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| Ia Orana! |
I had a large pool of Marriott Bonvoy points that was previously allocated to a stay at the Al Maha resort near Dubai before the pandemic. I decided to use the points for an aspirational stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora, finding rare points-only award space for an overwater bungalow - usually it's points plus cash, or booking a beach bungalow with points and praying to the upgrade gods. Paradise, here we come!
FLIGHTS
With four months left before departure, there weren't any reasonably priced award tickets to Papeete available. We ended up using our large pool of American Express Membership Rewards points tied with an American Express Business Platinum card to redeem for economy flights on United at 1 cent per point plus a 35% point rebate for having United as the "selected airline". The tickets were upgraded to premium economy using 30,000 United Mileage Plus miles per person each way. (miles earned from United Explorer credit card sign-up bonuses) Cash value would have been around $3,300.
To get to Bora Bora from Papeete, we booked flights on Air Tahiti. I was glad to use points from my CNB Crystal Visa Infinite card as it was difficult to find a good redemption for them. Cash value would have been $950.
LODGING
Our flight to Tahiti would arrive at 7pm, too late to make the last flight to Bora Bora. We decided to spend two nights in Papeete to acclimate to the new time zone before our stay at the St. Regis. A garden view room at the Hilton Tahiti cost 80,000 Hilton Honors points a night. Cash value would have been around $1500. Hilton Diamond status (from having the Hilton Aspire credit card) would provide complimentary breakfast every morning.
At the St. Regis Bora Bora, we would be in a lagoon view overwater superior villa for 5 nights. Cash value of this stay would have been around $10,000! Instead, I redeemed 680,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Complimentary breakfast would be provided due to having Platinum Elite status, acquired from actual stays plus bonus elite nights from having the Marriott Business credit card.
By using points and miles for our flights and hotel, we saved over $15,000! There are annual fees for the credit cards (about $1750), but who wouldn't want to pay that for a week-long vacation in French Polynesia? Note that we didn't have to travel this luxuriously - flying in coach or securing more modest accommodations could have stretched the value of our points for a longer stay or a future trip.
ACTIVITIES
We didn't plan any excursions in advance. I had in mind a couple of outings off-resort, such as getting dinner from the food trucks (roulottes) parked at Place Vai'ete in Papeete (a 40-minute walk from the Hilton Tahiti), and taking the shuttle from the St. Regis Bora Bora to Vaitape on the main island.
The St. Regis offered complimentary use of stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Snorkel gear was also included for guests to take advantage of the St. Regis' lagoonairum, but we always bring our own. We also purchased some floating hammocks (like these) to lounge on the water.
On with our trip...
We rented a car one-way to San Francisco as it would cost less than parking there for the week. Our flight would be departing from the International Terminal, and since we were flying premium economy, we did not have access to the lounges there. We could have gone to the AMEX Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3, but we decided to skip it as we didn't have a lot of time before boarding began.
(As a reminder, since this entry was written well past post-pandemic times, we had to have negative Covid results to travel. We used the proctored BinaxNOW antigen tests to fulfill the requirements.)
The seats in the United Premium Plus cabin were similar to domestic first class, but with footrests. We got a Saks Fifth Avenue-branded pillow and blanket, along with a small amenity kit containing ear plugs and eye mask. Noise-cancelling headphones were available.
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After settling in, it was announced that the plane needed a few hours' maintenance, so everyone had to deplane. For our trouble, we were given meal vouchers redeemable at any airport eatery. Kaleb and I spent them at Mustards Bar & Grill, same as the one in Napa Valley.
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Once repairs were complete, we boarded and departed around 4:30pm, 3 hours delayed. Dinner was served shortly after takeoff. The chicken meal was not appetizing, with the best part being the salad and the gelato.
Before landing, we got a second meal service...turned out the caterer loaded the same chicken entree served earlier! There was no other choice as all the pasta meals were taken by the time we got served. Note to self and others paying attention - if you want to slightly increase the odds of getting the meal you want, sit on the left side of the plane in 2-3-2 seat configurations. The cart in the left aisle serves the guests sitting in 2-1, and the cart in the right aisle serves the remaining 2-2 seats.
We got into Papeete around 10pm. After getting cash from an airport ATM, we took a taxi for the short ride to the Hilton Tahiti. During check-in, we were welcomed with cold towels and a beverage. It was a nice surprise to find we were upgraded to an ocean view suite! It was spacious with a large bathroom, living room, dining area and balcony. We also received a 6000 XPF voucher towards food and drink.
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The next morning, we walked around the grounds before enjoying a delightful breakfast buffet.
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Afterwards, we walked across the street to the Pacific Plaza Mall to window shop. A pedestrian overpass made it easy to get to.
We bought food from Carrefour supermarket to enjoy in the comfort of our suite.
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| "American" section with some Sam's Club items |
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| delicieux! |
One of the Hilton Aspire credit card benefits is a $250 resort credit, so we spent it on dinner at San, a Japanese restaurant. We also redeemed our 6000 XPF coupon here. The fish was fresh and everything tasted great.
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| sashimi, rolls, miso soup and sake |
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| matcha pyramid |
The next day, we had breakfast, checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to the airport. Our one-hour flight to Bora Bora was on an Air Tahiti propeller plane.
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Upon arrival at Bora Bora airport, we retrieved our luggage and found the St. Regis desk to meet our boat transfer. It cost around $65 per person each way. We were greeted with leis and had the entire speedboat to ourselves for the 20-minute ride.
Once we arrived at the St. Regis resort dock, we were met by our host and driven to reception in a golf buggy to complete check-in. Afterwards, we were driven to our overwater bungalow located on the northern arm of the resort facing Motu Piti A'au. It had a nice layout with a bedroom, expansive bathroom, living/dining area and deck with loungers, table and chairs, and a platform to enter the lagoon's turquoise waters. There were two bicycles parked at the front door to get around the resort. Guests could also call reception to schedule a golf buggy pickup.
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We received a bottle of champagne and sweets as a welcome gift. Our host apologized for the accompanying letter being addressed to a different couple.
Tonight, we had dinner at Bamboo, an Asian-themed restaurant. A complimentary edamame appetizer was served as well as a complimentary welcome dessert. Note that dining at resorts in the middle of nowhere commands astronomical prices. For example, the bill including VAT, service charge, and extra gratuity for three rolls, tuna sashimi and a bottle of Evian came to $160 USD. Overall, I was satisfied with the freshness of the ingredients and how everything tasted.
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At evening turn-down, there was a gift of body oil on the bed, accompanied by a handwritten message. Following nights would have different handwritten messages and body oil scents.
The next morning, we rode our bicycles to Te Pahu Restaurant for breakfast, complimentary with Platinum Elite status. It was an a-la-carte service, where we could select whatever we wanted from a printed menu. We were also served a starter platter consisting of fruit, a juice shot, and yogurt. Be sure to bring a hat and wear sunscreen as there may not be enough shade at the tables facing the beach.
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With such generous breakfast portions, we only needed to eat one lunch our entire stay, at Aparima Bar:
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We spent our days lounging and floating around our bungalow, paddling a kayak to the motu's shore, snorkeling at the lagoonairium, and lots of eating. We didn't have time to take the shuttle to the main island...maybe we would have if we were here a full week.
2 minute, 15 second time-lapse video of bicycling around the St. Regis Bora Bora:
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| lagoonairium |
Most of the fish hung out near the lagoonairium entry (2:05):
Lots of colorful giant clams (1:30):
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| rainbow with stingray swimming behind the bungalow |
The overwater bungalow had a couple of peek-a-boo glass panels in the floor:
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| under the coffee table |
There was a slow current moving in the direction of Mount Otemanu, eventually sweeping our floating hammock under our bungalow, so we'd have to wade back out every once in a while. (or do what Kaleb did and hook the ladder with his leg) If staying in a Otemanu view bungalow, I would recommend bringing a rope to tie the hammock to the ladder in order not to drift away.
Friday's dinner at Lagoon Restaurant, the resort's signature restaurant:
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Saturday's dinner at Far Niente, an Italian restaurant:
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Second visit to Lagoon Restaurant on Sunday night:
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Monday Indian night at Aparima Bar:
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On checkout day, we were surprised to find the breakfast offering changed from a-la-carte to buffet, returning to pre-pandemic operations. The fruit selection wasn't as good but I would be able to enjoy copious amounts of sashimi and poisson cru.
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It was time to say goodbye to Bora Bora. We took the speedboat to the airport, and then the plane to Papeete.
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| aerial view of the St. Regis |
We had a few hours before our red-eye flight home, so we had dinner at L'Aviation Restaurant inside the airport.
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Remembering the terrible meals we received on our way to Tahiti, I requested Asian vegetarian meals (AVML) through the United app in advance. It was only slightly better than the regular meal that Kaleb stuck with.
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After landing in San Francisco and getting our luggage, we hopped into our one-way rental back home, ending our wonderful vacation to Tahiti and Bora Bora. French Polynesia is a tropical paradise replete with unreal turquoise waters and local hospitality. It is expensive to visit, but using points and miles help alleviate the cost. I have cruised these islands in the past and found that though it is cost-effective to go on one due to its all-inclusiveness, it doesn't provide the relaxing, carefree experience that you get from staying on the island. I enjoyed the St. Regis Bora Bora, offering everything we expected in a luxury resort. It never felt at full capacity. Having the bicycles to get around was really convenient. On a future visit, I would consider staying in a beach bungalow by the lagoonairium since the overwater bungalows didn't have much marine life underneath.
What's next? We (first Kaleb, then the girls) are headed to Las Vegas to celebrate my birthday...stay tuned!
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Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at kat (at) yellowdogtravel (d0t) com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy repeat clients - references always available.
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
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