, those with The Platinum Card® from American Express can book via the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts platform; this gives guests elitelike benefits such as noon check-in, availability-based upgrades, daily breakfast, guaranteed late checkout, and a $100 food-and-beverage credit to use on-site.
When booking the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hilton stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic Hilton Honors elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Silver elite status (with an upgrade to Gold through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year).
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Diamond elite status.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The location
It takes a little travel determination and dedication to get to Conrad Bora Bora Nui, but I promise it’s worth it. Bora Bora is in French Polynesia, but you’ll first fly to Faa’a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti; this is also in French Polynesia, and it’s the main international point of arrival to the islands from the U.S.
I’d recommend keeping it in the Hilton family and staying at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti for a night or two to combat jet lag before hopping on a smaller inter-island flight aboard Air Tahiti (not to be confused with Air Tahiti Nui, which offers international flights from Papeete to the U.S.).
Round-trip airfare for this 45-minute flight can run in the $300 to $500 range, depending on demand, so monitor airfare accordingly. While you can’t use traditional airline points to redeem flights aboard Air Tahiti, you can book via credit card travel portals like Chase and American Express.
Once you land in Bora Bora, there’s still one more — albeit very scenic — part of your journey before you can enjoy welcome beverages at Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Because of the resort’s islet location, you have to take a boat.
You can book water transportation directly through Conrad Bora Bora for 18,000 French Pacific francs (about $150) round-trip per person and 9000 French Pacific francs (about $75) for children between 7 and 12 years old. It’s a gorgeous, 20-minute ride to the resort and, while pricey, is the most efficient way to get from the airport to paradise.
If you have a little more time on your hands and want to save money, you can take a free ferry from the Bora Bora airport to the main island of Vaitape; from there, the Conrad runs a water shuttle for 9000 French Pacific francs (about $75) round-trip for adults. Children from 7 to 12 years old get a 50% discount, while those 6 and younger ride for free.
Checking in
Y’all are probably tired of hearing me crack “The White Lotus” jokes and comparisons anytime I go on a trip. But as we rounded the atoll and saw a group of smiling Conrad Bora Bora Nui employees waving to our approaching boat from the dock, it really did give a Season One vibe.
It was easy to get into the island spirit, with live Polynesian music performed near the open-air lobby as we made our way to check-in. Friendly Conrad staffers greeted me with a chilled towel and welcome drink while we handled all the arrival paperwork and luggage hand-off.
While a lobby isn’t necessarily the most exciting part of a stay, the intermittent glass-bottomed flooring of the neighboring Upa Upa Lounge Bar offered prime aquatic life views (and excellent views of sharks at night, thanks to underwater lighting). They were almost as decadent as the views of the turquoise blue Bora Bora waters.
The rooms…er…overwater bungalows
Conrad Bora Bora Nui features a mix of suites, land-based villas and overwater villas (including the Presidential Overwater Villa seen in “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”). My King Overwater Pool Villa put the “ultra” in “ultraluxury,” thanks to its open-concept layout centered around a spacious sundeck; the deck was complete with an overwater hammock and pool ideal for lounging in during sunrise or sunset. There was plenty of room to stretch out, and the overwater villa’s vaulted ceilings made the room feel even more spacious.
The king-size bed was the centerpiece of the villa, which also included two seating areas, a walk-in closet and a massive dual-vanity bathroom with a soaking tub and walk-in rainfall shower. A TV was tucked away in a cabinet at the foot of the bed, but who wants to watch television when you have an uninterrupted waterfront view to go with turndown service?
The overwater villa featured amenities you’d expect at a luxury hotel, such as twice-daily housekeeping, laundry services, a Bluetooth sound system, a minibar, and complimentary tea and Nespresso.
But there were also unique-to-Conrad Bora Bora Nui offerings like an incense ritual, which allowed me to select from an incense menu (I went with sandalwood) to have burned during turndown service.
My personal favorite offering was breakfast delivery via canoe. It arrived via an outrigger canoe and included a mix of pastries, fruit, poisson cru (a Tahitian dish of tuna, cucumber and bell pepper in coconut milk), fresh-squeezed juice and coffee. While I’m still a big fan of “normal” breakfast buffets, it’s hard to go back after having your iced coffee and croissant arrive against the backdrop of lapping water and a fresh sunrise. This service costs 19,800 French Pacific francs ($170) for two people.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui featured Byredo bath products. And yes, it was an indulgent experience to kick back in the soaking tub before bed with a glass of wine and a soft jazz playlist smoothly emanating from the Bluetooth speakers overhead. (Fine, I can’t tell a lie: It was the Spice Girls, and I had it blaring.)
However, climbing down a short ladder off the back of the villa and into the sea was an even better water activity. You could rent snorkel gear and check out the fish each morning or get a few laps in before breakfast. Either way, there was no shortage of fun ways to get in some early morning cardio.
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Dining at Conrad Bora Bora Nui
There is a variety of dining venues at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, from upscale French fare at Iriatai (which also serves breakfast) to Chinese at Banyan to more casual fare at the thatched-roof Tamure Beach Grill.
Sunset mai tais at Upa Upa are a must. (A special thanks goes to the Conrad’s mixologist extraordinaire Aurélie Marie, who even taught us how to make mai tais and educated us about thow the proper way to pronounce it is “may tay” and not “my tie.”)
The resort’s poolside bar, Tarava, is also a perfect spot for a drink. Most venues are indoor-outdoor in their layout, so dining alfresco is almost always an option.
When not included in the nightly rate or with Hilton Honors elite status, Iriatai’s breakfast buffet costs 5,700 French Pacific francs (about $52) per person and includes a variety of western staples like omelets, bacon, pastries, fruit and charcuterie. Made-to-order a la carte items like eggs Benedict and crepes are also included.
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CAMERON SPERANCE/THE POINTS GUY
I indulged in the discovery menu (12,500 French Pacific francs or $109) one night at Iriatai. This consisted of an appetizer, main course and dessert. The white tuna tartare with a yogurt “veil” and basil was not only a theatrical start to the meal but a pleasing experience for the taste buds. A hearty cut of lamb arrived as the main show.
While I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, the grapefruit, ginger and honey panna cotta were a fresh, light way to round out this taste of France by the sea.
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CAMERON SPERANCE/THE POINTS GUY
Iriatai also features live acoustic music for dinner on Thursdays, so we popped in after dining at Banyan that evening. (Cyndi Lauper covers are now my preferred way to end a dim sum dinner.)
While the Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s Polynesian dinner and show is typically held at Tamure Beach Grill, inclement weather moved the experience to Iriatai during my stay. It actually made the experience more expansive because dancers were weaving around the bar and back outside to perform a fire show to a very enthused dining audience (this writer very much included!). This To’opua Nui Shores & Grill Polynesian show on Tuesday typically costs 17500 French Pacific francs ($150) per adult.
Banyan is a little more tucked away amid (as the name suggests) banyan trees on the same elevated perch as Iriatai. The elegant space features a smaller indoor dining area along with a few outdoor tables, so reservations are highly recommended.
My meal was more of a family-style tasting menu of dim sum like steamed dumplings, wok-fried beef and fish, and fried rice. Diners can expect to spend 13,000 French Pacific francs (about $113) for a discovery menu of a soup starter, main dish and dessert.
A 29,000 French Pacific franc ($254) immersion menu for two includes the dim sum options featured in my dinner, while the big splurge at Banyan is the 30,000 French Pacific franc ($263) Peking duck menu for two.
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CAMERON SPERANCE/THE POINTS GUY
While Tamure was the more laid-back dining option at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, it featured some of my favorite meals.
The grilled fish burger served on a squid ink bun (4,100 French Pacific francs, or $36) was just the fresh catch I was looking for with my first lunch at the resort shortly after my arrival. Grilled chicken tacos (3,500 French Pacific francs, or $30) were a surprisingly strong option as well, thanks to a crunchy cabbage, pico de gallo and grilled corn accompaniment.
Given the abundance of fresh fish in Tahiti and Bora Bora, I also started each meal with tuna sashimi (2,400 French Pacific francs, or $21); it came with a nice blend of salty and sweet thanks to soy sauce and grapefruit.
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Wellness amenities and activities
Conrad Bora Bora Nui excels in the wellness and amenity department. Obviously, if you’re staying in an overwater villa, you can just take a few steps off your deck and swim in the sea or unwind in your private pool. (Some landside villas also feature private pools.) But there is also a main pool area that overlooks the beach and includes a robust mix of sun loungers and seating areas. The activity rental center is also near the pool, so you can rent things like snorkeling gear.
Travelers looking for a decadent splurge should head to Hina Spa, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s wellness oasis. It’s at the top of the property’s hill and overlooks the lagoon. Treatment rooms offer views of the water, Mount Otemanu or Maupiti Island. Some treatment rooms (like the one I had) also feature a whirlpool tub, while others are outdoors and offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.
My 60-minute Hiro Power Massage (25,000 French Pacific francs, or $215) was a deep tissue athletic massage that ironed out any lingering jet lag and soreness from travel. The mindful masseuse took time after to point out ways to better prevent tension in all my usual achy areas going forward. While the massage was the main show, the view from my treatment room left me wanting to spend another 60 minutes (or even days) just chilling and taking in the sunset.
Hina Spa’s hillside perch might be ideal for wellness treatments, but it’s also a prime spot from which to admire the sunrise over Mount Otemanu (for those willing to wake up early and book it up the hill).
While you might not immediately think of heading to the hotel gym when you’re in paradise, the resort features a surprisingly robust fitness center. It has free weights and strength training machines, as well as a cardio area with a mix of elliptical machines and treadmills. There are also group fitness classes, personal training and group runs offered via the hotel gym.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui also has a private island called Motu Tapu that’s available for picnics, private dining and cocktails. Alas, the weather wasn’t our friend each time we tried to visit the island.
The resort also arranges excursions for visitors to tour Bora Bora, go snorkeling, and swim with manta rays and sharks; we were able to take part in this excursion, and it was far more relaxing and far less terrifying than it sounds. The shared tour is offered on Mondays and Thursdays and costs 17,400 French Pacific francs ($150) per person. Reservations are required.
Reasons Conrad Bora Bora Nui might not be for you
While Conrad Bora Bora Nui might have a permanent berth in my top hotel stays of all-time list, no resort is perfect. So here are a few things that might make this property not the best for you:
- Nightly rates aren’t cheap, and a la carte food pricing isn’t either. This could be a non-starter for some travelers, so keep an eye out for award redemption deals on points to at least cover the nightly rate part of the equation.
- It does take a little bit of dedication to get to Conrad Bora Bora Nui from the U.S., especially if you’re traveling from the East Coast, like I was. While I think it’s absolutely worth the time, those looking for a more convenient getaway from home might want to explore alternative destinations.
Accessibility
Conrad Bora Bora Nui offers accessible villas and suites with features like grab bars and ramps, but it is best to call the resort directly to secure these accommodations when booking. Travel via boat is necessary to get to and from the resort, but the hotel can provide ramp access to get on and off Conrad’s water shuttle.
The property is sprawling, but there is a buggy service to get from villas or suites to all public areas of Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Further, accessible amenities like beach wheelchairs are available, so all guests can enjoy a day along these sandy shores. Guests can dial 9 from the villas and request a pick-up from the Club Car service, and the resort can provide wheelchairs for guests upon request.
Checking out
I’m always a bit blue to leave a beach vacation, but a special kind of “vacation is over” doldrums set in when it came time for the staff to bring my luggage to the dock. Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s team is a friendly, hospitable bunch that makes a getaway here feel both luxurious and laid back. It’s also very evident this team is happy to work here and proud of the property they represent.
After farewells to Conrad Bora Bora staffers who became friends, it was time to get back on the water shuttle and wave as the dock grew smaller and smaller … and to start counting my Hilton Honors points balance to figure out how soon I could get back here.
I suggest y’all do the same — a highly luxurious paradise beckons.
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