Aman-junkies Rejoice: Reconstruction of Hotel Bora Bora
May 18, 2012, 8:54 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Whatever the issue, hopefully they get it figured out. I didnt get to experience the place before it closed, and it is on my must stay list. For some reason I am finding it difficult to get excited about the St. Regis Bora Bora or the FS. When we were in Amanusa a year ago the GM (Monty Brewer???) was on his way to Bora Bora. That gave me some hope the project would actually make progress.
Potentially, this is a wondrous place, but it needs stacks of money spent. Keeping everything crossed.
May 18, 2012, 9:47 am
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG Platinum, AA 2.0 MM, DL Plat, Hertz Plat, LY Gold
Posts: 1,602
So basically, I shouldn't be holding my breath?
May 18, 2012, 4:30 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
No. I'm told there are issues related to the ownership of the land also. The road thing is new to me. I'd be very surprised if HBB ever reopens. I don't think it can break even under the silly French labor laws. I remember Lionel Alvarez, the GM during our first stay, complaining for hours about how hard it was to staff.
I'd rather they just left it like it was and kept it open. Even with the cramped out-of-date rooms, bugs raining down from the ceiling, and road noise, HBB is still the most memorable place I have ever stayed. This was my first Aman.
They were building the FS during our last and final stay. We kayaked around the construction. What we saw of the FS comes nowhere close to to matching HBB before the (now dead) remodel.
I'd rather they just left it like it was and kept it open. Even with the cramped out-of-date rooms, bugs raining down from the ceiling, and road noise, HBB is still the most memorable place I have ever stayed. This was my first Aman.
They were building the FS during our last and final stay. We kayaked around the construction. What we saw of the FS comes nowhere close to to matching HBB before the (now dead) remodel.
May 19, 2012, 4:57 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 710
I think most people would rather go to the St. Regis, tbh.
A lot has happened in Polynesia since this hotel was last open. It is not anywhere near being a benchmark, even after renovations.
And the name of the property irks me; I hope they rename it Amanbora, to incorporate the Aman naming philosophy.
A lot has happened in Polynesia since this hotel was last open. It is not anywhere near being a benchmark, even after renovations.
And the name of the property irks me; I hope they rename it Amanbora, to incorporate the Aman naming philosophy.
May 20, 2012, 2:12 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: BER
Programs: Amanjunkie, LH SEN
Posts: 750
Har, har! Maybe some Starwood-Point-Burners...
Since Aman did not even start renovations yet - how do you know...?
Since Aman did not even start renovations yet - how do you know...?
May 20, 2012, 5:33 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: Amanjunkie
Posts: 752
The latest information that I have is that the renovation is on indefinite hold.
Cavtat construction has also been halted AFAIK
Cavtat construction has also been halted AFAIK
May 20, 2012, 6:06 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
May 21, 2012, 10:28 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I think most people would rather go to the St. Regis, tbh.
A lot has happened in Polynesia since this hotel was last open. It is not anywhere near being a benchmark, even after renovations.
And the name of the property irks me; I hope they rename it Amanbora, to incorporate the Aman naming philosophy.
A lot has happened in Polynesia since this hotel was last open. It is not anywhere near being a benchmark, even after renovations.
And the name of the property irks me; I hope they rename it Amanbora, to incorporate the Aman naming philosophy.
May 21, 2012, 10:53 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Radisson Rewards Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 939
May 21, 2012, 11:27 am
#25
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG Platinum, AA 2.0 MM, DL Plat, Hertz Plat, LY Gold
Posts: 1,602
May 21, 2012, 12:53 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
I think most people would rather go to the St. Regis, tbh.
A lot has happened in Polynesia since this hotel was last open. It is not anywhere near being a benchmark, even after renovations.
And the name of the property irks me; I hope they rename it Amanbora, to incorporate the Aman naming philosophy.
A lot has happened in Polynesia since this hotel was last open. It is not anywhere near being a benchmark, even after renovations.
And the name of the property irks me; I hope they rename it Amanbora, to incorporate the Aman naming philosophy.
May 22, 2012, 5:19 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Belfast , UK
Programs: AMEX PLAT , HILTON GOLD, STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST GOLD, IHG PLAT AMBASSADOR, DAVID O FAN CLUB
Posts: 383
i was in bora bora last month staying at the Intercontinental Thalasso
the road that runs by the property is indeed a good quality concrete road rather than a dirt track.
we sailed the island by boat and stopped right outside the hotel. the water and position of bungalows is beautiful. a few were obviously in bad shape and one or two were completely missing from there positions.
Matira beach that sweeps from Hotel Bora to IC Moana is lovely.
i doubt I will ever be back to Bora Bora as its the other side of the world for me ( Ireland ) but it would be a shame for such an iconic hotel never to reopen.
i can imagine the labour costs , running costs make it hard to be viable.
To compare the IC Thalasso utilizes deep-sea water that conserves 90% of its electrical consumption
the road that runs by the property is indeed a good quality concrete road rather than a dirt track.
we sailed the island by boat and stopped right outside the hotel. the water and position of bungalows is beautiful. a few were obviously in bad shape and one or two were completely missing from there positions.
Matira beach that sweeps from Hotel Bora to IC Moana is lovely.
i doubt I will ever be back to Bora Bora as its the other side of the world for me ( Ireland ) but it would be a shame for such an iconic hotel never to reopen.
i can imagine the labour costs , running costs make it hard to be viable.
To compare the IC Thalasso utilizes deep-sea water that conserves 90% of its electrical consumption
Jul 12, 2014, 5:57 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Any news or updates on Hotel Bora Bora from Aman?
Are there any remnants of Old Polynesia left or any South Seas destinations from post-WWII era to travel to that have not been overdeveloped and transformed into overpopulated tourist centers and brand resorts?
Are there any remnants of Old Polynesia left or any South Seas destinations from post-WWII era to travel to that have not been overdeveloped and transformed into overpopulated tourist centers and brand resorts?
Jul 13, 2014, 2:32 am
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Monaco
Posts: 317
There are plenty, but you'll need a yacht. Some of the Marquesas, the Tuamotus and the Gambiers, you can reach by air (from Tahiti), but are nevertheless quite authentic.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Jul 13, 2014 at 5:43 am Reason: Delete argumentative portions
Jul 13, 2014, 5:18 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Italy
Programs: millemiglia - milesmore- spg - goldpassport - priority club- the leader club - others
Posts: 393
I am interested to know what people think of Hotel Bora Bora position within the island.
Myself I found it a bit annoying as there was constantly lot of boats passing by and that, in my opinion, spoils the privacy/remote feeling.
I did find much more interesting the position of St. Regis and Four Season.
I believe it was a great position to be when back in years the island was less touristic, right now not so sure...I am interested to see what other people think.
At the end, an hotel is certainly about service and consistency...but location counts as well.
Myself I found it a bit annoying as there was constantly lot of boats passing by and that, in my opinion, spoils the privacy/remote feeling.
I did find much more interesting the position of St. Regis and Four Season.
I believe it was a great position to be when back in years the island was less touristic, right now not so sure...I am interested to see what other people think.
At the end, an hotel is certainly about service and consistency...but location counts as well.
