Hotel Information: Mostly international couples and some families comprise the typical clientele at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa. Accessible only by boat, the resort is located on a motu, or sandy island, in Bora Bora's turquoise lagoon. From the dock, a path leads along the beachfront under coconut trees to an open-air reception area. Huge tree trunks support a thatched roof, and the wall behind the reception desk shimmers with mother-of-pearl. Guests relax in scattered can armchairs with a cool drink and cold towel as staff checks them in. Bars and restaurants lie in elevated pavilions on either side, offering views over the lagoon. Natural materials are used throughout, and Polynesian artwork decorates the walls. The extensive grounds are landscaped with tropical plants and water-lily ponds, and a small waterfall splashes behind a freeform swimming pool.

Insider tip: Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa is pioneering an underwater coral nursery to propagate coral growth and encourage lagoon fish. This is underway directly beneath the overwater bungalows. Guests can snorkel around the nursery to admire the coral below, while underwater signs posted at intervals give explanations of the work that is being undertaken. Snorkelling tours are also led daily by the resident marine biologist, who supervises the project.

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Spa

Located on a small lake and set on stilts in the resortÂ’s tropical gardens, the Manea Spa combines traditional Tahitian architecture with modern facilities. The timber treatment rooms are accented by coconut tree, kaori, bamboo, and lava stone. There are eight treatment rooms, a twin-table open-air Vichy shower, and a beauty salon for manicures, pedicures, and facials. A VIP suite offers two massage tables, spa and bath, washroom and shower, and throne-like armchairs. There are also two steam rooms and two saunas. The relaxation pavilion has air conditioning, as does the adjacent fitness centre. Click the links below for more details.

Philosophy (click here)

The philosophy of Manea Spa incorporates the traditional art of Polynesian massage, taurumi, which creates harmony of body and mind and uses local island ingredients including sandalwood, tiare flower, ylang ylang flower, and monoi (scented oil). Its philosophy is based on the symbiosis of nature and the environment and uses ancient techniques and gestures, many of which were once reserved for Tahitian royalty. Signature treatments are the Avae Tarumi (barefoot body work), Moanarumi (aquatic rejuvenations). and Monoi Ofai (hot stone healing).

Sample menu (click here)

Monoi Ofai Hot Stone Treatment (80 minutes): XPF18,500 (AU$255−$260) for singles or XPF31,500 (AU$440−$445) for couples
A profoundly relaxing massage featuring volcanic stones that use heat and texture to melt away tension.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Avae Tarumi Barefoot Bodywork (50 minutes): XPF14,000 (AU$195−$200)
Penetrating yet soothing strokes characterize this massage, which is performed without using the hands. Especially recommended for those who prefer a deep massage. Can be extended to 80 minutes.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Mahana Otemanu Bora Deluxe Treatment (1 hour, 40 minutes): XPF28,500 (AU$395−$400) for singles, XPF51,000 (AU$710−$715) for couples
Using the healing properties of the coconut palm, the signature treatment package begins with a nourishing coconut hair mask and scalp massage, followed by a coconut body polish and massage, leaving the skin with a healthy glow.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Royal Pomare Manea (2 hours, 20 minutes): XPF65,500 (AU$910−$915) for couples
The Royal Pomare Suite is a private treatment suite for couples. Each session includes a footbath, fruit and sand scrub, body rinse, jet shower, flower bath, an oil massage, and a jetted-tub bath. Finishes with a crowning ceremony.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Manea Manea Ultimate Body Bliss (3 hours, 20 minutes): XPF43,500 for singles (AU$605−$610), XPF75,000 (AU$1,050−$1,055) for couples
This complete experience combines a variety of treatments to relax and replenish. After exfoliation using one of a selection of natural scrubs, the body is covered in a mask of moisturizing fruits and re-mineralizing seaweed. This follows with a private spa tub session, and then an in-depth massage and replenishing facial.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Monoi Matai (50 minutes): XPF12,5000 (AU$175−$180)
A head to toe massage using a selection of fragrant local monoi oils. May be extended to 80 minutes.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Hoho'a Tiare Aromatic Facial (30 minutes): XPF14,000 (AU$195−$200) for singles, XPF25,000 (AU$350−$355) for couples
This treatment combines an extremely fragrant face pack combining fresh fruit, tiare flowers, coconut, and seaweed, leaving the skin feeling soft and beautiful.
Fee may not include tax and is subject to change without notice.

Products (click here)

Manea Spa products are made exclusively in Tahiti with a formula based on natural properties of regional flowers and plants, such as tiare, vanilla, sandalwood, and coconut.

Rooms

There are 80 bungalows at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa. All have pitched ceilings in Polynesian style, and décor of natural local timbers. Decks, which either overlook the lagoon or private gardens, have lounge chairs and a dining nook. Desks have overhead lighting, direct-dial phones, and dial-up Internet access. Cable/satellite TVs with DVD players show local and French channels, CNN, and two movie channels in both French and English. Minibars offer cool boxes and tea/coffee kettles. Large bathrooms with shell and coral decorative accents. Full-length and makeup mirrors and hair dryers are included. There are dressing tables with stools, with a sliding window that opens onto the bedroom. Welcome amenities include a drink and cold towel on arrival, and flowers on guestroom beds.

Room Amenities

• Cable/satellite TV
• DVD player
• CD player
• Cassette player
• Patio
• Ceiling fan
• Air conditioning
• Climate control
• Access via exterior corridors
• Blackout drapes/curtains
• Internet access - surcharge
• Internet access - dial-up
• Voice mail
• Direct-dial phone
• Minibar
• Coffee/tea maker
• Wake-up calls
• Housekeeping
• Turndown service
• Bathroom telephone

• Bathrobes
• Complimentary toiletries
• Hair dryer
• Makeup mirror
• Massage - available in room
• Sewing kit
• Slippers
• Shower only
• Extra towels/bedding in room
• Handheld shower
• Separate bathtub and shower
• Child care (in room, surcharge)
• Iron/ironing board
• In-room safe
• Welcome amenities
• Window opens
• Desk
• Sofa bed
• Rollaway beds
• Cribs (infant beds) available
• Smoking rooms

Recreation

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa offers its own certified dive centre and a range of equipment for both beginner/training and experienced divers. It organizes scuba diving and snorkelling excursions (surcharge). Pirogues (small, flat-hulled boat), kayaks, pedal boats, windsurf boards, and snorkelling equipment (complimentary) are available on the beach. Guests can also snorkel around the resort's underwater coral nursery or take a tour with the resident marine biologist. Helicopter sightseeing (surcharge) is available directly from the resort's helipad. The resort also offers complimentary tennis, miniature golf, badminton, table tennis, and lawn bowling. Chess, checkers, and other board games are available from reception; there is also a pool table and some reading material in the library adjacent to the Taurearea Bar. Guests can use the large screen in the 40-seat meeting room as a cinema on request, using videos from the resort's selection (complimentary). The resort's full-service health spa, which has saunas and steam rooms, also has an attached air-conditioned fitness centre. Yoga and meditation classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday, stretching and Tai Chi on Saturdays.

Most activities on Bora Bora are based on organized excursions that can be booked through the resort's excursions desk. These include trips on the lagoon by submarine or glass-bottomed boat; excursions to swim with sharks and sting rays; and sunset cruises, all designed to showcase the lagoon. Fishing, parasailing, water skiing, and sailing are other lagoon-based options. Jeep and quad safaris, horse riding, and four-wheel driving excursions penetrate the island's mountainous interior. It is also possible to rent bicycle or scooters in Vaitape, the island's main town.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

• Golf - miniature on site
• Boat launch on site
• Windsurfing on site
• Whale-watching nearby
• Snorkeling on site
• Swimming on site
• Rowing or canoeing on site
• Sailing nearby
• Scuba diving on site
• Water skiing nearby

• Aerobics on site
• Tennis on site
• Yoga classes/instruction on site
• Mountain biking nearby
• Scooter/Moped Rentals nearby
• Hiking/biking trails nearby
• Horse riding/rental nearby
• Parasailing nearby
• Helicopter/airplane sightseeing on site
• Fishing nearby

Property Amenities

The main resort building at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa, which has 80 bungalows, houses its main restaurant, a bar, and a library that includes a pool table, computer terminals with Internet access (surcharge), and reading material. The resort grounds feature two other restaurants, a large freshwater swimming pool, and a full-service spa and fitness centre. Guests can also snorkel around the resort's underwater coral nursery or take a tour with the resident marine biologist. Scuba diving and snorkelling excursions (surcharge) can be organised at the on-site dive centre, and there are also numerous complimentary water sports available on the lagoon. Other complimentary sporting activities include tennis, table tennis, and miniature golf. A boutique sells black pearls, jewellery, local handicrafts, beachwear, and various snacks and drinks. Regular boat shuttles to Vaitape town on the main island are provided; there is also a helipad.

The Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa has a 215-square-metre meeting room just off the reception area, which can accommodate 30 for cocktails or 12–15 in banquet or classroom styles. The circular Hibiscus Meeting Room, which also doubles as a wedding chapel, is 70 square metres and can hold up to 50 people for cocktails or 30 for meetings. Conference equipment such as microphones, flipcharts, LCD projectors, and panorama screens can be provided (surcharge). Two computers in the library costs XPF660 for 15 minutes (AU$6–$10), XPF1,320 (AU$16–$20) for 30 minutes, and XPF2,200 (AU$30–$35) for 60 minutes.

• 24-hour front desk
• Airport transportation (surcharge)
• Arcade/game room
• Number of rooms: 80
• Audio-visual equipment
• Babysitting or child care
• Banquet facilities
• Bar/lounge
• Beauty services
• Business services
• Coffee shop or café
• Concierge services
• Conference room(s)
• Currency exchange
• Elevator/lift
• Event catering
• Fitness equipment
• Full-service health spa
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Health club
• Internet access in public areas - dial-up

• Internet access in public areas - surcharge
• Massage - treatment room(s)
• Medical assistance available
• Meeting rooms (small groups)
• Multilingual staff
• Patio
• Poolside bar
• Porter/bellhop
• Private beach
• Restaurant(s) in hotel
• Room service (24 hours)
• Sauna
• Secretarial services
• Security guard
• Shopping on site
• Spa tub
• Steam room
• Swimming pool - outdoor
• Tour assistance
• Translation services
• Wedding services

Policies

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Rollaway beds and cribs (infant beds) may be available and should be requested at the time of booking; fees may apply.
Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in. Special requests made via this Web site cannot be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.

• Pets not allowed
• Check-in time is 1 PM
• Check-out time is 11 AM

Location Details

Bora Bora Motu Mute Airport (BOB): Approximate travel time is 15 minutes and distance is 8 km.

Getting there: The airport is located on a motu (lagoon island), the resort on another. Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa offers airport pick-up by boat (surcharge). It is also possible to reach the hotel via the town of Vaitape using complimentary shuttle boat services. Click the links below for instructions/details.

Getting around: There is only one sealed road on Bora Bora, 32 km in length, although some unsealed roads penetrate the mountainous interior. There is no public transportation, but hotels and some restaurants will pick up dinner guests who have reservations. Taxis cannot be hailed on the street, but must be ordered by phone, either through the hotel reservations desk or directly with several companies. Fares are not metered and should be agreed upon at the onset of the journey. Visitors should expect to pay around XPF1,000–1,500 (AU$16–$25) for shorter rides and XPF5,000 (AU$70) across the island. There is also a water taxi company; a ride from a hotel motu to the mainland costs around XPF2,000 (AU$26-36).

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa has a daily complimentary shuttle boat that brings guests to the resort dock on the main island. The shuttle operates 19 times daily from early morning to late evening, at least once an hour. From here, there are onward resort shuttle buses to Vaitape daily except Sundays, departing at 9 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.

By shuttle (click here)

Travel time from the airport to the hotel: 15 minutes
Approximate cost (subject to change without notice):XPF1,500 (AU$21–$25) per person.

Schedules and directions (subject to change without notice): The resort's boat shuttle service is available 24 hours daily. However, guests must contact the hotel at least 48 hours prior to arrival in order to give the staff an estimated time of arrival. Hotel contact details will be included in the reservation confirmation for bookings via this Web site.

By ferry (click here)

Travel time from the airport to the hotel: 60 minutes
Approximate cost (subject to change without notice): Complimentary

Schedules and directions (subject to change without notice): All flights into Bora Bora are greeted by an Air Tahiti shuttle boat that brings travellers to Vaitape on the main island. From here, it may be possible to connect with the resort's shuttle bus that goes to its dock, from which there are hourly shuttle boats to the resort daily except Sundays.

Dining

Restaurant Tevairoa - Polynesian and French cuisine and international selections. Buffet breakfast and à la carte dinners. Polynesian buffet dinner on Mondays, seafood buffet on Friday, both with shows. Traditional Tahitian in-ground barbecues demonstrated on Polynesian buffet night. Emphasis on seafood. Thatch pavilion elevated to provide views over lagoon. Natural wood and bamboo décor. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.

Miki Miki Restaurant and Bar - Polynesian and international cuisine such as salads, burgers, pizzas, and seafood. Casual dining poolside or under shaded huts. Open daily for lunch. Drinks available mid-morning to late afternoon.

Restaurant Fare Ambrosia - Italian à la carte dinner. Set in gardens by vanilla plantation. Open-air pavilion. Bright orange and red tablecloths, hanging pots of vanilla plants. Candlelit ambience. Limited spaces – reservations advisable. Open daily for dinner except Monday and Friday.

Taurearea Bar - Variety of rums, ports, and other beverages. Also serves afternoon tea. Open mid-afternoon to late evening. Thatch pavilion elevated to provide views over lagoon. Adjacent games room with pool table, Internet access, and reading material. Open daily mid-afternoon to late evening.

Awards And Affiliations

The hotel received the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List award in 2006, and is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World.

Address

Po Box 169

Vaitape

Bora Bora, Leeward Islands 98730

French Polynesia

Nearest major airport:

Vaitape, Bora-Bora Island, French Polynesia (BOB-Motu Mute)

Area:

Motu Tevairoa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia