#12383 - 01/03/05 12:49 PM
HBB Room Advice
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CJH
Member
Registered: 12/29/04
Posts: 23
Loc: Houston, TX
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I am planning a trip to FP for my honeymoon. We are leaning towards staying at La Taha'a and HBB. We prefer OWB accomodations, but it seems some people think the BB are better at HBB. The two most important things are privacy and a view. For those of you familiar, which would be better (regardless of cost)?
My first thought is to go to Taha'a first, because we will want to relax for a few days. It seems there is more to do on Bora Bora, so I want to save it for after we "decompress". But will we be disappointed with the HBB after staying at the fabulous La Taha'a?
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#12384 - 01/03/05 03:12 PM
Re: HBB Room Advice
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maheanuu_tane
Member
Registered: 09/20/02
Posts: 259
Loc: Uturoa, Raiatea French Polynes...
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""My first thought is to go to Taha'a first, because we will want to relax for a few days. It seems there is more to do on Bora Bora, so I want to save it for after we "decompress". But will we be disappointed with the HBB after staying at the fabulous La Taha'a?""
I cannot make a comment on your first statement above as everyone "decompresses" differently. When I return home, I only want to be with my friends and family and to immerse myself in catching up... I stay out of town for at least 2 weeks...
On the last question, I can, and will answer.
In my opinion, I believe that Hotel Bora Bora is the finest hotel in the Polynesian triangle. Sure there are newer more glamorous places. But none of them have the history, grace, charm, warmth, and congeniality that is offered by this hotel. The workers there are mostly children and grandchildren of the original workers. The hotel has always been a benchmark for quality and warmth to all who visit. More than 50% of clients return for repeat stays...
I lived on Raiatea and Bora for many years and in fact I still live on Raiatea and my family are still there. I worked on Tahaa also and love the island, but other than the hotel really does not have too much to offer as far as night time entertainment. Fishing is quite good along with snorkeling and diving, but it is in Raiatea also.
Enjoy your stay at both, then tell me upon your return which you preferred and why...
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#12385 - 01/03/05 05:35 PM
Re: HBB Room Advice
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25years
Junior Member
Registered: 03/17/04
Posts: 32
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I could not put it better about Hotel Bora Bora. #128 is the most private with the best views and best snorkeling from it's deck. Can't comment on Tahaa but it did only take about 30 minutes or less to decompress upon arrival on BB.
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#12386 - 01/04/05 01:42 AM
Re: HBB Room Advice
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dfool
Junior Member
Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 17
Loc: Gold Coast
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I've stayed at five different hotels on Bora Bora, and I have to say that the Hotel Bora Bora is my least favourite.
I like to have access to a turquoise lagoon and stay in a hotel built around the water. The Hotel Bora Bora is more of a garden hotel, so I like it less.
If you do stay at the HBB I would go there before Taha'a, so that when you get to Taha'a you appreciate the lagoon. Because if you have developed a liking for the water at Taha'a you are going to be disappointed at HBB compared with the Moana Beach Intercontinental or the Bora Bora Nui.
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#12387 - 01/04/05 09:28 AM
Re: HBB Room Advice
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maheanuu_tane
Member
Registered: 09/20/02
Posts: 259
Loc: Uturoa, Raiatea French Polynes...
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Different strokes for different folks...
Did you bother to swim with the mantas at night off the pier at the Hotel Bora Bora? Did you swim along the reef in the deep water or dive the hole in the shallows adjoining the hotel?
I live in Raiatea, have a bro in law who lives in Tapuamu which is rite across from the hotel that ruined one of the best fishing areas in our islands...
Oh well, anything to keep the tourists fat dumb and happy....
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#12388 - 01/04/05 03:50 PM
Re: HBB Room Advice
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Thomas Marshall
Moderator
Registered: 02/10/04
Posts: 1152
Loc: Newport Beach, Ca. USA
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Welcome to the forum CJH.
We stayed in both hotels back to back on our last trip this past August and all I can say is you’re in for a real treat.
Wow, I can’t comprehend the comment about HBB lacking Lagoon access. IMO HBB is far superior to Le Taha’a as far as lagoon access goes, what little snorkeling there is at Le Taha’a requires a ¼ mile hike from the OWB’s and then a significant swim (over 100 yards) to find decent marine life. Yes, the Lagoon is crystal clear, as all the Lagoons in F.P. are, but again, the snorkeling is marginal at best.
On the other hand, HBB is known for their legendary lagoon location, it’s one of the best in F.P., as they were the first to build on Bora Bora.
I agree with 25years about OWB number 128, it has the most privacy of any of the OWB’s. It’s one of the Deep Water units so be sure and request it prior to arrival (no guarantee as it’s usually first come first serve unless you're John Travolta  ). Not to worry though, as all the Deep Water units are excellent.
I think maheanuu_tane put it perfectly as far as describing HBB goes. We’ve visited this wonderful hotel 3 times and will more than likely return again.
As far as order goes, it really depends on the rest of your itinerary, but IMO it doesn’t really matter. On our last trip we stayed at Le Taha’a first and then took a Helicopter to Bora Bora for our visit to HBB. This worked out great as we were able to relax and kick back for a few days on Taha’a and then move on to the faster paced Island of BB.
Both hotels are uniquely different and will provide a wonderful experience for you, I wouldn’t worry about being disappointed with HBB in the least bit.
The only thing I could say is if you like over the top, extravagant, opulent type hotels then HBB won’t fill the bill. In that case you’d be better off at the Nui or one of the newer hotels. However, for us the HBB fits the perfect description of what we look for in F.P., if we want opulence we go to Hawaii.
Also, take a look at my trip report and the pictures I took of both hotels:
Trip Report section, reference report titled “Trip Report (Tahiti, Taha’a, Bora Bora & Moorea) - August 6–20, 2004”
Photo Albums section, reference album titled “Tahiti, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Moorea – Aug 04”.
Good luck, and the truth is, any of the 4 or 5 star hotels in F.P. will knock your socks off.
_________________________
Thomas
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#12389 - 01/05/05 12:55 PM
Re: HBB Room Advice
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CJH
Member
Registered: 12/29/04
Posts: 23
Loc: Houston, TX
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Thank you for the replies. Based on what I read on this forum and advice from our travel agent, we are staying in a sunset OWB on Le Taha'a and requesting a deep OWB at HBB. I think this will be the perfect mix of styles.
We are doing Le Taha'a first because, after the wedding, we will want a few days of as little activity as possible. I realize we won't be able to really snorkle from our bungalow, but that will be fine. We'll dive while there. And after seeing the pictures, I don't think I'll want to do anything but lay there and soak up the beauty.
I've read a lot about HBB here and other places on the net and it has been overwhealmingly positive. I think dfool either has it mixed up with somewhere else or has an axe to grind because his/her observations don't match up with anything else I've read from anyone. I guess I'll find out for myself in a few months.
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