Four Seasons Bora Bora Review: We Didn’t Want to Leave!
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There’s no shortage of beautiful overwater bungalow resorts in Bora Bora.
But if you’ve spent any time researching where to stay, one name keeps popping up – Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. After staying here ourselves, we completely understand why!
Set on a private motu (islet) facing Bora Bora’s majestic Mount Otemanu, the resort has 108 overwater bungalow suites and seven lavish beachfront villas. It combines one of the world’s most spectacular settings with the polished service Four Seasons is famous for.
Is it worth the eye-watering price tag? We think so. But we’ll also tell you where it falls short, who it’s best for and how to choose the right bungalow.
Four Seasons Bora Bora review (our quick verdict)
Paradise? It’s pretty darn close! With a beautiful white-sand beach, snorkeling lagoon, four restaurants, an infinity pool and more, it’s one of Bora Bora’s most exclusive overwater bungalow resorts.
The vibe check
- Best for → Honeymooners, couples and luxury-loving families.
- Rooms → Spacious Polynesian-inspired overwater villas with private decks, lagoon access and enormous bathrooms; some have private plunge pools too!
- What we loved → The jaw-dropping Mount Otemanu views, attentive service and delicious sense of privacy.
- Good to know → Snorkeling from your deck isn’t great, as the bungalows sit over a sandy bottom. And boat transfers to Bora Bora are expensive.
Check rates and availability
- On Expedia → Rated an “Exceptional” 9.6/10
- On Booking.com → Rated a “Wonderful” 9.3/10
Booking tip
If you have your heart set on a particular view, location or sunrise/sunset orientation, contact the resort directly to request your preferred bungalow.
👉 Pssst! Also read our guide on all the amazing things you can do on Bora Bora – like snorkeling (safely) with sharks!
Arrival: A memorable first impression
Getting to the resort feels like the opening scene of a movie.
After landing at Bora Bora’s tiny Motu Mute Airport, we were greeted by Four Seasons staff and whisked aboard the resort’s sleek mahogany launch for the 15-minute boat ride across the lagoon.
Settling into cream leather seats, we couldn’t stop grinning as we skimmed over impossibly turquoise water toward the resort.
Then, stepping off the boat, everything unfolded with effortless Four Seasons efficiency. We were welcomed by name, handed cool towels and refreshing drinks, and within minutes, driven by golf cart to our overwater bungalow.
The setting
The resort occupies its own private motu on the eastern side of Bora Bora’s famous lagoon, with the dramatic silhouette of Mount Otemanu as the backdrop.
It’s a sprawling property, so even when the resort is nearly full, it never feels crowded.
The grounds are especially lovely. Lush tropical gardens, winding pathways, koi ponds and quiet beaches soften the large property, while a shallow interior lagoon filled with colorful fish winds through the heart of the resort.
The overwater bungalows
The star attraction here is, without question, the overwater accommodation.
Unlike some Bora Bora resorts where the overwater bungalows sit quite close together, the Four Seasons gives them plenty of breathing room – and the walkways to each bungalow are widely spaced apart.
Inside, each bungalow features:
- Separate living and sleeping areas
- Glass floor panels for peeking into the lagoon below (hey, there’s a stingray gliding by!)
- Soaring pandanus-woven cathedral ceilings
- Teak furnishings and natural stone
- Indigenous artwork (such as glass-framed, mother-of-pearl necklaces)
- A king bed, espresso machine, mini-fridge and complimentary snorkeling gear
Room categories
You can choose from several overwater bungalow categories:
- One-Bedroom Overwater Bungalow Suite – Beach, lagoon or mountain view (1,080 sq. ft)
- One-Bedroom Overwater Bungalow Suite with Private Plunge Pool – Lagoon or mountain view (1,120 sq. ft.)
- One-Bedroom Otemanu Overwater Bungalow Suite with Plunge Pool – Lagoon and mountain view, two bathrooms and coveted end-of-pontoon locations for maximum privacy (1,576 sq. ft.)
- Two-Bedroom Overwater Bungalow Suite With Private Pool – One king bed and two queen beds plus two full bathrooms (2,228 sq. ft.)
The resort also offers one-, two- and three-bedroom beachfront villa estates with private pools and enormous outdoor living spaces.
Families are welcome, and the standard One-Bedroom Overwater Bungalow Suites accommodate up to three adults, or two adults and two children (ages 12 and under).
Our Mountain View Overwater Bungalow
We stayed in a One-Bedroom Mountain View Overwater Bungalow Suite – and the view of Mount Otemanu’s jagged emerald peaks never got old.
At more than 1,000 square feet, it felt very spacious. We joked it was probably roomier than the apartments or homes of the honeymooners staying at the resort! (About half of Four Seasons Bora Bora’s guests are honeymooners.)
The bathroom was almost a destination in itself.
A huge stone soaking tub sat beside sliding glass doors that opened toward the lagoon, so we could soak while enjoying the unobstructed view and breathing in the warm salty breeze.
There were also double vanities, a large walk-in shower and luxurious Panpuri bath products in ceramic containers.
The deck… and that lagoon!
As lovely as the interior was, we spent most of our time outside.
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors folded almost completely away, opening the living room onto a generously-sized private deck overlooking the lagoon.
It was furnished with a dining table (perfect for breakfast, room service or even catching up on a little work), along with two cushioned lounge chairs for reading or simply being lazy while admiring the view.
Best of all, steps led directly into the crystal-clear lagoon, so we could slip into the bathtub-warm water for a swim whenever the mood struck.
Choosing the best bungalow
We’d absolutely recommend booking a Mountain View bungalow. Waking up to Bora Bora’s volcanic peak every morning is worth every extra dollar.
Another tip: Do you prefer morning sun or afternoon sun?
While the Four Seasons doesn’t officially classify its bungalows by sun exposure, some face sunrise while others enjoy afternoon and sunset light.
Finally, think about the water depth beneath your bungalow.
Those closer to shore sit over shallower water that’s often only waist deep. Bungalows farther out along the pontoons perch over noticeably deeper water, making them a better choice if you like diving straight off your deck.
Let the resort know your preference when booking or before you arrive, and they’ll do their best to accommodate your request.
Dining
Arii Moana
This is the resort’s signature restaurant.
Twisting wooden sculptures rise through the elegant dining room, while the menu showcases refined French-Polynesian cuisine using local seafood and premium ingredients.
Maybe indulge first in some caviar? Then perhaps move to a starter of just-poached lobster with gem lettuce or heirloom tomatoes with creamy burrata.
For mains, tempting choices often include seafood linguine, herb-crusted lamb or line-caught tuna paired with rich foie gras. The menu isn’t extensive, but every dish is thoughtfully crafted.
Vaimiti
Set over the lagoon, Vaimiti specializes in Asian-inspired cuisine.
Watching the sunset while enjoying sushi and sashimi over the water is about as Bora Bora as dining gets!
Fare Hoa Beach Bar & Grill
For more relaxed lunches and dinners, Fare Hoa serves fresh seafood, steaks, salads, poisson cru and tropical cocktails beside the beach.
It’s casual without sacrificing quality.
Polynesian dinner shows
One of our favorite evenings was the Polynesian feast on the beach.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, the resort puts on a festive evening with traditional music, dance and dramatic fire performances.
We walked along a path of palm leaves, lit by tiki torches, to sit on cushions in the sand, where we dined on fresh grilled spiny lobster while enjoying an authentic show of Tahitian dancers and drummers.
Tere Nui
Breakfast is served at this open-air restaurant.
Fancy breakfast delivered by canoe to your overwater bungalow? Four Seasons happily arranges that too.
The infinity pool
Although our overwater deck kept tempting us back, we did hang out for a bit at the main infinity pool.
Positioned just behind the beach, it overlooks the lagoon toward Mount Otemanu.
Staff pampered us regularly with chilled treats and cold face cloths. And had we wished, we could have eaten here too.
The spa
We also made time for a massage at the Te Mahana Spa.
Through glass floor panels beneath the massage table’s doughnut hole, I (Janice) watched a trumpet fish lazily trace figure-eights while I blissfully melted under the hands of my masseuse.
The award-winning spa specializes in Polynesian-inspired treatments using local ingredients like skin-smoothing Tahitian-black-pearl powder. Afterward, you can linger in the sauna, steam room or outdoor whirlpools overlooking the lagoon.
Snorkeling and activities
What do you do if you don’t have a natural reef just offshore for snorkeling? If you’re the Four Seasons Bora Bora, you create one!
The resort built its own protected lagoon sanctuary, adding coral-friendly rock structures and launching an ongoing coral restoration program led by its resident marine biologist.
Today, this shallow inner lagoon teems with more than 100 species of tropical fish and rays.
You can snorkel here for free. Grab the complimentary snorkel gear from your bungalow and hop in whenever you feel like it. If you’d like a deeper dive (pun intended, groan…), join a guided snorkeling excursion or coral-grafting experience.
There are plenty of other complimentary activities too, including:
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Outrigger canoeing
- Tennis
- Beach volleyball
- Yoga
- Fitness classes
- Culture classes (like making your own flower-perfumed Tahitian oil)
If you’re after more fun adventures, you can book fishing trips, lagoon cruises, parasailing and scuba diving tours (for an additional fee).
Wonderful for couples – and great for families too
While the Four Seasons is made for romance, it’s equally welcoming o families.
The complimentary Tamarii Kids Club keeps children ages 5 to 12 busy with coconut painting, hermit crab races, treasure hunts and marine education.
There’s also a splash pad, playground and family-friendly beach.
Because the property is so spacious, families and couples coexist comfortably without either group feeling they’re compromising the other’s vacation.
Good to know before booking
Getting to Bora Bora
Because the Four Seasons sits on its own motu, visiting the town of Vaitape on the island of Bora Bora means taking a boat.
The resort operates a scheduled shuttle to Vaitape which runs daily (except Sundays) – leaving the resort at noon and returning at 3:30 pm. The ride takes about 30 minutes each way and costs 4,000 XPF (about $40 USD) per person.
But if you want to head into town at another time, say for sunset drinks and dinner, you’ll need to arrange a private boat transfer, which is considerably more expensive.
If you think you’ll be making several trips to Vaitape during your stay, it’s worth factoring those transportation costs into your budget.
The resort is big
Depending on where your bungalow is located, it’s a 5- to 15-minute walk to the restaurants, pool and other main facilities. Bungalows at the end of the farthest pontoon are about half a mile away.
We like walking, so we didn’t mind – we simply counted the steps as a little extra “exercise.”
But if you’re dressed for dinner and don’t want to walk, you can call a golf cart and be picked up from your bungalow for a ride to the restaurant.
So… is the Four Seasons Bora Bora worth it?
Absolutely – if it fits your budget.
Yes, there are less expensive overwater bungalow resorts in Bora Bora. But the Four Seasons consistently gets the fundamentals right.
It’s impressed plenty of other travelers too. It was voted Bora Bora’s top resort in the Conde Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards and also won “French Polynesia’s Leading Resort” at the 2025 World Travel Awards.
After spending several dreamy days here, we’d happily return in a heartbeat.
Check rates
Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 2, 3, 5, 11 to 14, 16, 19, 20 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 6, 15 Debbra Dunning Brouillette | Remaining photos Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
About the authors
Ah, I can only imagine how relaxing it must be to wake up in one of these overwater bungalows! That blue lagoon with the perfect backdrop of that mountain peak looks simply heavenly.
She obviously enjoyed it (as we did) :-). Bora Bora is heavenly indeed! And we’re so excited for Debbra! She just won an award for this photo of the overwater bungalows from the North American Travel Journalists Association.
It’s exciting to receive recognition for a photo that is one of my all-time favorites along with the accompanying story that represents a special experience that will long be remembered. Thank you, Janice, for asking me to contribute to Sand In My Suitcase!
Thank you for the contribution!
The place looks fantastic! I love the post!
Glad you like the post :-)
Gorgeous!
I love the photo of the coconut with fruit & veg stuffed in! Mind you, I can’t actually have any of it ‘cos I’m allergic to nuts,but it looks awfully good!
It’s mostly seafood in the coconut shell. “Poisson cru” translates as “raw fish” in French and is considered the national dish in Tahiti and French Polynesia. So maybe you could eat it!