What to Expect at Le Meridien Bora Bora:

The fantasy of running away to paradise comes true at Le Meridien Bora Bora, a luxurious resort that embraces the concept of ?getting away from it all.?

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Le Meridien Bora Bora, which opened in 1998, promises ?peace and privacy? ? and it fully delivers. The luxurious resort, which sprawls across nearly 3 acres, is currently Bora Bora?s only hotel that is located on a separate island, which is a five-minute boat ride from the main island.
Guest Rooms at Le Meridien Bora Bora:

Le Meridien Bora Bora?s accommodations consist of 99 picturesque Polynesian-style bungalows, all with thatched roofs. While a few are located on the beach, most are overwater bungalows with glass floors that can be illuminated at night. The high-ceilinged, Polyesian-style interiors have wicker furniture and luxurious bathrooms, all outfitted with burnished hardwoods. Guests can enter the lagoon from their own private deck.

Dining at Le Meridien Bora Bora:

The dinner menu at Le Meridien Bora Bora?s main restaurant, Le Tipanié, features sumptuous meals, with a focus on seafood. The hotel?s special couples dinner, Surprise and Delights, includes marinated salmon tartare or goose liver salad, followed by beef filet and a half lobster.

Te Ava, overlooking the beach, serves lunch and snacks. Le Fare Tupa, on the beach, offers sandwiches and cold drinks for swimmers and sun worshippers.

Weddings at Le Meridien Bora Bora:

Le Meridien Bora Bora?s traditional Polynesian wedding (otemanu) begins with mature women(mamas) arriving to dress the couple in their bungalow.

The groom then crosses the lagoon by boat and the bride is carried over land by Maori warriors. On the beach at sunset, a priest invokes the god Taaroa and blesses the couple with coconut milk. Following Polynesian dances, the newlyweds enjoy a romantic dinner with champagne.

Activities at Le Meridien Bora Bora:

Le Meridien Bora Bora offers such water activities as snorkeling and scuba diving, windsurfing, pedal boats, catamarans, jet skis and ATV?s, Hobi cats, submarine, parasailing, and water skiing. At the activities desk, guests can rent cars, boats, or bikes or sign up for horseback riding, circle island tours, helicopter rides, 4x4 safaris, lagoon excursions, and other activities. On-site games include table tennis and volleyball.

Honeymoons at Le Meridien Bora Bora:

Le Meridien Bora Bora offers Surprise and Delights for honeymooners. Couples enjoy a special dinner with champagne and coconut sweets while their room is decorated with flowers, music, and candles.

Couples can also go on romantic outings like the Moana Nui Picnic, a half-day cruise with a picnic lunch on a small island (motu) or a Polynesian Escape, a full-day adventure tour around Bora Bora with a picnic and snorkeling.

What does Le Meridien Bora Bora Look Like?:

Visitors will immediately be struck by Le Meridien Bora Bora?s distinctive architecture. The main section of the open air hotel ?lobby? encircles a lush garden, much of it in water. The resort?s location on a separate island affords it a dramatic view of Bora Bora, especially Mont Otemano, one of the two volcanoes that helped create Bora Bora. The resort overlooks the turquoise lagoon and includes a stretch of white-sand beach.

What Could be Improved at Le Meridien Bora Bora?:

While Le Meridien Bora Bora offers free boat service to and from Bora Bora hourly or half-hourly, the hotel charges approximately $30 per person (round trip) for non-scheduled service. Because there is no other way to reach the main island, more frequent service or a lower charge would make staying there more convenient.

Is the Le Meridien Bora Bora Right for You?:

Because Le Meridien Bora Bora is located on a separate island, having to shuttle back and forth to Bora Bora on a boat may make it too remote for some. But people looking for a true private island experience will enjoy the novelty of having everything they need in one beautiful spot that is truly a paradise island. The views of Bora Bora lagoon and Mount Pahia are spectacular.

Where to Find Out More about Le Meridien Bora Bora:

Le Meridien Bora Bora
Motu Tape
Bora Bora, BP 190
French Polynesia
Telephone: 689.60.51.51
Official Le Meridien Bora Bora Hotel Website

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.