Conrad Bora Bora Nui is a resort that truly stops you in your tracks. It’s a place where luxurious accommodations meet the stunning natural beauty of Bora Bora, with its crashing waves, lush landscapes, and dramatic mountains. This Hilton-affiliated property has become a favorite for travelers, famously appearing in “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and “The Golden Bachelorette,” and is often envisioned for dream vacations, especially for those looking to redeem Hilton Honors points.
Reaching Bora Bora
Getting to Bora Bora requires a bit of a journey, but the destination is well worth the effort. You’ll first fly into Faa’a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti. I always recommend breaking up the long flight with a night or two at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti to adjust to the time change. This makes the next leg of the trip much more manageable.
From Tahiti, you’ll take a smaller inter-island flight on Air Tahiti to Bora Bora Airport. Keep in mind that this airline isn’t Air Tahiti Nui, which handles international flights. The Air Tahiti flight is about 45 minutes long and can range from $300 to $500 round-trip, depending on when you book. While you can’t use typical airline miles for these flights, booking through credit card travel portals like Chase or American Express can be a good way to use points.
Island Transfer
Once you land in Bora Bora, there’s still one final, scenic part of your journey: a boat ride to the resort. Because Conrad Bora Bora Nui is located on an islet called Motu To’opua, you have to take a boat. The resort offers water transportation directly, which costs about $150 round-trip per adult. For children aged 7 to 12, it’s about $75 round-trip.
This 20-minute boat ride is a beautiful introduction to the island’s turquoise waters. It’s the most direct way to reach the resort. If you’re looking to save a little money and have more time, you can take a free ferry from the Bora Bora airport to the main island of Vaitape. From Vaitape, Conrad offers a water shuttle for about $75 round-trip for adults. Children aged 7 to 12 get a discount, and those 6 and under ride for free. When I travel with my family, we often opt for the slightly more budget-friendly ferry and shuttle option to experience more of the local scene.
Arrival Experience
As our boat approached the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, a group of smiling staff members waving from the dock truly set a welcoming tone. The open-air lobby was filled with the sounds of live Polynesian music, creating an immediate island atmosphere. At check-in, I was greeted with a chilled towel and a refreshing welcome drink while the arrival details were handled. Even the lobby bar, the Upa Upa Lounge Bar, offered a unique feature: a glass-bottomed floor that provides glimpses of the marine life below, especially captivating at night with underwater lighting.
Accommodations
Conrad Bora Bora Nui offers a variety of luxury accommodations, including suites, land-based villas, and overwater villas. The overwater villas are particularly stunning, providing direct access to the lagoon. My King Overwater Pool Villa was the epitome of luxury. It featured an open-concept layout with a large sundeck, complete with an overwater hammock and a private pool. The high, vaulted ceilings made the space feel even more expansive.
The villa’s centerpiece was a comfortable king-size bed. There were also two distinct seating areas, a spacious walk-in closet, and a large dual-vanity bathroom with both a soaking tub and a walk-in rainfall shower. While a TV was available, the breathtaking waterfront view was far more captivating. Daily housekeeping ensures everything stays pristine, and amenities like a minibar, complimentary tea, and Nespresso coffee are provided.
A unique touch I appreciated was the incense ritual offered during turndown service, where you could choose your preferred scent, like sandalwood. One of my favorite experiences was breakfast delivered by a traditional outrigger canoe. It arrived with pastries, fruit, poisson cru (a delicious local tuna dish), fresh juice, and coffee. While I’m usually happy with a breakfast buffet, this was an unforgettable way to start the day, with the gentle lapping of the water and the sunrise as my backdrop. This service is a splurge, costing around $170 for two people, but it’s a truly special treat.
The bathrooms in the overwater villas are well-appointed, featuring Byredo bath products. I recall enjoying a relaxing soak in the tub with a glass of wine, listening to music on the Bluetooth speakers—sometimes a mellow jazz playlist, other times, the Spice Girls at full volume! For those who love the water, climbing down a short ladder from your villa deck directly into the sea is an incredible experience. You can easily rent snorkel gear and spend your mornings exploring the vibrant fish right below your villa, or get in a few laps before breakfast for a refreshing start to the day.
Dining Options
The resort offers a range of dining venues to suit different tastes. For upscale French cuisine, Iriatai serves breakfast and dinner with spectacular views. Banyan provides a more refined Chinese dining experience, and the Tamure Beach Grill offers casual fare in a beachfront setting. A must-do is enjoying sunset mai tais at the Upa Upa Lounge Bar; the mixologists here are fantastic and can even teach you how to make the perfect drink.
The poolside bar, Tarava, is another great spot for a casual drink. Many of the dining areas feature indoor-outdoor layouts, making alfresco dining always an option. When breakfast isn’t included with your stay or elite status, the buffet at Iriatai is a generous spread. It features Western favorites like omelets and pastries, alongside made-to-order options such as eggs Benedict and crepes. Expect to pay around $52 per person.
One evening, I indulged in the discovery menu at Iriatai, a three-course meal. The white tuna tartare was a visually stunning and flavorful start. The lamb main course was hearty and well-prepared, and the grapefruit, ginger, and honey panna cotta provided a light, refreshing finish. It was a beautiful taste of French cuisine by the sea.
Iriatai also hosts live acoustic music on Thursdays, which is a lovely way to cap off an evening. We enjoyed dinner at Banyan one night and then popped over to Iriatai afterward. The resort’s Polynesian dinner and show, typically held at Tamure Beach Grill, was moved to Iriatai due to weather during my visit. It turned out to be a more immersive experience, with dancers performing around the dining area and culminating in a captivating fire show. This popular Polynesian show usually costs around $150 per adult.
Banyan is nestled among banyan trees and offers an elegant setting, with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Reservations are highly recommended here. I tried a family-style dim sum tasting menu that included steamed dumplings, wok-fried dishes, and fried rice. For a discovery menu, you can expect to spend about $113. There are also more elaborate tasting menus designed for two, including a Peking duck option that is quite a splurge.
Tamure Beach Grill, while more laid-back, served some of my most memorable meals. The grilled fish burger on a squid ink bun was incredibly fresh and satisfying, especially after a morning of activity. Even the grilled chicken tacos were a delightful surprise, thanks to the fresh toppings. Given the abundance of fresh fish, I started most meals with tuna sashimi, which was perfectly balanced with soy sauce and grapefruit.
Wellness and Activities
Conrad Bora Bora Nui truly excels in its wellness offerings and activities. Of course, if you’re in an overwater villa, the lagoon is your personal playground. The resort also has a main pool area overlooking the beach, surrounded by comfortable loungers. Nearby, you can rent equipment for water sports and activities.
For a truly indulgent experience, the Hina Spa is a must-visit. Perched on a hill overlooking the lagoon, each treatment room offers stunning views of the water, Mount Otemanu, or Maupiti Island. Some rooms even feature whirlpool tubs, while others are open-air for a more immersive experience. I enjoyed a 60-minute deep tissue massage that effectively eased any travel-related soreness. The therapist was skilled and offered helpful advice for preventing future tension. The views from the spa were so calming, I could have spent hours just relaxing there.
The spa’s hillside location also makes it an ideal spot to catch the sunrise over Mount Otemanu if you’re an early riser. For those who like to stay active, the resort’s fitness center is surprisingly well-equipped, with free weights, strength training machines, and cardio equipment. They also offer group fitness classes and personal training sessions.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui also has a private island, Motu Tapu, which can be booked for picnics, private dining, or cocktails. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate during my attempts to visit. The resort also organizes excursions, including snorkeling tours and swimming with manta rays and sharks. These tours are more relaxed and less daunting than they might sound, and they’re a fantastic way to experience the local marine life. These shared tours are typically offered a couple of times a week and require reservations.
Considerations
While Conrad Bora Bora Nui is an exceptional resort, it’s important to consider a few things. The nightly rates and à la carte dining prices are on the higher side. For budget-conscious travelers, looking for award redemption deals using Hilton Honors points can help offset the cost of accommodation. Also, the travel time to reach Bora Bora from the U.S., especially the East Coast, is significant. If you’re looking for a more convenient getaway, other destinations might be more suitable. However, for those who prioritize a truly luxurious and unique tropical experience, the journey is absolutely worth it.
Accessibility
The resort offers accessible villas and suites equipped with features like grab bars and ramps. It’s always best to contact the resort directly when booking to ensure these specific accommodations are secured. While boat travel is necessary to reach the resort, the hotel can provide ramp access for the water shuttle. The property is quite spread out, but a buggy service is available to transport guests between villas and public areas. Accessible amenities, such as beach wheelchairs, are also available. Guests can request a pick-up from the Club Car service by dialing 9 from their villa, and wheelchairs can be provided upon request.
Departing
Leaving a place like Conrad Bora Bora Nui is always a bit sad, but the resort’s exceptional service makes the departure smooth. The staff are warm, hospitable, and clearly take pride in their work, making the luxurious experience feel both elegant and relaxed. After saying goodbye to the staff who had become like friends, it was time to board the water shuttle. As the dock grew smaller, I was already calculating how many Hilton Honors points I had, eager to plan my return to this luxurious paradise.