My heavenly stay at The Westin Bora Bora, where you can book an overwater bungalow from 67,000 points

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Editor’s note: The Westin Bora Bora provided TPG with a complimentary three-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel’s recent renovation and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.

When I was little, my dad’s best friend, Douglas, spent three weeks every year in a beach bungalow in French Polynesia. And every winter, like clockwork, a colorful stamp-covered package would arrive in the mail containing tiny treasures (polished shells, wooden figurines, dried hibiscus flowers, etc.) collected during his trip to paradise. Located in the upper left-hand corner of each package was — in my book — the most exciting return address: Bora Bora.

Fast forward two decades, and I found myself walking along The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa’s pristine beach, searching the pearly white sand for treasures to send to Douglas after my first trip to the island, completely in awe of its legendary turquoise waters.

Even for those who have been in the points and miles world for years, booking a bucket list-worthy experience using points earned from everyday expenses never loses its wow factor. A perfect example of said once-in-a-lifetime redemption: an overwater bungalow getaway in Bora Bora at the first resort to open on the island in eight years.

When I had the opportunity to check into the recently reflagged Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, which reopened in September 2024 following a head-to-toe renovation, I didn’t hesitate.

Here’s what it’s like staying at Marriott’s newest South Pacific getaway, home to the island’s largest collection of luxury overwater bungalows.

Related: 30 best Marriott hotels in the world

Getting there

If you’re traveling to Bora Bora from the U.S., it’s going to be a long journey no matter what — but how long you spend on a plane will vary quite a bit depending on your origin. I, for example, was traveling from Portland, Maine. This meant I had to take a six-hour cross-country flight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to then catch my roughly eight-hour flight to Faaa International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti. I flew Air Tahiti Nui, one of the primary airlines offering nonstop service between the U.S. and Tahiti. I spent one night in Papeete at a nearby hotel and then took an hourlong flight out to Bora Bora. In total, I clocked around 15 hours of flight time.

Once at the island’s (very, very small) Bora Bora Airport (BOB), I headed to the Westin’s check-in desk, where I was greeted by a friendly staff member with a beautiful jasmine flower lei. From there, I was guided to Westin’s sleek transfer boat for a relaxing 15-minute ride over the lagoon’s gleaming cerulean waters. 

Booking details

After searching the hotel’s website for rates over the next 12 months, the lowest cash rates I could find for The Westin Bora Bora start around $623 (for February 2026), and the lowest points rates over the next 12 months are 67,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (for January 2026).

Keep in mind that the high season is from May through October as well as late December, so those months are when you’ll see the steepest rates — cash-wise, these can climb well above $1,000 per night.

The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa charges a $106 daily resort fee that includes round-trip transportation between the resort and the airport (or between the resort and the mainland) for up to two guests per stay, a welcome bottle of Champagne upon arrival, access to activities like wine tastings and coconut palm weaving, daily fitness classes like Pilates and yoga, a beach bag and high-speed internet access. (Note that Marriott does not waive resort fees on award stays.)

When booking The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include: 

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Alternatively, those who hold a Chase card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) can transfer their Chase Ultimate Reward points to Marriott to book this property. Otherwise, card holders can use their Chase Sapphire Preferred to book a stay at the Westin Marriott Bora Bora and get 2 points per dollar spent on the travel purchase.  

Limited time offer: Chase Sapphire Preferred — highest-ever 100,000-point bonus after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Standout features

• Recently renovated overwater bungalows (many of which have plunge pools) feature open spaces with modern, beachy decor, floor-to-ceiling windows and Westin’s iconic Heavenly beds.
• There are multiple beautiful beach areas throughout the property, each with incredible views and plenty of lounge or seating options.
• The spa offers a locally inspired wellness menu with tranquil treatment rooms overlooking the lagoon.
• The on-site eco-center is one of the primary turtle rehabilitation centers in French Polynesia.
• The updated landscaping is stunning, with abundant and colorful local flora and fauna around every turn.

Drawbacks

• Cash rates tend to be very high year-round, especially during peak season.
• Service was very friendly (albeit slow at times), even when the restaurants weren’t too busy. 

The vibe at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

Toes-in-the-sand, laid-back luxury was the name of the game pretty much everywhere in Bora Bora from what I could tell, starting with the teeny airport where security was a breeze (you essentially exit and walk straight onto a dock to catch a ride to your respective resort) and extending to the way boat captains would exuberantly call out “Ia ora na!” (a Tahitian greeting) across the water to other passing boats.

Formerly known as Le Meridien, the original property closed during the coronavirus pandemic to undergo refurbishments and ended up staying closed — and reflagging to the Westin brand — until its grand reopening in September of 2024, debuting as the first new resort in Bora Bora since 2017. The completion of extensive renovations revealed changes like new landscaping that introduced dozens of new plants to the motu (i.e., small islet) and a complete overhaul of the accommodations, dining outlets, spa and beyond.

The layout of the resort felt reflective of the destination’s far-flung island beauty and also offered the option for my stay to feel as private or as social as I wanted. A long wooden dock led up to the sandy shores of the motu, with two stretches of overwater bungalows extending out into the lagoon on either side of the expansive main beach dotted with loungers and palm trees. There was another more secluded beach on the north-facing side of the property, which was where I spent most of my time snorkeling.

The resort’s primary complex was composed of two floors and offered an open-air feel. The pool and main beach area (as well as several restaurants) sat on the first level, while the breezy check-in area, concierge, resort store and a few more eateries were on the second level. Rows of blue and pink Westin-branded bikes could be found throughout the property for guest use, making it easy (and fast) to get from place to place if I didn’t feel like walking.

By day, guests strolled or biked leisurely about the resort in swimsuits, often without shoes. In the evenings, people would get a bit dressed up in elevated resortwear for dinner, but the vibes were still pretty casual. Clientele-wise, unsurprisingly, I mostly saw couples young and old, from newlyweds and honeymooners to those celebrating 30th — even 50th — wedding anniversaries. I saw maybe three families total and only one toddler.

The staff was friendly and always offered a smile and hello to passersby. The restaurant hosts tended to remember guest names and often struck up conversations about how my stay was going and what the day’s activities held in store — with most of the staffers being local, they were an excellent source of information about Bora Bora and were always willing to help answer questions or direct me to someone who could.

Exploring the resort, with its paths that meander around the property’s bounty of lush plants and flowers (manicured in a way that still maintains a sense of wildness), was a highlight of my time at The Westin Bora Bora.

The room at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

With 128 overwater bungalows — some of which have plunge pools — The Westin Bora Bora stands out as having the highest number of overwater accommodations on the island. Additionally, there are 14 beach villas located along a sandy stretch that overlooks the property’s serene private lagoon. All bungalows and villas have views of either the island, the lagoon and/or Mount Otemanu.

My 613-square-foot Premium Otemanu Overwater bungalow was located at the farthest point of the wooden dock connecting all the bungalows, allowing me to get as close as possible to Otemanu, which loomed high across the lagoon.

The bungalow featured a front entrance hallway with a spacious bathroom to the left and an enormous walk-in closet to the right (the closet provided an iron and an ironing board, plenty of clothing hangers, a safe, slippers, umbrellas and lots of storage space).

It then opened into a large suite-style bedroom with a king-size Westin Heavenly bed, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV and a seating area in one corner with an L-shaped couch and a coffee and tea station with a minifridge below. There was also a rectangular window in the middle of the floor that revealed the blue lagoon below (ideal for catching a glimpse of colorful fish, or, if lucky, a sea turtle).

Upon my arrival, everything from the bathroom countertops to the bed linens and the coffee station was adorned with colorful, fresh hibiscus, frangipani and local greenery.

But the best part of the whole space was undoubtedly the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that opened up onto a large deck holding an infinity plunge pool, two white linen-clad loungers, a small breakfast nook and a ladder leading directly into the glimmering blue lagoon.

There were sweeping views of Otemanu directly in front of the bungalow and then views of the lagoon in both directions on either side. Wooden walls on each side of the deck ensured that there was sufficient privacy (though sometimes you could hear music or people talking from neighboring bungalows).

Though the bedroom and deck were tied for first place in terms of my favorite place to spend time in the bungalow, the bathroom was phenomenal. The spacious countertop featured his and hers sinks set below mirrors that could actually slide open to look into the bedroom. There were floral-scented Noa Noa bath products, plenty of fluffy white towels of varying sizes (as well as two beach towels) and two robes hung above a deep soaking tub. On one side of the tub was a shower (complete with both a hand-held wand and a rain shower fixture), while the other had a small wash closet. Both of these enclosed spaces featured a beautiful geometric, black-and-white tile design.

Food and drink at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

When staying at an island resort, I think it can be easy to tire of having the same dining options over and over again. But with six restaurants and bars on the property, The Westin Bora Bora had something to suit every taste — and plenty of locally inspired flavors, which was my favorite part (I’m still dreaming of all the incredible fruit!). Plus, in a destination like this one, you’re pretty much guaranteed to snag a stellar view no matter where you’re sitting.

Tipanier

A French-inspired restaurant, Tipanier was my go-to spot for breakfast most days (there are both buffet and a la carte options), though it also welcomed guests for dinner (which is typically a la carte). Pro tip: Ask the concierge about arranging dinner during the weekly Polynesian show, which offers buffet and a live performance.

I enjoyed breakfast twice. The buffet, which costs $52 per person, consisted of a massive spread of fresh juices, pastries, local fruit, meats and cheese, fresh sashimi, an omelet station, traditional Western hot breakfast dishes and several locally inspired options.

During the dinner buffet featuring the live Polynesian show ($155 per person), there was everything from tuna sashimi and grilled swordfish to barbecued meats, fresh salad options and roasted veggies.

Guests can choose to sit indoors in a high-ceilinged, airy space or out on the patio overlooking the private lagoon and beach villas.

Maere

Maere, the resort’s more formal signature restaurant, is helmed by the property’s executive chef, Laurent Brun, who explores global cuisines via a tasting menu (with wine pairings available) that changes every night. Overlooking the resort’s private lagoon, the venue offers guests the opportunity to dine inside or out on the deck.

The night I dined here, I enjoyed an Asian market-inspired menu ($130 per person) featuring dishes like red tuna sashimi with nori and thinly sliced swordfish nigiri, white mahi-mahi with white miso eggplant, steamed root vegetable raviolis with green mango salad and some of the best Vietnamese beef pho I’ve ever had.

Varavara

With part-indoor, part-outdoor seating in a setting with a thatched roof and plenty of greenery, Varavara is open for lunch and dinner on the ground floor next to the main pool area. With a direct view of Mount Otemanu, it’s a lovely setting for either meal, but I particularly enjoyed having dinner here and watching the twinkling lights of the bungalows as night fell.

For dinner, I had refreshing tuna sashimi ($17) followed by a Napoletana spaghetti ($28), which was simple but hit the spot.

When I tried the restaurant for lunch, I enjoyed a hearty cheeseburger and fries ($36.50), an ideal meal after a long day of snorkeling.

Te Ava, Honu Tiki and ‘O’A

There are three bars at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa: Honu Tiki, which offers beachside cocktails (I had a very good, very strong mai tai on the beach here); Te Ava, the bar at the edge of the main infinity pool; and ‘O’A, located on the second level.

‘O’A is a bit more formal and offers a sophisticated open-air setting with sweeping views of Otemanu and locally inspired cocktails. (If you like rum, this is the time to try one of the venue’s rum-based concoctions — you can even arrange to attend one of the complimentary rum-tasting classes available here during the day.)

In-room dining

In-room dining (which we should really call in-bungalow dining) offered an expansive menu all day long. Service was quick (it always arrived within 30 minutes of placing my order), and I opted to enjoy these meals poolside at my bungalow.

For one lunch, I enjoyed a crisp and flavorful Caesar salad ($30) with an ice-cold coke ($8.50). I enjoyed the salad so much that I ordered it for lunch the next day (this time topped with juicy grilled chicken) alongside traditional Tahitian dish called i’a ota ($21.50), which consisted of fresh tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk with crunchy veggies. I could’ve eaten this every day.

Amenities and service at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

While it was tempting to spend the entirety of my trip in my overwater bungalow, the range of amenities (some included in the resort fee, others at an extra cost) was too good to pass up.

The infinity pool at the center of the resort, which featured six cabanas and plenty of loungers and umbrellas, overlooked the main beach, the lagoon and Otemanu beyond. This was definitely the hub of activity and the primary hangout spot across the resort. It was the place to be for those who wanted to socialize under the sun with a cocktail in hand.

As previously mentioned, guests could use the on-site bikes to navigate around the property. The nightly rate included nonmotorized water sports (I kayaked and snorkeled many times, but paddleboarding was also an option), and there was also a volleyball net on the main beach. Guests could pay to arrange a Jet Ski adventure or boat tours to snorkel with local sea life.

I used the Westin’s fitness center a couple of times during my visit. Fully air-conditioned and with high ceilings, three full walls of windows and plenty of cardio and weight-lifting equipment, it was a great place for a workout. Guests could also sign up for complimentary morning yoga or pilates classes.

Of course, one of the highlights of The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa was the Heavenly Spa.

With two relaxation areas (one open-air and one enclosed with air conditioning) and its own private lagoon-facing infinity pool and waterfront treatment rooms, this was the most tranquil space on the property. It was an ideal place to unwind after a day in the sun.

I opted for a 60-minute Aito massage ($253), wherein my therapist used deep tissue techniques and local oils for optimal relaxation. I especially appreciated that she used a locally made lotion to treat my sunburn after the massage.

As soon as I heard about the resort’s on-site eco-center, I was very excited about the opportunity to spend an hour learning about the center’s conservation efforts — it’s one of the largest eco-centers in French Polynesia and one of the region’s primary care centers for injured sea turtles.

Guests can tour the center and learn about the important work that its specialists are doing to rehabilitate sea turtles and revive marine ecosystems in Bora Bora and beyond.

Of course, you get to spend some time with turtles, too, which was a magical experience.

Via the concierge, guests could arrange activities both on and off the resort. I opted for a morning boat and breakfast experience ($133) that involved being picked up in an outrigger canoe right from my bungalow’s outdoor deck, enjoying a quick ride through the lagoon and then coming back to my bungalow for an incredible breakfast of coffee, pastries, fruit and eggs.

Out and about

The Westin Bora Bora is certainly the type of resort where you likely won’t feel the need to go anywhere. In fact, guests may find it difficult to leave their overwater bungalow, let alone the motu.

However, for those with a sense of adventure and time to explore this little pocket of paradise, the concierge desk will be happy to assist with making plans, from snorkeling trips in the surrounding waters (I snorkeled with black tip sharks and some very friendly stingrays) to guided tours of Vaitape, the main island’s largest settlement, and even all-terrain-vehicle trips.

I’d been hoping to take the boat from the resort to the main island (which runs several times a day and is included in the resort fee), as the concierge had helped me book a motor scooter via Avis, the rental company that partners with the hotel, so I could explore the main island on my own. (There is one main road that encircles the island, so it’s pretty easy to navigate.) However, due to the unpredictable nature of the weather and how short my trip was, I ultimately chose to forgo this outing.

For those in search of a thrill, it’s worth looking into climbing Otemanu, but keep in mind that summiting the peak can take over four hours and involves some challenging terrain.

Accessibility

The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa offers two accessible room types: Plunge Pool Beach Villa and Lagoon View Overwater. Both options offer mobility-accessible spaces with roll-in showers; however, the hotel website notes that these rooms are not equipped with hearing-accessible features.

I did not notice a lift at the main pool. The overwater walkways leading to the bungalows on both sides of the resort were wide enough for a wheelchair, but I noticed that there were many staircases throughout the resort to get from ground-level facilities to the second-floor facilities (where the check-in desks and concierge were located, in addition to a resort store and one of the primary bars).

Given that this resort is only accessible via boat, it’s best to contact the resort ahead of booking to ensure it can accommodate any specific accessibility needs.

Checking out

To say it was difficult to part with my overwater bungalow and its knockout view of Mount Otemanu would be an understatement — having spent only 3 1/2 days in Bora Bora, I left eager to come back for a longer trip. But even during such a short trip, I got a sense of how special this French Polynesian destination is — and why Douglas made the epic journey from the East Coast year after year. I hope to take a leaf from his book next time and return for three weeks.

In the meantime, I’ll be dreaming of sunsets over Otemanu and stockpiling my Marriott points to redeem another overwater bungalow stay at The Westin Bora Bora.

Related reading: 

• 12 incredible overwater bungalows you can book with points
• Delta is ending flights to Tahiti in French Polynesia
• Exploring French Polynesia 2 ways with Hilton
• What it’s really like staying at Conrad Bora Bora Nui
• 9 best South Pacific and Tahiti cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime trip