Conrad Bora Bora Nui — Hotel in French Polynesia

After celebrating my birthday in September with an 11-night stay at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, we chose to return to celebrate our anniversary with this outstanding group of Hilton Team Members. The Assistant Guest Relations Manager Ms. Zuzana Miksova is phenomenal. She earned the nickname “Zuperwoman” during our first stay so we thought it was appropriate to bring her a cape this time to make it official. A special thanks to the General Manager, Roger Godin, for presenting Zuzana with the cape upon our arrival. We never thought that the 3-week trip to the Maldives last year to celebrate our 30th anniversary would ever be exceeded. During that trip we stayed a week each at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. We knew that Zuzana would create a magical and memorable anniversary stay, but we underestimated her superpowers. We were moved beyond our wildest dreams. She has an infectious personality, and her intuition is unbelievable. Zuzana is remarkably talented, and her dedication and creativity are truly brilliant. The list of adjectives to define Zuzana’s greatness are endless.| |We were excited to see many of the friendly faces that we had connected with during our first stay. After spending an afternoon with the Housekeeping Team on the beach in September during housekeeping week, we became part of their family. The team is very thorough and always greets you with la Orana and a welcoming smile. Mama Titaina, Mélie, and AKA lead an extremely artistic, hardworking, and talented group. Their attention to detail and the extra care they provided made us feel so special. We loved returning to our room to see the beautiful and masterful displays of artwork. They were so lovely that we hated removing them from the bed. I love the personalized notes that they leave you in both the mornings and evenings. It is very evident that they take immense pride in their work. They play a critical role in setting the foundation for an elevated guest experience. Without doubt, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Housekeeping Team is one of the best in the business. (The best in my opinion)| |Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and the breakfast at Iriatai each morning was delicious. They have a large selection and the view over the turquoise water is stunning. We were greeted most mornings by Manate. She always welcomed us by name and with a smile. The Iriatai staff does an outstanding job of working together. Mateata, Timia, Velma, and Graziella are all amazing. We enjoyed all our meals at each dining venue. The sundaes at Tamure are not to be missed, and orders from the room service menu arrive timely, hot, and tasty. They set meals up perfectly wherever you request.| |The Recreation Team took great care of us during our entire stay. It was great to see Oliver, Tehau, and Elna again. Upa is very talented and skilled. The demonstration on how to open a coconut was very informative. Good luck in your next competition. Heiarii, Christine, and Rua were the new team members we met. Unfortunately, the weather did not fully cooperate on several days, but this group always made sure you had dry towels when ever the rain stopped. Françoise, the Director of Recreation, let us experience a piece of the Tahitian culture each day. They really spoiled us on our anniversary day by decorating our favorite cabana and serenading us. Everything they did was from the heart, and they are all extremely personable.| |We were looking forward to our return visit to the Hina Spa and excited to see the renovations. The spa is perched on top of a beautiful mountain and offers some on the best views on the resort. We attended a spa reception where the new treatments were unveiled. Mylène, the super talented and creative Spa Director, welcomed us back and explained some of the changes and enhancements. Her team is extremely hospitable and presented the new fragrances that would be used to create a unique and unforgettable experience for guests. Gaëlle, Anne-Sophie, and Yaya took great care us whether we were getting massages or using the sauna. We had a couples massage on our anniversary. I chose the Puna Vai Ora because I wanted to experience the hot and cold stones. Leilani did a magnificent job, and it was so relaxing that I fell asleep a couple of times. My wife had the Balinese massages with Monoi and it was outstanding. We enjoyed the massages so much that we returned a couple days later. Alicia was my wife’s therapist this time, and she was remarkable. I selected the Puna Vai Ora again and asked Leilani to focus on my neck and shoulders. It was the best massage that I have ever received. Thanks again to Mylène and the wonderful team at the Hina Spa for a memorable anniversary experience. They achieved their goal of blending well-being, luxury, and the Polynesian culture. | |All managers are very visible throughout the property. We talked football with Roger and about his New York Giants. We had an opportunity to meet his lovely wife at the spa reception. In September, Abdoulaye was on vacation until the day of our departure, but we had a chance to interact with him daily during this stay. We discussed basketball and him being a Miami Heat fan. During this stay there was 2 large groups that arrived, and the resort was at capacity for several days. The personal attention that Zuzana, Abdoulaye, and Roger show all guests makes the Conrad Bora Bora Nui a special place. | |The heartfelt connection we developed with Zuzana is the primary reason we chose to return to the Conrad Bora Bora Nui to celebrate our anniversary. Our flight arrival on Sunday was delayed for 3 hours. She stayed late into the evening to personally welcome us back. I knew Zuzana would provide a very special memory that we would cherish forever. What I did not anticipate was that on our actual anniversary night the presentation she had prepared for us in the villa would bring my wife to tears. My wife's reaction was priceless. Zuperwoman's talents and creativity were on full display. I am not sure how much time she spent planning, but we could tell that it was not something that she had just thought about that day or even since our arrival. Zuzana is extremely talented and skilled, but also has many of the intangibles and soft skills that are simply God given. Her humility and passion for hospitality are a rare combination. She is extremely motivated and her desire to create happiness for others is unmatched. We spent a total of 24 nights during both our stays. Zuzana is a generational talent and a superstar that consistently performed at a distinguished level. She is a strategic thinker and problem solver. We observed obvious professional growth and self-confidence since we last visited 7 months ago. Zuzana has a tremendous rapport with the spa team, and especially the housekeeping team. She is a consummate professional and her display of servant leadership was quite impressive. Our trip was orchestrated impeccably by Ms. Zuzana Miksova. There are not enough superlatives to describe Zuzana. Her wit was always well timed and her special touches were picture-perfect. She is indeed the rare and elusive unicorn employee!| |“Zuperwoman”| |She is faster than Mama Tita on her electric bike|More powerful than the boat to transfer you to Vaitape |Able to leap from Upa Upa Lounge to the Hina Spa at a single bound | | | |All team members are genuine, authentic, respectful, and caring. Words cannot fully describe how special everyone made us feel. I am a Lifetime Diamond member, and we have stayed at 12 Waldorf Astoria properties across the globe experiencing the legendary Waldorf service. Our guest experiences at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui are second to none. We moved our flight and booked another night because of a conflict, and we wanted to spend some additional time with Zuzana. Because of the change, Zuzana was the first and the last face we saw in Bora Bora which was fitting. The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is fortunate to have her for a team member, and she is an Ambassador of Excellence for the...

I have stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui several times over the years, and on my most recent week-long visit I knew I would be arriving during an active renovation period. I came prepared for potential disruptions, but what I found instead was a resort in transition—one that is making real progress in upgrading its rooms, dining, and amenities. The improvements far outweighed the modest inconveniences of construction.|Because many recent reviews have raised concerns about the renovations, let me address this first. As of mid-August, work is ongoing, but it is largely confined to the far ends of the property. Management has clearly made an effort to minimize guest impact: about 90% of the resort operates without any meaningful disruption. Renovation areas are carefully cordoned off, and the main spaces—restaurants, bars, pool, and the vast majority of accommodations—remain completely unaffected. Yes, if you walk every pathway, you will see crews and equipment. But if you remain in the primary guest areas, you are unlikely to experience noise or visual disturbance. It’s worth noting that the tennis court is currently closed, and some of the work is carried out via barges to further reduce the presence of construction staff on the grounds.|Now, the good news: the results of the renovations are already impressive. I stayed in one of the newly renovated overwater bungalows, which have been redone from the studs up. The layout is familiar, but nearly every element feels refreshed. The outdoor deck is stunning, with new hardwood that looks like ipe, an elegant new shower, improved furnishings designed for comfort in any weather, and even a comfortable over-the-water netting area large enough for three adults. There are also practical touches such as outdoor USB and USB-C outlets.|Inside, the upgrades are equally thoughtful. Lighting, air conditioning, and fans are now controlled via intuitive touch-screen technology that works seamlessly across languages. The air conditioning is whisper-quiet, the ceiling fan perfectly balanced, and the new hardwood floors absolutely beautiful. Furnishings have been updated with contemporary pieces that blend well into the existing color palette—modern yet true to the resort’s style.|Food and beverage have also continued to improve, with noticeable gains in quality, presentation, and menu variety—an especially welcome development given that this is the only property on its small island. Service, too, feels more polished and engaged, creating a consistently upscale experience.|One of the highlights of this trip was the exceptional service from the staff. A small example: during a sudden rain shower, a team member appeared almost instantly with umbrellas and an offer of a ride. Another time, when a rash guard blew off our deck into the sea, the pool team coordinated a safe retrieval from beneath our bungalow within minutes. These are small gestures, but they illustrate the staff’s attentiveness and genuine care.|Special recognition goes to Zsuzana, our concierge, who was attentive from the moment we arrived and checked in with us daily, ensuring every detail was handled seamlessly. The breakfast staff—Poema, Timia, Mateata, Tarita, Viahere, Graziella, Velma, Nicky, Maeva, Tehei, Matatini, Ravahere, and others—were gracious and thoughtful, remembering our preferences and always delivering with warmth. Ricky, one of the friendliest golf cart drivers we’ve ever met, deserves a thank-you as well.|The spa is another standout. Its newly upgraded treatment rooms and outdoor facilities are among the most beautiful I’ve seen anywhere in the world, offering a truly serene and luxurious experience.|What truly sets Conrad Bora Bora Nui apart, however, is not just its luxury but its sense of place. The staff embody Polynesian warmth, hospitality, and pride, and the property honors that culture through traditional shows, décor, language, and cuisine. This cultural authenticity adds immeasurable depth to the guest experience.|Of course, all of this comes at a premium price. But in my view, the Conrad delivers on its promise of a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and it’s only getting better. With further renovations planned for central areas such as restaurants and reception, I believe the resort is on its way to becoming the standard-bearer for five-star luxury in Bora Bora.|In short: yes, renovations are ongoing, but they are well-managed and far outweighed by the property’s beauty, improvements, and service. If you have concerns, I recommend contacting the hotel directly before your stay to confirm room location and expectations. For me, even in transition, this was...

We recently enjoyed our second visit to Conrad Bora Bora, with our two kids.||On our first stay, we had an overwater bungalow facing the open ocean on the north side. This time, our bungalow was on the shallow side facing the employees’ jetty. At first, we were disappointed with the blocked view and occasional boat traffic, but it turned out to be great for our 1-year-old toddler who loved swimming right off the deck in the shallow water, and we could even wade to a small private beach. I would not have been comfortable to let him swim off the deeper side, so this location ended up being suitable for our family.||As a Gold member celebrating a birthday, I appreciated the generous welcome gift of sweets and champagne.||That said, the bungalows are showing some wear and tear compared to three years ago. They were still comfortable, but the mattress wasn’t very supportive—by the fifth night, we both had back pain. Housekeeping staff were kind, but the cleaning didn’t always meet 5-star standards.||The highlight of Conrad remains the snorkeling. Its location makes the marine life here truly special, and this was one of the main reasons we returned. We snorkelled through the entire property and loved how different fish and coral could be found in each area. From our bungalow alone, we spotted plenty of fish, along with a few sharks and stingrays. The main beach is rocky with broken corals and coarse sand, so water shoes are definitely recommended, especially for kids—but this makes the beach special, as it’s full of reef fish right at your feet.||We also used the bikes to get around the resort and especially appreciated the one with a baby seat for our toddler. However, many bikes were not well maintained and squeaky—noticeably different from St. Regis, where they even have an in-house “bike doctor” to fix them on the spot.||The biggest drawback remains the service. We were disappointed to be assigned the same personal host, Devan, who had left us underwhelmed on our last stay. Unfortunately, the experience repeated itself. Upon check-in, he promised stuffed animals for the kids, but hours passed and nothing arrived. Reception later said they would be delivered during turndown, but housekeeping came without them. Only after apologizing and rushing back very late at night did the toys finally arrive. On top of that, my son’s sofa bed was never properly set up, leaving him lying on the sofa frame’s velcro until housekeeping came again late at night to fix it.||Most disappointing of all, Devan never followed up once during our 5-night stay. This was a stark contrast to our time at St. Regis Bora Bora, where our butler checked in daily to ensure we felt taken care of at every step.||On the positive side, the food was excellent. Breakfast buffet was a highlight, with a wide selection and complimentary for Gold members. The pastries and tuna in coconut milk stood out, and the breakfast team was always cheerful. Matiata, in particular, was exceptionally attentive and always warmly greeted by names. We tried all the restaurants: the French offered the best experience, the Chinese offered fantastic service with standout lobster noodles, and the Beach restaurant served a delicious Polynesian papaya salad. The Sushi restaurant had a friendly chef and happy hour cocktails, but the portions were very small—even my 8-year-old needed three kids’ meals to feel full. In general, children’s portions were too small across the restaurants even for a Bora Bora standard.||The pool attendants were also excellent. One gentleman with a ponytail especially stood out, welcoming us warmly every morning and ensuring we had everything we needed. We also loved the session with the marine biologist, whose passion made it a real highlight of the trip.||Finally, my 8-year-old enjoyed the kids club, even though he was often the only child there. Elna, who ran the program, was absolutely wonderful. He came home with crafts, marine life knowledge, and even a few Tahitian words.||Overall, Conrad Bora Bora offers an unbeatable setting, incredible snorkeling, and great food. But the service, especially from our assigned host Devan, was the weak point. His lack of follow-up or personal assistance meant we never felt we had the butler service expected at a resort of this caliber. By contrast, St. Regis provided daily butler check-ins that made us feel cared for throughout. We would return to Conrad for the natural beauty, snorkeling, and activities, but improvements in personalized service are needed to truly match its...