Long overdue - I got a lot of good tips and information from the community and want to give back
Tahiti – Kon Tiki Boutique Hotel (1 night)
We landed in Tahiti from SFO around 8pm. Immigration and luggage took about 30 minutes since we were near the front of the plane. Taxis are easy to find and about $40 USD to the hotel.
We stayed at the Kon Tiki Boutique Hotel because the ferries weren’t running that late (next time I’d try to time this better). It worked out fine though — the hotel was a great stopover, and breakfast the next morning was delicious. Breakfast buffet was included at the hotel and was very good. Before heading to the ferry we walked to Papeete Market, which was nearby along with an ATM and a bunch of shops in case you need anything. They also have an ice cream cart on the walk there that had great mango ice cream.
The ferry was directly across the street from the hotel, and you don’t need to arrive a full 60 minutes early — 20 minutes is plenty. They also sell food and drinks onboard.
Moorea – Hilton Moorea Lagoon & Resort (2 nights)
We took the 45-minute ferry over to Moorea, then a $40 taxi to the Hilton. The ride was smooth (not rocky at all if you’re worried about motion sickness). Check-in wasn’t until 2 or 3pm, so we grabbed lunch across the street at Lilikoi Garden Café. The food was good, but the mosquitos were plentiful :(
Our garden-view room was spacious and comfortable, with an extra bed already set up for our 9-year-old. The pool was heated, snorkeling right off the beach was fantastic, and they had kayaks available too.
We rented a car the next day and hiked Magic Mountain. It’s a steep, hot 45-minute round trip, but the panoramic views at the top made it worth it. Later, we swam at Hauru Public Beach and stopped at Captain Taina’s Pier hoping to see turtles and rays — no luck that day, and the currents were pretty strong.
For food, Snack Mahana was so goood — garlic shrimp and tuna sashimi were amazing (cash only!). Dinner at Rudy’s was also excellent, and they even provided a free shuttle to and from the Hilton.
Bora Bora – St. Regis (5 nights)
The next morning, we took the ferry back to Papeete for our Air Tahiti flight to Bora Bora. Ferry is really rocky if raining. The ferry terminal had a free shuttle (15-20 min) to Faa’a Airport, and with only two gates, check-in and boarding were super quick — an hour before is plenty. The duration between ferry arrival and our flight was long, and the airport didn’t have much to do or eat. I’d suggest not heading to the boarding area until closer to departure since there is even less food past security.
Our flight was delayed due to heavy rain but still went out (Air Moana flights were canceled with long lines at their desk). Tip: sit on the left side of the plane for the best views. Air Tahiti has open seating.
At Bora Bora airport, the St. Regis team greeted us with evian water and flower leis. After grabbing our luggage, we hopped on the resort boat and were off. Check-in was seamless, and our butler gave us a quick resort tour a golf cart on the before taking us to the room.
Resort & Food
From the moment we arrived, the service was incredible. Everyone — butlers, housekeeping, front desk, restaurant staff — went out of their way to make us feel welcome. We were celebrating our 10-year anniversary, and the team made it really special with flowers and a bottle of champagne. We sent them a photo we wanted to recreate from 9 years ago with our son, and they also framed it for us and placed it in the room before we arrived.
We did full board for 2 adults and 1 child. Lunch and dinner were allowed for 3 courses for adults. Way more food than you need. Breakfast was a buffet with extra items (eggs and pancakes) you could order, and while the spread was the same every day, it was high quality and filling. Lunch had one restaurant option (shared by the friendly resort cat), and dinners any of the restaurants (Lagoon had an upcharge). Lagoon was definitely worth it — great food and views of the Mt Otemanu. They also have polynesian night for local food and dancing. We had bamboo and Farniente which were both good.
I loved the little touches, like sunscreen and aloe dispensers on the beach and mosquito spray available everywhere. The spa was a highlight — hot tub, sauna, and steam room, even without a treatment. The gym was new and well-equipped too.
Our overwater bungalow was amazing — we could see rays and fish right from the deck. The resort also offered lots of activities like marine life talks, wine tastings, and flower weaving. Each villa came with bikes, which we loved using to get around instead of walking or waiting for a cart.
Excursions
We visited a pearl farm (review here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaCgcYUL43rZFLrr5) and did a private Shark, Ray, Elmo, and Reef excursion, which was unforgettable. We saw a lot of marine life and they dropped us off in town afterward where we had lunch, shopped a bit, then took the hotel shuttle boat back (sign up in advance).
Areas of Improvement
Service overall was fantastic, but a couple things stood out. Our toilet backed up for a few days without being permanently fixed, and one morning our coffee service request never arrived. Small issues, but noticeable at a resort like the St. Regis.
Also, the property is starting to show its age. The overwater villas especially are a bit dated, and a refresh would help keep the luxury feel.
Summary
Tahiti and Bora Bora truly surpassed our expectations. For anyone on the fence, I can’t recommend it enough — it’s idyllic, and the surreal photos you see online actually come to life here. The people, the scenery, and the fresh food all made it unforgettable. This is a trip we’ll cherish forever, and we’ll definitely be back.
