#86500 - 08/12/10 02:49 PM
First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
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nwardle
Junior Member
Registered: 08/12/10
Posts: 2
Loc: NM
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Help! This will be our first trip to FP for our 10 yr anniversary! Need help deciding which resort to stay at. Ideally, somewhere where the views are great, good snorkelling, restaurants nearby so we won't need a car. Thinking about Moorea Pearl for a few days, then Hilton Moorea Lagoon. Has anyone stayed there and enjoyed it or do you recommend somewhere else? Thinking of staying at Bora Bora Nui for a few nights too. Was thinking of staying in a garden bungalow first, then an over the water and finally a horizon view. Any recommendations?
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#86502 - 08/12/10 04:43 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: nwardle]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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I wouldn't move around so much! Pick one resort on each island and stay in one kind of accommodation on one and another on the other. Personally, I'd recommend the Moorea Pearl if you want everything nearby. Maybe a beach bungalow there? I've never stayed there so I'm not sure how their beach bungalows are. And then an overwater bungalow on Bora Bora where the lagoon just cries out for one! What is it about the Nui that appeals to you? Very few (if any) of the bungalows have great views of Bora Bora itself (and that's an amazing view).
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#86508 - 08/13/10 11:43 AM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: Old Wife]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2340
Loc: FP
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OW is right, why move around... besides the hassles of packing and unpacking and losing part of the day check out times are different then check in times and even if the resort ain't full you may find yourself for a couple of hours without a room...
The garden bungalows are very nice at the Pearl, and you'll have a commercial center with banks, snacks, souvenirs and a couple of restaurants within walking distance.
The BBNui, you want to change bungalow 3 times during your stay, how very tiring? I think only #57 and 58 have a direct view over Otemanu
_________________________
* with sunshine *
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#86512 - 08/13/10 02:33 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: Poehere]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1368
Loc: Florida
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Hi nwardle,
I would have to agree that the itinerary you mentioned is definitely too much jumping around. I would pick one resort and stay there in one bungalow type and then as Old Wife mentioned, stay in a different bungalow type on your other island.
On Moorea, I think the Sofitel has the best views but probably the least convenient location. I would put the Intercontinental second in terms of best view.
The Pearl and the Intercontinental both have locations that are convenient to shopping, banks and restaurants with the edge going to the Pearl.
I think the Hilton has hands down the best snorkeling. I've stayed at the Hilton (was a Sheraton) ina garden bungalow 4 times in the past 5-6 years and really enjoyed it. Most of the neighboring restaurants offered free pick-ups at the time and I rented a car for a day or 2 to see the island and grocery shop.
I would stay in a garden or beach bungalow in whichever of these you choose and leave the OWB for Bora Bora.
On Bora Bora, there are too many hotels to go through in depth and I have no first hand experience with any of the newer luxury properties. I've stayed at the Nui twice and loved it and also at the Sofitel Bora Bora Beach (Marara) once which was okay but not as nice as the Nui. I also visited the Sofitel Motu while staying at the Marara
The Nui has decent snorkeling and unless they've changed the numbering since becoming a Hilton property (? Poehere), rooms 104-106 had views of Bora Bora through the channel between Motu Toopua and Toopua Iti. Most of the other bungalows face the ocean and the Horizon OWB are nothing significantly more special than some of the other OWB along the ends of the pontoons. The property is beautiful, the rooms are nice and its location is quiet. There are boat shuttles to Vaitape on the mainland so you can get off the resort if you like.
The newer hotels such as the Intercontinental Thalasso, the St. Regis and the Four Seasons are all supposed to be amazing with probably some of the most luxurious OWB's and the best lagoon surroundings with good views of the main island. However, all of these will have very little good quality snorkeling.
The Sofitel Motu (which is now merged with the Sofitel Bora Bora Beach) is a decent compromise but in exchange for its good island views and good snorkeling, you give up a good amount of luxury and the beautiful blue lagoons that the other luxury properties have.
I hope this helps.
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#86513 - 08/13/10 03:42 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Do you really not think the Sofitel Motu has the beautiful blue lagoon views? I agree that the luxury isn't the over-the-top version that the new luxury resorts have, but the view of Bora Bora is amazing and the lagoon view was also gorgeous. Perhaps you only saw the lagoon in the evening when the sun was going down?
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#86518 - 08/13/10 05:52 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: Old Wife]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1368
Loc: Florida
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Don't get me wrong OW, the views at the motu are amazing and there aren't too many resorts in BB that don't have beautiful blue lagoons but when you compare the surrounding lagoon areas, I find the newer resorts with their shallower water and white sandy bottoms provide more stunning views.
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#86519 - 08/13/10 07:16 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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I see what you mean about the sandy bottoms. I found that at the Meridien (I think it was). Very pretty, but lousy snorkelling!
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#86522 - 08/14/10 05:26 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: Old Wife]
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Gracenrich
Member
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 327
Loc: New York City
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we enjoyed the Pearl.
They transport you to the main island on there boat.
Car will pick you up for dinner.
If you can afford it owb is the only way to go.
Only way off airport is by boat.
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#86523 - 08/14/10 09:05 PM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: Gracenrich]
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venturefarms
Junior Member
Registered: 08/30/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Pilot Point, TX
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I think everyone makes such a big deal out of the view of Otemanu. If that's what rocks your boat, then get a hotel with views of it. However, I think there is so much more to BB than a view of that one mountain.
The Nui has the longest beach in BB, very good snorkeling off the beach (not so much right off the OWB as the water is deep there) and is very quiet. I think it's the perfect blend of luxury, excellent service and seclusion.
I think you need to consider what is important to YOU before you book a hotel. There are many choices and they all have their high points. If you want to snorkle at all at your hotel, you will be disapointed with the newer hotels like the Thalasso and St. Regis. Don't know about Four Seasons as it wasn't finished when we were there. If you want the bragging rights, go for those hotels, or if you will be in your room all the time it might fit as well.
We also loved the Sheraton on Moorea (now the Hilton I guess). All the restaurants will pick you up and take you back to the hotels, so it doesn't matter. Moorea is a bigger island, more spread out, so you'll probably need a ride to most of the restaurants anyway. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on how close it is to anything. You are trying to get away from civilization right?
Again, I guess if you care about walking to a store that might influence you, but you're talking about a store that's like a little convenience type store. I never have understood this "within walking distance" thing in FP.
Anyway, I think the other comments are good. Two islands and two hotels are enough. I would NOT move around that much. Relax and enjoy wherever you stay. One other thing, I would not buy a meal plan with your hotel. You can eat breakfast ala carte cheaper than paying for the breakfast buffet. And dinner you will want to eat away from the hotels. Much better. Great places to eat on both islands. You will love it.
We hope to be back this fall with some friends who have never been. Good luck with your search and remember to think about what is important to you and then ask a travel agent who specializes in FP for suggestions.
Roger
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#86524 - 08/15/10 06:18 AM
Re: First time to Moorea and Bora Bora
[Re: venturefarms]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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To me it seems a shame to go to Bora Bora and not have that view. We stayed at the Sofitel Motu--fabulous view, incredibly good snorkelling, very quiet, intimate resort and an on-demand shuttle that lands where you can walk to restaurants and magasins (to grab cheap food for meals to keep your costs down--that's important for a lot of us when a burger and fries can cost $25 at your hotel). To me, that's the best of all worlds!
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