#89555 - 04/07/11 05:39 PM
IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
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lunatech
Junior Member
Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 4
Loc: Earth
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My fiance and I are going to book in the next couple of weeks. We will be spending a total of 10 day in Bora Bora. Several people at TripAdvisor have said that the Thalasso is so much nicer, that it is worth staying there and that the Le Moana can be depressing. Others have said the access provided by the Le Moana makes it the clear winner and that the accommodations are still nice.
My fiance and I would prefer the nicer rooms and grounds. We like a little wow-factor. However, we are minor foodies and plan to eat most of our meals outside of the resort. We also are planning several excursions as we want to explore the island too.
I suppose, for me, it comes down to how convient the travel is between the two hotels. Would it be reasonable to head out from Thalasso every day for an excursion and for getting food or would it become tiresome? After 10 days?
The other option I see to balance the experience of Thalasso and the convenience of Le Moana is to spend 3 days (2 nights) at Thalasso, then transfer to Le Moana for 7 days. In that case though, I worry about going from Thalasso to Le Moana and regretting the smaller/older/simpler rooms and grounds.
Anyone have opinions or insight that can ease my weary mind?
Thank you Tahiti-Explorers!
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#89558 - 04/07/11 11:07 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: lunatech]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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I'd go for Thalasso... really it's just awesome, the shuttle ride is a nice distraction and never bores... In any case being there 10 days there are only so many resto's to eat at in BB so if you want the nice grounds and accomm, go for Thalasso.
The island of BB is small too so there's only so many excursions to do!
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* with sunshine *
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#89560 - 04/08/11 07:36 AM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Poehere]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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It sounds like you'd like 10 days at Thalasso. Just curious why you want to spend the whole time on Bora Bora, though (I'd do 5 days on Bora Bora and 5 on another island like Moorea, but that's me). If you do decide to split up your time on BB, go to Le Moana first and then go to Thalasso. It's always better to save the best for last!
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#89567 - 04/08/11 01:51 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Old Wife]
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lunatech
Junior Member
Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 4
Loc: Earth
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Thank you Poehere!
Old Wife, that's a great question. To be honest, we found Bora Bora because of Couple's Retreat. I saw the water and the shots of Otemanu and was sold. I haven't considered the other islands. From what I've gathered from a quick google search, is that Moorea offers nicer scenic island interiors and more culture. We are looking to dabble in some adventure and culture, but mostly want to relax. Would seeing Moorea justify having another travel day?
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#89568 - 04/08/11 02:17 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: lunatech]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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Luna... you could consider doing a daytrip from BB to Maupiti... I am sure you'd love Maupiti, a tiny jewel next to BB, only drawback is the fast vessel servicing it leaves BB at 7 am and the ride (especially on the way back) can get a little rough at times.
The return is late afternoon and it gives you ample time to ride around on a bike...
Or the same vessel does Raiatea and Taha'a... rent a car drive around and it will give you an impression of some other islands. Raiatea and Taha'a don't have beaches but are beautiful green islands very different from BB
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* with sunshine *
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#89570 - 04/08/11 05:34 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Poehere]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Do be aware a lot fo the stuff that they show in that movie isn't the way it is on Bora Bora...all the wild party fun night scenes and such. It is a beautiful place...they go that part correctly, but it is very mellow, quiet, laid back, and relaxing...NOT party central like shown in the movie.
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#89571 - 04/08/11 05:46 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Patti.]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Patti's right. Amazing scenery but no real night-life.
I think it's well worth spending several days in Moorea. I prefer that island, but both are beautiful. There's more to do on Moorea and it's a beautiful island to drive around (or take a 4x4 tour of it). You wouldn't waste a whole day going to Moorea. I'd suggest you land in Tahiti and go over to Moorea as soon as possible (it's very close and a quick flight or ferry ride over), stay there for a few days and then fly to Bora Bora. You'd spend 1/2 day packing, transferring to the airport (but it's a pretty drive), flight and then transfer to your resort on Bora Bora. Yes, it's travel, but the nice kind (with amazing views). I wouldn't add a third island if you only have 10 days/nights, but 2 are perfect (for us, at least).
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#89572 - 04/08/11 08:37 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Old Wife]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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We stayed at Thalasso in Nov 2007 and pretty much took the shuttle over to Le Moana every day - it is approx 15 min boat ride and, like Poehere says, has beautiful scenery along the way and is definitely not a drag.
You can also walk from Le Moana (take a right when exiting the property) and walk down the main road to the Tiare Market (approx 10 min walk) for supplies etc.
But I do agree with Patti and OW re staying at another island as well (we did 6 nights IC Moorea and 6 Thalasso with a night at either end at IC Papeete due to our international flight times).
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#89573 - 04/08/11 08:41 PM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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Also, check out these trip reports by jplee (recent) and ours for 2007:
http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/85124/page/2#Post85124
http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/68514/page/5#Post68514
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#89579 - 04/09/11 07:44 AM
Re: IC Thalasso & Spa vs IC Le Moana Bora Bora
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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lunatech
Junior Member
Registered: 04/07/11
Posts: 4
Loc: Earth
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Hi Poehere, Maupiti sounds like an amazing adventure. However, my fiance is very sensitive to motion sickness. I'd worry the boat ride would ruin her for a few days. Also, I read that there is a risk of not being able to boat back to BB. Does that happen often?
Thank you Patti for clarifying. I have read that there is no nightlife. We are fine with that. I just have to see that water in person. :) We're hoping to spend most of our time playing in the water, enjoying the sights, reading, and eating well.
Old Wife, before your post I was mostly convinced to split my time between Le Moana (4 nights) and Thalasso (6 nights). However, the more I talk to people who have been, the more recommend seing Moorea. We've been researching it more as well and it seems like a great way to get more "adventure" and culture out of our trip before relaxing in BB. Do you think a 4 day (IC Moorea) / 6 day (IC Thalasso) split would be a good idea?
Gary & Cath, thank you for sharing your personal account! It is great to hear from someone who has done it, that the boat shuttle is a great way to get around. Do you also think a 4 day (IC Moorea) / 6 day (IC Thalasso) split would be a good idea? (Thank you for the great reviews!) How is the diving at Moorea vs Bora Bora?
Thank you so much everyone!
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