Best Overwater Bungalows with Private Butler in French Polynesia for 2026

Why We Like It: The InterContinental Le Moana’s overwater bungalows lie off Matira Point at the southern end of Bora Bora’s main island. The hotel is, as the name suggests, a sister of the InterContinental Thalasso across the lagoon which has a greater range of facilities, all of which guests at this InterContinental can access via shuttle boat. We think it doesn’t have the same broad choice of accommodation as its sister hotel and we think many will also consider the Thalasso branch as having a more scenic location, as it looks directly across the lagoon at the towering Mount Otemanu. Intercontinental Le Moana also has an extremely idyllic location though we must admit, nestling snugly as it does between the gorgeous white sands of Matira Point and the lush tropical hills behind. It also offers equal amounts of luxury, service, and style, and has an understated charm that may be lacking in the larger resort. We think its smaller size, more convivial atmosphere, greater access to the main island, and lower prices may just make it preferable for many guests. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The Le Moana, as mentioned, doesn’t have the same range of accommodation on offer as the Thalasso, nor are the bungalows and villas on offer as large. Their standard size is 560 ft² with the largest being only a tad larger at 670 ft². That being said we think they are just as luxurious and beautifully designed and decorated, and have a more intimate, cozy feel. So, if you don’t feel like paying premium prices just for extra space they will work out to a much better value. The choices are overwater bungalows and beach villas both of which are stylish and sleek, and filled with modern comforts, with the overwaters all coming with a glass-bottomed coffee table through which you can peer down into the coral reef. They also have gorgeous views out over the lagoon and the nearby islands of Raiatea and Taha’a, a positive also shared by the beach villas which sit right at the edge of the powder-like white sands. All luxury hotel standard facilities are here: air-con, WiFi, cable TVs, music system, coffee makers, refrigerators & minibars, and the bathrooms are all equipped with a spa-bath. Overwater Bungalow Prices: Check out all the details at the resort’s own website (IHG) here or at Booking.com here. Resort Facilities & Things to Do: Noa Noa, the main restaurant, serves French cuisine with a Polynesian twist in a semi al-fresco setting by the beach and has live evening entertainment on some evenings. The Vini Vini Bar and Terrace is a casual poolside venue that does good lunches and, until late, various snacks, Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The 5-star celebrity haunt that is the Conrad Bora Bora Nui has perhaps the most opulent overwater bungalows in Bora Bora. The setting is beautiful – a private cove on Motu To’opua – it is secluded and thoroughly romantic, and for us the resort really has an extra touch of class, even by Bora Bora’s high standards. We think it also has a strong candidate for the world’s finest overwater bungalow, and that is the incredibly impressive Presidential Overwater Villa. Their hilltop Hina Spa has soothing treatments and tremendous panoramic views, there are four excellent dining options, a large infinity pool and pool bar, and some lovely stretches of the purest of white sands. The Conrad is family-friendly; it has its own Kid’s Club, but overall we think you’ll find the atmosphere is one of romance and indulgent tranquility. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: We have a total of 114 accommodation units at the Conrad, with a choice between overwater, beach, and garden. The Conrad, in its previous incarnation as a Hilton, was the first resort in Bora Bora to offer the now ubiquitous overwater bungalows and these are of course as plush and opulent as you may imagine. They all offer lots of space too, with the smallest on offer covering around 1200 ft². They have sleek and stylish interiors, king-size beds, and wall-to-wall sliding doors opening out to a large deck where you have direct access to the sea, lounging, and dining furniture, and an outdoor shower. Some, the ‘Pool Villas’, also come with an infinity plunge pool and overwater catamaran-style hammock nets to sink into. For us the crème de la crème of the overwater bungalows are certainly the two Presidential Overwater Villas. They are absolutely stunning two-story overwater palaces, probably the finest in Bora Bora. These are where A-list celebs stay when they’re in town. Feast your eyes here. The Conrad’s Beach Villas though are also quite special and compare well to the overwaters. Sitting on the beach, just feet from the water, they boast the same luxurious qualities and come with infinity-style plunge pools as standard, overlooking the sand and the sea. Then there are the Garden Suites. They are situated in the garden area just behind the beach. They are spacious and equally beautifully designed and decorated, though the ‘Garden View’ choices don’t have much of a view. The pick of them therefore are the ‘Horizon View Villas’ which are higher up on the hill and have terrific views over the resort and the ocean beyond. Throughout the accommodation choices, you can expect modern facilities worthy of The Conrad’s 5 Star status; A/C, mini bar, coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, and Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The 5-star, St. Regis Bora Bora was the setting for the 2009 comedy ‘Couple’s Retreat,’ starring Vince Vaughan, an extra publicity boost that such a confident, sophisticated resort really had very little need for. Its overwater bungalows are stunning and we’re sure you’ll be extremely impressed with almost everything this resort has to offer. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The resort is spread out over 44 acres which includes a private lagoon and various beach areas. The accommodation is a mixture of overwater bungalows and beach villas, all of which are extremely spacious; the largest overwater bungalows and villas in Bora Bora in fact. The very smallest on offer at the St. Regis are 1550 ft² for example, with the very largest being a quite magnificent 3960 ft². The design and decor are mostly traditional Polynesian; airy and with lots of wood. You will have a large bedroom(s) with a super comfortable king-size bed, seating, closet space, and a giant flat-screen TV. The lounge areas have comfy sofas, another TV, and a minibar, and outside there is lots of deck space with lounging, seating and dining furniture, outdoor showers, and, in the case of the overwater bungalows, private access to the water. The bathrooms are suitably luxurious, and large, too. There you have a rainfall shower, a deep bath to sink into, and a choice of exotic bath salts and other pampering products. For us another nice touch is of course the glass floor paneling. Many, if not most, luxury overwater bungalows will have them, but usually just in one room. Here they have them in the hallway, the living room, and the bathroom. The overwaters come in various levels and prices as you will see on the booking page with the top of the range being their Royal Villas which are really quite magnificent and, surprisingly enough, are the only ones that have private pools on the deck. You have a private butler service at your disposal at the St. Regis and one of the best concierge teams around. They are particularly adept at arranging grand romantic gestures, for honeymoons or otherwise, via their ‘Romantic Concierge’ service, and they organize weddings too with a bridal boutique also on the premises where you can rent wedding dresses, groom suits, etc. Overwater Bungalow Prices: Check out all the details here at Booking.com or on the resort’s own website (Marriott). Resort Facilities & Things to Do: The resort has two swimming pools one of which has a swim-up bar and there is a private lagoon teeming with water life; coral, exotic fish, stingrays, and turtles. There is a resident biologist at the St. Regis too, and he is on Deep Dive: Read the Review…