We had reservations for a private lodge in Bora Bora. It was similar to what we had in Taha’a. But, after we had bought our airline tickets and before we left New Hampshire, they closed and cancelled all reservations. I had to find new accommodations.
I figured that we would never again have another opportunity to visit Bora Bora. What do tourists think of when they think of Bora Bora? Overwater bungalows! So, I disregarded our budget and booked three nights at St. Regis Bora Bora, one of the world’s top five-star resorts
I decided not to tell Alice about the change in plans. She was expecting something similar to our bungalow in Taha’a. The owner of our resort in Taha’a drove us to the ferry pier in his pickup truck. We took the ferry to Bora Bora. Our driver met us at the ferry pier and drove us to the St. Regis pier. The St. Regis resort is situated on a “motu”, a small island off the Bora Bora lagoon. To get to and from the resort’s motu, you had to take the resort’s launch.
Sarah from the Butler Service met us at their pier. She took us on a golf cart tour of the resort, then brought us to our overwater bungalow. Simply breathtaking. St Regis is a step above. To say Alice was surprised would be an understatement. Click on the movie below to see where we were.
We had a huge bedroom, a massive bathroom with a large tub and open shower, a living room, and a deck, all on stilts over the water. Occasional glass panels allowed us to view the fish underneath. Several times, I walked off our deck into the warm Polynesian ocean water. I then climbed back up on our private ladder.
Each morning, our butler, Sarah, brought hot tea for Alice and hot chocolate for me, which we drank in our living room or on our deck.
One morning, we watched the sunrise while still in bed. The sun was aligned perfectly through the sliding glass doors.
Most mornings, we ate at their extensive breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruits and juices. Alice was able to get honey and almond milk for her tea.
One morning, we had room service deliver our breakfast and ate on our patio while overlooking the lagoon.
One evening, we shared a banana split delivered by room service.
On our first night at the resort, we attended the Champagne Evening Ritual.
Dating back to the battles of Napoleon Bonaparte, who famously opened champagne with his saber in both victory and defeat, the art of sabrage is the signature ceremony of the St. Regis.
“Champagne: in victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it.”
-NAPOLEON
One day, we snorkeled in their private Lagoonarium. We swam with Mauna, who is about the same size as me. They told us Mauna was friendly, but Alice didn’t want to take any chances and swam back to the dock.
The downside is that I’ll never be able to surprise her with anything better than this!