Four Seasons and St. Regis are two of the most prestigious and well-known luxury hotel brands in the world. Four Seasons operates over 100 properties in major destinations across the globe, while St. Regis has over 40 hotels and resorts in exotic and iconic locales.
For travelers seeking the ultimate in indulgence and refinement, both Four Seasons and St. Regis present alluring options. The purpose of this article is to compare the two brands and spotlight their flagship resorts: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. From their settings in the turquoise waters of the South Pacific to their lavish accommodations, world-class cuisine and indulgent amenities, these resorts encapsulate the quality and ambiance that define each brand.
By analyzing key attributes including location, room types, dining, recreation and overall atmosphere, one can better understand the distinguishing strengths of both Four Seasons and St. Regis. When planning an ultra-luxury vacation, this guide can help match discerning travelers with their perfect Polynesian paradise resort.
Brand Footprint & Locations
As two pinnacles of luxury hospitality, Four Seasons and St. Regis operate in many of the same coveted destinations around the world. However, there are key differences that characterize each brand’s footprint.
Four Seasons Properties Worldwide
With 121 locations globally, Four Seasons generally favors large urban hubs, coastal resort areas and mountain destinations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Well-represented countries include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, England, Spain, Portugal, France, Tanzania, Seychelles, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Australia.
Four Seasons originally made it’s name by creating North America’s first ever five-star, year-round luxury resort in 1961. Today it continues that resort heritage with 29 total worldwide, from the Caribbean to Bora Bora to the Maldives.
St. Regis Locations Worldwide
St. Regis was founded over a century ago by New York luxury hotelier John Jacob Astor IV. While smaller in it’s global reach than Four Seasons, St. Regis has an eminent presence in glamorous metropolitan destinations like New York and Beijing as well as exotic resort enclaves like the Maldives and Bali.
Currently, St. Regis has 43 hotels around the world, primarily concentrated across North America, Europe, the Middle East, China, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and French Polynesia. In contrast to Four Seasons’ wider resort collection, St. Regis has just 4 dedicated resorts, making Bora Bora one of it’s most exclusive island hideaways.
Bora Bora Resorts Comparison
As two private island resorts in the same neck of the (very blue) woods of French Polynesia, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and St. Regis Bora Bora Resort naturally invite comparison.
Both are only reachable by boat or seaplane from the main island of Tahiti. Each resort occupies it’s own small motu (islet) circled by barrier reef and fringed by powdery white sand beaches. Guests can easily spot each other across the Bora Bora lagoon’s world-famous shades of turquoise and blue.
However, upon arrival it becomes clear these are two very distinct resort experiences defined by the brand standards that set Four Seasons and St. Regis apart.
Room & Villa Types
Four Seasons Bora Bora Rooms & Villas
The Four Seasons boasts 100 total accommodations ranging from Otemanu View Rooms to lavish one, two and three-bedroom overwater bungalow suites and villas. It’s overwater bungalows are arranged in semicircular rows steps from the beach, providing optimal lagoon and Mount Otemanu views from private decks.
Motifs of wood, bamboo, shell and handcrafted textiles complement a bright, airy Polynesian design aesthetic across guest quarters. Four Seasons suites feature glass floor panels for reef viewing and offer extensive living areas for families and groups.
St. Regis Bora Bora Overwater Villas & Beach Villas
Comparatively, St. Regis Bora Bora’s 89 villas are all perched over the lagoon or nestled at beachside. Spacious one, two and three bedroom options include infinity plunge pools; the three-bedroom Royal Estate and Presidential Overwater Villas are over 5,000 square feet, with glass floor panels throughout their living spaces.
Decor embraces a Hawaiian Plantation theme of dark wood furnishings and appointments in rich hues. With a minimum villa size of 1,550 square feet, St. Regis emphasizes lavish proportions plus Bespoke Butler service for all guests.
Dining Experiences
Both Bora Bora resorts provide guests with exceptional culinary programs that capture the flavors of French Polynesia supplemented by other international influences. Yet again, there are subtle differences in their approach.
Four Seasons Bora Bora Dining
The Four Seasons Resort offers four restaurants and two bars:
- Arii Moana serves a Polynesian-inspired menu blended with modern French technique.
- Fare Hoa evokes a lively Hawaiian beach bar ambiance for tacos, poke bowls and sunset cocktails.
- Terrace Restaurant provides all-day dining for breakfast through dinner by the infinity pool.
- The intimate Alba restaurant requires reservations for it’s Italian-influenced degustation dining.
Guests can also arrange private beachfront dinners or pragmatic picnics to take along on lagoon excursions.
St. Regis Bora Bora Dining
The St. Regis showcases five eateries and bars:
- Lagoon Restaurant for locally sourced seafood, meat and regional specialities against a peerless lagoon vista
- Asian fusion at the open-air Lotus Restaurant
- Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s coral-bedecked Le Reef restaurant serving French-Polynesian fine dining
- Casual beach fare and drinks at the Sand Bar
- Afternoon tea service and evening champagne sabering rituals at The Champagne Pavilion
St. Regis also prides itself on bespoke private dining events from beach dinners to torch-lit jetty soirees. It’s central Great Room hosts weekly Polynesian dinner buffets and local folkloric dance performances.
Recreation & Amenities
Days at both resorts revolve around crystalline watersports and intimate spa pampering, complemented by cultural diversions. Once again signature inclusions shine through.
Four Seasons Bora Bora Activities
The Four Seasons land and water recreation lineup impresses with opportunities like:
- Snorkeling among coral gardens teeming with tropical fish
- Scuba adventures and shark dives for certified divers
- Hobie Cat sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing
- Jet skiing, speed boat rides and helicopter tours
- Faultless sunset cruises aboard the resort’s classically rigged Polynesian catamaran
- Glass-bottom boat excursions
- World-class sport fishing
- Educational stingray and shark feedings
- Beach volleyball, bocce ball and tennis
- Bamboo raft building with the activities team
- Polynesian Spa treatments using local coconut, pineapple, sandalwood and vanilla
- Jewelry making, shell crafting and weaving demonstrations
St. Regis Bora Bora Activities
The St. Regis pursues a similar itinerary enhanced by it’s signature rituals like champagne sabering, afternoon tea and nightly torch lighting. Additional amenities include:
- PADI-certified Green Sea Turtle scuba program
- Jet ski tours and deep sea fishing
- Bespoke lagoon excursions to secluded Motu Tapu
- Learn to make scrumptious po’e at the Polynesian Cooking Academy
- Have the resort tattoo artist ink bespoke designs
- Attend talks on Polynesian legends and constellations
- Dance the night away at the lively Tamure Performance Room
- Indulge in Elemis and Clarins Spa treatments al fresco inSpa overwater bungalows
Style & Atmosphere
Both Bora Bora resorts clearly share a sublime natural setting and no shortage of luxury diversions. But there are discernible differences in architecture, design and overall mood from arrival to departure.
Four Seasons Bora Bora Ambiance
Stepping into the Four Seasons is like entering a serene, open-air Polynesian village by the sea. Manicured pathways lined by palm trees, orchids and torch-lit pools connect thatch-roofed structures and barare (meeting houses) where sand floors invite footwear to stay behind.
The mood is casual, convivial and family-friendly by day. Evenings transition to a more low-key and peaceful atmosphere, save for weekly festivities like Polynesian dance performances or grill nights at the Fare Hoa beach bar.
St. Regis Bora Bora Style
Conversely, arriving at the St. Regis feels like entering the grand plantation manse of a Hawaiian lumber baron, with imposing hardwood beams, wraparound verandas and luxury transport via hotel outrigger canoe.
The atmosphere skews more romantic and adult-oriented. Nights bring lavish private dining set-ups and fire dancing on the beach. Guests don bow ties, Hawaiian shirts and cocktail attire intermingled at the property’s fine dining venues and piano bar.
Bespoke beach picnics and champagne toasts reinforce the St. Regis heritage of custom-fitted luxury and anticipatory service.
The St. Regis issued it’s first butler tuxedos in 1920s New York. Today it’s traditions translate to Bora Bora butlers highly trained in meeting each guest’s individual expectations for comfort and celebration.
Expense Comparison
| Expense | Four Seasons Bora Bora | St. Regis Bora Bora |
|---|---|---|
| Nightly Room Rate Range | $1,200 – $10,000+ | $1,700 – $20,000+ |
| Overwater Bungalow/Villa | Starts at $1,500/night | Starts at $2,400/night |
| Seaplane Transfer from Tahiti | $730 roundtrip per person | $730 roundtrip per person |
| House Reef Scuba Dive | $195/1 tank dive | $120/1 tank dive |
| Spa Massage | 60 min $250+ | 60 min $250+ |
| Resort Dining (avg entree) | $40-$60 | $50-$75+ |
| Drinks & Cocktails | Beer $10+ Cocktails $22+ | Beer $15+ Cocktails $25+ |
| Resort Activities | Free (Sand Bank access, snorkel gear, etc) to $$ (Jet ski rental, heli tours) | Free (Bespoke beach set ups) to $$ (Deep sea fishing) |
| Butler Service | Not offered | Included for all villas |
| Resort Fees & Taxes | $220/night resort fees + 13% tax | $250/night resort fees +13% tax |
FAQs
Four Seasons Bora Bora has a more casual, open-air, family-friendly island vibe. St. Regis feels like an upscale Polynesian plantation manor house with a romantic, adult-oriented atmosphere.
Four Seasons Bora Bora offers four restaurants plus poolside all-day dining. St. Regis provides five restaurants featuring acclaimed chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Both provide private dining experiences as well.
No, Four Seasons Bora Bora also offers standard rooms and suites with lagoon or Otemanu mountain views on the main beaches of the small motu islet it occupies. St. Regis Bora Bora only offers overwater villas and beach villas. Even it’s entry-level villas are overwater with glass floor panels.
At 3+ bedrooms, the Royal Estate Villa at St. Regis is the largest at over 5,000 square feet. Four Seasons has 2 and 3 bedroom overwater suites, under 3,000 square feet and a 2 bedroom family beach villa that is also under 3,000 square feet.
No, they are comparable. Both have all of the watersports typical to Bora Bora like jet skiing, scuba, snorkeling and sunset cruises. Four Seasons has professionally equipped scuba and sport fishing programs. St. Regis offers turtle scuba dives, cooking classes and bespoke lagoon tours to small nearby islets. Guests at either will be staying active and entertained.
With sleek villa duplexes, private plunge pools, champagne service and bespoke luxury rituals, St. Regis arguably presents the ultimate romantic adults-only Polynesian escape better suited to honeymoons and couples. Families are welcomed at both, but the vast layout, free-spirited village vibe and wide beach areas at Four Seasons make it ideal for multi-generational groups.
Conclusion
In the dazzling landscape of Bora Bora luxury, Four Seasons and St. Regis each shine brightly with their own unique attributes. Choosing between these resorts means weighing what matters most for an ultra-luxury tropical escape against each brand’s strengths.
Romantics may gravitate toward St. Regis for champagne wishes and stellar cuisine, while adventure seekers opt for Four Seasons to make the most of Bora Bora’s open-air activities. For some the hardest choice will be leaving paradise behind when that inevitable final breakfast arrives seaside.
Yet beyond turquoise horizons, the refined comforts of either brand await, ready for a lifetime of memorable journeys chasing the sun.
