Conrad Hotels & Resorts to Debut Smart Luxury in the South Pacific

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide‘s (NYSE: HLT) luxury hotel portfolio for the new smart luxury traveler, today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with SA BORA BORA NUI for the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. The 115-key resort, formerly known as Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, will undergo a multimillion-dollar refurbishment and open as Conrad Bora Bora Nui in March 2017. 

“We are pleased to be expanding our brand portfolio in the French Polynesia region, where we established our presence in 2009. This agreement underscores our strong commitment to this key market, which has demonstrated its resilience and its enduring appeal to travelers around the world,” said Robert Scullin, vice president development Australasia, Hilton Worldwide.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui is located on Motu To’opua, an islet off the coast of Bora Bora, about 20 minutes by boat from Bora Bora Airport. Offering panoramic ocean views, access to sea sports, coral reef dive sites and hiking trails, the beachfront Conrad Bora Bora Nui will feature 29 tropical garden and beach villas and 86 overwater bungalows, including the destination’s only double-story Presidential Suites. 

“Conrad now features 26 destinations globally, and with this exciting expansion into the South Pacific we fully expect the brand to resonate strongly with smart luxury travelers to the region. Guests of Conrad Bora Bora Nui can look forward to our inspired experiences, which will marry Tahitian culture and charm with Conrad’s intuitive, discrete, and seamless service,” said John Vanderslice, global head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui will have a full-service spa, with eight treatment rooms, including one al fresco deck with clear views of the lagoon, a Kids Club, a mini-golf course, a fitness center, and retail spaces. It will also offer 100 square meters of indoor meeting space, as well as a range of wedding facilities and outdoor settings for intimate to large gatherings. Conrad Bora Bora Nui also has its own private islet of Motu Tapu, which lends itself to wedding photography, picnics, and candlelit dinners. Located on an island rooted in Tahitian history and legend, Conrad Bora Bora Nui will offer experiences for guests to discover the local culture and traditions.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s food and beverage concepts include a modern take on a  French Brasserie, serving breakfast and dinner set against sweeping views of the lagoon, a specialty beach restaurant serving Polynesian and Mediterranean cuisines, a contemporary Chinese restaurant, a swim-up pool bar and an overwater sunset bar and lounge, serving mid-afternoon tea service, light fare, and post-dinner digestives. 

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Hilton Worldwide and bring the Conrad brand to the South Pacific with the debut of Conrad Bora Bora Nui,” said Louis Wane, owner of Conrad Bora Bora Nui. “With our magical location in Bora Bora and the Conrad brand’s modern approach to luxury, we look forward to offering our guests a truly exceptional stay in French Polynesia.”

Across the island chains of the South Pacific, Hilton Worldwide currently operates Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa as well as the newly opened DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji Sonaisali Island. In addition, Hilton Port Moresby is under development and slated to open by late 2017.

Bora Bora is a major tourist destination in the South Pacific, which enjoys steadily growing tourism numbers. From 2009 to 2013, tourist arrivals in the Pacific Islands increased by 2.2% annually, with 200,000 more tourists visiting the region in 2013 as compared to 2009. And through investments in port and airport infrastructure, and the joint efforts of the Pacific Island governments under the banner of the South Pacific Tourism Organization, the region is further driving tourism by actively promoting itself to major source markets such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and China.