For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Whew! Where do I begin? First of all, let me say that my husband and I had hoped to return to Tahiti already - that's how incredible it was! But, I became pregnant and now we are parents, so we'll have to wait about 18 years! LOL

We stayed at the following hotels:
Sheraton Moorea Resort and Spa (5 nights)
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort (5 nights)
Sofitel Maeva Beach in Papeete (1 night)

I recommend the meal plans b/c the food at the resorts can get very expensive. We only ate outside the resort once or twice. There really aren't that many restaurants on the islands. When you go to Bora Bora, you should definitely visit Bloody Mary's - it's the bar where all the famous people go. We stopped for lunch and had a burger there.

We went snorkeling almost everyday, we took 2 sunset cruises (one on both islands - I *highly* recommend doing this!) The video and pics we have are incredible. Here's a sample:

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Okay, what else? You really don't need to pack much. I suggest at least 3 bathing suits, 3 sarongs (sometimes I wore them to dinner with a camisole top or tank), a couple of sundresses for evening/dinners, shorts, tees, sneakers, sandals, a good book for the pool/beach or lounging on your private deck!

We stayed in overwater bungalows the entire trip. All I can say is that when we finally got home, I could NOT fall asleep without the sound of the water lapping against the piers.

Here's some more photos...feel free to ask more Q's....

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more pics

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One other thing...definitely bring along an underwater disposable camera...evidence of why attached below:

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Can you tell me how far in advance you planned your trip? I am trying to plan my honeymoon now for next august. We would like to go to tahiti as well. I think that we may opt for a beach bungalow in moorea to save a little bit of money. have you heard anything about the beach bungalows? Also, what travel agency did you use and is there anything to be careful of?

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Thanks Claud!
We're staying at the Bora Bora Pearl too - in the beach jacuzzi suite.
Did you find there were a lot of bugs there? Also the overwater bungalows don't have air conditioning right? Was it too hot??

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Claud, I saw you had your reception at PJCC - how was it? Mine is there on 9/20/03. Any tips? What meal choices did you offer? Congratulations on being pregnant, that is so exciting! About your honeymoon, did you use a travel agent? If you don't mind me asking, what was the total approx cost? Thanks!

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

We want to go on a cruise there bora bora, etc, do u think u get more value for your money with a cruise or staying in a hotel, also, is it too soon to be booking this for 2004 we were tihnking for booking it this winter we r gettin married in 18 months.

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Wow! I don't know who's questions to answer first.
Okay, I'll stick with Tahiti for now.

Regarding bugs - yes, there were some bug sightings at the Pearl Beach resort. Just two, if I remember correctly, but I like to exaggerate this number whenever I tell the story for dramatic effect
I would bring along some bug repellant if you can. Also, since you are staying in the beach suite you might want to pack a mosquito bite medicine stick. We walked around the resort and found that there was a lot of standing water on the resort grounds behind the beach bungalows, which attracts mosquitos.

This was a Bora Bora sunset (and this wasn't even the prettiest one!):



You are correct - there is no air conditioning in the overwater bungalows. This is not a problem at all. French Polynesia is cooled by the fabulous trade winds - as long as you have the windows open, you will never need a/c. All the windows at Pearl Beach have screens. The ones at the Sheraton in Moorea did not, but we never had a problem.

We were supposed to stay in a beach bungalow on Moorea too, but when we arrived, they didn't have any available. This was a blessing in disquise b/c we were upgraded to an overwater room that was situated at the very end of the resort, right at the edge of the land. That means we had the absolute MOST privacy of ANY room at the resort, AND we had air conditioning too, which was a nice bonus although not a necessity.

We booked the trip about 4 months in advance. We used a travel agent in California (that's where we were living at the time) and it was arranged through Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays. Everything was wonderful. All of our transfers and pick ups were on time. We flew United business class from NY to LA, and Air France from LA to Papeete.

Some excursions that we did:
* Aquascope on Bora Bora
* Tiki Village Theatre on Moorea
* Sunset cruise on Moorea (beautiful scooner boat) and Bora Bora (huge catamaran)
* Snorkeling (almost everyday)
* 4x4 tour on Moorea (Oh, do not pay for the 4x4 tour around Bora Bora - it is a waste of money b/c the island is too small. We rented a car and took our time driving around, stopping to take pictures. We were still back at the car rental within an hour!)

This was the view from our deck in Bora Bora:

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Hey Claud -

I was wondering, do you think it is too hot there at night for pants and a tank top?? Or would you only stick to dresses/shorts? Did you find staying on a Motu in Bora Bora was annoying because you had to get a boat to the main island?? Thanks so much for answering these questions! I hope I'm not getting annoying...

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Thank you so much for your review. I had my heart set on Tahiti but FH was succeeding in trying to get me to go somewhere else. Now from seeing your review it is once again my top choice.

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Yes, Thank you so much. It definitely helps to have the advice of someone who's already been there.

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Claud, First off congratulations!!!
And thank you for the great review. We leave Nov 3rd, Tahiti (1 night) Morrea (4 nights) and Bora Bora (4 nights). We are also staying at the Sheraton on Morrea. I can't wait and hearing your good review makes it even better.
Good luck with everything.

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

Claud, WOW!!!!!! Is that the most amazing thing I have ever saw or what? (view from your bungalow)!
As for the overwater bungalows, did you living room coffee table open so you can feed the fishes through it?
I'd love to go to Tahiti, just doesn't fit our budget right now.
Any more pics of your bungalow?

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

I don't midn to pry but can you give me an idea how much your honeymoon cost? bc i was condiering Tahiti but its very expensive. Also was there any night life there. Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Thanks!

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

All I wanna know is:
How long was the flight!?

Re: For Tracyann - Tahiti review

My FI and I were thinking of going to Tahiti for our honeymoon and after seeing your pictures I definitely want to go! It looks amazing!!