#84062 - 01/30/10 01:13 PM
BORA BORA first time!!!
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LINEBACKER
Junior Member
Registered: 01/30/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Indiana USA
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Help! OK we'll be there in March. My first question is regarding the resorts
#1- STAYING within the "Overwater" resorts- what is the difference top-to "bottom" ( cant really imagine a bottom)...
#2- LUXURY is preferred but not at the cost of being able get the "Total Experience", which for me would include beach, views, ready access to scuba and snorkeling areas and general amenities.
#3- SCUBA and snorkeling - the north-east side ( St Regis & 4 Seasons )is not good snorkeling CLOSE to resorts? what about out a ways from the resort properties? Can I swim out on my own? The west & south east side looks as though it is MUCH better? Dive shops - which is heads and tails above the rest?
#4- RAINY season? is there one,if so whats that like?
#5- JET SKIS - good or bad purchase for the $?
#6- LOCAL restaurants and food- any low key local? Best? Groceries/snacks?
#7- SHOPS- where and are they out of control on cost?
#8- HOW difficult is it to paddleboard??
Thats it for now thanks for any and all advice- CANT WAIT!!
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Michael
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#84065 - 01/31/10 01:30 AM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: LINEBACKER]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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Hi LINEBACKER and welcome to the forum. Without reading a million posts, I'll try and start things off for you by giving our opinion. Bora Bora has lots to offer, but some like to just relax in their OWB, others try and get as much out of it as they can, others like to mingle with the locals and others like to use their room as board only and eat out every meal.
We have been to BB 4 times and have stayed at Club Med (now closed), Le Meridien twice (OWB for one night first time and POWB second time), Pearl (POWB)and Beach Bungalow, and Thalasso (Diamond OWB). All times we have had the half board and have never had a problem with food. We are of the first description - we like to hang out in our room and relax. But in saying that, it took us 4 trips to do most of the activities there, so you need to think about what you want from your stay.
To answer your questions from our point of view -
#1 Bottom would be closest to the main complex, top (or Premium - POWB) would be the deepest water and at the end of the pntoon.
#2 Doesn't matter which room you are in - close to the beach or deep water (quieter) room. As far as luxury goes - well - the price of each room will pretty much rank them for you.
#3 You may want to check the main page of this wedsite. It has VERY accurate and reliable intel on the best and worst snorkeling resorts. The newer resorts do not yet have established coral heads anywhere near their rooms, so that could sway you.
#4 Roll the dice and take a chance. It is the tropics, so what can we say. We've there three times in "the rainy season", once in the "high and dry" season and we have had the best weather in "the rainy seasons". Go figure?
#5 Ridden plenty of jet skis in Australia, Bass Lake California, but never in FP. Too busy diving or chilling with my wife.
#6 Don't know, but the food at every resort we have stayed at has been beyond excellent.
#7 Vaitape has a great supermarket and excellent touristy shops. Right samck in the middle of town.
#8 Why would you want to? You're in paradise. Don't work, just relax!
But check the reviews on the home page of this site, and if you haven't yet booked, then you should get a quote from Yves whom is responsible for this wonderful forum.
You might like to also have a read of this link from previous posts:
http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/18603/page/5#Post18603
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#84067 - 01/31/10 06:56 AM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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LINEBACKER
Junior Member
Registered: 01/30/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Indiana USA
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fantastic! Thanks...a few more questions have poped up-
#1- SHUTTLES-Im reading alot about the shuttles- $30 bucks American for 1 person- one way, or the restaurant will validate and give a free ride ride or the resort offers free shuttles etc? could Yves or someone with detailed info please clarify?
#2- INLAND HIKE-Id like to hike the inland mountains...Im assuming an experienced just has to find the trail head and head up? If so how high up does it take you?
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Michael
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#84077 - 01/31/10 04:00 PM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: LINEBACKER]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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From what I know Pearl, Sofitel Motu, Le Meridien, Thalasso, Hilton and Lagoon Resort don't having paying shuttles.
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Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#84082 - 02/01/10 07:45 AM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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LINEBACKER
Junior Member
Registered: 01/30/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Indiana USA
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OK...- OF THOSE WHICH IS THE NICEST WITH THE BEST OVERALL AMENITIES? TO INCLUDE-
VIEW
SNORKLEING / SCUBA ACCESS
GROUNDS
ROOMS (OVERWATER )
SERVICE
THANKS SO MUCH!
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Michael
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#84093 - 02/01/10 02:57 PM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: LINEBACKER]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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I would read up on the comments under Bora Bora Accommodation on this main page as they are very precise and informative.
http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/
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Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#84096 - 02/01/10 05:47 PM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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If you're going in one month, Michael, where are you staying at? Have you booked yet? Once we know where you are staying, you'll get plenty of help from those who have stayed there. Even some links to photos and first hand knowledge, trip reports, food ratings, activities, etc. If you haven't yet booked, then you need to tell us what you are looking for and what budget you have set yourself, because the budget is the most important thing when it comes to Bora Bora, or anywhere in FP for that matter. We are only too pleased to help, but we need to know a little more about where you are staying and what you want to get out of your time there.
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Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#84121 - 02/03/10 10:48 AM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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LINEBACKER
Junior Member
Registered: 01/30/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Indiana USA
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looks like 2 nights @ the Hilton Moorea & 3 @ the Hilton Nui Bora Bora
If Im correct they offer a FREE shuttle to the main island until 6pm- then $15 american per
I should stock up some fruit -from locals-not Grocery, and whatever else at the Grocery store
-can I travel with booze in a checked bag?? ;-) from the states?
-the hotel restaurant food from most all resorts is getting VERY average, if not poor ratings plus an arm and a leg? other recomendations- like a cant miss type resaurant/s ?
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Michael
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#84124 - 02/03/10 12:00 PM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: LINEBACKER]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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You can pack liquor in your checked bags. Just make sure it's well-wrapped. We had good luck travelling all over FP with ours wrapped in bubble wrap & then our beach towels wrapped around that. Hamara has a method with PVC piping that sounds good, too. When you stay at the Hilton Moorea, don't eat the burger place along the road to the left. We were really disappointed in that meal (the cheese was awful & the burgers were underdone). You can walk down to the right to a grocery store and buy supplies for breakfast & lunch (danishes, chocolate waffles, etc for breakfast and baguettes and cheese for lunch were our favourites) and then go out to restaurants for dinner. Many will come pick you up.
I'm not sure where the Nui on Bora Bora drops you off so I can't recommend restaurants there (we stayed at the Sofitel Motu and ate at a few places along the strip there).
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#84171 - 02/04/10 08:42 PM
Re: BORA BORA first time!!!
[Re: Old Wife]
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Suki (689)
Senior Advisor
Registered: 10/29/07
Posts: 920
Loc: ELA US of A
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Old Wife knows her stuff as well as all my tahitian bruddas n sisters on this board... Someone plz get us 2 Hinanos (((((FP4LIFE))))
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