4 Bora Bora Resorts That Won’t Beat Up Your Bank Account 4 Bora Bora Resorts That Won’t Beat Up Your Bank Account

4 Bora Bora Resorts That Won’t Beat Up Your Bank Account

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You can still honeymoon in the most beautiful place on Earth without burning a hole in your wallet. Bora Bora is known for its five-star resorts, but it also has plenty of romantic three- and four-star properties as well. They basically cut the fat and the frills, offering memorable vacations without significant sacrifice. For a destination like Bora Bora, there’s not a ton of these affordable-yet-amazing resorts, but the ones below are definitely worth the booking.

  • Intercontinental Resort Le Moana

    Matira Point, Bora Bora
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    Intercontinental Resort Le Moana is more bare-boned than its more decadent sister property. Intercontinental Resort Bora Bora, yet ends up being just as luxurious. It’s seen as a bit less classy because it’s not on a private island off the main one (it’s one of three hotels on the main island of Bora Bora). Honestly, though, this isn’t a huge loss: the Intercontinental Le Moana is still crazy romantic. Think crystal clear waters, big sky and verdant landscapes. With only 62 rooms, it’s intimate, but being on the main island means that it has easy access to Vaitape, the local town, and Matira Point, considered to be the most beautiful beach on the island. There’s also loads to do, with a variety of water sports and activities such as cooking classes. You’ll want to book the Double Beach Bungalow: it’s right on the beach with an amazing deck, a huge bathroom (with tub), and even an outdoor shower for only $520 a night.

    on main island | loads to do | Double Beach Bungalow

  • Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort

    Hotel Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort, Vaitape, French Polynesia
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    The beauty of Sofitel Bora Bora is that it’s in Matira, so you’re close to the best beach and the town of Vaitape if you want to get your cultural fix. It was originally built by movie producer Dino de Laurentiis when he needed to house his crew on the island for his film Hurricane in 1979. It has a retro allure and it’s a crowd pleaser with excellent dining, a charming beach, a pool bar, and a great breeze. The room design is also sweet, with bold red colors to ramp up the romance. Rooms are on the smaller side compared to some of the more expensive resorts (approximately 320 sq. feet) but still have plenty of space. Bungalow rooms are super cheap even for four-star options at $370, and they include free breakfast and wifi.

    close to Vaitape | excellent dining | Bungalow rooms

  • Le Meridien Bora Bora

    Le Meridien Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia
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    Le Meridien Bora Bora is stylish, contemporary, and even sexy. It’s on the northern tip of Motu Piti A’au, which sits on a coral reef, so bring your snorkels. The huts on the beach (about 530 sq. feet) have beautiful lagoon views. The overwater bungalows (also about 530 sq. feet), though a little close to each other, are amazing, and have the largest glass floors of any resort in Polynesia. The main pool is where the barflies head, and there’s even a sea turtle center so you don’t have to go far to chum up with some local creatures. Le Meridien is four stars, and rates are about $500 a night for the beach bungalows and $675 for the overwater villas (which is crazy cheap for overwater villas, usually average $1000 or more).

    on coral reef | overwater bungalows | four stars

  • Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora

    Hotel Maitai Polynesia, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
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    Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora is the best three-star resort in the entire destination, and it feels like it should cost way more than it does. Located on the main island of Bora Bora, near the village and Matira Point, the resort features villas right on the mountain, and sports insane views. There’s also several beach and overwater bungalows, so it’s not like one of those resorts where all the rooms are in one central building. The overwater villas are close to each other, so you’ll probably get to know your neighbors. But it’s a social spot over anything else, especially at the beachside bar Tama’a Maitai right on the lagoon’s edge. Some of the more extravagant amenities might be lacking here– but when beach bungalows are only $373 and overwater villas are $519 (or the garden view room at $218), you’re getting a huge bargain.

    best 3-star | insane views | social spot