#75096 - 07/24/08 01:31 PM
teavaro and temae beaches
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glyntelsen
Junior Member
Registered: 06/28/08
Posts: 7
Loc: california, usa
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Hi,
I'm in love with the photos I have seen of the lagoon around the Sofitel Moorea. I am trying to convince my husband to stay there a couple days (the plan right now is more budget-minded; we made plans to stay at Bali Hai five nights) and he is trying to convince me the public beach at Temae will be just as nice. If we go to Temae will the colors be the same as at the Sofitel lagoon? And the shots I've seen of the Sofitel lagoon are taken from above (from the lookout?)--when you are actually in the Sofitel lagoon does it not look as it does in those aerial shots anyway? Any thoughts appreciated. I'm sure I'm not the first to fall in love with a particular patch of water.
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#75097 - 07/24/08 02:20 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: glyntelsen]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2365
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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Our first travel agent told us (when we started adding up the price and wondered about going cheaper) , "Why diminish your experience?" You are going a long way so why not stay at the Sofitel . When we stayed at the Sofitel, the beach was open so to anyone basically so there was no reason to go to the public beach, which is right next door to the Sofitel. But now I have read they have really made it a gated resort. I can guarantee you that it actually looks better in real life than in the photos. And you could go to the lookout in the morning at sunrise and watch the sun rise over Tahiti. Fabulous. If you stay in a lower category of bungalow at the Sofitel, you are practically on the beach. Just check with a travel agent(like this one) who may get you a deal for meals or staying a night for free, or look on the Sofitel site to make sure you get a bungalow that is close to the water. Also, get the Sofitel Privilege card. I don't know what you get with it anymore. You used to get points towards an upgrade and early and late check-out, but I haven't needed it for a few years so I don't know what is offered anymore.
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#75098 - 07/24/08 02:59 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: holte]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I can tell you for sure the water at Club Bali Hai will not be that beautiful turquoise color. But....we still choose to stay at Club Bali Hai, for other reasons....being budget minded is the main one. Staying at the more expensive hotels not only adds to the expense of lodging, but REALLY adds to the expense of eating.
There are plenty of places to go on the island where you can see and swim in that beautiful clear turquoise water. Yes, it is much nicer when it is accessible right at your hotel.
CBH has a very inexpensive snorkeling trip that you out 3 times a week to snorkel in some beautiful water out in the lagoon. They also offer a motu picnic shark/ray feeding trip 4 times a week that takes you out to 3 different locations all with spectacular water. You can rent a car and and stop at various locations all over the island to experience the beautiful water, including Temae Beach.
You can also choose stay at a number of less expensive smaller hotels or pensions that are located on beaches with that same beautiful water you see at the Sofitel.
If you'd like some less expensive suggestions, just ask.
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#75103 - 07/24/08 06:16 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: Patti.]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2365
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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We only stay at pensions now, but I really think if you can afford it, it's great to stay at a resort for the first time. We do rent a car for the whole time because we like to do whatever we want on our own schedule. With a TA you might get a meal thrown in such as breakfast. The buffet has so much food and variety that we didn't need anything to eat, except a snack in the afternoon and then we ate at restaurants sometimes until we discovered the rolouttes- the best option. When you have your own bungalow on the beach at the Sofitel, you can go in and go to the bathroom or get whatever you need from your bungalow. And since the beach is right there, you can use it all day whenever the mood strikes. But if not spending so much is important, Patti is right. There are other options for that water.
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#75305 - 07/31/08 12:55 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: glyntelsen]
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glyntelsen
Junior Member
Registered: 06/28/08
Posts: 7
Loc: california, usa
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thanks, everyone, for your replies. i actually think the cbh view is amazing, so i don't mind driving to the places with aquamarine water as long as i can access it somewhere(and for me the choice was between staying a week somewhere fancy or two weeks in more modest acommodations, and i'd rather stay longer). patti, i read your hilarious mother's day trip report. have you gone on hiro's 4x4 tour? if so, does it truly go off-road? i want to go on a 4x4 tour that goes to magic mountain and i'd rather not go to a pearl shop.
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#75307 - 07/31/08 01:35 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: glyntelsen]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2376
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I have not taken the 4x4 that goes up to the magic mtn. I have been on a 4 hour jeep trip with Hiro's. It included a trip up to Belevedere, a stop and history lesson at the Marae near Belvedere, a stop at the agricultural school, a tour of the pineapple fields, a stop at the fruit juice factory, and a drive completely around the island. It did not go up to magic mountain. I guess there must be another tour that does. I don't know the specific difference, but you can always ask what is included.
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#75309 - 07/31/08 02:24 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: glyntelsen]
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glyntelsen
Junior Member
Registered: 06/28/08
Posts: 7
Loc: california, usa
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thanks so much, patti.
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#75312 - 07/31/08 04:38 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: glyntelsen]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2365
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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We want to go as often as possible and stay as long as we can so we now only go to pensions.
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#75342 - 08/01/08 01:21 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: holte]
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Submarine
Expert Advisor
Registered: 01/03/03
Posts: 1019
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona, USA
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Stick with your budget so you can do more and stay longer. If you need the true overwater experience, stick a few nights at the Intercontinental Tahiti and work the Ambassadors Club upgrade into a Motu OWB.
Temae beach will be just as beautiful and walk over to take a look at La Baie de Nuarei so you see a possible choice for your inevitable return trip.
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#75375 - 08/02/08 04:06 PM
Re: teavaro and temae beaches
[Re: Submarine]
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koloagirl
Member
Registered: 03/05/02
Posts: 71
Loc: Koloa, Hawai'i, USA
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Aloha and Ia Orana!
We spent a fair amount of time in February at Temae Beach - the water was incredibly clear and various color of blues - the sand was white and beautiful - I spent all of my time in the wonderful water. A very easy beach to access and park as well.
Temae Beach is absolutely fantastic!
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