Resort Map

The InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Bora Bora redefines the traditional over water bungalow concept by offering 80 luxurious over water villas (each of them encompassing more than 100 square meter in space) that overlook the clear blue waters of the lagoon and tu stunning scenery of Bora Bora:
* 21 “Emerald” Over water villas with a view over the beach and the resort.
* 24 “Sapphire” Over water villas with a partial view over the lagoon and the island of Bora Bora.
* 35 “Diamond” Over water villas with an unobstructed view to mount Otemanu and the lagoon.
The villas have roofs of pandanus thatch as did the traditional Polynesian homes called fare.
All overwater bungalows have direct access into the lagoon from their split-level decks equipped of a dining table and lounge chairs.

A « must » is breakfast delivery by flower decorated outrigger canoe (to order the day before and weather permitting) straight to the terraces of the overwater villas.

Pool
Located along the beach, the infinity pool blends seamlessly with the lagoon beyond. Relaxing is easy on the surrounding deck, which features chaises longues, umbrellas, and a shaded swim-up pool bar.

Dining
Bubbles Bar: This trendy bar overlooks the beach, the lagoon and spectacular Mount Otemanu. Comfortable and cozy it is the ideal spot to meet and relax anytime of the day. Guests can enjoy many types of drinks, exotic cocktails and light snacks. Open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Le Reef: This beautifully designed and relaxing Polynesian tropical decor restaurant, opens onto the patio and out to the lagoon, with a gracious landscaped terrace, stepping down to the beach.  Open for breakfast and dinner from 07:00 am to 09:30 pm.

Sands: Ideally located on the resort’s private 1000 feet of white sand beach, it is the perfect rendez-vous for casual dining as well as exotic and delicious fresh fruit cocktails. Open from 11:00 am to 09:30 pm.

In-Bungalow Dining
Choose from an extensive menu, day or night, ideal for time-zone-hopping travellers, impromptu meetings or for quiet, private dining.

The Spa
The Unique Deep Ocean Spa by Algotherm - from the Greek “thalassa” (sea) and “therapeia” (therapy), thalassotherapy is a range of care based on the benefits of seawater and marine elements.

Encompassing nearly an acre, the Thalasso Spa is the first of its kind in the entire southern hemisphere. Redefining the spa concept in French Polynesia, the Thalasso Spa is a true destination spa – offering healing spa therapies by treatment, by day, and by full customized weekly regimen. A full Thalassotheraphy and Balneotheraphy center designed by the famed Dr. Tregger who designed Monaco’s thermal baths, and managed by the Algotherm company whose reputation and expertise extends the world over --- the Spa uses mineral-rich deep seawater in innovative signature treatments and a variety of hydro-therapies, including medicinal therapies. The Thalasso Spa will feature a huge Aquatonic seawater pool, Hammam a l’oriental, a fitness and aerobic room, and glass bottom overwater massage suites. Guests will have the opportunity to be guided towards personal fitness or health goals by the spa’s team of therapists and specialists with personalized programs and nutritional menus tailored to their individual needs.

Enhance your Polynesian vacation with one of the following exclusive Thalasso Spa deep seawater treatments:
“Seaweed Body Wrap and Scrub on Floating Bed” 75 minutes, from $240 per person.

“Pearl Rain Massage” 25 minutes, from $140 per person.

“Honeymoon 3-Day Discovery” includes three deep aromatherapy baths, two marine body scrubs, two 25-minute custom body massages, two scalp reflexology, two ‘Iaorana’ massages, two marine indulgence body wraps. Treatments performed over a 3-day period, from $1750 per couple.

Fitness facilities
As part of the Thalasso Spa, the center features a state-of-the-art gymnasium with advanced cardiovascular an weight machines.

Concierge service
No matter what time of day, professional and knowledgeable local staff is available for all guests who may require assistance with hotel amenities, or information or bookings for excursions or local attractions.

Free Resort Activities
* Snorkeling equipment
* Kayak
* Outrigger canoe

Emerald Over Water Bungalow  ($$)
Located on the resort side of the bungalow row.  No view of Bora Bora.
At 1,200 square feet, the Over Water Bungalows ( identical in all categories) are airy and spacious and decorated in an elegant and comtemporary style.
There is a separate lounge area leading to the spacious private terrace which includes lounge chairs and a breakfast table under a small gazebo. The bedroom and bathroom share a floor to ceiling window offering a dramatic view of the lagoon.
All villas feature a glass-bottom coffee table for viewing the abundant sea life in the lagoons, Internet connection, 2 flat-screen televisions with CD & DVD players.

Sapphire Over Water Bungalow   ($$$)
They have a partial view of the lagoon and Bora Bora.
Same decor and amenities as the Emerald Bungalows

Diamond Over Water Bungalow  ($$$$)
Unobstructed view of Bora Bora and the lagoon.
Same decor and amenities as the Emerald Bungalows

All Accommodations include:
In addition to an outdoor shower, each villa comes equipped with two 36-inch Plasma screen TV's, DVD/CD player, a coffee maker, high speed internet access, individual A/C units, a well-stocked minibar, and your own personal safe.

Amenities:
* 2 - 36-inch Plasma Television
* DVD/CD Player
* Outdoor Shower
* Hairdryer
* High Speed Internet Access
* Mini Bar
* Coffee Maker
* 24-hour Room Service
* In-room Safe
* Individual Air-Condition Units
* Nightly Turndown Service

Published Room Rates: $965 to $1,900 per night for 2 people.

When you book through TahitiTravel, you always pay less than the published rate

Resort Reviews
(by TahitiTravel clients)

Our first 4 nights were at the Intercontinental Thalasso. I would make sure that you contact the hotel if you are going on points, because the two bedroom motu suites are not in a great location. We upgraded to an Ambassador points membership, and were able to upgrade free to Emerald and decided to spend the $400 a night to upgrade to a Diamond. We had the end of pontoon #230 which was more horizon view, and more private than most other bungalows. We were not thrilled with the privacy of the bungalows at this resort. Even the bungalows that directly faced the horizon had sailboats that were anchored in front of them. The food here was ok, but the Reef was definitely not worth the money for dinner. Best qualities, good spots on the beach for quiet enjoyment, and two for one happy hour. The resort has no snorkeling, and is very much like a W on the beach. No Polynesian feel at all. We knew from this website's description, but we realized that this was more important to us because we've stayed at other resorts there that do have that feel and it made a difference. It is also a hassle to get into Viatape and sometimes the shuttles leave early, so make sure you are there about 10 minutes before the shuttle is to depart. We saw one couple get left at the Moana when our shuttle left 10 minutes early. Unfortunately, this was the last shuttle for another two hours.
In addition to the Reef, we ate at BBLR-Otemanu for our anniversary. Dinner was only fair and service was terrible. We ate at Lagoon at the St. Regis another night, which was good, but very expensive. We also had lunch at St. James in town, which had good food, but horrible service. By far the best meal our entire time in BB was at Villa Mahanna. Best meal I have ever had. (Also the most expensive at about $600.) My husband went a la carte, but I had the tasting menu and the wine pairings. I am not a big fan of rare tuna, but the appetizer was phenomenal, as was the mahi mahi.

IC Thalasso
Beautiful rooms, friendly staff and GREAT food. The resort is breathtaking. If you stay there you won't be disappointed. The shuttle captains are the best (especially if you try and talk in Tahitian).
We stayed in all three IC resorts and the staff were nothing short of incredible. We would not hesitate in a heartbeat to stay at them again, however, we found that while the IC Thalasso had the "WOW FACTOR" down pat, it lacked the Polynesian "feel" that Pearl Bora Bora and Le Taha'a (still the benchmark) had. We did, however, feed some trumpet and wrasse fish from our room, as well as a resident stingray, so it looks like the sea life is coming back.
Another thing to remember - if you stay in a room closer to the end of the pontoon, then ask the shuttle captain to drop you off at the end of that pontoon, rather than the main wharf so you have to walk back then out to your room. It saved me a lot of time.

Check-in was not what we expected for an Ambassador member. We arrived at IC Thalasso at 11:10. We were told that we had to wait until 14:00 to get our room (which is the check in time). We were given a Day Room until our room was ready. These rooms are really nice, but it ain't no OWB. We were told to wait, and that someone would find us when our room was ready. It got to 15:10, so we went back to reception and asked if our room was ready. We were told that it was, so we asked why weren't we called? To which the reply was that it just came ready. Not a good start from a 5 star resort (we've stayed at Pearl Beach, Le Meridien, Le Taha'a and Club Med, and so far this resort had rivalled the service of Club Med).

When we got to our room, we were blown away. We got room 130 - "You requested a deep water OWB, didn't you sir, so this is the deepest water bungalow we have. It is right at the end of the pontoon."

WOW!....These rooms are amazing!!!! Absolutely HUGE! The finish on these rooms is superb.
Once we were set up, we had to swim in the lagoon, so off we went. I started with a bomb off the pontoon (not the nuclear type), then when I realised how deep it was, I bombed off the top deck (much to the amusement of several other guests that did the same thing after me).
After we were settled and refreshed, we caught the shuttle over to Le Moana, so I could go and see Fati for my impending tattoo. Once I told him that I wanted right arm sleeve, right chest and right shoulder blade, he told me that it was too much if I wanted ALL Marquesan design, so I booked in for Monday (whole day), Tuesday (whole day) and Wednesday (4 hours). We ended up doing 9hrs Monday and 4hrs Tuesday. I'm VERY happy with the result.
We requested and got a tour of the deep sea system. Very simple, but obviously very effective. Daniel (Chief Engineer) gave us a great tour of the facility. He took us over to the inlet pipes (all you can see is a grid close to shore as well as a buoy to mark where the pipes drop off to the deep blue yonder).
Food was awesome (we had half board). Breakfast is always good, dinner was even better, albeit not a lot of variety over six nights, but I had lobster every night there. The Tahitian show was excellent and the drinks were especially good (don't miss happy hour between 17:00 and 18:00 each night at Bubbles Bar - two for the price of one). A lovely American couple that we met in Moorea from Missouri (Bart and Christine) requested two bottles of Dom Perignon for the price of one, but we were politely knocked back. Oh well, we tried! So we got stuck into the Mai Tai's and Pina Colada's.
My only request (after requesting Tahitian Rum from Eric at Le Taha'a and getting both light and dark) was for a 1 litre carton of Tahiti Drink. After saying multiple times what I wanted and being assured that it was Tahiti Drink that I wanted, a Mai Tai arrived about 3 minutes later. I asked where the Tahiti Drink was and received a VERY blank look from the lovely lady that delivered it. "Here is the Mai Tai that you asked for". So I just thanked her and took it. We were not charged for the drink. I just took a chance and thought - if you are in a 5 star resort, then you should be able to get ANYTHING (Eric at Le Taha'a could). Needless to say, I was on the next shuttle to the island to buy a carton of juice.
The view of Otumanu is awesome. We have 606 photos from our trip - about 200 of those are of Otumanu. (culled photos soon). The lagoon, the OWB's - ah what a place! We haven't got the FP Flu - we've got FP Pneumonia!!!!!! Already planning return trip in 2010.