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InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
Bora Bora, French Polynesia · InterContinental · High Luxury
When InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa opened in 2006 on Motu Piti Aau, it became the first hotel in the world to air-condition its villas entirely using deep-ocean seawater — a Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) system that pumps water from 900 metres depth through a 2,400-metre titanium pipe, cutting electricity consumption for cooling by 90 percent and saving 2.5 million litres of fuel oil annually. The same property houses the first thalassotherapy centre ever built in the South Pacific, drawing treatment water from those same ocean depths.
- 84 rooms
- Opened 2006
- Neighborhood: Tiipoto
About InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
- The resort's SWAC system — first of its kind at any hotel worldwide — pumps seawater from 900 metres (3,000 feet) depth through a 2,400-metre pipe; it achieved payback in seven years instead of the projected ten, and the technology has since been replicated at The Brando on Tetiaroa.
- The Deep Ocean Spa is the first thalassotherapy centre ever constructed in the South Pacific and the only spa in the world to administer treatments using water drawn from the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
- The system eliminates the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) entirely; the French Polynesian government subsequently adapted the same seawater-cooling principle for Tahiti's main hospital, cutting 2 percent of the island's total electricity consumption.
- The motu's Tahitian name, Piti Aau, translates as 'islet of two hearts' — all 84 villas stand over the lagoon, and the resort's entire air conditioning and kitchen refrigeration runs on ocean thermal energy.
History
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is an IHG InterContinental property on Motu Piti Aau in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. A public hotel listing for the property states that it has 88 rooms. The resort’s dining page lists Le Reef, Sands, and Le Corail as its restaurants, with Le Corail being a notable venue on the property.
When InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa opened in 2006 on Motu Piti Aau, it became the first hotel in the world to air-condition its villas entirely using deep-ocean seawater — a Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) system that pumps water from 900 metres depth through a 2,400-metre titanium pipe, cutting electricity consumption for cooling by 90 percent and saving 2.5 million litres of fuel oil annually.
The setting
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa stands on Motu Piti Aau — Tahitian for 'islet of two hearts' — a coral island on Bora Bora's barrier reef with commanding views of Mount Otemanu across the lagoon. The resort's Deep Ocean Spa is the first thalassotherapy center in the South Pacific, drawing seawater from more than 900 meters depth for treatments delivered in glass-floored overwater bungalows above living reef. All 84 villas stand over the lagoon, and an eco-pioneering deep-sea cooling system eliminates 90 percent of conventional air-conditioning energy. A 20-minute boat transfer from Motu Mute airport connects guests to this landmark in Bora Bora's luxury resort corridor. 2 km from Mont Otemanu. 7 km from scenic Matira Beach.
Restaurants and bars
- Le Corail Restaurant — Restaurant · Experimental cuisine
- Sands Restaurant — Restaurant · Local and international cuisine, Asian influence
- Reef Restaurant — Restaurant · Mediterranean cuisine
- Bubbles Bar — Bar · Mixologist cocktails
Experiences
- Spa & Wellness — Holistic wellness experiences at French Polynesia's only Thalasso spa.
- Theme nights — Shows featuring traditional Tahitian dance or fire dance with Polynesian or international cuisine.
- Romantic Experiences — Romantic ideas arranged by the team on request.
- Experience & Recreation — Activities and excursions on land, sea and even air.
Amenities
- Planned water bottling facility
- Events & Groups
- Weddings
- Concierge desk
- Experience & Recreation (land, sea and air activities and excursions)
- Theme nights with Polynesian dance or fire dance shows
- Romantic Experiences upon request
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
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More hotels in Bora Bora
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts — Pearl Resorts · High Luxury
- The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa — Westin · High Luxury
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui — Conrad · Grand Luxury
- Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora — Four Seasons · Grand Luxury
- The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort — St. Regis · Grand Luxury
- InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort — InterContinental · Core Luxury
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