Evolving With a Dose of 21st-Century Innovation Back in French Polynesia , the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora put its own spin on the overwater bungalow , building 108 freestanding suites that combine classic features with contemporary comforts , such as breakfast arriving via canoe .
The suites also feature Tahitian-inspired decor , said hotel spokesman Brad Packer , including a thatched roof made with local pandanus leaves to shade the interior ’ s bedroom , living room and bathroom . Sliding doors open to the outside from each of the three areas — and in the bathroom , the soaking tubs open to the outside , as well .
First built in 2008 , the entire property underwent a makeover in 2020 , incorporating not just updated furniture and fixtures , but also new technology : The thatched roofs now feature solar panels — a big transformation from the region ’ s first low-key overwater bungalows .
“ The privacy and space our guests have is unparalleled ,” Packer said . “ Often , guests will tuck away for a day or two and not even leave their overwater bungalow .”
The InterContinental adopted the trend , too , constructing overwater bungalows at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa , the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort and the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa . They offer guests a chance to treat themselves to panoramic views , white sand beaches and lush gardens , too .
Similar to the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora ’ s use of solar panels , the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa also has sustainability in mind .
A bird ’ s eye view of the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa .
Accessible only by boat , the five-star resort is home to 84 overwater villas . They ’ re kept cool with the world ’ s first private seawater air conditioning ( SWAC ) system , a sustainable technology that uses deep-sea water to cool the resort . The resort also features a glassbottom , overwater chapel .
The InterContinental properties are also fighting against single-use plastic by replacing plastic straws with pasta straws . In the bathroom , they offer dispensers of COSMOS-certified natural shower gel , shampoo and conditioner . Plus , the hotel partners with local organizations committed to sustainability , including Manu , an ornithological society for the protection of birds , and the Centre for Island Research and Environmental Observatory ( CRIOBE ), which works to restore coral reefs .
A nod to historic overwater bungalows , the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort takes the Tahitian Television concept to the next level . Each overwater bungalow includes a glass coffee table so visitors ’ view of the lagoon won ’ t be inhibited . For more island entertainment on the resort , guests get access to a freshwater sand bottom pool with a waterfall , kayaking , snorkeling , a coconut show , foliage wreath braiding , Niau braiding and a demonstration on how to prepare a traditional Polynesian raw fish salad .
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention Though the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora are the most well-known , the accommodations can be found in Tahiti , Moorea , Raiatea , Tikehau , Mexico and more . By the time Kelley passed away in 1998 ,
TIM MC KENNA - TAHITI FLY SHOOT he knew the concept had become a huge success that was spreading across the globe , his daughter said . “ During his time when he was alive , [ the bungalows ] didn ’ t get the recognition that they do now ,” she said . “ They were being replicated , but it was not very much talked about — the question of ‘ where did they come from ?’”
The Bali Hai Raiatea no longer exists , so the very first bungalows are no longer there . But the original structures do still exist at the former Bali Hai Hotel in Moorea ( known today as the Manava Beach Resort Moorea ). Though they ’ re technically the original structure and layout , the bungalows have been renovated over the years , Kelley explained .
While the Moorea , Huahine and Raiatea resorts were sold in 2001 , Bali Hai Boy Jay Carlisle continued to run Club Bali Hai on Moorea until about 10 years ago , Kelley said . The third member of the trio , Donald McCallum , passed away several years ago .
But Kelley certainly left a legacy in the travel industry with the invention of the overwater bungalow — as well as in his daughter ’ s chosen career field . She ’ s worked in the travel industry her entire career , and she currently runs her own company , called Manatu Marketing & Sales Representation , representing two Tahiti-based clients .
To Kelley , her father was a problem-solver who felt proud to leave such an iconic legacy for the islands . “ The best inventions are born out of need , and they find a solution for need . They just didn ’ t think that it was going to take off like that ,” Kelley said . “ He always would say , ‘ If I patented them , it would be a whole other story .’”
But regardless of the patent on the idea , his concept still charms visitors who want to get away from it all for a romantic excursion or a family vacation or some time alone in paradise . While they ’ ve grown from an entrylevel option into opulent lodging where prices can stretch into the thousands per night , the character of these properties worldwide remains true to the original design .
The overwater bungalows encapsulate so much of what the Bali Hai Boys loved about the islands : being at one with the landscape , challenging themselves at watersports and coming home to gaze at the Tahitian Television .
“ They loved everything about Tahiti — the people , the culture ,” Kelley said . “ That was a big , big thing for them .”
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