We believe that the Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts, formally the iconic Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort, is truly one of Bora Bora's real jewels.  Reached from the airport by a 15 minute boat ride across the turquoise lagoon, the resort is set on 17 beachfront acres of landscaped gardens, swaying palm trees and soft white sand.

 

This purpose-built resort origianally opened in June 1998 and it's local designer and owners created the resort to blend in with the environment and to be sensitive to the culture of the Polynesian people of Bora Bora. Where possible, local materials were used in the construction of the hotel and a great deal of the wood that was used was taken from the trees that were cleared to make way for the resort.

 

In 2019, the resort closed for a complete refurbishment and upgrade, including all buildings, rooms, restaurants and bars, the spa, and to add an extra 27 overwater bungalows and a luxurious Royal Beach Villa.  The COVID lockdown did cause some delays, but all the work is now completed and this iconic resort is looking gorgeous, and under its new name banner with Pearl Reosrts and the Relais and Chateau Association.

 

Situated on the Tevairoa Motu on the western side of the lagoon, the hotel faces across the water towards the main island, and affords the early risers some spectacular sunrises.

 

There are four categories of accommodation from which to choose; 20 Garden Pool Villas, 10 Beach Suites, 13 Standard Overwater, 13 Lagoon Premium Overwater Suites, 15 Otemanu View Overwater Suites and 9 End of Pontoon Overwater Suites.

 

The Overwater Suites offer all the amenities that you would expect from a more expensive 5 star hotel, without the 5 star cost! They offer a King bed (or 2 Twin beds on request), ensuite bathroom with separate bath and walk-in shower, stocked mini bar (fee), air conditioning and a ceiling fan, hair dryer, tea and coffee making facilities, IDD telephone, in-room safe, iron and ironing board (on request), work desk and chair with wired internet access, sitting area with sofa, 20" TV with CD/DVD player and on demand movie channel and sliding patio doors opening to a private deck  with sun loungers and steps down into the water. A special feature of the overwater bungalows are the glass fish viewing panels which frame the bath and wash basin. There is also a glass top table that lets you view the fish from the comfort of your lounge sofa, or you can descend the steps from your private terrace and hand feed the fish. This is truly a very special experience. The only difference between the Standard and Blue Lagoon Overwater Suites is their location; the Blue Lagoon are located further out into the lagoon and have an uninterupted view accross the lagoon to the main island, whilst the End of Pontoon are exactly that; at the ends of the pontoons with uninterrupted lagoon views.

 

The Beach Suites offer the same amenities as the overwater bungalows except that the bathrooms have been enclosed in an outdoor private garden with tropical planting, sun loungers on a deck and the bath has been replaced with a jacuzzi. These bungalows have been designed with couples in mind, with the private courtyard garden at the rear, but also with an enclosed living room with sofabed opening onto your furnished deck at the front that overlooks the beach just a few feet away.

 

The walled Garden Pool bungalows feature all of the facilities of the beach bungalows but they have an outdoor shower, a teardrop-shaped plunge pool in the garden, and a large deck with covered seating area and sun loungers, but they don't have a separate deck at the front, just a walled courtyard garden, but are still only a short walk to the beach. We believe that "for lovers" these rooms are ideal, due to their space and privacy!

 

They also have day rooms available, if you have to check out but your flight doesn't leave til later, with a double bed, ensuite bathroom and in-room safe; a good place to leave your luggage whilst you take that final swim before freshening up to leave for the airport.

 

The poolside restaurant, the Miki Miki Pool Bar, is open for drinks and lunch and light meals in the evening. The Tevairoa Restaurant is located on the first floor above the reception building, offering spectacular lagoon views, and is open for breakfast and dinner.  On Monday nights, they offer a Tahitian buffet with Tahitian music and dance show.  The Taurearea Bar Lounge offer happy hour drinks, live music and superb beach and lagoon views. Fare Ambrosia is a new fine dining restaurant offering a variety of Italian favourites with Polynesian flavours and using fresh local seafood and produce.  Romantic dining on the beach can also be arranged.

 

For the energetic, the hotel offers all of the expected water sports, such as kayaks and canoes, snorkelling, jet skis, fishing trips, scuba diving and island tours, (powered activities and tours charged for locally) as well as tennis, table tennis, volleyball and badminton.  The resort also features a well-equipped fitness centre, a large beachside fresh water swimming pool, a movie theatre, library with 2 computors, billiard table and games room, and Wi-Fi is available resort-wide for a fee, and is free in the bar are from 5-11pm each day.  They have also just brought in the first zero emmission catamaran which can be chartered by guests.  The solar-electric deluxe catamaran, the Okeanos Pearl, has become known as the Tesla of the Seas, and has been designed by a local yacht company and built in New Zealand.  It can chartered for just the 2 of you, with a selection of wines beers and soft drinks for a sunset cruise, or maybe for you and 10-15 of your closest friends.

 

For relaxing time, the Tavai Spa offers a little piece of heaven on earth, and offers a range of body and beuty treatments, including Tahitian massage, sauna and steam room, and the unique services of Tuhei, a famous Tahitian tattoo artist.

 

One of the unique activities at this Resort is guest participation in the upkeep and 'planting' at the Resorts' Coral Nursery.  In 2001, together with a marine biologist, the Resort created an artificial reef, and has since, transplanted and cultivated 4000 coral colonies, which now attracts more than 70 fish species.  Guests can have a hands-on experience in further preserving and nurturing the important coral that supports and sustains the sealife and the fragile ecosytems in the area. You can take tours to the donor reef to collect specimens for transplanting, have guided snorkelling tours of the nursery reef and even sponsor a Coral Biorock with your name on it for eternity!  They are also one of the first resorts to install solar panels, that now deliver almost 30% of the whole resorts' requirements.

 

The hotel provides a complementary shuttle boat to the main island from 8am to 11pm daily, giving you the opportunity to visit and explore the little towns and villages on the main island.

 

The Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts offer a good range of facilities and a great location at a reasonable price, and is a real treasure in an ocean of superlatives.

 

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website

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