#73795 - 06/10/08 09:24 PM
Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
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kiwidownunder
Junior Member
Registered: 06/10/08
Posts: 15
Loc: New Zealand
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We are staying in Tahiti for 4 nites on our way back from LA in September - would appreciate advice on which of these hotels offer -
- best beach for swimming & snorkelling if either do (we prefer beach to pools),
- handy to shops for buying some bread, groceries etc at times, -- handy to bus into PPT or elsewhere on the island
- and/or offer a shuttle bus into PPT especially if we want go into town for an evening meal. Prefer not to be totally reliant on eating at the hotel as can be expensive.
Many thanks.
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#73801 - 06/11/08 05:33 AM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: kiwidownunder]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Are you sure you want to stay just in Tahiti for 4 nights? Personally, I'd head over to the Moorea for the whole time (or spend one day in Tahiti & the rest in Moorea). Moorea is not to be missed, IMO (great island with green vegetation, gorgeous mountains & pretty lagoon for snorkelling), and it's a quick flight or ferry ride over from Tahiti (it's very close, just a 7-minute puddle-jumper flight).
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#73811 - 06/11/08 08:19 AM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: Old Wife]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I agree...go to Moorea instead. It's quick and easy to get to from Tahiti. Either a 10 minute flight or a 30 minute ferry. I think you would have a much more enjoyable time on Moorea.
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#73814 - 06/11/08 09:26 AM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: Old Wife]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1376
Loc: Florida
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I've stayed at both and IMO, the IC is a nicer hotel. However, there is no real beach there. If you prefer a beach over pools, the Le Meridien is the hotel you should choose. Snorkeling won't be great at either place - Tahiti is not the place to experience great snorkeling. There is a little man-made lagoon at the IC where you can snorkel but the visibility isn't the best. I felt the water at the Le Meridien was much nicer although there are some strong currents as you get out deeper since the barrier reef comes in close. The IC is closer to downtown but the LeM has a shuttle which was 10 CFP per person when I there last year. The LeM is a nice hotel so you won't go wrong with either choice.
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#73816 - 06/11/08 09:40 AM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1376
Loc: Florida
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Sorry, I walked away from my computer for awhile before I hit reply and missed the other 2 posts. I do agree that Moorea is a more beautiful island especially for snorkeling. If you could hop over you would probably enjoy your time there but if not, my opinion on the two hotels stands. I happen to like Tahiti as well (I'm really in the minority here) and will be staying 3 nights when I go back, (at the LeM actually) - which will make the 4th time I've stopped to spend 3 nights in Tahiti. It's different than the stereotypical South Pacific island but still beautiful in its own way. Black sand beaches, valleys and waterfalls, more activity and places to visit etc...
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#73829 - 06/11/08 01:39 PM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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Wonder why so few people like to stay on Tahiti, it is a beautiful island in itsown right
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#73832 - 06/11/08 02:30 PM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: Poehere]
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kiwidownunder
Junior Member
Registered: 06/10/08
Posts: 15
Loc: New Zealand
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Thank you all - we are actually spending 5 nights on Moorea on our trip up to LA so we will have been there already. We just want another short break between flights and before we get back to NZ and work etc.
I have just been reading some other reports about LeM and it seems a lot of complaints about the rooms being due for refurbishment, smelling musty, uncomfortable beds etc so now Im not sure?? I did think we would go for LeM as it sounded a little less busy than IC with a bit of a beach and shops/ other eating options etc close by.
Assume there is a Le Truck stop close by?
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#73837 - 06/11/08 03:08 PM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: kiwidownunder]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1376
Loc: Florida
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I thought the hotel was very nice when I stayed there last year and the room was immaculate. I believe there is a Le Truck stop in front of the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands which is only about 1/4 mile from the front entrance to LeM.
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#73838 - 06/11/08 03:12 PM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Oh, OK, kiwidownunder. I thought you were only going to get to French Polynesia once (maybe once in a lifetime!) and stay for 4 days & I figured you should see more than just Tahiti. If you're staying on Tahiti for 4 days, I'd suggest a tour of Tahiti Iti to see everything it has to offer as well as seeing Papeete. Sorry I can't help with a hotel recommendation as we've only stayed at the Tahiti Airport Motel.
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#73839 - 06/11/08 04:32 PM
Re: Le Meredien vs IC Tahiti
[Re: Old Wife]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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being for Sep n° of tourists will be less, IC being much closer to town gives more options and their rooms are great, updated and well maintained. You'd have Carrefour shopping mall with plenty of boutiques in the vicinity (10 min walk) and can easily get to the Marina Taina with resto's Casa Bianca, Quai des īles and Pink Flamingo. Presently the old wooden "le truck" services Papeete to Outumaoro area which includes IC and Sofitel and vice versa until appr. 9 pm mon thru sat, the drivers always stop at the IC truck stop. LeM being much further out you'd rely on the "new bus system" and a lot of these guys do not stop for "popa'a's" unfortunately. So going to town would be more difficult than coming back (in Papeete the bus driver cannot refuse you).
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