Le Méridien Bora Bora

French Polynesia
Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific

The Experience

Several factors set this resort apart from the Bora Bora crowd, including the dramatic Melanesian (rather than Polynesian) architecture. Forsaking the unplugged vibe of so many South Pacific hotels, Le Méridien is wired to the max—satellite TVs, mp3 players, high-speed internet access and DVD libraries for romantic midnight movies. Of course, guests can also go gadget-free. Take a dip in the translucent lagoon, snatch a nap on a hammock strung between two coconut palms or simply gawk at the sunset over Bora Bora’s volcanic hulk on the other side of the lagoon. That’s the beauty of this place—you can choose to go either way with ease.

The Rooms

Stairs spiral down into the lagoon from private decks at the rear of the resort’s trademark overwater bungalows. The modern “tropical chic” design blends polished woods, glass and earthy fabrics with the aforementioned multimedia feast. Beachfront bungalows are set around a small man-made “lagoon within a lagoon” with their own patch of sand out back and direct access to the resort’s renowned turtle sanctuary. Bathrooms are small but well appointed, with spiffy “soup-bowl” sinks, rustic mirrors, soaking tub sunk in a wooden platform and a cute little upholstered stool.

The Service

The service is almost always fast, efficient and multilingual. Unlike so many hotels where the staff noticeably fades away after midnight, both the front desk and concierge are 24/7.

The Highlights

Just being in Bora Bora is a highlight all on its own. But that said, Le Méridien isn’t without its sweet spots. The mélange of French and Polynesian cuisine at Le Tipanie restaurant makes it one of the atoll’s best eateries. There’s a nice little resort spa and all the obligatory water sports, including shark-feed snorkels and the traditional outrigger canoes of the Kaïnalu Club. Yet the resort’s most intriguing sideshow is the man-made lagoon and its turtle sanctuary, where guests can swim with the ocean-going amphibians and even adopt one, the proceeds going to a local save-the-turtle operation.

Find Hotel Deals on Yahoo Travel»