#70190 - 02/08/08 03:22 PM
Re: moorea pictures
[Re: marshamouse]
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ryo-oh-ki
Member
Registered: 01/27/08
Posts: 109
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Interesting to hear that the Moorea Pearl had a previous life as Hotel Bali Hai. I wonder how much was changed since the Pearl took over?
Lina: Aside from Bora Bora. You might also want to hit up the Tuamotus thread. A Bora Bora "like" views for Moorea prices. But be forewarned, the Tuamotus are for a certain type of people. I've read another travel forum website with a list of trip report complaints. "There's nothing to do", "the wind ...", "what fiew excursions advertised being canceled all the time", "having to ask for fresh towels every day", "limited menus", etc. But for those into underwater or getting away from civilization ...
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#70191 - 02/08/08 03:46 PM
Re: moorea pictures
[Re: ryo-oh-ki]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I think the hotel has been completely replaced. Only the location is the same. At least this is what I have heard.
Edited by Patti. (02/08/08 03:47 PM)
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#70192 - 02/08/08 04:09 PM
Re: moorea pictures
[Re: Patti.]
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hamara
Expert Advisor
Registered: 01/07/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Washington/Moorea
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Some of the Hotel Bali Hai fares were moved to new locations on Moorea but the majority of the hotel was torn down. The new Pearl
driveway and lobby is built on soil that was trucked in to create
the new elavated area at the hotel. The old Bali Hai was on level ground. The large bar in the old Bali Hai had a sunken work area so you looked the vahines (bartenders) at eye level
when you sat down. Many Boom Boom's were served.This was their signature drink at the bar. They also had a floating bar "The Leki Tiki" that cruised the lagoon at sunset. Many a guest got carried from the Tiki to their fare
after the cruise and skipped dinner.
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#70228 - 02/11/08 10:09 AM
Re: moorea pictures
[Re: lina]
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msoprano13
Member
Registered: 04/04/06
Posts: 121
Loc: New York
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[quote=lina]I havent bought a meal plan yet, everyone is saying there are so many great places to eat...however not doing the meal plan how much am i looking at for each day if we always eat out?
So you don't think I should upgrade to Bora Bora? I will be visiting Bora Bora on the Paul Gaugin cruise that were doing pre resort... I just hope I'm not disapointed looking out of my powb at the pearl wishing I had just paid extra to do bora bora. Oh God, wedding decisions!! [/quote]ive only been to tahiti once but from my experience and what most people do there first time is tahiti moorea bora bora,
Save the overwater bungalows for bora bora. If you stay at the pearl get a garden bungalow with a plunge pool. They are really nice bungalow and the backyard is private with high fences.
To eat out at moorea for three meals i would say you are looking at approx
Breakfast for 2 - $25
Lunch for 2 - prob $25 - $35
Dinner for 2 will vary depending on where you go. on average for appetizer, glass of wine and 2 entrees prob about $150. Still much cheaper then the hotel and you have so many options
i hope this helps
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#70257 - 02/13/08 07:58 AM
Re: moorea pictures
[Re: lina]
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marshamouse
Advisor
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 527
Loc: Boise, Idaho
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It depends on where you eat and there are many places outside the resort to chose from. A nice dinner could run up to $100 or more depending on how many courses, if you have drinks, dessert, etc. But you can also economize by eating at the "snacks" as they call them - smaller, sometimes roadside stands that have burgers and less expensive things to eat. You may have already read this, but many of us enjoy shopping at the local magasins (markets) for pastries, juice, fruit, cereal, etc. for breakfasts, or baquettes, cheese and meat for lunch and eat on the deck of our bungalows. You make your money go alot further this way and you get a flavor of how the locals eat. I wouldn't buy a meal plan at the Pearl because I would feel like I to eat there because I already paid for it. You will have more flexibility without it (and more adventure). There are plenty of recommendations on this forum for good restaurants in the Maharepa area where the Pearl Resort is located.
On our very first FP trip we were told by our TA to plan for at least $100/day/person for food. We planned for that much but had money left over because of the above ideas and sometimes only eating 2 meals a day. We also took snack items like nuts, granola bars, dried fruit to eat between meals when we got hungry. Recommendations are probably higher now with the lousy exchange rate of USD to XPF and inflation. Our first trip was in 1995.
Edited by marshamouse (02/13/08 08:05 AM)
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#70258 - 02/13/08 08:20 AM
Re: moorea pictures
[Re: marshamouse]
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marshamouse
Advisor
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 527
Loc: Boise, Idaho
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We stayed at the old Hotel Bali Hai twice - in 1995 and 1999. It was our first FP experience and we loved it. The help were locals and very friendly and helpful. On our first trip we had paid for an upgrade to a beach bungalow and when we got there they gave us an overwater bungalow and told us to be quiet about it. The resort was showing it's age (built in the 70's by the Bali Hai Boys from California), but it was spacious with beautiful grounds that were groomed every day. Only about 30+ bungalows (overwater, beach and garden) and except for at dinner we felt like we were the only ones there.
On our last trip in 2004 we knew it had been replaced by the Pearl Resort so had to see what was left of the old Bali Hai. Like Hamara said, not much was left. It did look like some of the original over water bungalows had been salvaged, but everything else was new and the grounds completely changed, complete with the entrance hill. Very crowded by comparison to the old resort, but I guess that's the name of the game unfortunately - more units = more profit. We peeked into one of the room units and spoke with the housekeeping lady whom we recognized from the old resort's crew. She said she liked the old owners better - the new ones no so much.
It is a great location however and the view out on the lagoon from an outrigger looking back on Moorea is beautiful.
Edited by marshamouse (02/13/08 08:26 AM)
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