MARCH/APRIL 2015 63to the lagoon. Another only-in-Tahiti treat: Breakfast is served via
ceremonial Polynesian canoe straight to your overwater bungalow
— and while the meal is being prepared, a hunky rower will give you
a tour around the pontoons. From $1,040 per night.INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA RESORT & THALASSO SPA
ÆLocated on the eastern side of Bora Bora on Motu Piti Aau
(“two hearts” in Tahitian), this luxe hideaway is renowned for killer
sunset views from the 80 bungalows hovering over the lagoon.
Each villa has a split-level terrace and sun deck for easy access to
turquoise waters. The Thalasso spa, powered by a pipe that extends
3,000 feet into the ocean, uses the mineral-rich waters in hydro-
therapy treatments. Book a couples sesh in the glass-fl oored spa
suite, and make fi sh faces at passing marine life while enjoying an
aromatherapy bath, massage and bubbly. From $1,550 per night.THE ST. REGIS BORA BORA RESORT ÆOf all the blue-chip
properties in Bora Bora, this celeb magnet (the comedy Couples
Retreat, starring Vince Vaughn, was fi lmed here) off ers perhaps
the most Instagram-worthy views. Five categories of overwater
bungalows include draws like spacious outdoor terraces, Italian-
marble bathrooms with sunken tubs, and large glass panels in
the fl oor for major fi sh-viewing potential. Splurge on a Premium
Overwater Villa, which also fl aunts a capacious whirlpool tub on
the sunset deck. At the Lagoon by Jean- Georges restaurant, feast
on fresh-caught Tahitian seafood like black-pepper shrimp with
sun-dried pineapple. From $2,750 per night.Eleven lesser-known Tahitian islands also vie
for romance seekers. Get a taste of Rangiroa, the
world’s second-largest atoll, or Tahaa, where
clusters of vanilla trees perfume the breeze.LE TAHAA ISLAND RESORT & SPA, TAHAA ÆThe Vanilla Island
is just a stone’s throw (well, a 10-minute helicopter ride) from Bora
Bora. This eco-resort, where Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher
escaped postwedding, fl aunts a fl oating treetop restaurant as its
centerpiece. The Bora Bora suites have views of the namesake
island, while the Sunset suites are ideal for a cocktail clink at dusk.
Take an outrigger canoe directly from your bungalow to the resort’s
islet, where you’ll be welcomed with champagne, a three-course
dinner and a traditional Polynesian fi re dance. From $920 per night.HOTEL KIA ORA RESORT & SPA, RANGIROA (^) ÆFar from the luxury
enclave of Bora Bora but steeped in just as much mystique is a luxu-
ry hideaway that caters to adventurous couples. This 60-villa resort
is located on Rangiroa, a 55-minute fl ight from Papeete. Instead of
towering volcanic peaks, the atoll off ers a vast shallow lagoon, pink-
sand beaches, coral walls and waters teeming with marine life — a
boon for divers and other wildlife enthusiasts. The 10 overwater
bungalows each feature a bath with glass viewing panels around the
edges for gazing into the lagoon. From $1,130 per night.
PHOTO BY KIM KUHN, ASSISTED BY DONALD BAESSLER, ON HIM: VENROY BOARD SHORTS (VENROY.COM.AU), WATERMELON SHORTS CORE RANGE STYLE
($89), ON HER:
ISLE BY MELIS KOZAN (ISLEBYMELISKOZAN.COM), CASABLANCA DRESS STYLE 425-6685 ($106); OPPOSITE: PHOTO BY JON WHITTLE, ON HIM: VEN
ROY BOARD SHORTS
(VENROY.COM.AU), GUAVO SHORTS SNAPLOCK STYLE ($89), ON HER: FRANKIE’S BIKINIS (STORE.FRANKIESBIKINIS.COM), FRANKIE STYLE TOP ($
84) AND BOTTOM ($84)
圀漀爀氀搀䴀愀最猀⸀渀攀琀圀漀爀氀搀䴀愀最猀⸀渀攀琀