Where to Stay in Bora Bora: Conrad Bora Bora Nui Review

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui has been recognized as a top resort in the South Pacific year after year. Located in arguably the most beautiful place in the world, it’s not hard to understand why.

Bora Bora is the epitome of paradise and at the top of many traveler’s bucket lists, mine included. Although our trip to Bora Bora was pretty spontaneous, we knew the Conrad would have to be one of our resorts. After years of drooling over how dreamy and luxurious it looked in pictures, we needed to experience it for ourselves.

Ultimately, if you find yourself with the opportunity to stay here, do it! Not quite convinced yet? Then this post is for you.

Fun fact: this resort is the infamous location for the Keeping Up with the Kardashians episode, where Kim K lost her diamond earring in the ocean.

Overview

• Peak season: May to October / Low season: December to March
• Currency: the French Pacific Franc (XPF) but the USD conversion is widely used. 1 USD equals approximately 100 XPF.
• Common Tahitian words: la orana (hello), maeva (welcome), maururu (thank you)

Booking

The Conrad can be booked with money, free night certificates, and or points. If using free night certificates or points, finding availability on the reward calendar can be challenging. Since the resort is one of the best Hilton redemptions you can do, it will require some flexibility and patience.

Being part of the Hilton portfolio was our main reason for booking the resort. With our Hilton Honors Diamond-level status, the perks that come with it are unbeatable. Some of these include daily complimentary breakfast and a room upgrade, depending on availability.

How We Booked

We booked our stay extremely last minute. I’m talking less than two weeks before our visit. We had already taken time off from work and had the idea we wanted to stay here if reward availability opened up. Luckily for us, it did.

We booked the resort for five nights using points. Each night was a standard room rate of 89,000 points a night, and we received the 5th-night free perk. Overall it was a total of 356,000 Hilton points.

If you’re new to points and miles and want to learn more, check out my detailed blog post here.

Location (3.5/5)

French Polynesia is made up of small islands called “Motus.” The Conrad is located in an exclusive area on Motu To’opua, featuring white-sand beaches and endless views of the surrounding ocean. It felt like your own quiet corner of Bora Bora, uninterrupted by any passing boats.

Although the resort is on a quiet back corner of the motu, this can also be a downside. Most of the resort and its villas don’t have the quintessential view of King Otemanu. A small number of villas do face it, but these come at a premium price. However, you can hike up to the top of the property’s hilltop for a unique perspective of the famous mountain.

Getting to the Conrad Bora Bora Nui

From the main airport, you’ll need to take a boat to the resort. You can either pay for the Conrad’s direct boat transfer, or you can save some money by taking the free water taxi to the main island first.

The Conrad’s direct boat transfer is the easiest but more costly option. The round-trip boat transfer from the airport will cost approximately $150 (15,000 XPF) per person.

The Welcome

Upon arrival at the resort’s dock, you’ll be quickly greeted with a cold cloth and refreshing drink as you wait to check-in. A golf cart will then take you on a tour of the property and your villa.

In our room was a welcome treat of refreshments, chocolates, and a handwritten card from the team.

The Property

The resort is beautifully designed and blends in seamlessly with its natural surroundings and environment. Full of lush gardens, it’d be a crime not to wander around and admire it. It’s impressive how well-maintained the resort gardens are.

Rooms (4/5)

Since we booked using rewards, our reservation was initially for their base-level Garden View Villa. This is essentially your private hut surrounded by palm trees and a garden.

We were pleased to learn the resort had already upgraded our reservation to their King Deluxe Overwater villa at check-in.

Nothing screams paradise more than staying in an overwater villa. The ability to run from your bed and jump straight into the turquoise water is an absolute must in a place like Bora Bora.

The villa was extremely spacious, with the bed facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into the horizon. At the foot of the bed is the TV that lifts from within the cabinet. (Not that you’ll be spending any of your time watching TV here).

There’s a small cabinet with an espresso maker, a water heater, and other snacks. The walk-in closet ensures you’ll have enough space to unpack your luggage. The best part inside the villa is the large bathroom with dual sinks, a round soaking tub, and a separate toilet and shower area.

Outside, the deck of the villa offers a table area and lounge chairs to enjoy the view. The water surrounding the villa is deep enough to jump into and snorkel.

Amenities (4/5)

Food & Drink

The resort features five restaurants with a variety of cuisine using local ingredients. You can also order in-room dining 24/7 if you’re feeling too lazy to leave your villa or have a late-night craving. If you’re looking for a cultural experience, you can attend one of their Polynesian dinner and shows.

At booking, you can choose to include a meal plan with your stay. We did not choose to participate in one, but they are as follows:

Half-Board Plan (3-course dinner at any of our restaurants – all menus eligible): $97 (10,000 XPF) per day per person

Full-Board Plan (2-course lunch + 3-course dinner at any of our restaurants – all menus eligible): $140 (14,500 XPF) per day per person

Being Diamond Hilton Honors members, we got their daily continental breakfast complimentary. The breakfast is buffet-style and has various options from pastries, fresh fruit, local dishes, and classic breakfast choices.

Fitness Center

The resort’s gym is accessible 24 hours a day and offers both weight and cardio equipment. It was a smaller space, but we didn’t get too busy during our stay. The resort also has outdoor tennis and volleyball courts if you want an alternative option for a workout.

Spa

The Hina Spa, named after the Tahitian goddess of the moon, is located near the property’s hilltop. Unfortunately, during our stay, the spa was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, when operational, their spa treatments are highly rated using the best natural products.

Activities

If you’re a thrill-seeker on vacation looking for more than lounging by the infinity pool or beach all day, there’s no shortage of activities to choose from at the resort.

There are multiple water activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. All of the equipment is complimentary to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you’re looking for more speed, you can pay to rent a jet ski.

There is a kid’s club with plenty of activities for families traveling with children to keep the little ones occupied.

Service (4.5/5)

To match the 5-star rating, the Conrad’s service and staff were outstanding. They were attentive to every detail and ensured that the service and experience provided were personalized to the guests they were assisting.

Anytime we called the concierge or room service for something, the staff members were always a delight to speak to and work with.

Value (4/5)

The value you receive can depend on the time of year you decide to visit. Room rates will be much higher during the high season, and finding award travel dates will be difficult. We visited during the shoulder season in November, which I recommend to others looking for a deal. You can expect some rainy weather during this time, but it usually passes quickly and is still warm all day.

Booking your stay with points will provide the ultimate value for your visit. However, if you are looking to pay money the Conrad’s cost per night is reasonable compared to other property brands in the area.

Whether you decide to book the Conrad with points or money, you can rest assured knowing it’s a good value. While it may not be the most luxurious option, the service at the resort is nonetheless superb.

Final Thoughts on The Conrad Bora Bora

If you’re heading to Bora Bora, a stay at the Conrad won’t disappoint. Whether you’re traveling for a special occasion with that special someone or taking your family on the ultimate tropical getaway, there is truly something for everyone at the resort.

The Conrad may not be the most lavish option in Bora Bora, but the service and value ensure you’ll have the trip of a lifetime in French Polynesia without needing to take out a loan.

If you have any further questions about the resort or Bora Bora’s travel, feel free to send me a comment below.

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