Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort

Aboard the Hilton launch, crossing the lagoon from the airport to the resort. 

Bora Bora is an atoll, which I knew is a volcanic island surrounded by a coral reef and chain of islands. But geologists believe that an atoll is formed when an ancient, extinct volcano begins to sink back into the sea. The coral formations at the water's edge form the reef, and if the volcanic structure sinks slowly enough, the coral continues to grow, enlarging and forming peripheral islands. There is a deep water lagoon immediately surrounding Bora Bora, and shallower clear waters at the inner shelf of the coral reef.

Here you can see the double peaks of Bora Bora, which was a twin volcano.

The Tahitians call the peripheral islands around Bora Bora "moths." The Hilton resort is located at the southern tip of Motu Toopua. We are approaching the reception building at the resort.

Some Tahitian words:

Iaorana (Yow-rah-NAH) Hello!

Maeva (Mah-AY-vah) Welcome!

Maururu (Mow-RU-ru) Thank you!

Nana (Nah-nah) Good-bye!

The Hilton reception area. We were greeted with fresh juice and a cold towel, while the resort hostess checked us in and retrieved our room keys.

The beach at Bora Bora Nui resort.

The main building with shop, bars, restaurants, fitness facility.

We had a bay view room at the resort. This is the view from our building through the palm trees to the beach.

View of our building in the resort surrounded by lush gardens. Our room is on the second floor.

 The spa at Bora Bora Nui sits atop a hill above the main resort area. Views are spectacular from the spa hill.

 From the spa building looking across to the reef.

 Wedding chapel at the top of the hill.

 View from the spa building across the lagoon to Viatape, the main town (only town, really) on Bora Bora.

Tim among the volcanic rocks on the Resort property.

 Beach bar and restaurant at Bora Bora Nui. Water bungalows are beyond floating in the lagoon.

A mai tai and a "chi-chi" to celebrate our arrival in Tahiti.

This is our room, a large suite with private terrace.

Marble tiled bathroom is huge.

Bedroom area.

After settling in and spending some time relaxing on the beach, it's time for dinner. The Iriatai Restaurant features French cuisine and a South Pacific ambience. This is the Bar Upa Upa in the restaurant.

Dining with style in the tropics.

Sunset over the water.

Good night, Bora Bora!