Hi. Very encompassing review. My wife and I just booked The Westin for February. Of course we would have liked the St. Regis however the point difference is substantial. I’m hoping that the upgrades and new management brings up the guest experience. Do you know when you plan to return to see The Westin? Alternatively do you have a recommendation as to where I can find a current review? Thanks
🍹Thanks for the review Mandy! We saw a 11,950 XPF destination fee for EACH of the nights we recently booked even when using award certificate. From the website it mainly covers the transportation to and from the airport. Any idea how to avoid it?
No way to avoid it 😭 It also covers daily boat to/from main island, activities (think flower crown making), and rum/wine tasting. Hard to even "make it back" vs. other resort fees, which isn't ideal.
Late comment but we visited in January of 2020 and had a far better experience. We stayed for four nights, were upgraded to an Otemanu view OWB and utilized the half board package which for us was both good quality and generous. We found the service warm but unobtrusive. We went back to Bora Bora in October of 2020 and were disappointed by our stay at the St. Regis. We found it to be more generic property wise, more crowded, service was a bit overbearing and the views of the mountain weren’t as good. The rooms were bigger and more luxurious, but honestly we were there for the water and views. The food was a slight notch above, but without the half board program was more expensive. We decided we wouldn’t got back until Le Meriden (now Westin) reopened. Luckily we are booked soon and I have high hopes. The primary concern now is crowding as they’ve significantly increased the number of bungalows.
See at you Westin ;) Definitely agree that StR has more rooms and felt more "resorty" in that sense. We were also on a beach room though so it didn't feel as busy.
Always splurge on an over the water bungalow-villa. There is no point in traveling out to Bora Bora with beach-garden front. You can get that in Hawaii and let’s face it, what a 😴that would be.
I like Bora Bora by Pearl Resort due to its location and the resort is owned by the locals. All other resorts on Bora Bora except Conrad are owned by foreign hotel chains. Conrad is owned by a 2nd generation local Chinese businessman. The locals seem not happy about foreign companies occupying their most beautiful Island and making a profit.
@@MandyRoams Did you get free breakfast via status while at the Meridien? I will be honeymooning at the newly reopened Westin, with Platinum status, and hoping that at least breakfast is included. I am so glad I watched your video as I'll know to take a free boat to the St Regis if food leaves us disappointed. I guess you can spend the whole day at St Regis if you're a Meridien / Westin guest?
I saw another video of a couple that stayed at the four seasons and St. Regis back to back and they said that the St. Regis experience was more personalized, food was better, and costumer services was way better, and the fact that St Regis gives you a few more things like tote bag, bikes. Four seasons panoramic views are better apparently 🤷🏻♀️I dont know how, they both look amazing to me. Also crowd wise, four seasons had more elder crowd, you know people who do have money because four seasons doesn’t have a point system you cannot navigate your way thru their luxury resorts. St. regis had a more younger/family crowd which is expected since you can use points to book so people who aren’t born into wealth or haven’t retired yet can enjoy some luxury too😅
🍹 You're right. Out of your recent three videos on Bora Bora, Le Moana and St Regis seem better than this Le Meridien.
Thanks for covering Bora Bora Mandy. Pity about that property running downhill.
It's an iconic location!!
It got renovated and just opened as the Westin :) Trip report on that (hopefully) soon!
@@MandyRoams Oh really, that's great to hear!! Thanks
Hi. Very encompassing review. My wife and I just booked The Westin for February. Of course we would have liked the St. Regis however the point difference is substantial. I’m hoping that the upgrades and new management brings up the guest experience. Do you know when you plan to return to see The Westin? Alternatively do you have a recommendation as to where I can find a current review? Thanks
We should have a review up before you go :) Fingers crossed as well!
🍹Thanks for the review Mandy! We saw a 11,950 XPF destination fee for EACH of the nights we recently booked even when using award certificate. From the website it mainly covers the transportation to and from the airport. Any idea how to avoid it?
No way to avoid it 😭 It also covers daily boat to/from main island, activities (think flower crown making), and rum/wine tasting.
Hard to even "make it back" vs. other resort fees, which isn't ideal.
Very cool!
Late comment but we visited in January of 2020 and had a far better experience. We stayed for four nights, were upgraded to an Otemanu view OWB and utilized the half board package which for us was both good quality and generous. We found the service warm but unobtrusive. We went back to Bora Bora in October of 2020 and were disappointed by our stay at the St. Regis. We found it to be more generic property wise, more crowded, service was a bit overbearing and the views of the mountain weren’t as good. The rooms were bigger and more luxurious, but honestly we were there for the water and views. The food was a slight notch above, but without the half board program was more expensive. We decided we wouldn’t got back until Le Meriden (now Westin) reopened. Luckily we are booked soon and I have high hopes. The primary concern now is crowding as they’ve significantly increased the number of bungalows.
See at you Westin ;) Definitely agree that StR has more rooms and felt more "resorty" in that sense. We were also on a beach room though so it didn't feel as busy.
🍹 St. Regis definitely seems like the better value prop!
I think so too!
Always splurge on an over the water bungalow-villa. There is no point in traveling out to Bora Bora with beach-garden front. You can get that in Hawaii and let’s face it, what a 😴that would be.
I like Bora Bora by Pearl Resort due to its location and the resort is owned by the locals. All other resorts on Bora Bora except Conrad are owned by foreign hotel chains. Conrad is owned by a 2nd generation local Chinese businessman. The locals seem not happy about foreign companies occupying their most beautiful Island and making a profit.
Westin should be much better. I have had great stays at those properties.
Hopefully!🤞
@@MandyRoams Did you get free breakfast via status while at the Meridien? I will be honeymooning at the newly reopened Westin, with Platinum status, and hoping that at least breakfast is included. I am so glad I watched your video as I'll know to take a free boat to the St Regis if food leaves us disappointed. I guess you can spend the whole day at St Regis if you're a Meridien / Westin guest?
🍹 would love to go to St Regis in Bora Bora
Our favorite property! 🍹
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I would say the Four Seasons is better.
I've heard great things about the Four Seasons!
I saw another video of a couple that stayed at the four seasons and St. Regis back to back and they said that the St. Regis experience was more personalized, food was better, and costumer services was way better, and the fact that St Regis gives you a few more things like tote bag, bikes. Four seasons panoramic views are better apparently 🤷🏻♀️I dont know how, they both look amazing to me. Also crowd wise, four seasons had more elder crowd, you know people who do have money because four seasons doesn’t have a point system you cannot navigate your way thru their luxury resorts. St. regis had a more younger/family crowd which is expected since you can use points to book so people who aren’t born into wealth or haven’t retired yet can enjoy some luxury too😅
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