Monday, April 6, 2009

Le Meridien Bora Bora Adds More-a More-a Villas

Le Meridien Bora Bora is getting itself a makeover. We've gushed about Bora Bora views before — Intercontinental Bora Bora took home the title of the Best Killer View of 2008 and over at the Le Meridien, you can glimpse the Otemanu Mountain in the distance. Now the Le Meridien folks want to make sure that the view of the inside can stand up to the view from the inside.

The renos have been underway since the beginning of the year, and all 99 of the resort's accommodations have already been equipped with new flat-screen TVs, video on demand, and WiFi. A second infinity pool is being added, a new fitness center is on the way — and so is a new glass-bottom chapel (perched atop the interior lagoon) for couples to participate in a traditional Polynesian ceremony. Unfortunately (or fortunately, maybe), weddings here will have no legal value in the States — but the whole getting-married-in-a-glass-bottomed-chapel thing will still be a cool way to "renew" vows or faux-elope.

Additionally, by the end of '09, a new Ecological Center will be up and running near the resorts Turtle Sanctuary, "providing educational programs for guests and locals." You can get your Green Sea Turtle education on, and you can think of the room rates as...tuition.

The most notable part of the project will be the introduction of a new class of accommodations, Bora bora resorts, Pool Beach Villas, which will all have private infinity swimming pools:

With breathtaking views of the interior lagoon and Otemanu Mountain, the new 8 ft by 16 ft pools will connect two existing beach bungalows. This will allow different options for guests: either reserving an entire pool beach villa with pool and deck access (two bedroom suites with living room), or one bedroom suite with one living room and pool deck access. The new villas are ideal for families with direct access to the interior lagoon for snorkeling and swimming in the Turtle Sanctuary. This is expected to be complete by May 15, 2009.

And, yes, even with the renovations going on right now, rates are still way up at around $650 USD per night — but that view, people.