The Sofitel Bora Bora has reopened after an $18 million renovation that began a year ago to transfer the hotel into what the French Accor Group is billing as "essentially a brand new resort".  It has also been renamed "Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort".

Among the many new attractions are the revamped 13 over-the-water bungalows and 11 lagoon front bungalows. They join the 29 garden and 11 beach bungalows; one deluxe villa and other facilities

Besides the bungalows, all public areas have been revamped, the pool has been enlarged and the beach extended.

Italian film producer Dino de Laurentis built the Sofitel Marara in 1977 to house movie star Mia Farrow and the rest of the cast, as well as crew membersof his film "Hurricane".

The Hurricane Bar and the Latitude 16° Restaurant are obvious reminders of the hotel's Hollywood-inspired past. Other new facilities include the ultra-modern Wakaba Japanese Restaurant, which serves Teppanyaki-style meals, an infinity swimming pool overlooking the ocean and Le Spa by Accor.

At Le Spa, guests have a choice from a range of massage and beauty treatments using the bounty of Tahiti's local plant life and traditional techniques as well as Thalassa therapies.

The bungalows offer guests plasma televisions with satellite hookup, plush daybeds, new showers with mosaic stone tiles and large raindrop showerheads, fully stocked mini-bars and Sofitel signatures of luxurious Roger & Gallet bathroom amenities, fresh flowers and the patented Sofitel MyBed, which delivers unparalleled comfort for the ultimate night's sleep.

The over-the-water bungalows provide guests with spacious decks over the lagoon with bamboo screening for complete privacy and in-floor viewing platforms, illuminated at night, so guests can watch the colorful fish swimming by directly underneath.

Sofitel Marara's garden, beach and lagoon front bungalows feature smaller decks and boast hammocks in the gardens for the ultimate in tropical relaxation. They are surrounded by lush greenery and exotic flowers and boast views over the gardens or the lagoon to" the nearby Leeward Islands of Raiatea and Taha'a on the horizon.

The Latitude 16° Restaurant, which is open all day, and the Hurricane Bar have been renovated and upgraded. The restaurant offers an array of French, international and local dishes as guests enjoy a view overlooking the lagoon. The Hurricane Bar provides alfresco poolside snacks and cocktails with live entertainment.

The Wakaba Teppanyaki Restaurant offers an ultra-stylish setting for a true dining experience with gleaming stainless, natural stone and wood features. It serves fresh sushi, Japanese specialties and theme menus."