Scott Dunn: ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST A HOLIDAY

Description

The most famous of French Polynesia's leeward islands, Bora Bora is the quintessential tropical paradise. Set on a private sand fringed motu or 'islet', The Four Seasons Bora Bora's dazzling location is right on the barrier reef with magnificent views of mystical Mount Otemanu. The resort offers a South Sea escape in a lush world of unsurpassed tropical beauty.

Voluminous over-water bungalows and beachfront villas are nestling around the Bora Bora lagoon and its outer beaches; they overlook the lagoon’s turquoise waters and have spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Inspired by local architecture, all rooms have a restful, airy ambience – complete with traditional teak wood furnishings, high ceilings and thatched roofs made from pandanus leaves. Special touches that accentuate the feel of Polynesia include striking works of art, private pools and sliding doors by deep bathtubs for panoramic fresh-air views of the lagoon.

The resort's three restaurants provide world class cuisine in stunning settings. Overlooking the tranquil, translucent waters of the lagoon, Arii Moana epitomises romance and its imaginative menu highlights the best in seafood specialties, accompanied by the finest wines. Adjacent to the beach, Tere Nui is an open-air, thatched-roof restaurant that nestles within its tropical surroundings and sea breezes and plantation-style ceiling fans add to the airy ambience. Located at the waters edge is the Sunset Restaurant and Bar - the perfect place to unwind as the sun sets over the lagoon.

Nestled at the edge of the pristine lagoon and surrounded by tropical groves sits The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. With breath-taking ocean views, the haven of the kahaia tree-inspired spa is a tranquil place in which to retreat for an indulgent and pampering treatment.

Other resort facilities are superb and include an open air fitness centre and a state of the art gymnasium, 2 floodlit tennis courts with private tennis coaching available, an array of watersports from windsurfing to sailing on the resorts deluxe catamaran to scuba diving. The children are well catered for as well with Four Seasons' signature Kids for All Seasons children’s club and Young Adult Centre.

Guide price £4,380 Per person

£4,380 per person for 7 nights, based on 2 people sharing a Resort View Overwater Bungalow on a Bed & Breakfast basis, including international and domestic flights and transfers.

Accommodation

Four Seasons Resort's 92 Over water Bungalows face either the resort, beach, lagoon or mountain but all have the same spacious layout and stylish interiors. Traditional teak furnishings dominate and Polynesian artwork, high ceilings and thatched roofs give the bungalows an airy, elegant feel. The bungalows have spacious seating areas with queen size sofa beds which open onto a lovely private deck with 2 loungers and ladder for access into the azure waters of the lagoon. There are also 8 Over water bungalows with private plunge pools, one of which has a fabulous dining/seating area for alfresco meals. The 6 Two-Bedroom Beachfront Villas and 1 Three-Bedroom Beachfront Villa sit on the gleaming white sand, each in an enclosed garden with coconut palms, bougainvilleas and a private swimming pool overlooking the lagoon. Villas are huge, each bedroom is en-suite and other features include a spacious living room, dining room and large pantry. The master bedroom has its own deck with jacuzzi.

Childcare

Children are very welcome at Four Seasons Bora Bora and all over water bungalows have a queen size sofa bed which can accommodate up to two children. The beach bungalows all have two or three bedrooms and are also fabulous for families. There is the Kids for All Seasons children’s club open daily for 5 – 12 year olds with a host of educational and fun activities on offer from crab hunts and races to cooking classes, snorkelling and coconut painting. Children 4 and under are welcome to join in with their parent. There is also an indoor area for children with playroom, an outdoor playground and shallow splash pad. 'Chill Island' is for 13-17 year olds and has its own private beach where volleyball, cooking, kayaking and BBQs are some of the activities on offer plus an indoor games room, internet cafe and supervised water sports on the beach. Equipment for babies can be arranged from pushchairs to highchairs, nappies to bottle warmers. Children's menus and babysitting are also available.

Facilities

Exceptional South Pacific delicacies combined with food from across the globe can be enjoyed in 4 simply stunning restaurants and bars around the resort. Sushi and Asian Tapas is served in the Sunset Bar & Restaurant, salads and light snacks at the Fare Hoa Beach Bar, exquisite international fare at the open air Tere Nui restaurant and Polynesian and French cuisine at Arii Moana. Private dinners on the beach and in the supreme comfort of your bungalow or villa can also be arranged. There is a lovely wave-shaped main swimming pool surrounded by relaxing loungers and shady spots and a children’s splash pad. There are 2 tennis courts, an overwater yoga deck, open air fitness centre, dive centre, watersports centre and children’s and teenager's clubs.

Activities

There are a multitude of activities both on and off site and windsurfing, kayaks, tennis, volleyball, snorkelling, boules and badminton are all available on a complimentary basis. At an extra cost, scuba diving, water skiing, kitesurfing, parasailing, catamaran cruises, ocean fishing, yoga and tai chi lessons, and numerous land and sea excursions for fishing, sailing etc. can all be enjoyed. Off site other activities are available such as kite surfing, parasailing and visits to the region's famous black pearl farms.

When to travel

Location and directions

Bora Bora, Tahiti

Bora Bora is located 150 miles north west of Tahiti in the Society Archipelago

How to get there

Approx 22hr international flight (one change) followed by 45min domestic flight from Tahiti.