Hotel Bora Bora

The Hotel Bora Bora's 54 Polynesian-style bungalows and farés (the Tahitian term for home) are linked to the resort's public areas by black, lava-stone walkways. These individual accommodations enjoy a variety of settings, from garden-view and beachfront to overwater locations.

Whether bungalows or farés, the oversized rooms at Hotel Bora Bora take on the eclectic taste of an old trader's house. Each is furnished in rattan and bamboo, with Tasmanian oak floors, red-cedar walls, ceilings of pandanus lashed to beams of Douglas fir, ball-and-claw, cast-iron tubs, overhead fans, CD players and personal safes.

Deluxe bungalows are set on the beach, bedrooms facing the sea. With an elevated sundeck built on columns, and steps leading to the lagoon, they have the mood of an overwater accommodation. Deluxe bungalows also include a separate lounge overlooking the sundeck.

Superior bungalows are located on the palm-thick beachfront. Aside from a spacious bedroom and bathroom, they come with a sitting area that leads to a small patio facing the lagoon. The bungalows are set within tropical gardens.

Hotel Bora Bora's 15 overwater bungalows are thatched-roof, tropical-island retreats set directly over the blue lagoon. While some are located in shallow water, the premium overwaters are further out, close by a coral reef flush with marine life. Each overwater bungalow features a large bedroom with a king-size, four-post bed, a spacious bathroom and a two-tiered sundeck shaded by a roof of hand-tied pandanus. There's also a shower at water level alongside steps leading to the lagoon.

The resort's eight pool farés , each enclosed by a lava-stone wall, come with a private swimming pool and an outdoor sun pavilion for two. Three farés feature a Jacuzzi set into a teak sundeck within a garden setting. Premium farés are located in prime beach areas. All come with a living room, a bedroom with a king-size, four-post bed, an in suite sitting room, a bathroom and a large sundeck.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the Matira Terrace Restaurant, which overlooks the lagoon. Lunch and refreshments are available at the Pofai Beach Bar. A light menu and tropical refreshments are available in the Matira Terrace Bar, with its open-air sunset views of the lagoon. The Matira Bar's tables are built from monkey-pod trees felled during the occasional South Pacific storm; the roof is of pandanus thatching. Afternoon tea is also available at the Pofai Beach Bar.

Local musicians entertain nightly in the Matira Terrace Bar. Polynesian cultural entertainment highlights Hotel Bora Bora's weekly beach barbecue. Another weekly resort feature is traditional island singing and dancing, with sunset cocktails and canapés at the Pofai Beach Bar. Polynesian crafts are also on display, with coconut fronds fashioned into baskets and other artifacts.

The Raititi Lounge is an activities center as well as a game room and book exchange. It includes a pool table, two card tables and a selection of games. Island and sea excursions can also be arranged at the Raititi Lounge. Hotel Bora Bora's Boutique offers a selection of local arts and crafts. There's also a range of books and island clothing, including hand-dyed Tahitian pareus. Two tennis courts, lighted for night play, are located on the resort. Tennis rackets and balls are complimentary.