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Doing St Regis Bora Bora in 2 weeks. Took about 500k points + $2k cash upgrade for a 5 night stay in an overwater bungalow. Full points wasn’t an option when I booked, eventually become available at around 1M for the stay — kept the points + cash instead.
Certainly a lot, but it’s doable on points if you look when they open bookings or periodically check as availability shifts.
Some alternative suggestions: the new Westin in Bora Bora might be cheaper. Fiji definitely is.
Pro
Checked out yesterday so my 2 cents after staying at the St Regis for 5 nights:
Unparalleled resort. Truly the best place I’ve ever stayed. The overwater bungalows are incredibly spacious, fairly private (depending on location) and the reviews calling them rundown are unwarranted imo. Impeccable service, including random touches like free champagne while waiting for the Polynesian Dinner to start, complimentary local snacks/liqueurs left in the room, securing hard reservations on Vaitape, handling dietary restrictions in advance, etc. Never difficult to get a chair at the beach/pool, gear to explore the water, etc., all of which were complimentary (minus anything motor powered). On site lagoonarium is fantastic. Adults only pool is set up with five smaller sub pools attached to each cabana so it’s very private and quiet. Great free breakfast for qualifying elites (includes everything).
The parts that were less stellar: Several restaurants on site, but each day will have 1-2 closed including the sunset view bar twice a week which was bizarre to me. — this schedule is also not overtly communicated. It’s impossible to avoid exorbitant prices once you’re on property (going to Vaitape costs $30 rt). While it was all solid, very little of the food was exceptional/exemplary and pretty much every dessert was mediocre at best — though my view is skewed as a foodie. The more private wing of overwater bungalows is further from shore and has cloudier water / can often have minimal wildlife to see. Polynesian show was very disappointing (relative to shows you would see at the cultural centers, like in Moorea or Hawaii) despite the significant cost.
All in all would go back in a heartbeat though. All of the downsides were mild annoyances vs. critical failures — and this contrast to the typical experiences at a hotel/resort was quickly reminded when we checked in to our next stop lol
Doing Maldives EOY for honeymoon 🤞🏽Waiting for points to come in
St Regis or Ritz … depending on how many points I’m at. Point redemption EOY is super high!