A beach villa at Westin Bora Bora, which is hoping to make a name for itself as the most enchanting resort in the region. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
A beach villa at Westin Bora Bora, which is hoping to make a name for itself as the most enchanting resort in the region. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
Naomi Chadderton discovers how French Polynesia’s newest design-forward gem – The Westin – is showcasing the fun side of Bora Bora.
There I was, casually sitting on the deck of our idyllic overwater villa, staring out at the aquamarine water and enjoying a healthy breakfast that had been delivered directly to our terrace via a “va’a”, the traditional French Polynesian outrigger canoe, when a solitary green sea turtle floated by.
The species of turtle in question, I learnt the day before during a turtle feeding session at the resort’s on-site eco-centre, is on the verge of being extinct, yet the resident experts are going above and beyond to help protect the surrounding marine life through conservation initiatives and research projects. This is just one of the ways that the newly-opened Westin Bora Bora is hoping to make a name for itself as the most enchanting resort in the region.
But let’s go back to the beginning. After a 45-minute flight from Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti, my luggage was swiftly gathered and I was greeted by a cheery resort rep. No more than 10 minutes later we were racing across the South Pacific in the zippy interisland speedboat that would bring us to the Westin, the first resort to open on Bora Bora in seven years, following an extensive property-wide renovation and rebrand.
Bora Bora had long been a dream destination of mine – one I never thought in my wildest dreams would materialise – but here I was, tottering down a pristine jetty with out-of-this-world vistas everywhere I looked and imperious Mt Otemanu on my doorstep. You know, the one you’ve probably seen on your screensaver, which is a million times more breathtaking in person.
The resort strikes the perfect balance – not too vast, not too compact – and guests are provided with retro pink and blue bikes to traverse the beach paths and wooden decked walkways. At check-in, I was presented with a wristband, which would serve as my room key, and a Westin-branded water bottle that can be refilled for free at stations around the property – a great perk which means you don’t have to wait for room service every time you run out.
The resort’s eco-centre works to protect endangered green sea turtles. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
Following a quick resort tour I was whizzed to my overwater villa which, without exaggeration, had me letting out a little gasp as soon as I entered. While smaller in size than its neighbouring competitors, the bright modern interiors and chic standalone tub earned it some serious style points.
In total, the resort boasts 128 overwater bungalows, many with private plunge pools, and those with Otemanu views are considered the most premium and, therefore, command the highest rate. That said, whatever you opt for, you won’t be disappointed.
Overwater villas feature modern interiors and some boast private plunge pools. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
My first stop was the communal infinity pool – the largest in Bora Bora, complete with a swim-up bar and first-come, first-served cabanas. Try to bag one if you can, as the heat can often be overwhelming. Another thing I noticed in comparison to other surrounding resorts was the clientele, who seemed younger than we encountered elsewhere. It was quickly becoming clear that The Westin’s aim is to be the fun, fresher sibling – from 4.30-5.30pm every day you can retire to the beach bar for Happy Hour cocktails, while complimentary daily wine and rum tastings also proved particularly popular, even though they took place at 11.30am.
It’s 5pm somewhere, I guess.
Overwater villas, an eco-focused spa, and lagoon-side adventures make The Westin Bora Bora unforgettable. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
Given its target clientele, The Westin is also heavily focused on wellness, home to the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio and an array of complimentary fitness classes. I found no better way to start my morning than with a Pilates class by the water followed by a Tibetan Sound Bath – when I opened my eyes, I felt a sense of peace that can only come from visiting such a tranquil place. Other classes include paddle yoga and Tahitian dance, while the WestinWORKOUT Routes, in collaboration with Strava, provide scenic running trails around the property.
I couldn’t leave without booking in for a treatment at the Heavenly Spa either, and wow, what a spa. Treatment rooms overlook the dreamy lagoon and, careful to focus many of its treatments on natural products that won’t harm the French Polynesian wildlife, the bespoke hour-long massage I enjoyed there included long strokes and plenty of much-needed stretching that was tailored to my needs.
A Heavenly Spa treatment double cabin. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
While many people associate paradises such as Bora Bora and the Maldives with a fly-and-flop-type holiday, there are heaps of activities at the Westin that mean you will never get bored. I’m talking stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking around the lagoon, beach volleyball, hydrofoil biking, snorkelling, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing excursions, as well as local crafts and workshops that teach the art of coconut palm weaving and flower crown weaving.
Of course, you don’t come to Bora Bora to just relax – you come because of the food which, as to be expected, was excellent, being home to six dining concepts peppered around the resort’s centre. My standout was Maere which, sitting pretty directly on the edge of the lagoon, serves up a different menu each night, ranging from local fisherman’s catch to Mediterranean mezze. I headed there on Italian night and dined on the likes of seared tuna fillet, Tuscan-style salad, Milanese braised beef and eggplant parmigiana, all washed down with a crisp glass of rosé. Elsewhere there’s Tipanier, a French Polynesian joint serving a breakfast buffet in the morning alongside lunch and dinner options, while the beachfront Varavara is all about steaks, seafood and lighter fare. There are plenty of spots for pre-dinner drinks too – head to O’A Bar for sunset cocktails, live music and a view of Mt Otemanu.
Maere, a lagoon-side restaurant, features a rotating menu with themed cuisine nights. Photo / The Westin Bora Bora
The Westin Bora Bora is a vibrant and contemporary retreat, bringing fresh energy to a classic honeymoon hotspot, and one you can’t help but leave feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated.
