BORA BORA, TAHITI—Having Paul Gauguin dreams of getting away to your own tropical paradise? The Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa - with a soft opening scheduled for September 2002—will be the most exclusive luxury resort to open in French Polynesia in the past 40 years. Located on a private island, the resort is southwest of the main volcanic peak that forms the center of the 18-mile ring of coral reef and small islands that make up Bora Bora, the place author James Michener called “the most beautiful island in the world.” The Bora Bora Nui will feature 120 all-suite bungalows - each with ocean views - a 30,000 square-foot hilltop Mandara Spa, an overwater check-in and a white sand beach nearly a half mile long.

The tone of the visit is set when guests step off the plane at the island-flavored, Motu Mute domestic airport and onto a water limousine for arguably one of the most scenic airport transfers and hotel arrivals in the world ... to a thatched-roof, “floating” hotel lobby.

Overwater bungalows are the “point of difference” in French Polynesian hotels. But where the average size of bungalows in Tahiti is 400 square feet, the Bora Bora Nui`s 120 overwater, beachfront & hillside bungalows range in size from 1,000 to 1,500 square-feet. Each of the 84 overwater bungalows also feature three glass walls and three glass floor panels, where guests can view “nature`s aquarium” just below.

The design and décor of the accommodations reflect a unique combination of island culture, sumptuous luxury, and modern technology. Polynesian building traditions were followed in many cases, such as using dried leaves of the “pandanus” plant (called “fara” in Tahitian) hand-woven on nearby islands for the thatched roofing, or hand printed tapa cloth made from the breadfruit tree as the border trim in each bungalow, and hand carved, curly kahia wood in the public spaces. The mahogany canopy beds were imported from Indonesia, the bathroom fixtures are French silver and each bathtub has been carved from its own block of Italian marble. These tropical “bungalows” also feature satellite television, direct dial telephones with computer data ports & voicemail, CD Players, ceiling fans and air conditioning that automatically turns off when the doors or windows are open.

Room category choices include: Overwater Bungalows, Lagoon View Suites (located in a special, two-story Hotel Building, ideal for families or children & nannies), Beachfront Bungalows or Hillside Bungalows (complete with private gardens and outdoor hot tubs). Each of the bungalows features the same luxurious interior accoutrements, each are either 1,000 or 1,500 square feet (The Royal Suites) in size and each have views of the magnificent blue lagoon that surrounds the islet.

The resort`s Mandara Spa is being built on top of a black lava hill on the islet. Spa guests` awe-inspiring experience will begin with the spectacular 360-degree view of Bora Bora`s famous Otemanu peak and the islands of Tahaa (the Vanilla Island) & Raiatea that will greet them upon arrival. Treatments can be enjoyed in the hilltop spa building or in four private Spa Bungalows, each with a Jacuzzi and full bathroom. Fitting for its locale, the treatment menu will honor the healing traditions of the Pacific Rim.

Mandara Spas are known for using pure ingredients in their natural state for body scrubs and baths. This custom will continue in the spa`s signature treatment, the Bora Bora Indulgence - a 2 ? hour pampering package that includes a footbath using saltwater from the lagoon and fresh island flowers, a vanilla body wash and exotic coconut body scrub, and a full body massage and mini facial. The spa building will also feature a fully equipped fitness center and juice bar.

Culinary options at the resort will include outdoor beach & poolside dining, a panoramic restaurant for breakfast and dinner, three bars, 24-hour room service and Canoe Breakfasts for overwater bungalows. Polynesian picnics or romantic dinners will also be available on the resort`s private island - the legendary Motu Tapu, a five-minute boat ride from the resort.

Guests are free to simply relax by the resort`s 1,000 square meter Infinity Pool but extensive water sports will also be available, from snorkeling to scuba diving to shark feeding. The General Manager, Jacques Roy - who has worked in hotels in Europe, Africa, Asia & Latin America - will “practice what he preaches” about the resort`s very personalized service by leading guests on island hikes and nature excursions.

Bora Bora - known as “Tahiti`s Romantic Island”—is one of 118 Tahitian islands and atolls that comprise the area officially known as French Polynesia. Scattered over 1.5 million square miles of the eastern South Pacific, the total land area consists of five archipelagoes, each with its own culture, ethnicity and climate. Travel time to Tahiti from the West Coast of the U.S. is approximately 7 ? hours. Bora Bora is a 45-minute airplane ride from the international airport in Papeete on the main island of Tahiti.

The Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa joins the 106-bungalow Sheraton Moorea Resort & Spa and the 200-room Sheraton Tahiti Hotel & Spa as one of three Starwood Resorts in French Polynesia For more information contact your preferred travel professional or 800-782-9488 or visit us on the Web at www.sheratonsintahiti.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com/ www.starwood.com.

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