#74066 - 06/18/08 12:00 PM
Trip report June 2nd thru 12th
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haredi
Junior Member
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 34
Loc: FL
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Hi everyone! Thanks again for all you're help before our trip again! I have found this forum and website invaluable in making decisions for our past two trips.
So, as I mentioned on one of the forum pages, we left on June 2nd, during the ATN strike. We found out our ATN flight from JFK-PPT was cancelled as the hatch was closing on our Tampa-JFK flight. I would definitely stay on top of ATN in regards to any flights, as they are not good about information. So we had 2 1/2 hours of flying to contemplate how our vacation could be over before it began.
When we landed at JFK, we realized that the flights to LAX all left while we were landing, and the first flight we could get on was an AA flight at 2:45 pm and hope that the 4:10 pm flight in LA would be delayed until at least 6:30 pm so we would be able to make it. The American flight was then delayed 45 minutes with typical JFK traffic, and we began to panic. As an aside, this was also the worst flight we've ever been on which did not help with the stress. We will never fly American again. The silver lining though was that the ATN flight was actually delayed until 7:45 and we were able to make it. If this had not been the case, we would have been on stand-by for two days before their were actual seat available.
We got into PPT only an hour later than our original flight would have, though our bags never made it until Wednesday. But we had arrived! We stayed at the Airport Tahiti Motel, which as everyone has mentioned was reasonably priced, convenient (especially when not carrying any luggage when walking there), and very clean. We did not stay for the breakfast, hoping that our bags came in on the 5:10 am flight from LAX, which they did not. However, we made the earlier flight to BB and all the stress from getting there disappeared when the mountain came into view and we knew we were there.
Our first 4 nights were at the Intercontinental Thalasso. I would make sure that you contact the hotel if you are going on points, because the two bedroom motu suites are not in a great location. We upgraded to an Ambassador points membership, and were able to upgrade free to Emerald and decided to spend the $400 a night to upgrade to a Diamond. We had the end of pontoon #230 which was more horizon view, and more private than most other bungalows. We were not thrilled with the privacy of the bungalows at this resort. Even the bungalows that directly faced the horizon had sailboats that were anchored in front of them. The food here was ok, but the Reef was definitely not worth the money for dinner. Best qualities, good spots on the beach for quiet enjoyment, and two for one happy hour. The resort has no snorkeling, and is very much like a W on the beach. No Polynesian feel at all. We knew from this website's description, but we realized that this was more important to us because we've stayed at other resorts there that do have that feel and it made a difference. It is also a hassle to get into Viatape and sometimes the shuttles leave early, so make sure you are there about 10 minutes before the shuttle is to depart. We saw one couple get left at the Moana when our shuttle left 10 minutes early. Unfortunately, this was the last shuttle for another two hours.
In addition to the Reef, we ate at BBLR-Otemanu for our anniversary. Dinner was only fair and service was terrible. We ate at Lagoon at the St. Regis another night, which was good, but very expensive. We also had lunch at St. James in town, which had good food, but horrible service. By far the best meal our entire time in BB was at Villa Mahanna. Best meal I have ever had. (Also the most expensive at about $600.) My husband went a la carte, but I had the tasting menu and the wine pairings. I am not a big fan of rare tuna, but the appetizer was phenomenal, as was the mahi mahi.
Our last 2 nights in BB were at the Nui. We had a great transfer to the Nui. We decided to take the shuttle to the Black Pearl Market to look for pearl studs. They picked us up from the Moana and then after our purchase, dropped us off by the dock in Viatape. We were able to take the shuttle from there to the Nui. It was so much better than paying for the transfers, and I was able to put that money towards pearls!
At the Nui, we requested an OTWB from #104-106 and received #106. Best bungalow view of the whole resort in our opinion. We had a direct view of the mountain from our bungalow and great snorkeling off of it as well. We should have listened to the reviews of the fine dining rest. though. This was by far the worst meal and service we have ever had. Can't say we weren't warned, but the service and food is always changing, so we thought we'd try it. Overall though, this was an excellent resort and we would love to go back there. Best things here were the abundance of fish (great snorkeling), an endless supply of bread for the fish from the hotel, and the Polynesian feel of the resort. FYI, we had to go into town to the pharmacy on Sunday and everything is pretty much closed including the restaurants. We took a cab to Snack Materia and had a great lunch. Would definitely recommend it!
Le Tahaa was Monday with our last 3 nights in French Polynesia. We had originally planned on getting there early, but loved the Nui so much we asked for late check-out and changed our flight to Raiatea to the late afternoon. Le Tahaa was refreshing as far as the food was concerned. Many of the people that work there were there 4 years ago and it felt like coming home with familiar faces and our familiarity with the resort itself.
Our OTWB was end of pontoon #9. It is on the BB view pontoon, and while we thought there would be good privacy, we had a cruise ship and catamarans at different times parked outside our bungalow. The funny thing was that we did not like the BB Pearl 4 years ago for this reason. We had cruise ships outside our bungalow the entire stay, and the hotel had to contact them because their light in the back shined into our bungalow at night. When making the reservations at Tahaa, the agent asked us if we were going to book the Pearl again as well, and we said no for this reason. The first morning we woke up at Le Tahaa, my husband opened the blinds, and the same exact cruise ship was sitting in front of our bungalow! We called Marion (the manager on duty) right away and she assured us that they only stay during the day and would be gone by early evening. Two bungalows down on the BB view side #7 is where we were last time, and we felt that this was a better option and less money as well.
Overall, we could not have been happier with our stay here. Because we were returning guests, we had champagne and water waiting for us with the bath drawn. The only issue was that the resort is now six years old, and parts are getting a little worn. We were disappointed with the beaches by the pool and coral gardens, as they are washing away and the garbage and tree debris were not cleaned daily. But as second time guests, we were treated very well and the fish in the coral gardens were still fantastic. Definitely bring bread if you decide to snorkel their gardens, the fish will swarm you. FYI, as I mentioned in the forums, beware of swimming at night. We decided to take a swim right off our bungalow, and joked about sharks. The next night while walking to dinner, we saw a small shark right off the pontoon. Thankfully, we love marine life and thought it was really cool. This is very unusual, especially at this resort. While you see sting rays often because the depth is low and the bottom is sandy, the fish here around the bungalows are kind of snobby. They really don’t eat like at the other resorts when you throw bread to them. All the hungry fish live near the coral gardens. So without the abundance of fish, the shark sighting was a great surprise.
Our trip home was very uneventful, and we made it home without delays. We are already planning our return however, and trying to figure out how to go there on a more regular basis!
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#74068 - 06/18/08 12:49 PM
Re: Trip report June 2nd thru 12th
[Re: haredi]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Great report. Sounds like a pretty horrible start to it, but it seems to have all worked out for you. Do we get some pictures soon? :-)
I think you hit the nail right on the head with the privacy of some of the OWB's. There is so much boat traffic out in the lagoons and many visiting cruise ships, and they all have to use the same lagoon that your hotel room is sitting in......there's going to be a lack of privacy from boat traffic from time to time.
The way to go on a more regular basis is hit some of the other islands, stay at less expensive accommodations, cook some of your own meals, and eat at less expensive restaurants. Sure, it's a big sacrifice from the high end stuff, but it has a charm and a magic all it's own. And when all is said and done....you're still in Tahiti!
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#74082 - 06/18/08 05:01 PM
Re: Trip report June 2nd thru 12th
[Re: Patti.]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Thanks for the report, Haredi! Glad to hear you made it there with only a one hour delay total (except for your luggage), in spite of all the cancellations and shuffling of flights. It sounds like a great trip all in all!
Ditto to what Patti said about returning. If you stay in less expensive hotels and eat more cheaply, you can go more often and for longer periods of time (vacation time allowing)! By about the third trip to FP, you won't need the novelty of an OWB anymore, and that will save tons of money!
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#75107 - 07/24/08 11:30 PM
Re: Trip report June 2nd thru 12th
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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rodjune
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 1726
Loc: Kalama Valley, HI
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Seems like it's getting more difficult to find privacy with the number of boats, jet skis, and cruise ships that roll on by the resort. Thanks for posting.
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