Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – A Cultural Paradise

The most famous of French Polynesia’s Leeward Islands in the heart of the South Pacific, Bora Bora
was formed by a volcanic eruption some four million years ago. Bora Bora is among the youngest land
masses on the planet, born from beneath the sea rather than through continental drift. The island’s
people are a testament to human ingenuity and exploration: the original Maohi migrants, sailing in
large pahi or outrigger canoes with neither the north star to guide them nor a written language to record
their voyage. They traveled vast distances — far greater than any Western culture had yet attempted
— to colonize the many distant islands of the South Pacific. Bora Bora’s original settlers arrived around the
4th century, some thirteen centuries before European explorers stumbled upon it.

The island’s name derives from the ancient Tahitian Pora Pora, which literally translates as “first born.”
When Captain James Cook became the first western explorer to land there in 1777, he translated the
soft inflections of the local language into the name “Bollabolla,” a misnomer whose use persisted into
the 19th century. The West has been enamoured of Bora Bora’s charms from the moment Captain Cook
landed, and it has since attracted both adventurers and artists alike, including James A. Michener, author
of Tales of the South Pacific.

Bora Bora became a protectorate of France in 1842, and French remains the main common language on
the island. During World War II the United States used Bora Bora as a military supply base, and after the war
some military personnel were so taken with the island that they refused to leave.

Both America and Europe have developed longstanding love affairs with the island and its people —
which helps explain why, since the first international resort hotel opened in 1961, Bora Bora has evolved
into one of the world’s top resort destinations. Bora Bora’s idyllic, white sand beaches have become
integral to its legend as a destination for relaxation and romance. Its dramatic mountainous terrain and
pristine lagoon waters are ideal for active vacationers. And its people, steeped in the Polynesian way of life,
are the most hospitable of hosts.

Accommodations
The accommodations at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora are designed to immerse guests in the island’s soothing natural oasis. Situated on one of Bora Bora’s outer motus, the Resort features an unobstructed sunrise view over the Pacific and sunsets over the lagoon and towering Mount Otemanu. The Resort’s living quarters are sustainable designs, defined by the natural light and rhythm of the lagoon.

Traditional thatched-leaf roofs adorn every building at the Resort, made from the leaves of the indigenous pandanus tree, grown on local plantations and woven by local craftsmen. In typical Polynesian fashion, the pandanus leaves overhang on all sides of each building for cover from the tropical sun. Inside, hardwood floors and walls are stained in a light palette that suggests driftwood or coral, while lagoon windows fill the space with magical, turquoise-tinted sunlight as it reflects off the water. Each bungalow contains two
flat-screen televisions with video-on-demand, an island rarity. Rooms are appointed with framed indigenous artifacts, from fishing lures fashioned from mother-of-pearl to fans made of coconut palms. All beds feature unobstructed panoramic views of the lagoon, as do soaking tubs, allowing guests to relax suspended above the lagoon, immersed in Bora Bora’s pristine water, radiance and ocean air.

Each of the Resort’s 100 overwater bungalows measure over 100 square metres (1,100 square feet), and offer pull-out sofas in the living areas to accommodate families. Located on branching piers that extend into the heart of Bora Bora’s inner lagoon at one of its most serene points, guests can view schools of fish below during daytime (and even dive among them from their private berth) or gaze above into the star-filled South
Pacific night.

Among the highlights:
Otemanu Overwater Bungalow with Plunge Pool — The outermost bungalows at the very end of the Resort’s four piers offer 147 square metres (1,576 square feet) of living space and unobstructed views of verdant, majestic Mount Otemanu, whether from the spacious interior living area or the teak chaises longues on the extended deck. Each suite features dining space for four people, whether indoors or beneath a pandanus-thatched outdoor pavilion, highlighted by an infinity-edged plunge pool.

The Resort’s seven beachfront villas provide the utmost in privacy, and are ideal for families or those seeking more in the way of seclusion. Polynesian artwork accents large living spaces, while panoramic views over private pools and hot tub lead directly to the lagoon. Two and three bedroom villas offer large dining areas, both indoor and out, as well as outdoor showers and added services and amenities.

Otemanu Presidential Beachfront Villa — This sprawling, three-bedroom, 500 square metre (5,382 square feet) villa offers the grandest of island accommodations. Upon entering, one is greeted by the vaulted living area, supported by pillars of merbau timber, providing plentiful living and dining space for eight people, opening to panoramic views of the white sand beach and shady palm trees. Each bedroom has its own private ensuite bathroom with garden shower, garden views and outdoor dining area. Outdoors, the 92 square metre (1,000 square feet), naturally secluded sundeck leads to its own private pool, beach and cabana, providing incomparable intimacy and privacy, with a direct view of iconic Mount Otemanu.

Private Residences
A collection of 15 sophisticated private residences offer the ultimate in leisure living. Inspired by local architecture and built to the exacting standards of Four Seasons, these homes present a rare ownership opportunity combining unsurpassed service and amenities with one of the world’s most exotic locations. Four Seasons Private Residences Bora Bora is located within a discrete section of the resort. As such, owners have preferential a la carte access to a wealth of services.

Fully managed and serviced by Four Seasons, the 15 Private Residences on Bora Bora represent one of the most exclusive and desirable resort – home opportunities in the world. Providing either lagoon or Pacific Ocean frontage, these rare and precious homesites range from .5 to 1.25 acres. You may choose from a portfolio of exquisitely appointed architectural designs ranging from 4,000 square feet/ 370 square metres to 11,500 square feet/ 1,070 square metres or create your own personal vision of paradise.

Dining
Bora Bora is a place where French, American and Maohi cultures have met, mingled and flourished. The dining experience at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora captures that rich history in culinary form, which Executive Chef Gilles Arzur calls Polynésien moderne: a base of traditional and nouvelle French cuisine, with American-style fusion, featuring the ingredients and flavours of Polynesia. Dining options include:

Romantic Dinner
The Resort’s grounds offer innumerable palmshaded hideaways and panoramic views of both the lagoon to the west or the Pacific Ocean to the east. Resort staff will gladly serve a romantic dinner by candlelight — complete with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres — in the comfort of the guests’ chosen secluded spot, anywhere on the Resort’s 22 hectares (54 acres.)

Ahi ma’a
Venture to a tiny island nestled amid the Resort’s grounds for a meal made in an a’hi ma’a, or Tahitian earth oven. Traditional dishes, often combining fish and fruit, are wrapped in banana leaves and placed atop hot stones in a deep fire pit, which is then covered with layers of banana leaves and sand. The technique creates an intense yet humid heat; the feast requires a full day for preparation and cooking. The entire experience re-creates the welcome feasts offered to the first European explorers.

Polynesian-Style In-Bungalow Dining
Relax on the deck of your private overwater bungalow, enjoy the setting sun and the emerging stars, and watch as your meal is delivered to you in a ceremonial Polynesian canoe and served with fragrant bouquets of flower petals.

Tere Nui
An open-air restaurant with a 180-degree vista featuring the lagoon, the beach and Mount Otemanu, Tere Nui – a Tahitian term meaning “great voyage” – allows for the island’s natural fragrance to mix with the aromas of fine cuisine. Tere Nui offers refreshing, contemporary twists upon such local staples as i’a ota, or poisson cru, French Polynesia’s signature dish: raw tuna with fresh vegetables tossed in green lemon juice and coconut milk.

The menu changes regularly to feature the freshest local fare as well as offerings from across the South Pacific, from Australian beef and lamb to Chilean salmon. Among Tere Nui specialties: a South Pacific swordfish known as meka, sliced into carpaccio and served with asparagus, sweet potato chips, and the white Sarawak grapefruit of the Marquesas islands.

Arii Moana
The Arii Moana restaurant, which takes its name from the Tahitian phrase meaning “King of the Lagoon,” is a seafood, haute cuisine dinner option. Overlooking the still waters of the lagoon, its thatched roof is held aloft by two 12-metre pillars (40-foot) of solid merbau timber. Guests may choose to dine in one of three dining environments throughout their stay: in the rich, blue-floored dining room, on the loungy restaurant terrace, or even al fresco, close to the water’s edge. Arii Moana offers exquisite fish, ranging from local deep-sea South Pacific tuna, marlin, shark and mahi mahi, to abundant and exotic lagoon species, from moonfish and parrotfish to barracuda. One of the specialties featured is papio, a Polynesian whitefish similar
to cod, cooked a la plancha with a crust of dried passionfruit and fennel confit.

Sunset Bar
Set next to the lagoon in the twilight shadow of Mount Otemanu, Sunset Bar brings the modern refinement of an urban atelier lounge to Bora Bora’s tropical setting. The Bar’s light menu showcases a distinct global flavour: four continentally-themed meals, each with four sampler-sized courses – Polynesian, Asian, European and American. Tropical and classic cocktails are served nightly, providing an ideal atmosphere for pre and post-dining entertainment.

Faré Hoa Beach Bar
From Tahitian meaning “among friends,” and situated between the chaises longues of the pool deck and the sandy, palm-shaded lagoon shore, Faré Hoa serves midday lunch and afternoon bites – as well as tropical cocktails – in a relaxed informal atmosphere. Service is also available direct to poolside, cabanas and beachfront.

The Spa
Situated on the high summit of the Resort’s motu, the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is where the forces of energy and relaxation meet in harmony — where the surging, raw power of the ocean meets the lagoon’s tranquility, capturing the unique balance that defines Bora Bora. With its soaring 30-metre (100-foot) ceiling, the Spa provides a depth of view in all directions, surrounded by native trees and the fragrance of the kahaia blossom. To the east the vast Pacific tide breaks upon the reef, each wave revealing a different colour as it reflects the tropical sun: shades of azure, ultramarine, cobalt. To the west lies the sheltered, verdant serenity of the lagoon.

Raised walkways, suspended above a plantation of pandanus trees, lead to the Spa’s seven air-conditioned treatment rooms. A spacious couples’ suite with glass floor suspended above the lagoon’s pristine waters is the ultimate experience for guests, providing absolute privacy over the tranquil lagoon. Guests can also combine their chosen treatment with the natural healing energy of Bora Bora’s climate in one of two open-air treatment pavilions, nestled deep within the tropical grove.

The South Pacific has a rich history, called taurumi, of passing down the art of healing massage and therapeutic treatments from generation to generation. It also offers a veritable trove of natural therapies, extracted from native fruits, herbs and other elements that harness the islands’ energy and flourish in its midst. Kahaia flowers are one of the most renowned in Polynesia for their healing powers, and are used throughout the treatments offered by The Spa. Monoi oil, produced by combining native tiare flowers
with the natural oil of local coconut, has been used for skin care by generations of Polynesians, a people known for their youthful appearance. Mother of pearl, or parau, is used in skin treatment for its exfoliating and revitalizing attributes.

The islands’ native vanilla has long been known to traditional medicine for its ability to deepen breathing, as well as for its energizing and aphrodisiac qualities. Sandalwood and frangipani are among the other native scents incorporated into spa therapies. Volcanic basalt forms the foundation of hot stone treatments, sea salt the key element of exfoliating scrubs, and seaweed the basis of full-body wrap treatments.

An experience not to be missed is the Kahaia Haven Ritual – A skin smoothing body treatment begins with a cleanse of naturally exfoliating apricot kernel and aloe, intertwined with the legendary Tahitian black pearl powder and the native fragrant vanilla. Once the skin is prepared, an exquisite volcanic hot stone massage is given. Aimed to maintain equilibrium and inner harmony, this ancient therapy, known as “ofai” in the South Pacific, grounds and centres the mind and body, ensuring physical and emotional balance.

Other amenities within the Spa include sensory steam rooms, whirlpools with both ocean and lagoon views, a Fitness Centre looking out over the ocean and a secluded, open air overwater yoga deck.

Activities
Bora Bora is a paradise not merely to soak up, but to explore and discover up close. Its beaches are among the world’s most beautiful — yet they are only the beginning. Bora Bora can sate any passion, whether for geology, gemology, history, marine biology or culture — or simply a craving for thrill-filled outdoor activity. What sets Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora apart is its ability to forge intimate links between its guests, the islanders and the island itself.

Pool & Lagoon
Set just off the main beach beneath the swaying coconut palms, the Resort’s 40-metre (131-foot) swimming pool complements the lagoon experience. The pool’s deep ultramarine hue leads all the way to its infinity edges, a vivid contrast to the sandy shores of the lagoon. Teak chaises longues lie beneath broad umbrellas on the encircling sundeck, with attendants providing a continuous flow of ice water, chilled towels and Evian spritz.

Next to the pool, beneath the shade of coconut palms, lies the Resort’s sprawling private beach on Bora Bora’s inner lagoon. Guests can bask in the sun or swim the warm, protected, sandy-bottomed shallows. Snorkels, masks and fins are readily available for those eager to chase the schools of tropical fish.
Drinks and food are available poolside, on the beach, or at Faré Hoa Beach Bar, located right between the pool deck and the beach.

Watersports
From the Resort’s watersports pontoon, guests can access a wide range of half-day and full-day watersports excursions. Hop into an outrigger canoe and paddle out to a nearby reef, then dive and snorkel among the tropical fish, or embark on a round-the-island Sea-Doo tour. The sheltered confines of the lagoon are also the perfect place to learn to parasail, kite-surf, or scuba dive.

Adventurous guests can set out on more ambitious off-site activities beyond the lagoon and into the open waters of the Pacific. Sportfishers can charter a vessel and head out in search of Mahi Mahi, blue marlin, skipjack and other deep-sea fish. For a close-up taste of island ecology and culture, full-day guided tours in a motorized outrigger canoe will take guests diving, ray and shark feeding.

Island Sports
Both tennis and beach volleyball courts are located nearby for those in the mood for a little competition. For tennis, the QuickCourt surface provides a cushioned hardcourt suitable for all-weather play, while the volleyball surface is, of course, Bora Bora’s fine white coral sand.

Excursions
Once outside the Resort, guests can take in the island’s splendour in a myriad of ways. Complimentary bicycles are available at the Four Seasons Harbour on the Bora Bora mainland for those who wish to tour the island’s breezy 32-kilometre (19-mile) ring road, stopping at the Lagoonarium to swim with sea turtles. Land Rovers can escort guests on history tours of the island, exploring ancient marae temple ruins at sea level, then up the steep sides of Mount Otemanu to visit American World War II installations — from storm bunkers to tunnels to cannons. Experienced hikers looking for a real challenge can make the trek up Mount Pahia or even Mount Otemanu. Those seeking a true bird’s eye view of Polynesian beauty can tour the region via helicopter.

SCUBA and snorkeling enthusiasts will delight in the many locations within the island’s lagoon and outside the ring into the Pacific Ocean. Underwater worlds of coral reveals colorful reef fish, rays, eels and shark. Local guides lead the way for exploration and learning of the island’s ecosystem and culture.

Bora Bora also offers a wealth of cultural treasures ready to be discovered. Explore the art and science involved in cultivating the Tahitian black pearl, one of the world’s rarest and most valuable gems. Take a dance course and learn the steps to the ‘aparima, the hivinau and the ote’a. Hand dye a Polynesian pareu, or sarong.

Or learn how the ancient Polynesians first developed the art of tattooing, with intricate floral and geometric designs that symbolize family, lineage and loyalty. The original procedure was excruciatingly painful: natural dyes were hammered into the skin by hand, a process known in Tahitian as tatau — from which “tattoo” is taken.

Guests can also delight in the lagoon’s ecosystem, with the Resort’s own marine biologist on hand to tour the diversity of fish, mollusk, bivalve and coral life. Using a telescope to observe the starry night sky, discover how the ancient Mahai mariners sailed thousands of miles across open ocean without a North Star to guide them. And uncover the ancient Polynesian lunar calendar, which helped predict when fishing harvests would be most bountiful, and the techniques still used today to herd fish into enclosed underwater pens.

Shopping
On-site and off-site shopping includes the finest in Tahitian black pearls. From the Resort’s on-site boutique, shoppers can learn about the culturing process and choose among works by Polynesia’s finest jewelry designers, or create their own designs and choose the pearls that will adorn them. The islands also feature the finest Polynesian artifacts, from Bora Bora’s hand-painted Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands. Renowned for its wood carvings, stone tiki sculpture, and breadfruit-parchment tapa hangings,
Polynesian art is inspired by the tropics and hewn of artisanal ethos and skill.

Families
The teeming life of the island and its lagoon, set within the natural sanctuary of the surrounding atoll, is the perfect place for children and parents alike to explore the ocean the island and it’s ecosystem. With lifeguards, instructors, guides and a marine biologist on staff, children’s and family programming features activities designed for fun and for learning.

Kids for All Seasons
Designed for children from ages 5 to 12, Kids for All Seasons offers complimentary full day programming. The facility features a circular wading pool and a clubhouse with games, movies and other activities — not to mention a steady supply of ripe local fruits and freshly squeezed juices. Activities will include short excursions to picnic lunch hideaways, canoe rides on the lagoon, team sports and yoga. Kids will race miniature, remote-controlled boats and all-terrain vehicles. Treasure hunts, both on land and underwater, will have kids hunting down clues that lead them to the hidden bounty while teaching them about Polynesian nature and culture along the way. With the clubhouse located close to both the pool and the beach, parents can enjoy the Resort while knowing their children are nearby and supervised.

Chill Island
Away from the children’s clubhouse, a five-minute walk from the main beach, is a vast area reserved for older kids: Chill Island. Teenagers can hang out in their own clubhouse or on their private beach with ice cream parlor, or even wade across the inner lagoon to explore one of the Resort’s small, fully contained inner motus. Teenagers also have easy access to the tennis courts and to a full range of watersports gear, from snorkels to surfboards.

On-site activities are programmed to offer lots of opportunities with few obligations: teenagers can take part in group activities or make their own plans. Options include everything from beach volleyball tournaments to underwater treasure hunts to open-air movie viewings. Polynesian cultural activities will be a central theme of programming.
Teens can participate in Tahitian dance and drumming, discover how to hand-paint their own pareu, and learn how to spot a ripe coconut — then how to husk, shell, and milk it. They will learn the adventurous seafaring history of the hand-carved Maohi outrigger canoe — then race across the lagoon in the latest fiberglass models. Meanwhile, the watersports pontoon is the launch pad for guided off-site activities, whether for half-day or full-day excursions. After dinner, torchlight beach socials will keep them entertained until day’s end.

Events
The event facilities at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora can bring the island’s lush splendour to any gathering. Social events and weddings can bask in every aspect of Polynesian hospitality, delighting in the culture’s sense of celebration and sensuality in everything from food to dance to live music. For a traditional Polynesian wedding ceremony, known in Tahitian as the Oroà Faaipoipo Raa, the bride is escorted by Tahitian guides in a ceremonial canoe to her waiting groom, either on the beach or in the Resort’s open air chapel, where vows and kisses are exchanged against the backdrop of a sunset over Mount Otemanu. The couple, enveloped in a tifaifai or Polynesian quilt, is then celebrated with traditional dance and song.

For group dinners or large gatherings, dedicated space allows for complete creativity and intimacy. Whether it be a beach barbeque, a fire dancing show or a fine dining gala, dedicated space for up to 100 is always at the ready. The Resort’s secluded open-air pavilion features 114 square metres (1,226 square feet) of space and can accommodate seating for up to 100. The pavilion lies beneath a vaulted, 10-metre (25-foot) pandanus dome and has its own adjacent private beach, allowing for coffee or cocktails to be served
at the water’s edge — all in total privacy from other resort activities. In the evenings, the beach can serve as a stage for private entertainment. Open-air culinary themes such as the a’hi ma’a are also available to groups.

The Resort’s 70 square-metre (750 square feet) air-conditioned event room, with a veranda overlooking the lagoon, is fully equipped with the latest in multimedia technology, and can serve as a meeting hub, private breakfast room, resource centre or boardroom. For smaller groups, the Presidential Suite offers a devoted location ideal for full-day meetings requiring break-outs or multi-tasking, with plasma screens, pantry,
and seating for eight people both inside and on the exterior deck.

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