Honeymoon help Moorea and Bora Bora

kellymac9889

So I have been doing a lot of research and just saw a travel agent for a honeymoon to French Polynesia in January 2014 for eight nights. So we had two quotes. I had my heart on staying at the Hilton’s on both Moorea and Bora Bora but he also gave us a quote for the InterContinental.

At the InterContinental we will be staying in Moorea for three nights in a Garden Pool Junior Suite Bungalow and in Bora Bora an Overwater Lagoon Junior Suite Bungalow. The travel agent said if we join the InterContinental club for two hundred something, we will get an upgraded overwater bungalow in Bora Bora and late check out. The total for this was $8,228.88. This included only breakfast.

 

For the Hilton in Mooera with a Garden Bungalow with pool for three nights and in Bora Bora an Overwater Villa for four nights. We get breakfast every day and dinner as well when in Bora Bora. The cost for the Hilton is $8,699.20

 

On top of this we will also purchase travelers insurance, which is $265.

 

What does everyone think of the Intercontinental compared to the Hiltons? After joining the InterContinental club for around two hundred something, we would be paying almost about the same amount anyways.

 

While on our honeymoon, we might do a couple activities or excursions, but hanging out by the pool and beach is what we really want to do. Any opinions would be great. Also how much do people usually pay per day on average for food in this area? Thanks and sorry for the long post. 

 

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-help-moorea-and-bora-bora?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:0c405eea-a939-40ab-ad42-4ab8f4283fe5Post:5afb3d00-585a-4b66-916b-952ab4382f8d">Honeymoon help Moorea and Bora Bora</a>:
[QUOTE]So I have been doing a lot of research and just saw a travel agent for a honeymoon to French Polynesia in January 2014 for eight nights. So we had two quotes. I had my heart on staying at the Hilton’s on both Moorea and Bora Bora but he also gave us a quote for the InterContinental. At the InterContinental we will be staying in Moorea for three nights in a Garden Pool Junior Suite Bungalow and in Bora Bora an Overwater Lagoon Junior Suite Bungalow. The travel agent said if we join the InterContinental club for two hundred something, we will get an upgraded overwater bungalow in Bora Bora and late check out. The total for this was $8,228.88. This included only breakfast.   For the Hilton in Mooera with a Garden Bungalow with pool for three nights and in Bora Bora an Overwater Villa for four nights. We get breakfast every day and dinner as well when in Bora Bora. The cost for the Hilton is $8,699.20   On top of this we will also purchase travelers insurance, which is $265.   What does everyone think of the Intercontinental compared to the Hiltons? After joining the InterContinental club for around two hundred something, we would be paying almost about the same amount anyways.   While on our honeymoon, we might do a couple activities or excursions, but hanging out by the pool and beach is what we really want to do. Any opinions would be great. Also how much do people usually pay per day on average for food in this area? Thanks and sorry for the long post.   
Posted by kellymac9889[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>We stayed at the Hilton in Moorea and Bora Bora.  Breakfast included was definitely worth it....it's expensive if you don't have it already included.  We passed by the Intercontinental in Moorea and it didn't look as nice.  We talked with people who said they stayed at both and liked the Hilton better.  And, the Hilton ranks #1 on TripAdvisor and has some pretty awesome snorkeling.  We would stay there again in a heartbeat.</div><div>
</div><div>As for Bora Bora, I'm not sure.  We definitely enjoyed our stay at the Hilton, but I'm not familiar with the Intercontinentals there. </div><div>
</div><div>Jells is our resident expert of French Polynesia....I'm sure she'll chime in soon.

</div>

Jells2dot0

I have a few questions/comments in regards to your quotes.
1) The $265 InterContinental Ambassador membership entitles you to an upgrade, but only based upon availability. So, you run the risk of paying the money and not getting an upgrade.
2) If you do get upgraded, the OWBs at the InterContinental Moorea are not fully over the water, so I'd personally not want to get upgraded to it. The quote is also based on the InterContinental Le Moana in Bora Bora, not the Thalasso (just wanted to make sure you knew that). That hotel is on the main island and is more authentic and smaller than the Thalasso. The Thalasso is quite modern and chic and also on a motu.
3) What type of resorts are you looking for? I think if you want something larger in Moorea and something smaller in Bora Bora the InterContinentals are a good choice. The Hiltons are both about the same size, but the Hilton in Bora Bora does not face the main island, it faces out toward the lagoon. So, if you want a view, the InterContinental will be a good choice. The InterContinental in Moorea has the dolphin quest, so expect it to be a little more active and family friendly.
4) Just a "IMHO" note- I would go with the Hilton. I say this because I really LOVE the snorkeling at the Hilton Moorea and the Nui in Bora Bora isn't so bad either. However, if you are on a tighter budget, the Intercontinentals are still fabulous resorts. You really cannot go wrong at all.

Spending: $50-75 for lunch and $100-$200 for dinner depending on your choices. Activities are expensive as well. So, you can still do the InterContinentals without the Ambassadors Club and save ~$500 for spending money

kellymac9889

Thank you Joan for you input I am happy to hear you liked the Hilton. 

Jells thank you so much for the informaiton. The travel agent did not tell us that the Ambassadors club upgrade was only if it was available. I think we are going to go with the Hiltons. I got a quote from Custom Tahiti Travel that was acually about $350 cheaper than what the agent got me for the Intercontinental, and it was for the Hilton. Thanks for all your information it really helps to hear from someone thats been there! 

Jells2dot0

If you really like the agent you have been working with, have them price match what you just received. I am a firm believer that have a good agent price match if they are higher is worth it because a good agent is worth their weight in gold. If the other agency was better to work with, more responsive and cheaper, then of course, go with them.

flojo973

Hi!  We are staying at the Hilton in Moorea and the IC Thalasso in Bora Bora.  Originally our travel agent has said we could NOT mix hotels and either had to do the Hilton in both Moorea and Bora Bora or the IC in both.   However we really wanted to do the Hilton in Moorea but had read so-so reviews about Hilton Nui and we reallly wanted to be on a motu in Bora Bora.  Our travel agent wound up being able to get us different hotels for each island after we explained our situation.  So I would see if you can mix and match hotels.

We are leaving in two weeks for our trip so I will be able to give you a better report when we return!

Jells2dot0

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-help-moorea-and-bora-bora?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:0c405eea-a939-40ab-ad42-4ab8f4283fe5Post:5df9477c-9f48-4554-aade-61ff55f8b542">Re: Honeymoon help Moorea and Bora Bora</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi!  We are staying at the Hilton in Moorea and the IC Thalasso in Bora Bora.  Originally our travel agent has said we could NOT mix hotels and either had to do the Hilton in both Moorea and Bora Bora or the IC in both.   However we really wanted to do the Hilton in Moorea but had read so-so reviews about Hilton Nui and we reallly wanted to be on a motu in Bora Bora.  Our travel agent wound up being able to get us different hotels for each island after we explained our situation.  So I would see if you can mix and match hotels. We are leaving in two weeks for our trip so I will be able to give you a better report when we return!
Posted by flojo973[/QUOTE]
 I really hope your trip turns out because your agent does not have his/her act together. You can absoutely stay at different chains. You can even stay at the Nui on Bora Bora and then move to IC Thalasso all in one trip! and, FWIW, the Nui is on a motu, so both the Thalasso or the Nui would have fit your bill (unless you just didn't like the reviews of the Nui.) I have been to the islands 5 times and have never stayed at the same chain hotel on my multi island trips. Some of the islands I have visited do not even have a chain hotel to pick from. The larger chains do usually offer a discount if you stay at 2 or more of their properties, but it's not a rule that you have to do that! I highly recommend to anyone on these boards that if you want to go to Tahiti, you should really  book through a Tahiti specialist. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

flojo973

Ok, so FI has informed me that I'm totally wrong!  The TA didn't say that we couldn't mix and match hotels, but that it would be less expensive if we did.  And I have no idea why I thought Nui wasn't on a motu.  I do think that IC Thalasso did have better reviews, but I'll have to see when we get there and report back.

Jells - do you think we'll have a problem since we booked through Costco?  Any other advice or suggestions for food and excursions?  We already have a reservation at Villa Mahana which I'm super excited about!

Jells2dot0

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-help-moorea-and-bora-bora?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:0c405eea-a939-40ab-ad42-4ab8f4283fe5Post:29c4659d-2b0c-403c-8c7c-e382b25f62e0">Re: Honeymoon help Moorea and Bora Bora</a>:
[QUOTE]Ok, so FI has informed me that I'm totally wrong!  The TA didn't say that we couldn't mix and match hotels, but that it would be less expensive if we did.  And I have no idea why I thought Nui wasn't on a motu.  I do think that IC Thalasso did have better reviews, but I'll have to see when we get there and report back. Jells - do you think we'll have a problem since we booked through Costco?  Any other advice or suggestions for food and excursions?  We already have a reservation at Villa Mahana which I'm super excited about!
Posted by flojo973[/QUOTE]

Whew! that is a relief and Costco is totally legit. They do have some awesome specials when you book one of their pre-packaged deals, which is what the same chain hotel packages were. The only downside of Costco is that the agents there are specialists on any one area, so they really can't provide any advice on what to do while there or how the resorts vary in size, inclusions, etc.

<div id="yui_3_7_2_19_1365437721986_59">Moorea:</div><div>- Restaurants: Le Sud, Le Mahogany, Te Hono Iti, Alfredos, Allo Pizza, the crepe bar at the Hilton</div><div id="yui_3_7_2_19_1365437721986_55">- Activities: renting a dune buggy car, 4x4 jeep safari, visiting the juice factory, snorkeling at the hotel. They also have the Dolphin excursion at the InterContinental if you want to swim with the dolphins. It is very expensive, though. </div><div> </div><div>Bora Bora: </div><div>- Restaurants: Kaina Hut (small and inexpensive), Top Dive, Bloody Mary's, Fare Manuia, Bamboo House</div><div id="yui_3_7_2_19_1365437721986_58">- Activities: private motu picnic with Keishi Tours ($$$), shark and ray feeding or lagoonarium, 4x4 tour that takes you up into the peak (not all the way up!) and has some awesome views.
</div>

flojo973

Thanks for the recs!  

kellymac9889

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-help-moorea-and-bora-bora?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:0c405eea-a939-40ab-ad42-4ab8f4283fe5Post:5df9477c-9f48-4554-aade-61ff55f8b542">Re: Honeymoon help Moorea and Bora Bora</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi!  We are staying at the Hilton in Moorea and the IC Thalasso in Bora Bora.  Originally our travel agent has said we could NOT mix hotels and either had to do the Hilton in both Moorea and Bora Bora or the IC in both.   However we really wanted to do the Hilton in Moorea but had read so-so reviews about Hilton Nui and we reallly wanted to be on a motu in Bora Bora.  Our travel agent wound up being able to get us different hotels for each island after we explained our situation.  So I would see if you can mix and match hotels. We are leaving in two weeks for our trip so I will be able to give you a better report when we return!
Posted by flojo973[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Thanks for the info and have fun!!!! 

</div>

hockeywithadiamond

I second Bloody Mary's in Bora Bora.  Best seafood I had while I was down there.  You walk in, pick the fish you want and tell them how you want it prepared and then check your shoes at the door and wait for an incredible meal.

As for the feeding of the rays/sharks, I am personnaly very very against this activity.  I have gone on several diving trips to the South Pacific and if you do any research at all, this practice is very unethical and in my opinion a great disservice to the marine community.  There have been studies about the shark excursions in South Africa and the direct correlation to an increase in shark attacks.  There are plenty of dive spots that you can see black tips and lemons without feeding them.  The rays in Bora Bora are so trained that when they see people coming, they surface and will play with you until they realize there is no food and then they go on their way.  There is absolutely no reason you should have to feed sharks or rays to have an experience with them.  

As a diver that frequents that area, I feel very strongly about this and I apologize if I have gone overboard or crossed the line.  You are of course allowed to do anything you want while visiting these beautiful islands, but please research first.

Hope you all enjoy your trips here!