IHG Signs Regent Bora Bora
IHG Hotels & Resorts signed an agreement with Pacific Beachcomber to transform the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa into Regent Bora Bora. IHG announced the deal on 16 September 2026.
The resort closed on 1 June 2026 for extensive renovations. It reopens as Regent Bora Bora in late 2027.
Rajit Sukumaran, IHG's Senior Vice President and Managing Director for East Asia and Pacific, and Richard Bailey, Founder and Chairman of Pacific Beachcomber, marked the signing at Regent Hong Kong.
Regent's First Property in French Polynesia
The conversion gives Regent Hotels & Resorts its first hotel in French Polynesia. The property sits on a private motu on the eastern edge of the Bora Bora lagoon.
The resort holds 84 villas. All 84 are overwater, with direct lagoon access and views towards Mount Otemanu and the open Pacific.
IHG describes the work as a significant transformation. The company states the rebuilt resort will pair service with immersive dining, design and experiences tied to Polynesian culture and the island setting.
Regent Bora Bora will carry Regent's brand hallmarks. Personal Havens are intimate spaces designed for retreat and indulgence. Regent Experience Agents give each guest a single point of contact from pre-arrival through departure. With Compliments covers inclusions built into the guest stay.
Both Signatories on the Record
Sukumaran called Bora Bora one of the world's most extraordinary luxury destinations and a natural home for Regent. He said the two companies have an exceptional opportunity to transform the resort while preserving its natural beauty, Polynesian character and sense of place.
Sukumaran said the most important aspect of the signing is the continued confidence and partnership between Pacific Beachcomber and IHG. He described the signing as part of a selective approach to growing Regent in destinations where the brand can create something distinctive.
Bailey said the partnership with IHG spans more than two decades. He said Bora Bora demands a particular kind of luxury, one that respects the natural environment and stays connected to Polynesian culture. He said Regent's understated and personalised approach aligns with that vision.
The Seawater Cooling System Stays
The Thalasso was the first hotel in the world to install a seawater air-conditioning system. The system draws naturally cold water from the depths of the Pacific Ocean. According to IHG, it cut the electricity otherwise needed for air conditioning and refrigeration by around 90 percent.
The system will keep running after the conversion. IHG states that the resort's energy requirements stay significantly lower as a result.
Where Regent Sits in the Portfolio
Regent Bora Bora will join Regent properties in Hong Kong, Santa Monica, Phu Quoc, Cannes, Shanghai and Bali.
Regent sits in IHG's Luxury & Lifestyle group alongside Six Senses, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo. IHG operates 21 hotel brands across more than 7,000 hotels in over 100 countries. The company reports more than one million rooms and a development pipeline of a further 2,400 properties. IHG One Rewards holds over 160 million members.
Pacific Beachcomber owns and operates resorts in Tahiti, Bora Bora, Tetiaroa, Huahine and Rangiroa. Its portfolio takes in The Brando and Maitai properties, alongside InterContinental hotels and the future Regent Bora Bora. The group states that it contributes to French Polynesia's tourism industry and local employment.
The Le Moana Property
Bora Bora holds a second InterContinental resort. Le Moana remains listed under the InterContinental brand on IHG booking pages and on its own website. The IHG release covers the Thalasso conversion alone. It states no decision on Le Moana.
What Comes Next
The Thalasso closed on 1 June 2026. The renovation runs through 2027. Regent Bora Bora opens in late 2027.