Today’s ‘Stayed There’ feature is Sofitel Private Island Bora Bora. This small-scale resort is located on a private island at the southern end of Bora Bora’s world-famous lagoon and offers stunning views of the lagoon and the impressive rock face of Mt. Otemanu.
There are 31 bungalows scattered along the beach, hillside and on the water. I recommend the overwater bungalows (numbers 130-131 have the best views), with their twin decks and see-through coffee tables. The bungalows are spacious, well-equipped and have large bathrooms and living areas. The bungalows that face the shallow channel (that runs between the beach and the overwater bungalows) have one advantage: each day, before sunset, hundreds of colourful fish, and some mantas and sharks pass through this channel and you can view this procession right from your deck!
As it is located on a small private island, the Sofitel Private Island has a very exclusive feel.
With its 31 bungalows, it is also a lot smaller than the large five-star resorts such as the Four Seasons, Le Meridien and St. Regis. A variety of watersports activities (snorkelling, canoeing, windsurfing to name a few) and island excursions can easily be arranged from the resort. My absolute favourite excursion was the shark and manta ray feeding trip where you get to swim with these wonderful creatures at the edge of the lagoon.
Guests can also trek around the island and to the top of the hill where breathtaking vistas of Bora Bora awaits (the sunsets from here are spectacular).
The resort has only one restaurant. Service can be slow at times but the quality of the food is very good. Many guests opt for the meal plan and some others take the boat shuttle to the Sofitel Marara Beach Resort, a nearby sister resort, to have a meal. You can also make a reservation at a restaurant in one of the other resorts and have them send a boat to pick you up (a very romantic thing to do). Oh yes, the Sofitel Private Island does not have a pool (who needs one when there’s this stunning lagoon at your doorstep?!) but guests are welcome to use the facilities of the Sofitel Marara (which includes a large infinity pool, two restaurants, a spa and a long beach).
I can certainly recommend this resort for its small scale, friendly service, awesome views and laid-back atmosphere. It’s also more affordable compared to Bora Bora’s other five-star resorts.
Check out the rates (Booking.com) for Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island.
Hi, I love your blog and the concept of exploring the world in luxury! I also stayed at the Sofitel Motu Bora Bora a few months ago (have yet to create my post on it). It can be considered homey and rustic compared to the other hotels like St Regis or Hilton. But I loved my stay there. We ended up being good friends with the ‘captains’ who shuttled guests back and forth from the private to the main island, and they took my husband deep sea fishing at night, and showed us what the “real” Bora-Bora is. To me that was the most amazing part of my stay there.the ocean life in Bora-bora is just stunning. For the people and the marine life alone id go back over and over 🙂
[…] Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, French Polynesia […]
[…] luggage was taken care of and we were whisked away into the lagoon to the resort, the Sofitel Motu. The boat ride to the resort was nothing short of stunning. The colours of the lagoon and the shape […]