
The InterContinental Thalasso Resort & Spa Bora Bora looks exactly like the dream! Overwater bungalows, coral restoration, the Thalasso spa, and that mountain view. We stayed one night on IHG points with our family of four and left with genuinely mixed feelings. This is the full story.
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
The Edit: InterContinental Thalasso Resort & Spa Bora Bora is a motu overwater bungalow resort accessible via shuttle from Le Moana on the main island, bookable with IHG points or cash, and one of the few Bora Bora properties that accommodates a family of four in a single bungalow. This review covers arrival logistics from Le Moana, villa details, lagoon and lagoonarium conditions, dining costs, construction impact, activities, and a firsthand safety incident that affected our stay. It answers whether the IHG Thalasso is worth it for families, points travelers, and anyone deciding between this property and other Bora Bora resorts.
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Resort | InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa |
| Location | Motu Piti Aau, Bora Bora, French Polynesia |
| Room Type | Overwater Villa, Lagoon View |
| Booking Method | IHG One Rewards Points (165,000 points) |
| IHG Status | Platinum Elite |
| Trip Length | 1 night |
| Party Size | 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) |
| Highlight | Lagoonarium snorkeling, coral restoration, family-friendly layout |
| Best For | IHG points redeemers, families needing 4-person bungalow capacity, first-time overwater bungalow guests |
Nobody talks about this part, but we’re going to!
If you are flying into Bora Bora and heading straight to the resort, your transfer is straightforward. The airport shuttle boat is handled through the property and takes about 20 minutes. But if you are already on the island when your stay begins, which is increasingly common for slow travelers, honeymoon extenders, or anyone doing a multi-resort trip, the process looks completely different. And it took us more effort than it should have.
The InterContinental Thalasso’s mainland departure point is Le Moana, its sister property on the main island. A few days before our stay, we stopped by Le Moana in person to ask about parking and logistics. The employee we spoke to gave us very little useful information and essentially told us to sort it out ourselves. We eventually got someone on the phone who confirmed two things: show up for your shuttle time, and do not park in the public lot next door because it closes at 6 p.m. and you will not be able to retrieve your car.
On the morning of our stay, we arrived at 8:20 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. departure. That was too close. Here is what we learned the hard way.
Parking at Le Moana is located behind the resort and requires a staff member to physically open it for you. It is not a lot you can just pull into. Once parked, a staff member walked us all the way back through the main lobby to reach the shuttle dock. There is a side gate maybe 100 feet from parking that goes directly to the dock. Nobody mentioned it. The whole process added unnecessary stress to what should have been an exciting morning.
The shuttle crew were friendly and made conversation, but the energy was rushed from the start. If you are trying to document the experience, or just want a minute to breathe before crossing a lagoon to a luxury resort, that rushed energy is jarring.
The boat ride itself, though? Gorgeous. The water, the mountain, the anticipation. That part delivers completely.
One tip worth knowing: if you book your car rental on the main island through the resort concierge, the round-trip boat ride to Le Moana is complimentary. Avis is located just outside Le Moana on the main road. We did not know this ahead of our stay, but it is a legitimate perk worth asking about when you book.
| Quick Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrive early | At least 30 minutes before your shuttle time, not 25 |
| Side gate access | Leads directly from parking to the dock, roughly 100 feet |
| Parking access | Requires a staff member to open it. Find someone inside if no one is at the lot |
| Already on the island? | You cannot use the airport ferry without a same-day flight. The Le Moana shuttle is your only option |
| Car rental tip | Book through the concierge and your round-trip boat ride to Le Moana may be complimentary |
Landing at the Thalasso’s private dock changes the energy immediately. They blow a horn to announce your arrival, a genuinely sweet touch that signals you have arrived somewhere that knows you are coming. Two staff members were waiting at the dock and our luggage was taken directly to the villa before we even checked in, which meant we could move through the arrival experience without managing bags.
From the dock, a staff member loaded us onto a golf cart and took us on a full tour of the property before check-in, pointing out the restaurants, lagoonarium, activities area, spa, and the different villa sections. It was a thoughtful way to orient us without dumping a map in our hands.
Rather than heading straight to a check-in counter, we were escorted to a private seating area where cool towels and tea were waiting. An arrival photo was offered and taken. It was gracious and unhurried, and set a tone that we wish had carried through more consistently for the rest of the stay.
Check-in was smooth. Staff offered a pre-paid breakfast package at 20 to 30% off if booked in advance. With only one night, we went ahead and added it. More on how that played out in the dining section. We also signed activity safety release forms at check-in, which is standard across most Bora Bora properties.
We booked a standard lagoon view villa on IHG points and were told at check-in that we had been upgraded. The explanation was a little unclear. Our new villa was still lagoon view, but positioned away from the construction happening on one side of the property. We noted the confusion but appreciated the gesture.
What the villa does exceptionally well is size and family capacity. A lot of Bora Bora overwater properties cap occupancy at two or three guests. This villa had a full living room with a couch that converts to a bed, plus a rollaway already set up in the corner. Our family of four fit comfortably without anyone feeling like they were sleeping somewhere awkward. That alone makes this property worth knowing about for families.
| Villa Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Bathtub | Positioned directly in front of the lagoon-view window |
| Fridge | Stocked with local drinks, sparkling water, carafes, crackers, candy. One complimentary refill |
| Appliances | Espresso machine, wine glasses, champagne glasses |
| Welcome amenities | Fruit bowl on arrival |
| Kids gift | Pareo, coloring book with prize incentive, Bora Bora colored pencils, unlimited ice cream certificate at Sands Restaurant |
| Turndown service | Available on request |
The fish viewing area beneath the floor is enclosed in a box-style glass frame, like a raised jewelry case. At other properties the glass is flat and flush with the floor so you are standing directly over it. This version felt less immersive and a little dated.
The blackout blinds were broken. The cord mechanism did not work, which affected both sleep and privacy. The bathroom is tucked into the closet area, which is a clever space-saving design until someone needs privacy, and then it is not.
Boat traffic is heavier than we expected. When a fast boat passes, the villa shakes noticeably. It is not alarming, but it is constant enough to be worth knowing. Golf carts moving at speed produce a similar vibration. Privacy between villas is limited as well. Screens exist, but if your neighbors are out on their deck, you will see each other.
This question is coming up constantly in the travel community right now, so we want to address it directly.
The south wing of bungalows was closed during our stay and the construction is visible from parts of the property. The resort has attempted to screen it with hanging tarps, but the tarps are mismatched in color and look out of place for a luxury property. A printed screen showing the mountain or the lagoon would have cost relatively little and landed very differently. As is, it reads as an afterthought.
Something else worth mentioning: the beach area near the construction showed signs of damage, with rubble and cement debris that made it less appealing than the beaches at other Bora Bora properties. Whether that is a temporary condition from active work or a longer-standing issue, we cannot confirm. But we noticed it, and we want you to know.
Plenty of people in the travel community who have stayed during the renovation say they never heard a peep of construction noise and loved every minute. We respect those experiences. But we stayed here, and our honest take is this: at this price point, the Westin is currently a better deal for your money. It is brand new, in pristine condition, and the overall experience feels more polished right now. If the IHG is your loyalty program and you have points to use, the calculus changes. And there is a genuine silver lining to the reduced occupancy: fewer crowds, a more intimate atmosphere, and service that is often more attentive when the resort is not at full capacity. But if you are spending cash and comparing properties head to head, the construction is a real factor worth weighing.
Some travelers claim the Thalasso has the best Mount Otemanu views of any resort on the island. We want to offer a more nuanced take, because having now stayed at the IHG, the St. Regis, and the Westin, our experience tells a different story.
The Westin has the best overall Mount Otemanu view. It is closer to the mountain, and the perspective from the bungalows and pool is genuinely hard to beat. The St. Regis comes in second. The IHG Thalasso does have beautiful views and there are specific spots on the property where the mountain is striking: the pool reflection on a calm morning is lovely, and the protected lagoon area near the spa offers a pretty vantage point. But if we are being direct, those are moments rather than a consistent, immersive view experience.
People who say the Thalasso has the best views may not have stayed at the other properties for comparison. The views here are beautiful. They are just not the best on the island.
We want to be honest here because this genuinely affects how you experience the property.
The lagoon clarity is not good. Visibility was approximately three to four feet before the water became murky. We could barely make out Alex a short distance ahead while snorkeling. Whether this is seasonal, weather-related, or just the nature of this stretch of water, we cannot say for certain. But it was a real gap between what we expected and what we found.
The lagoonarium, the enclosed snorkeling area built into the property, is legitimately excellent. Visibility improves significantly inside it, the fish variety is incredible, and you can actively see the coral restoration work happening in real time, which is both beautiful and meaningful. We spotted an octopus. The kids were completely absorbed. If you stay here, the lagoonarium is the snorkel experience you came for.
There is also a second snorkel area near the bridge by the spa where water clarity is noticeably better. There are sea urchins in that zone, so fins or water shoes are strongly recommended, especially for kids.
One thing that caught us off guard: the walkways and pilings between bungalows are concrete, not wood. On a sunny Bora Bora afternoon, they get extremely hot. Our daughters were walking back from the water barefoot and nearly got blisters. Bring sandals or water shoes for anyone who will be moving between the water and the walkways.
For the crystal-clear water you came to see, book a lagoon excursion. The outer lagoon in Bora Bora is genuinely otherworldly, and a good tour operator will take you to snorkel spots that look exactly like the photos.
| Lagoon Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Snorkel gear | Bring your own. A mask that fits makes a huge difference |
| Floats | Bring one and tie it to the swim ladder from your bungalow |
| Jumping depth | Further-out bungalows have roughly 6 feet of depth. Closer bungalows do not |
| Walkways | Concrete gets dangerously hot. Water shoes are non-negotiable for kids |
| Clear water | Book a lagoon excursion for the turquoise outer reef experience |
The food was good. The prices require a plan.
Here is the quick math that will serve you well at any Bora Bora resort: drop two zeros from the CFP franc price and you have a close approximation of the USD cost.
| Item | CFP Price | USD Approximate |
|---|---|---|
| Cheeseburger with bacon and fries | 5,900 CFP | ~$59 |
| Piña colada | 3,900 CFP | ~$39 |
| Japanese set dinner (per person) | 10,900 CFP | ~$109 |
| Kids cheeseburger | 2,300 CFP | ~$23 |
These are not unreasonable prices by luxury resort standards, but they add up fast and will change how your family orders if you go in unprepared.
With IHG Platinum Elite status, we received drink vouchers: three for adults and one non-alcoholic for our daughter. The fine print is that these are limited to wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverages only, not full cocktails. We had hoped for more flexibility there.
The kids menu is worth knowing about. The cheeseburger appeared to be roughly the same size as the adult version at about 2,300 CFP versus 5,900 CFP for the adult. We will let you draw your own conclusions there.
The Japanese restaurant offered a sharing option for the set menu, which was a genuinely nice policy. If you and your partner are not both starving and want to avoid a $218 dinner bill, that flexibility matters.
The canoe breakfast is one of this property’s signature experiences and gets a lot of attention online. Breakfast is delivered to your overwater bungalow by outrigger canoe, and the photos are genuinely beautiful. It is not included in any meal plan or IHG status benefit and costs approximately $320 with tip.
We did not do it, and here is our honest take: it is a lovely concept, but the view from this property does not make it the most compelling version of that experience. If a special canoe or in-villa breakfast is something you want to splurge on, we would personally save that budget for the Four Seasons, where the setting elevates the experience further. That said, if this is your first time in Bora Bora and you want the full fantasy moment, it is a memorable way to spend a morning.
We pre-paid for breakfast at the discounted rate, which we still recommend doing. When we arrived the next morning, though, we found the main restaurant was closed and breakfast had been moved to the fine dining space without advance notice. Once seated, the service felt rushed. Staff returned to take our order before we had even finished looking at the menu, and it was not clear what was included in our package versus what would be charged extra. The energy read less like “good morning, take your time” and more like an assembly line. The food itself was fine. The experience was not quite what you expect when you have prepaid for breakfast at a luxury property.
Dinner service, for what it is worth, was genuinely good. Attentive, warm, no complaints.
The resort hosts a weekly Polynesian BBQ dinner show, and it is the kind of experience that is worth building your trip around. We missed it because it fell on our last night after our departure. If we had been there, we absolutely would have gone. Ask at check-in for the exact night it is scheduled during your stay and plan your excursions accordingly. The night can vary week to week, so confirm early.
If you miss it at the resort, it is not the end of the world. There are other options on the main island for a Polynesian dinner show experience. We will cover those in our upcoming Bora Bora food and dining guide.
The pool is one of the nicer surprises on the property. It sits right beside the beach, open and airy, with the Sands Bar just steps away and an unobstructed view of the mainland mountains in the background. It is the kind of setup where you can float in the water, look up, and genuinely feel like you are somewhere extraordinary.
The beach access right alongside it is a nice bonus. You can move easily between the pool, the sand, and the bar without feeling like you are trekking across the property. If you are looking for a place to just settle in and decompress for a few hours, this area is where the resort delivers.
It is worth noting that this is the main pool, which skews family-friendly given the crowd at this property. If you are looking for something quieter, the lagoon and lagoonarium area offer a more secluded feel. But for views and atmosphere, the pool area is genuinely lovely.
Paddleboarding is included with the stay. One note: check the inflation before you head out. Ours was not fully pumped and we had to flag someone down to fix it. It is a small thing, but the resort should be checking those in the mornings.
Kayaks and snorkel gear are also available. We always bring our own snorkel equipment when traveling to French Polynesia and think you should too. Your mask fits you, you know your gear, and you are not sharing equipment with strangers.
The “I Love Bora Bora” swing overlooking the mountain is one of the better photo spots on the property. The view from the swing is pretty and worth the walk over. The pool area also offers a nice mountain reflection shot on a calm morning. Those are the two standout moments photographically. Beyond that, the property does not offer a lot of the dramatic vantage points you will find at the Westin or St. Regis.
The pump-on-demand sunscreen stations scattered around the property are a great practical touch. You will always have sunscreen nearby without digging through a bag.
On the cultural programming front, we wanted more. There were one or two activities in the morning and one in the afternoon. Our daughter did the basket weaving class and loved it. But for a resort at this price point, we expected a fuller schedule of cultural experiences including hei making, Polynesian dance, and cooking demonstrations. What was offered felt light.
We are including this section in full because it directly affected our experience, and because you deserve to know how this property handles guest safety before you arrive. This is especially relevant if you are traveling with children, older family members, or anyone with mobility considerations.
In a high-traffic area near the bridge, there was an unmarked elevation change of approximately two to three inches with a gap large enough for a foot to fall through. There was no signage, no caution barrier, nothing to indicate the hazard. My foot caught it and I fell forward onto both hands and knees with a camera bag.
An employee was nearby and witnessed the fall. She stopped, made eye contact with me and with both of my daughters, and walked away without saying a word.
A separate staff member arrived on a golf cart shortly after, said he had seen what happened, and offered to take me to the front desk. From there, the front office manager Sophia drove me back to our bungalow by golf cart, brought ice, and returned with Arnica. She apologized, said she would look into who the employee was, and extended our checkout to 4:30 p.m. so we would have time to rest before our 5 p.m. ferry departure. She also offered to take us around by golf cart for the remainder of the day.
We appreciated those gestures. What followed, however, was not handled well.
After Sophia left, there was no follow-up. No check-in message, no email, no offer to comp any portion of the stay. When we asked about getting formal documentation that the incident occurred, we were essentially told we would need to request it ourselves, which I did by email after we had already left the property.
Alex noticed when passing the area later that it appeared a board had been missing from the spot where I fell. There was a nail visible where something should have been covering the gap. Whether that was a known maintenance issue or recent damage, we cannot confirm. We are waiting on a response from the property and will update this post when we hear back.
There is no on-site medical staff at this resort. If you need a doctor, one can be brought from the mainland at a cost of approximately $500 USD. We did not end up needing that, but it is important information if you are traveling with anyone who has medical considerations.
The injuries, including a swollen left ankle, a bruised and painful right knee, and soreness in my right ankle, kept me out of the lagoonarium swim we had planned with the kids that afternoon. We had one night at this property. That was the activity we were most looking forward to. It did not happen.
We are not telling you not to stay here. We are telling you the full picture.
The resort has an active and visible coral restoration program. Strings of regrowing coral are visible both from the bungalows and inside the lagoonarium, and there is educational signage throughout. They partner with National Geographic and operate under IHG’s Green Engage sustainability framework. In 2017, they discontinued the traditional shell departure necklace, citing sustainability concerns. The coral restoration work is genuinely impressive to witness firsthand.
| Detail | Our Experience |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning | Effective, rooms get properly cool |
| Smell | No musty smell, a genuine win in a tropical overwater setting |
| Wi-Fi | ~18–19 Mbps down/up, 263 ms latency (Auckland server). Streaming works fine |
| Boat traffic noise | Higher than expected. Fast boats cause the villa to shake noticeably |
| Golf cart noise | Audible and produces a similar vibration when passing at speed |
| Night lighting | Some paths are darker than they should be. A phone flashlight helps |
| Stargazing | Excellent visibility even with property lights on |
| Mosquitoes | Present, more than on the mainland. Bring repellent or local monoi vanilla oil |
This is a family resort. Roughly two out of three guests we passed had kids with them. If you are looking for a quiet couples-focused property, this is not it. If you are a family, that energy is actually a comfort.
This is the honest answer, because we do not think one answer fits everyone.
You have IHG points to use and this is the loyalty program you have been building. Especially if you are military and earning IHG points through TDY or PCS hotel stays. This is one of the best redemptions available on those points, and 165,000 points for a night in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora is a genuinely strong use of them.
You need a family of four in one bungalow. Most Bora Bora properties cap at two or three guests. The flexibility here matters, and the rollaway setup worked well for us.
This is your first overwater bungalow experience. The arrival, the walk out to the villa, the fish below the floor, the swim platform, the mountain view. All of it still hits. Bora Bora does the heavy lifting.
The construction actually works in your favor. With the south wing closed, the resort runs at reduced occupancy. That means less crowding, more attentive service, and a more intimate feel. Several travelers who stayed during the renovation called it one of their best hotel experiences specifically because of how quiet and personal it felt.
You are spending cash and comparing value across properties. The Westin is currently the better deal at this price point. It is brand new, the condition is pristine, and the overall experience feels more polished right now. Once the Thalasso renovation is complete, that comparison may shift. For now, if you are deciding between the two on cash, the Westin wins.
You have Chase or Amex transfer points and the ability to move them to Marriott. We used 90,000 Marriott points for two nights at the St. Regis Bora Bora. That is a meaningfully different calculation than 165,000 IHG points for one night here. If you have flexibility in where your points live, that math is worth doing before you book.
You are prioritizing service consistency. Our experience showed real gaps from the Le Moana arrival to the breakfast rush to the handling of the safety incident. Nothing was hostile, but the service did not feel like a unified luxury experience from start to finish.
Beautiful property. Genuinely excellent lagoonarium. A few moments that really delivered. But not unforgettable, and at this price point we think unforgettable is what you are paying for. Bora Bora is the wow factor here, not the resort. Those are two different things, and it is worth knowing which one you are buying.
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Shuttle timing | Arrive at Le Moana 30+ minutes early |
| Parking shortcut | Ask about the side gate directly to the dock |
| Car rental tip | Book through the concierge for a potentially complimentary round-trip boat ride |
| Snorkel gear | Bring your own |
| Floats | Bring one to tie to your bungalow ladder |
| Footwear | Water shoes or sandals are essential. Concrete walkways get extremely hot |
| Bug repellent | Bring some, or pick up monoi oil locally |
| Activity schedule | Ask at check-in for the full weekly schedule. Confirm the Polynesian BBQ night |
| Breakfast | Pre-pay for the discount, but know the service can feel rushed |
| Clear water | Book a lagoon excursion for the outer reef (link) |
| CFP math | Drop two zeros from CFP for a quick USD approximation |
| Medical care | No on-site staff. A mainland doctor costs ~$500 USD |
If you are researching the InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora, you are probably sitting on a lot of questions. We pulled the most common ones from the travel community and answered them based on our firsthand experience staying here with our family. If your question is not covered below, drop it in the comments and we will do our best to answer it.
Yes. This is one of the few Bora Bora overwater properties where a family of four can stay in a single bungalow without needing a second room. The couch converts to a bed and a rollaway is available.
People who have actually stayed during the renovation tend to say yes. Construction noise was not an issue for most guests, and the reduced occupancy creates a more intimate, less crowded experience. The honest caveat is that the beach near the construction showed some rubble and debris during our visit, and the visual screening around the work site is not up to the standard you would expect from a luxury property. If you are spending cash, the Westin is currently a stronger value. If you have IHG points to use, the renovation should not stop you.
The open lagoon visibility is limited, roughly three to four feet during our stay. The lagoonarium has significantly better visibility and is the recommended snorkel experience on the property. For crystal-clear water, book a lagoon excursion to the outer reef.
This comes up often in the travel community and we want to give you an honest answer from someone who has stayed at multiple properties. In our experience, the Westin has the best overall Otemanu views, followed by the St. Regis. The Thalasso has beautiful moments, particularly the pool reflection and the lagoon area near the spa, but it does not consistently outperform the other properties when it comes to mountain views.
The canoe breakfast is a signature experience where breakfast is delivered to your overwater bungalow by outrigger canoe. It costs approximately $320 with tip and is not included in any meal plan or IHG status benefit. It is a beautiful concept and the photos are stunning. If it is your first time in Bora Bora and you want a memorable morning, it is worth considering. If you are comparing where to splurge on a special breakfast across multiple Bora Bora properties, we would personally save that budget for a property with a stronger mountain view backdrop.
Via shuttle from Le Moana, the resort’s sister property on the main island. The boat takes about 10 to 15 minutes across the lagoon. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time. If you book a car rental through the resort concierge, the round-trip boat ride may be complimentary.
If IHG is your primary loyalty program, especially for military families earning points through TDY or PCS stays, yes. If you have flexible points through Chase or Amex and can transfer to Marriott, compare before booking. The St. Regis is available at 90,000 Marriott points for two nights, compared to 165,000 IHG points for one night here.
Yes, with some caveats. The bungalow accommodates four guests, the kids’ programming is present, and our daughter’s welcome gift was genuinely special. The cultural activity schedule felt light, and the concrete walkways get dangerously hot for bare feet. Come prepared.
The property has multiple dining options including the main restaurant used for breakfast and dinner, a Japanese restaurant, and the Sands Restaurant where kids can redeem the ice cream certificate. Food quality is good. Budget approximately $50 to $110 USD per person per meal before drinks.
The resort holds a weekly Polynesian BBQ dinner show, but the specific night can vary. Ask at check-in to confirm the schedule during your stay and plan your excursions around it. If you miss it at the resort, there are other options for a Polynesian dinner show experience on the main island.
Yes. The Thalasso Spa is the only thalassotherapy spa in French Polynesia and is one of the property’s signature features. We did not book treatments during our stay, but the spa aesthetic is beautiful. Visit the resort website for current spa menus here!
We are still awaiting follow-up from the resort regarding the safety incident described in this review. We will update this post when we receive a response.
Next up in our Bora Bora resort series: our full stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora, and a full side-by-side comparison of every resort on the island. Follow along at @saltyvagabonds !
hello@saltyvagabonds.com
via Booking.com
via Discover Cars
via Skyscanner
via 12Go
via Wise
via Viator
via Visitors Coverage
via SimOptions