Friday, April 29, 2011

Spotlight on Oahu and Lanai ~ Agent Trip Review

By Janelle Graustein
 
I went to Lanai for 4 days for relaxation and Oahu for 7 days for a business trip. This was the first time I have been to Hawaii. While I had high expectations of Hawaii, and they were not entirely let down, I must say that it is NOTHING like I imagined! I know I chose an island that is off the beaten path, but this just makes me want to visit ALL of the islands now!

Flights: I somehow got extremely lucky and flew American Airlines first class from Washington-Dulles to Honolulu and back. I had previously flown a long flight like this one (to French Polynesia) and knew that first class was the way to do it to make the flights more enjoyable and more comfortable. I must admit the upgraded flight to French Polynesia spoiled me! Anyway, I had a connection in Los Angeles both ways and everything ran on time and smoothly, except for the overabundance of children on the red eye from LAX on my return flight. They were loud the entire time, which made me thankful for first class once again. Most of the coach passengers complained after the flight. While first class on the Dulles to LAX flight may be a waste of money to some, the upgrade on the flight from LAX to Honolulu was welcomed with open arms. There was a TON of extra leg room and a wonderfully soft pillow and blanket waiting for me on my seat. I extended my leg rest, reclined my seat, and took a nice, long nap!

I got into Honolulu airport and had around 2 hours before my interisland flight was to take off. I knew I had to make my way over to another terminal, so I got my bag from the baggage claim and made my way to the Wiki Wiki Shuttle stop. I waited, and waited, and finally decided to walk. It took me 15 minutes or so (maybe more) to walk to the Island Air terminal. Just as I walked up to the main entrance to the terminal, I saw the shuttle for the first time. As for the flight on Island Air, it was a short 20 minute flight on a small commuter plane that holds around 30 people tops. I had no complaints with them at all. Following my return flight to Honolulu, I waited for the Wiki Wiki shuttle and it was an easy ride to the United baggage claim to meet my co-worker. I will NOT be walking on my next trip!

Lanai:I purposely did little research on Lanai to come in with a fresh, unbiased mind. I arrived in Lanai after sunset, so I didn't get a good glimpse of the island or the resort until the next day. From what I could tell, though, the island was different from anything I imagined. I was really surprised to see so many pine trees around, and the shuttle driver explained that the needles suck in moisture, which in turn, helped the soil remain moist for the pineapple plantations. When I woke up the next morning, I began to explore the resort a little. The resort looked a little more like a tropical paradise- hibiscus plants and other tropical flora, and of course, palm trees that studded the walkways and the beach area. However, when I made my way up the Lanai City and the Lodge at Koele, I was shocked to see tons of open fields, large rolling hills, and NO palm trees!! It was gorgeous scenery, albeit far from lush and tropical, and there were dramatic cliffs looking down to the ocean. I know I chose an island that is not the norm for Hawaiian vacationers, but I was honestly expecting lush lands, full of greenery, palm trees to the max, and miles of beach. The only beach I saw was at Manale Bay and it was far from sprawling. I admit, I was intially disappointed, because I had heard so much about Hawaii and it's beaches, gorgeous blue water, and exotic flare. I expected it to be on par with French Polynesia land and water-wise, and it was not even close. The only thing Lanai had in common with French Polynesia was its seclusion. With that being said, though, Lanai quickly grew on me and I loved it for what it is rather than what it is not. I enjoyed watching the ocean's waves break onto the cliffs, staring out over the open fields on the shuttle bus, and seeing miles and miles of Cook pines line the tops of the hills. Lanai is very different and an unspoiled, hidden gem among the Hawaiian Islands.

The Manale Bay Hotel: The Manale Bay Hotel and Spa is part of the Starwood Luxury Collection, but both resorts in Lanai have now become part of the Four Seasons collection. So, based on that tidbit of info, I expected a certain level of luxury. Although it was slightly different than I had imagined, the hotel did not let me down. I arrived in Lanai at their quaint little airport and was directed to check in at a stand for the resorts. The man had a list of the guests needing to be transported to the hotel and as soon as I walked up, he said "hello Mrs. G!" I was pleasantly surprised and was handed some luggage tags and directed to the shuttle bus driver, Ronald. Ronald grabbed my luggage for me and he took myself and four others straight to the resort via shuttle bus (they have shuttles running to and from the airport and to and from the Lodge at Koele for a one time, $25 fee for unlimited rides). When I arrived at the resort, there was a staff member waiting there to greet me with a flower lei and my room information. She walked me through the hotel, pointing out the different areas (restaurants, concierge desk, etc). So, I got to see a lot of the hotel right away, and I was slightly surprised. It has a very old-world luxury charm to it. I was expecting something a bit more modern, but in fact, there were a lot of antiques throughout the lobby area. It also has a strong Japanese influence, which lends to beautiful Japanese garden areas throughout the resort. The resort has several buildings, and in the elevator lobby of each building, there is a nice sitting area that overlooks these gardens. Also, when I walked out of my room, there was a beautiful pond and garden area and I could walk right through it to get to the pool and beach areas.

As for my room, I was in the Dolphin building, room number 15 (which equated to room 2915 when charging things to the room- something I did not figure out on my own). It is a garden view, ground floor room, just out of the way from an ocean/bayview. The room itself was fairly spacious, and there was a huge bathroom with a marble shower and separate soaking tub. The marble brought back fond memories since it was the same pattern as the marble used at the Bora Bora Nui Resort (both are Luxury Collection Hotels). The bathroom had a Japanese decor and the pattern of the marble and decor didn't mesh very well, but it was still a gorgeous room. I had a set of white wood paneled doors and sliding glass doors opening up to a small lanai behind my room. The lanai had a set of table and chairs and a lounge chair. There was also a beautiful hibiscus plant on either side of the lanai. I ordered room service every morning and ate out on the lanai so I could enjoy the sound of the ocean and the warm sun. It was very relaxing! I could also peek my head around the corner of the room to view the beautiful beach area and the dolphins playing around in Hulopo'e Bay. The room also features a mini-bar, daily ice service, a turn down service, and high speed internet for a fee. I tried not to spend a whole lot of time in my room, but the time I did spend in there was comfortable and I have ZERO complaints.

I spent most of my days at the pool or on the beach. The pool area was not terribly large, but it was never really crowded. The pool was a little chilly, but there were two hot tubs set within the pool and the pool area was open 24 hours a day. The pool is set up significantly higher than the beach area (the resort is set up on a hill), so you can sit facing the beach and bay and enjoy both places at the same time. The beach area is quite a walk from the pool, but the path was well kept and there were gorgeous plants and flowers lining it. I'm sure the walk really wasn't too bad, but I'm lazy, so it seemed long! The staff at both the beach and the pool were very attentive, setting up towels on the chairs, opening umbrellas, offering cool towels and Evian spritzes, and cool beverages. For the most part, the trade winds kept the beach cooler and there was always a nice breeze blowing. Without the winds, it was HOT! The winds did kick up the bay a bit, so the current was a little strong and the snorkeling wasn't at its best, at least from what I could tell. I kept away from the most popular snorkeling spots near the cliffs because I was by myself and didn't feel comfortable being out there alone. Maybe next time, I'll feel differently! Almost everyone went to the beach for the chance to swim freely among the spinner dolphins, who frequent the bay. While the resort cautions against swimming close to them, the dolphins seemed to playfully swim with the guests and put on a great show. The one day I attempted to swim with them, they didn't show up until late afternoon as I was heading up to the pool for some lunch.

There aren't many activities offered on the island, and those that are, tend to be a little pricey. The golf courses are world class and offer spectaular views. You can also charter a jeep tour, snorkeling and kayaking tour, or a helicopter tour, but it wasn't something I was going to do without my husband. That just would have been mean! I did, however, enjoy a quiet afternoon tea at the Lodge. I took the 1:30pm shuttle and got to see Lanai City and the surrounding areas during the ride. It was interesting to see the island way of life. I got to the Lodge a little early, so I walked the grounds. VERY well manicured, but totally non-tropical and non-beachy. It was actually a very similar feeling as when I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, although not quite as extensive. Once tea was served, I sat on the wrap-around porch and watched a few people play croquet. It was something I never thought I'd ever be doing, but it was very nice to just sit there and unwind. I also visited the spa and had one of the BEST facials EVER! My aesthetician was Rita and she gave a wonderful scalp, neck, shoulder, and foot massage along with the facial treatments. The Manale Bay deluxe facial was 80 minutes and a tad expensive, but WELL worth it! I was sad I didn't schedule another treatment, but I'll just have to go back to get another one.

Restaurant-wise, both resorts offer excellent choices, but since I am NOT a foodie, I did not do much exploring with this. I had simple room service breakfasts consisting of an english muffin, croissants, and cranberry juice. For lunch, I ate at the pool grille. I ate the same meal both days- a cheeseburger and french fries. VERY tasty, but VERY expensive. Also, the sodas were not free refills, so I tried to drink a lot of water (I wasn't trying to spend hundreds of dollars on food for just myself, so this was far from a splurge trip). I only actually made it to dinner one night because I fell asleep early by accident and missed out on my second night there. I decided to eat at the pool grille again since it was outside and had a great view of the lit tiki torches stretching down the path toward the beach. I ordered grilled teryaki chicken and it was by far the best grilled chicken I have ever had. Plus, the portion size was huge and they served the sauce on the side, so I could put as little or as much on as I wanted. The chicken was delicious on its own, but the sauce added a great flavor. They also served several types of breads, and the pizza dough sticks were great! I imagine the other restaurants offered a wider selection and excellent food as well.

All in all, the Manale Bay was an interesting place, that offered just the right amount of seclusion and intimacy, but managed to keep me occupied the entire time. I'm dying to go back now and am making an attempt for a return within the year. My stunning disappointment in the beginning turned into an eye-opening experience of a new type of exotic island travel. I admit it was nice to still be in the United States and still be able to communicate fully in English, but I still felt far removed from the mainland. However, as you'll read below, I didn't quite feel the same way about Oahu…

Oahu: After seeing Oahu from above in the plane, and noticing all of the tall buildings, I knew that I would be disappointed because I'm not a city girl AT ALL. So, when I met up with my co-worker at the airport and headed downtown for the first time, I was less than pleased with the scenery. It, to me, is just too built up, but of course, even Papeete in French Polynesia is built up, and that's why most people don't stay there. So, I guess that's why I was a bit perplexed at why Waikiki is such a tourist hot spot. When I think tropical vacation, I think of relaxation, seclusion, and long stretches of beaches and palm trees- NOT Gucci, Prada, busy streets and large hotel towers. I was actually scared to walk around out on the street because there was just too much going on and it was WAY too busy! But, to each their own…I will say I was more in tune with the North Shore and if I ever do return to Oahu, that would be the best place for someone like me to stay. Of course, to me, it was still not completely desirable, and I would much rather spend my time on the other islands.

Hyatt Waikiki Resort and Spa: Well, this is a classic case of don't judge the book by it's cover, and that's NOT a good thing. This is one of the only bad points of my trip. After sitting in tons of traffic on the way downtown, we arrived at the Hyatt, to what appeared to be a very pleasant surprise. The hotel was quite bustling, with all open air shops, and a clean, fancy interior. I was definitely interested at what this place had to offer, even though big hotels really aren't my thing. We checked in and the reception desk staff was very friendly. My co-worker asked that we be placed in the same tower (there are two- Diamond Head and Ewa)and they said no problem- but there was a slight caveat. Apparently, they market heavily to the Japanese and an attractive feature over there is all-female floors in hotels for the single women. My first reaction was bewilderment, but then I figured it was safe if nothing else, so I took that room with no issue. It was a giant pain, though because I had to insert my key into the elevator in order to select my floor number. Plus, my co-worker could never stop by my room on his way down to the shops or restaurants. Not a big deal, but a slight inconvenience. So, I make my way to my room and come to find it's DIRECTLY behind the elevator. I open the door and inside is one noisy room and two TWIN beds!!! No, I know I'm by myself and I'm not a very large person, but twin beds??? I booked a room with a queen bed! After the initial shock of the beds wore off, I took notice to the constant roaring of the elevators. I was on he 23rd floor of a 40-floor tower, so it continuously raced past my room. I called the reception desk and very tactfully and kindly explained my situation and they found me a new room. The bellman brought the key to me and I made my way down to the 20th floor. I then come to find my room is not directly behind the elevator, but rather two behind, and you could still hear the elevators! I did get an upgrade to two double beds, though. Now that I was somewhat satisfied with my room (I wanted to move again, but knew that was rude), I took a look around. The decor in the room was in need of a major overhaul. The bedspreads were faded and thin, the bathroom tiles were cracked in several places, and the carpet was tremendously worn. Plus, a huge disappointment to me was that there was NO internet access! As a person on a business trip, this was pretty much a mandatory thing for me. Luckily, we were only there for a two night stay, so I could get away with not having that access. While looking around, I noticed a little sign stating that the rooms at the Hyatt were undergoing a major renovation. I found this to be a very good thing, because otherwise, they could not continue to compete with the other surrounding hotels. Too bad they hadn't renovated our tower by the time we got there, otherwise, I'd have more positive things to say. Although I was staying in a busy downtown area, I also have to complain about the road noise as well. It woke me up several times throughout the night. That is obviously at no fault of the hotel.

Foodwise, we ate at both the Colony Restaurant and the Terrace Grill (we ate at Jameson's By the Sea on the North Shore the one night- decent food and awesome sunset view). The Colony Restaurant is modern American cuisine with Japanese fusion. I really thought it was trying to be too modern (tiramisu with pistachios??) and I was less than impressed. We went to the Terrace Grill for breakfast and they had standard choices. I ordered the cinnamon swirl bread (aka french toast) with coconut syrup. It was good and I definitely would eat there again (although I doubt that would happen).

Since we weren't there very long (our only full day there was spent mostly driving around the island), we did manage to visit the pool. For such an incredibly large hotel, the pool was SO tiny. With five people in it, it was packed. The pool area, however, did kind of overlook the beach, and the water was comfortably heated. The beach area was just directly across the street and it was PACKED. You probably could not find a place to sit and there was just too much going on to be able to enjoy it.

Overall, the two nights we spent at the Hyatt was two nights too long, but I'd be curious to see the room renovations. Still, it was way too crowded and not recommended for any type of romantic vacation. The Japanese guests seemed to love it, and it's in a wonderful location for upscale shopping. Personally, if I wanted to be in a shopping area, I'd stay at the beachfront Sheraton Moana Surfrider across the street.

Hilton Hawaiian Village: Although I spent the majority of my stay here, I worked all day, so I didn't get the full experience of the resort. From what I did experience, everything exceeded my expectations since I had a somewhat sour outlook on Oahu. We arrived at the Hilton on a Monday morning to pick up a co-worker already staying there. Since we had some time to kill, we decided to pre-register for check-in, so we could just pick our room keys when we returned from work. To my surprise, they had a room available for me, if I wanted it. Not really thinking about it, I took it. Well, that was somewhat of a mistake because my co-worker waited and got into the Ali'i Tower, which is very private and exclusive. I ended up in the Tapa Tower (the largest tower), and although it was fine and I was pleased, it just wasn't the Ali'i Tower. My room was nice, with two double beds and plenty of room. I had a street view that left much to be desired, but no big deal because at least it was very quiet! After feeling somewhat disappointed with the tower choice, I realized later in the trip that it made no difference because I was almost never in my room, except to sleep, and we spent our two free afternoons at the Ali'i pool anyway. The Tapa Tower was very convenient for restaurants and the awesome outdoor Tapa Bar, and we spent EVERY evening there! I did not visit the Rainbow Tower and I only briefly meandered around the Kalia Tower when I went to the spa.

I honestly have no idea what activities are offered, but there were activities desks everywhere! Plus, there was always a ton of people waiting around for bus tours. If I had one complaint about the Hilton, it was the amount of people there. The place was huge and the pools were always packed. The Ali'i pool, which is only available to those staying in that tower, was the best choice and was always calmer. Plus, they had free hors d'oeurves at 5pm and the waitresses were always bringing out drinks. I give two thumbs up to the pina coladas! They also offer tons of shopping opportunities, from authentic Hawaiian gifts to Louis Vuitton. I behaved and kept out of Louis Vuitton (okay, so I went in, but my co-worker took my wallet), but I did purchase some shirts from Honolua Surf Shop and coconut soap from a small Hawaiian gift store. The one activity I did actually make time for, and was dead set on doing, was visiting the Mandara Spa.

I had visited the Mandara Spa at the Bora Bora Nui Resort, so I was familiar with some of their treatments and wanted to experience more of it! I also was curious to see how similar they were in size, decor, and ambience. I scheduled a facial appointment a little last minute, so I was unable to do the facial I really wanted to do. So, I just went with the 50 minute Traditional Mandara Facial. My aesthetician was Grace and she was great. She went into depth with me about what she was going to do, and she made sure she knew what type of skin I have and what problems I was having to create a totally unique and custom treatment for me. While the total facial experience was not as wonderful as Manale Bay, it was still among the best I've ever had, and I've had quite a few! The spa itself also exceeded my expectations. The Mandara at the Nui was more intimate, exotic, and simple, while this was grand, luxurious, and more focused on the total pampering experience. I enjoyed the view more in Bora Bora, but I enjoyed the experience as a whole more at the Hilton. My only regret is that I did not get to spend a full day there.

Of course, one other aspect of the Hilton that I can speak to is the food. The Hilton has 19 restaurants to choose from, which is plenty in my book! We checked out only a few- Benihana, Round Table Pizza, and the Village Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Benihana was good, but the least impressive. I was expecting a fun show, and instead, they just cooked the food without any tricks. I had a pretty decent pizza at Round Table and an out-of-this-world filet mignon at the Village Restaurant. I highly recommend the Village Restaurant, which is located in the Tapa Tower. There are obviously a lot of other restaurants to choose from, but with limited time, we couldn't visit them all.

All in all, my experience at the Hilton was a good one. I thought the staff was very kind, the resort was well-maintained, and the room decor looked new and fresh. The resort, however, is just too big for a romantic vacation. In my opinion, there are just too many people at that resort and you are never really going to get any true quiet, private time outside of your room. For business, it's a great resort with tons to offer. Also, they have a wireless internet connection at the Tapa Bar, so you can check your e-mail and drink at the same time!! So, if I ever end up in Oahu ever again (which is highly unlikely for leisure), the Hilton would be at the top of my list. I can only see myself being in Oahu for leisure if we went with other couples, and I do think the Hilton is a good place for that as well.

Hope this helps!

Janelle Graustein
Janelle@EasyEscapesTravel.com

Getting The Best Rate For Your Destination Wedding

By Marjorie Sanchez

One major concern couples face when planning a destination wedding is price and while we offer very competitive rates and unsurpassed service we do understand that there are times when you see a rate online that may seem “cheaper” than what you are being offered through our agency. One of the many services we offer is price matching.

As I have mentioned before, Easy Escapes Travel can confidently state that our agency can meet and/or beat any confirmed rates. This means we provide not just amazing service but the best prices around.

While you have spent hours searching online for the perfect agent I am sure you have noticed that most agents/destination wedding agencies charge a service fee to assist in the planning of your wedding and organize your group travel arrangements. Easy Escapes makes is easy by offering our Destination Wedding Services for free!

Certainly you have the option go to an Online Travel Agency (OTA) and find a cheap destination wedding. Just know, as with anything else in this world, you get what you pay for. Good luck with that rep at the call center in God knows where, reading off a script at times, with little or no experience in group travel let alone WEDDINGS. They can book travel arrangements, however navigating all the details from marriage requirements, updated wedding packages, concessions and getting a hold of a wedding coordinator  (whose on “island time”) incurring long distance phone charges will be completely left to you- and you thought finding the prefect dress and destination island wear for the bridal party would be your biggest stress factor.

And yes, you can probably do a group with a wholesale club nonetheless they will positively be deficient in experience and knowledge with destination weddings and in regards to group bookings, they may have only done it a handful of times- if that.

Yes there are a couple of ways to not use a professional and save a couple of bucks; but tell me, how much is your time really worth. What about your guests? What is their time worth? You owe it to yourself and your friends and family to have an easy destination wedding.

That brings me to another point- while cost is a key issue for most couples (essentially they are also thinking of their guests, which is marvelous), they all would not even think about compromising on the quality of service.  Although OTA’s and other agencies offer similar services and the same portfolio of resorts that we do, they are unable to provide equal level of knowledge, dedication and real customer service as an Easy Escapes Destination Wedding Experts can.


Have any questions or comments about a Destination Wedding and/or price matching/beating? Leave them below or email Marjorie@easyescapestravel.com

Spotlight on Moorea & Bora Bora ~ Agent Trip Review

By Caroline Bracewell

Hotels:

Intercontinental Beachcomber, Moorea:

Although everyone seems to like Bora Bora better, my husband and I actually preferred Moorea. We loved the dramatic setting with the lush mountains in the background, leading down to the stunningly beautiful beaches!

We arrived at the resort around 9 PM, after many long hours of traveling. The lobby is open-air and very large, with a gift shop and a pearl shop. There are Tahitian paintings (many for sale) decorating the few walls. Off the lobby area in the same very large building, there is also a large, airy bar/lounge opening onto the pool area, and with a view of the beach just beyond the pool. Every day, local artists set up shop in the lobby, and we enjoyed looking over their handicrafts. The lobby also has a hidden closet filled with books (just ask the front desk)which was great for me, since I love to read, but had somehow forgotten to pack a single piece of reading material.

While we checked in, we were given tall glasses of the most wonderful cold fruit juice, which were very welcome, considering the heat. Checking in took no time at all, and we were taken by golf cart to our beach bungalow. Inside, we found a platter of fruit and chilled bottles of champagne and mineral water waiting for us. We also found a pareu and t-shirt wrapped in shell bracelets on the flower-strewn bed.

The bungalows are lovely inside, decorated with dark tropical woods and Tahitian artwork, with a separate bedroom and sitting area with a sofa, chairs, a large desk, television, etc. The bathroom was not huge, but spacious enough, and very pretty. It had a huge bathtub and an open shower, so you never have to lose the view, even while soaping up! (Another bonus to our particular bungalow was that no one ever walked past the front of it, so it was always very private!) Every bungalow here has air-conditioning, which was very important to us! I love the way the bungalows are constructed. There were shutters on either side of the bed, which could be opened to let in the fragrant breezes. The one time it rained during our trip (very late at night), we woke up to the sound of the downpour hitting the thatched roof, a very unusual sound, but also romantic!

I had requested #311, and they gave it to us! It is definitely the best one at the resort. While it was very dark when we first got to the room, waking up the next morning, we were greeted with the most beautiful view imaginable. The deck of 311 is framed with beautiful tropical palms and other tropical trees and bushes. It is right on the beach (a few of the bungalows are set back a bit), allowing us a perfect view of the ocean, and immediate access to the beach. There was a hammock right next to our bungalow, which was not once (that we noticed) used by anyone else the entire time we were there.

Each morning, we would wake up about 4:30 or 5 in the morning due to jet lag, but it was actually really nice to be up so early. We would sit on our deck and just watch the sun coming up over the mountains. It was also fun to watch the big fish (and sharks!) feeding right in front of our balcony, causing hundreds of splashes as the little fish tried to escape being breakfast! Then we would go for a long walk, with the resort all to ourselves. The early morning was the best time for seeing unusual sea life, since the water would generally be very calm, and it would still be a bit dark. One morning, there was a two-foot-long shark about six inches from my foot as I stood on a tiny rock jetty. The next morning, I saw a very large eel swim right by (cool, but a little scary!)

The resort itself is relatively large and very lush. There are several different beaches, all with different and beautiful views and clear water. The beach right in front of our bungalow looked straight out to sea; to the right, we had a view of the overwater bungalows. One thing to note is that the OWBs at this hotel are really only halfway out of the water, so I would not recommend staying in them if you are looking for the true OWB experience. They are, however, very pretty, surrounded by lovely landscaping-actually much nicer to look at than the usual OWBs.

The resort is the home of the Dolphin Quest habitat/experience, which I go into more detail about in my activity reviews. There is also a sea turtle habitat at the resort. The resort also is home to a full service spa (the Helene Spa). We never made it over there for any treatments, but they all sounded wonderful! The concierge is happy to sit down and discuss the various activities with you, but we ended up just hanging out on the beach for the majority of our trip.

There are a couple of restaurants at the hotel-one is right off the pool, with indoor and outdoor seating. It has basic dishes such as hamburgers, steak or mahi-mahi sandwiches, and salads, as well as various pasta dishes and pizzas. The food was quite good, and service was excellent, very fast in comparison to anywhere else we went in French Polynesia. The other restaurant is on the second story of the main building. It has a good selection of salads and appetizers, and many different meat and fish entrees. The service here is also good, and usually the food was as well. The only complaint we had was that the tomato and mozzarella salad was salty beyond belief, and the lobster Bob ordered one night looked like something out of a horror movie. We still can't even describe what was wrong with the meat of that lobster-just don't order it!

As far as room service, we took knotties advice and ordered one breakfast each morning to share. It was delicious, and definitely more than enough food. It was always delivered quickly, was very fresh, and the room service staff was very sweet and accommodating (I am very picky about how food is cooked!) We also enjoyed happy hour at the bar. Along with the drinks, they bring a dish of delicious black and green olives and fresh coconut (I know it sounds like a strange combination, but actually was great!).

The resort was not crowded at all, which was very nice, and there also were almost no children staying there-definitely a plus on a romantic vacation! One of the only things we did not love about the hotel was the pool. It was nice, but somewhat generic, ie no unusual shape, landscaping, or other special details. It is, however, right next to the beach, with a lovely view of the water. But overall, we loved the resort, and can't wait to go back soon!
Intercontinental Beachcomber, Bora Bora:

This 5-star resort is located at Matira Point, on Matira Beach, which was recently named the best beach in the world! It is three miles of the most gorgeous sand and sea you can imagine, making the location hard to beat. The only downside is that the hotel is adjacent to some local homes, which are not exactly luxurious-looking, though they are picturesque, set against such a stunning backdrop.

We arrived by boat from the airport (as with all Bora Bora hotels), and were greeted with shell leis, then taken to the bar overlooking the pool to check in. Our check-in forms were brought to us on a silver tray, along with cool cloths and glasses of delicious fruit juice. The concierge personally checked us in, then took us on a tour of the resort, and to our overwater bungalow.

On outside the OWBs are typical-they look like every other OWB in FP. The stretch far into the lagoon, and surround stunning coral gardens. At night, the walkway down to the OWBs is lit with tiki torches, which also cast a glow throughout other parts of the resort. The resort actually underwent a complete renovation/facelift a year or so ago, so everything is very new and luxurious. On the inside, the bungalows are spacious, with a bedroom, large bathroom, and living room. The bungalows have very high ceilings and lots of windows, which makes them feel very open and airy. The bathroom was decorated to give the feeling of being outside, with vines and plants everywhere, and shutters that can be opened for a view of the water. Like in Moorea, the bungalows are all air-conditioned, and also have ceiling fans.

The living room was pretty much the same as at the ICB Moorea, but with a glass-topped coffee table that could be opened so as to feed the fish. Each bungalow has a coral reef directly underneath, so there are always tons of fish to look at. The bedroom had an enormous window, perfectly placed for watching the sunrise from bed. The porch was large, with two levels-the top level contained two cushy lounges flanking a small table, as well as a built in table and seats. Steps led to the lower platform, which had a ladder into the water. The lower level was also great for sunbathing.

Once again, we found a t-shirt and pareu waiting for us on a bed of flowers, and more fresh fruit and champagne, and they had also left a pretty carved mother-of-pearl necklace and a 'jet lag kit' full of goodies! We had a Horizon OWB, with a view of the ocean and other islands far out on the horizon. The basic OWBs are a bit smaller, and have a view of Bora Bora's mountain, and a couple of motus. Either way, you will have a lovely room and a spectacular view!

The service was generally good, although not quite as good as at the ICB on Moorea, especially at the poolside restaurant, the staff was on island time, which can get frustrating at times. The exceptions to this were Jerome, the concierge, who spent quite a bit of time going over the various activities and excursions with us. He was one of the most helpful and knowledgeable hotel staffers I have ever met in any hotel in the world. Stephanie at the front desk was incredibly friendly and helpful as well.

The ICB Bora Bora is small and intimate, and the grounds are lush and beautifully landscaped. There are several restaurants, as well as an indoor/outdoor bar next to the pool. The dishes are similar to that at the ICB Moorea, but better-every lunch and dinner we had was excellent. We ordered room service for breakfast each morning again, but it was not quite as good as at the first resort (or we may have just been tired of it!).

The lobby is open, with a pearl shop inside and a gift shop outside. In the gift shop, you can check out DVDs (each bungalow has a TV with DVD player), which is nice on nights when you are too tired from activities to do anything but order room service and chill out! There is an ¡§activities¡¨ bungalow, with Internet access, a pool table, books, brochures on dozens of different activities and excursions, and the concierge desk. The pool is beautiful-the main pool features a rocky waterfall and infinity edge. The water pours over the edge into a smaller pool with a sandy bottom, which is fun to sit in, looking out at the ocean.

Snorkeling equipment is free, but I would recommend bringing your own, especially if you are germ-phobic. There are also canoes, kayaks, and windsurfing equipment available, all free to rent (same thing at ICB Moorea). Several hammocks hang from palm trees at the edge of the water, and there are always plenty of beach loungers and umbrellas for when you want a bit of shade.

Overall the resort was wonderful, and though the service in general could be improved, I would still recommend the hotel as a lovely option in Bora Bora.

Activities:


Parasailing:


I love parasailing, and try to do it whenever I go to the beach, but it was particularly amazing in Bora Bora! Bob had never been before, but was so excited to try it. He and I went together, which was so much fun, pointing things out to one another from such an unbeatable vantagepoint. Although the guys running the operation looked a bit shady, they were actually very professional and nice. We chose the 25-minute 'sail' which took us up to 300 meters. From that height, the peak of Bora Bora's mountain seemed to be at eye level, and the boat pulling us along was a speck in the water.

I don't know about the shorter 'flights' (there were 2 other options-15 min./100 meters and 20 min/200 meters), but we circled the entire island. One thing I always love when parasailing is being able to see what's in the water, and the water is so clear there that you can see huge fish, stingrays, etc when you are not too high up.

Our favorite part may have been when we were being pulled back down towards the boat. We looked down, and directly under us were 7 or 8 HUGE sharks (I say huge because they even looked big from hundreds of feet up!). They were all together in a group, and it looked as if they may have been mating (Bob and I disagree on this-he likes to think that we witnessed a shark fight...lol)

Overall, we highly recommend parasailing while you are in BB. As far as price, it was about $300 USD for our excursion. For the 15 min, it was around $220, and about $290 for 20 min. (By the way, I kept the activity price list from our resort, so if you have any questions about activity prices, feel free to ask!)

Lagoonarium and shark feeding:


We thought about doing the 'Shark Boy' excursion, which we had heard good things about, but ended up going on the Lagoonarium tour instead, which includes shark and ray feeding, as well as snorkeling in the coral gardens. The only complaint we had about this tour was the number of people with us-around 20 or so. Oh, and the fact that the loincloth-clad guide spent most of the time on the boat talking to the people sitting next to and across from us, with his (almost) bare crotch and rear end in my face. But we still managed to have a great time-loincloth guy has since provided us with many laughs!

First, the tour took us out to the reef, where we hung onto a rope while the guide fed sharks and rays inches from us. It was amazing, and just a little bit scary. (I am proud of myself for not freaking out so much I frightened the sharks, like one woman on our tour did!)

Next, we went to the coral gardens for snorkeling. We loved this, although the current was so strong, we almost didn't make it back to the boat when it was time to go! But the water is deep here, fish in this area are amazing, and you can see huge clams, eels, and other interesting sea creatures.

The final portion of this tour is the Lagoonarium itself, which is on a private motu. Here, there are different areas blocked off with fences (not the most aesthetically pleasing things, but I guess they get the job done!)

Each area has different types of sealife, and you can get into the 'pools' and swim with the sharks, etc. The first area has huge sea turtles. The next pool contains jackfish, which are enormous, and stingrays, including one with no stinger, which you can pet (and I did, with much apprehension).

The third pool is home to more stingrays, tropical fish, and lots of sharks! There is also a small cage containing a large and rather mean looking moray eel. The guides open the cage, and you can pet the eel, which is surprisingly silky to the touch! The final pool is quite large and relatively deep, with more fish, stingrays and eagle rays, and lots of large sharks (lemons, black tips, and white tips).

I know it seems scary at first to swim with sharks, but it is really so amazing-I am now (almost) over my lifelong fear of sharks (thanks to my brother, I was forced to watch Jaws at a young age!) To be honest, I was much more afraid of the rays, which come right up to you, as if to investigate. One actually swam up and wrapped himself around my husband's face, which gave him quite a shock! But the sharks tend to keep their distance-I guess they really ARE more afraid of us than we are of them!

In all, it was a fabulous thing to do. We did the half-day, which I would recommend over the full day. The full day does include lunch, but by the time the 'half-dayers' left, we all agreed that a full day would be too long-you will be tired and sunburned by the end of the tour!

Massages:

We never made it to the Helene Spa at our resort, but instead ended up getting a side by side couples massage in our bungalow. Both of the masseuses were amazing-we felt so completely relaxed and blissful afterwards. I would definitely recommend honeymoon massages!!!

Private motu picnic:

Our hotel in Moorea gave this to us as a wonderfully unexpected perk when we checked in. They took us on a catamaran to a private motu, and dropped us off for several hours with champagne and a picnic fit for a king-fresh fish, fruit, cheese, bread, etc. We went snorkeling, explored the truly deserted island, and just had a very romantic day. It was truly like being in the movie 'Blue Lagoon'. We had such a great time that we ended up doing another motu picnic in Bora Bora (see below).

Semi-private motu picnic:


Just a hint to those of you traveling to FP-unless you are dead set on having your own private island for a few hours, this is a better deal by far. We were transported by boat to an island that, while not truly deserted, was still very secluded and unpopulated. The private motu picnics cost anywhere from $500-$1000 USD, and this excursion cost around $100 USD total for transportation and our picnic lunch.

When we first landed on the motu, there were a few other couples, but they left after a few minutes, and we had the beach and jungle to ourselves for the rest of the afternoon. Again, we went snorkeling in a gorgeous green sheltered 'lagoonette', as we called it, and just enjoyed the feeling of being completely alone on this stunning isle.

Dolphin Quest:

We had planned to do this, as it is located at the Moorea Beachcomber, where we stayed, but decided against it. We spent a lot of time watching the dolphins, and you can get within a few feet of them, which is incredible. But the price was around $700 USD for an hour, and after talking to a few couples who had participated, we decided it was not worth it to us. One of the trainers let us dangle our feet in the water and play with the gorgeous animals anyway! From what we observed/heard the DQ mainly consists of standing in the water near the dolphins while they do tricks and the guides talk about them. I would recommend just sitting on the shady beach at the edge of their habitat and watching/listening to the others do the Quest. Odds are, the trainers will let you pet the dolphins anyway-this way, you'll have the basic experience, and save $700.

Bloody Mary's:

Well, the food was good. The atmosphere was fun. The service was not very polished (then again, FP is not exactly known for stellar service!). When we walked in, they told us how they have no menus, and we were led to a table piled with raw fish-much of it dead but physically intact (call me provincial, but I really don't like to see how my food looked when it was alive!). Then someone who did not really speak English proceeded to tell us what each fish/dish was. Since neither Bob nor I could really understand what she had described, we decided to go to the bar first and order later.

While sitting at the bar sipping (quite delicious!) rum punch, the host (an American) walked up to us and asked if we had ordered yet. We told him that we had not, that we had decided to have a cocktail or two first. We asked if that was all right, because he just kept standing there. Then, he had the audacity to say (and this is a direct quote) 'Well, it would really be more convenient for US if you would go ahead and order'. He then blathered on, mentioning his and the restaurant's convenience several more times. Um, oh, okay, of course we want to make things as convenient as possible for you, buddy. That's why we came here tonight, to make things easier for you. It would really be more convenient for US if you left us alone and paid for our dinner.

Well, that's what we were thinking at least. We didn't actually say that to him (hey, we were both raised in the South-we're too polite for that!) Instead, we looked at him like 'are you kidding us?' and he finally did a 180 and said that he guessed it would be okay for us to order when the next group of English speakers came through. Finally he left us alone, and we both nearly fell off our barstools laughing.

Our waitress was very sweet and helpful, though-one of the best servers we encountered our whole trip. The wine list is not extensive, but is good and reasonably priced. For appetizers, we had shrimp, steak, and veggie kabobs--yummy! We both had the special-mahi-mahi with vegetables and some type of ranch sauce, which was truly wonderful.

Shopping:


Le Petite Village, Moorea

This is a good place to but pareus, as well as pearls (see below). Lots of shops, all with basically the same merchandise, although some have a better selection than others do. The village is located a few miles west of the Moorea Beachcomber resort.

Black Pearl Gem Company
(located in Le Petite Village, Moorea)

My sweet husband bought my black pearl necklace here. They have a beautiful selection, and the staff is wonderful-very friendly, patient, and helpful. The prices are excellent, and the store itself is lovely. You are offered a cool drink the moment you walk into the store, and are welcome to look around for as long as you like, with no pressure as there often is in Tahitian pearl shops. They offer a free shuttle back and forth to the store from most or all of the major hotels.

General Tips:

1. It's been said before, I'll say it again-order 1 breakfast from room service. You'll save money, and there will be lots of food left over for feeding the fish!
2. Buy a couple of bottles of liquor at the duty free shop at LAX-sometimes it's nice to be able to relax on your deck with a cold drink, without having to wait for it to be delivered.
3. Bring your own snorkeling equipment-it's free at most resorts, but you get what you pay for-it is generally poor quality.
4. The Bora Bora airport has a mosquito problem-bring bug spray in your carry-on.
5. Bring twice as much film as you think you'll need.
6. Ditto with sunscreen
7. Don't forget reef shoes-the ocean bottom is full of things that cut and sting, and bite.
8. Pack lightly and casually-you will wear mostly bathing suits, t-shirts, and pareus.
9. Get up early-the sun sets early, and you will have more daylight time. Plus, there is not very much to do at night, other than eat and drink.
10. Tamanu oil is amazing on sunburns-you can buy it at the hotel gift shop. It smells a little odd, but will heal a sunburn within 48 hours.

Note: I have tried to be as honest as possible about the good and bad things on our honeymoon. For all the Knotties considering a trip to FP or anywhere else, remember to take 'perfect' reviews with a grain of salt. No one's honeymoon is without flaws, and there is no one 'best' place to go. No matter where you decide to stay on your HM, it will be fabulous, so HAVE FUN!


Caroline@EasyEscapesTravel.com

Frequently Asked Questions Before You Go To French Polynesia / Tahiti

Dear Traveler,
 
Our South Seas Escapes certified Tahiti experts have compiled a list of FAQ's before you travel to the beautiful South Pacific.  Be sure to also visit "Our Tahiti Expert Reveals..." page for Tahiti travel tips and advice.  
 
 
Q. When is high season in French Polynesia?
A. High season in the islands, with correspondingly higher prices, runs from June 1 until November 1st or 15th (depending on the resort).
 
Q. When is rainy season in French Polynesia?
A. November through March is considered to be the rainy season, and July to September the dry season. However, as with most tropical areas, the weather can be unpredictable, and it's not uncommon to experience days on end of perfect sunshine in February or more rain than expected in July!
 
Q. What is a motu?
A. A motu is a small, flat island that often looks very similar to the classic "desert island" image.
 
Q. Is it better to stay on the main island or a motu in BB?
A. Some people like to be on the main island for easy access to town and more restaurants, and some prefer to be on a motu in order to have a gorgeous view of the main island and Mount Otemanu (Bora Bora's famed peak). Staying on a motu also allows you to have the experience of staying on a "private" resort island (though some of the motus do host more than one resort).
 
Q. How long is the flight?
A. The flying time is approximately 8-8.5 hours between Los Angeles, CA and Papeete, Tahiti. From there, the flight to Moorea is about 10 minutes, about 50 to Bora Bora
 
Q. Can I take a boat between islands?
A. A ferry is available between Tahiti and Moorea, as well as between Raiatea and Tahaa. However, to get between other islands, a short flight is necessary, unless you take a cruise.
 
Q. What does food cost on average?
A. Average buffet or room service breakfast at a resort: $35-$40 per person
Lunch (entree, shared dessert): $25-$35 per person
Dinner (appetizer, entree, dessert): $75-$100 per person
Soft drink: $3-$5 each
Beer or glass of wine: $5-$10 each
Alcoholic cocktail: $12-$20 each
 
Q. Do I need a passport and visa to travel to French Polynesia?
A. You do need a US passport with at least 6 months validity remaining as of the day you leaves the islands to fly back to the US. A visa is not required for US citizens staying fewer than 30 days.
 
Q. Are vaccinations required to travel to French Polynesia?
A. None are required, though checking the CDC website for their current recommendations
 
Q. What are the baggage restrictions on the airlines?
A. Air Tahiti Nui and Air France allow passengers 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 50 pounds. However, Air Tahiti (the inter-islands carrier) only allows up to 44 pounds of checked baggage, and 6 pounds of carry-on baggage. Any additional baggage may incur an fee.
 
Q. Can I use American dollars in French Polynesia?
A. No. The currency of the islands is the French Polynesian Franc (XPF/CFP). Credit cards are widely accepted (Visa and Mastercard more so than American Express, though most of the major resorts do accept AMEX as well). For the best exchange rates, we recommend using ATMs (though do be advised that many banks charge a fee for using ATMs that are out of network/in another country than your bank).
 
Q. How much duty free liquor can I bring into French Polynesia?
A. You are allowed 2 liters per person.
 
Q. Is there a strong language barrier?
A. At most of the major resorts and restaurants, English is widely spoken. At some of smaller hotels, restaurants, and other sights, English speakers may be a bit less common. However, overall it is not difficult to enjoy the islands without speaking French or Tahitian. Though we do always recommend learning a few basic words, in order to really get the ost out of your experience!
 
Q. Is there a bug problem in French Polynesia?
A. As with any tropical destination, you may encounter some insects during your stay. To avoid any mosquito or fly bites, be sure to pack bug spray. You may never need it during your stay, but it’s always best to be prepared.
 
Q. What is the most romantic island/resort?
A. While every resort in French Polynesia is romantic, some of the more intimate resorts include Le Taha’a, Tikehau Pearl Beach, Kia Ora Sauvage, St. Regis Bora Bora, and the Four Seasons Bora Bora.
 
Q. Is it possible to vacation in French Polynesia for under $5000?
A. It is possible to go to French Polynesia and stay in the $5000 range for your air and resort in low season, so don’t abandon all hope just yet! While it’s impossible to stay in an overwater bungalow for your entire stay for $5000, you can still experience the lovely islands in one of the more inexpensive room categories, such a garden room or garden bungalow. These bungalows often have the same interiors as the overwater bungalows and are very close to the beach. Also, do not rule out some of the lesser known islands, such as Huahine, Tikehau, or Manihi. These islands are a wonderful value. Tikehau, while not mountainous like Moorea and Bora Bora, offers lagoon colors that rival Bora Bora! The Te Tiare Resort in Huahine is very intimate and secluded, and the garden bungalows are surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees that offer true privacy. A week-long trip or more will generally not be possible for less than $5000 unless your entire stay is on the island of Tahiti, but even a 4 or 5 night trip is absolutely worth it, especially if you are already on the West Coast of the US, where travel time to the Caribbean can actually be much longer!
 
 

Our Tahiti Expert Reveals... Everything You Need To Know Before You Go To Tahiti

By Janelle Graustein


Here is some general information about French Polynesia, her islands, and various other tidbits about travel to the islands. You can find a detailed review of my travels in my reviews on my website, but most of the information is unbiased and gathered through hours of research and training. This is just a quickie research lesson for those wanting to know more before making the big honeymoon or vacation decision!

The two most important things to figure out before you set out to do research on the French Polynesian islands are a) what is my budget? And b) when do I want to travel? Once you have these two things figured out, you can begin doing research to decide on an itinerary. It’s very important to narrow down the island choices, because there are so many to choose from! The best place to begin your research is the Tahiti Tourism website. This website gives a run down on each island, what those islands have to offer, what resorts are located on those islands, and some packages that include various island and resort combinations that give an idea of pricing. When doing my own research, for example, I found that Moorea did not really appeal to me for a first trip, but Taha’a did, so that helped me narrow it down some. For my second trip, I wanted more seclusion, more relaxation, and the opportunity for some world class diving/snorkeling, so I chose Tikehau and Rangiroa. The third time, I decided on Moorea because I only had 5 nights and it’s the closest to Papeete.

It’s suggested by many that you stick to 1 or 2 islands for a stay of up to 10 days, and no less than 3 nights per island. Of course, if you have the budget and the time for a vacation of 2 weeks, 3 islands would work perfectly in an itinerary. If you are truly serious about going, I also suggest picking up the Tahiti and French Polynesia Guide, 5th Edition, by Jan Prince. It’s one of the best travel guides for French Polynesia out there and it is very up to date since it was just released in May 2008. Once you have the length of your stay, what islands, and what resorts appeal to you, begin getting quotes for your trip from several travel agents.
Bora Bora is the quintessential Polynesian paradise. It’s where everyone wants to travel and it’s the island you see in all of the pictures. It’s gorgeous and a must-see at least once, but keep in mind that it is the priciest island in French Polynesia and the most touristy. Here is a brief rundown what I personally thought of the resorts in Bora Bora:

-St. Regis Bora Bora: Open since 2007, it’s considered by many to be the most exclusive resort in Bora Bora. The St. Regis boasts some of the most well appointed bungalows, personal butlers, and top of line cuisine and spa treatments. Rooms are either beach or overwater bungalows and are the most expensive rooms in French Polynesia to date. The resort even has a $15,000 a night Royal Bungalow!

-Hilton Bora Bora Nui: One of the upscale and more expensive resorts in French Polynesia with fancy, top-notch amenities and expansive grounds. It does, however, lack a view of the main island from most of their bungalows and it is also one of the largest and most Americanized of the resorts. It was just taken over by the Hilton group, and they have already added two spectacular two story Presidential bungalows! They have also hired on a new American spa manager, who is turning the spa into one of the most gorgeous places in the South Pacific!

-Hotel Bora Bora: the oldest and most well-known resort, it is known for its top notch service and large rooms. This hotel is located on the main island, as opposed to a private motu, so no spectacular view and some of the amenities are across the street (it does not have a pool, though.) NOTE: This resort is currently closed for complete renovations. It is expected to reopen sometime beyond 2012

-Le Meridien: On the “honeymoon row” side of Bora Bora, it has the most incredible view of Mt. Otemanu and one of the largest white sand beaches of any resort in Bora Bora. While there is no snorkeling around the OWBs, the resort has a turtle lagoon near the beach bungalows. The beach bungalows are the largest and most open bungalows at the resort and are favored over the OWBs, especially since they recently expanded them into beach villas with giant lap pools. It is worth noting that if you book them as a “beach bungalow” and not a “beach villa” that privacy may be an issue. This resort is also located on the opposite side of the main island from the main village, Vaitape .

-Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort: Formally known as the Sofitel Marara and Sofitel Motu, this resort offers perhaps the smallest and most intimate private island experience in Bora Bora. Both the Sofitel main island resort and the Private Island have a decent view and excellent snorkeling opportunities. Both properties under went renovations to bring the resort as a whole up to more luxury standards, but note that the pool and the larger restaurants are on the main island property. The wedding chapel was recently completed and is located up on a hill on the private island. It has 360 degree views of the island of Bora Bora and when the hotel is not hosting a wedding, they offer champagne at sunset to their guests at this unique site.

-Le Moana Beach Resort: Formerly known as the InterContinental Beachcomber, Le Moana is a 4.5 star resort that has middle of the road prices. The beach there is second to Le Meridien and the view is good, depending on the accommodations you choose. The Moana is also on the main island, so it has easy access to Matira Point, but doesn’t give the private feel of a motu. Le Moana’s main selling point is that it has an on-demand, complimentary shuttle to the Thalasso and it has exchange privileges with the the hotel, so you can dine at the Thalasso or use their spa throughout your stay, but not pay the hefty room rates. Also, Le Moana is very intimate and is essentially staffed by two Polynesian families, so it really makes you feel like you are intertwined with the local culture.

-InterContinental Thalasso Resort and Spa: One of the newer resorts on the island, it opened in 2006 and is built around the premise of the water. It is located just next to Le Meridien. While this resort may be ecologically friendly, it most certainly is not budget friendly. The resort only has OWBs and prices range from a good value for the emerald OWB to quite pricey for the Diamond OWBs. The spa is also worth mentioning, as it is very high-tech and offers many hydrotherapy treatments. As I mentioned above, you are able to take a complimentary shuttle over to Le Moana to dine at the hotel or to have access to the main island, which makes you feel a bit more connected to activities.

-Pearl Beach: The Pearl Beach is hands down the best value for your money just because of it’s view. The authentic OWBs are nice, yet not extremely luxurious, but are still well-appointed. The Pearl is a smaller resort than most and is somewhat removed from the rest of the resorts and Vaitape, but it has a view similar to Le Meridien. The Pearl does lack decent snorkeling opportunities, though. The Mandara Spa is perhaps a hidden gem there, as it only offers Polynesian treatments in a very sensual setting.

-Bora Bora Lagoon Resort: Another 4.5-5 star and less well known, but on the same motu as the Nui. The BBLR has also been recently renovated and most people are extremely happy with their stay there, but the location is prone to boat traffic since it is right across from Vaitape and the cruise port. NOTE: This resort is currently closed indefinitely. I will keep you updated.

-Le MaiTai Polynesia: The best 3 star resort on the island, Le MaiTai is a wonderful choice for those seeking to do Bora Bora on a tighter budget. It is on the main island and the bungalows aren’t as well-appointed, but they are clean and well taken care of and the staff is friendly according to those who have been. The beach bungalows and the overwater bungalows are the absolute best value on the property and perhaps in Bora Bora. Le MaiTai just starting offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as select beverages, in all of it’s packages, so that is a big draw to those who are not only a tight budget, but those who just do not want to fuss with anything while they are on vacation.

- Four Seasons Bora Bora: Open since Fall 2008, the Four Seasons is a direct competitor to the St. Regis. Located alongside the St. Regis, it has a great view of the main island and a gorgeous highly rated spa. Expect some of the best service at this hotel, along with a highly rated kid’s club, but it comes at a steep price. The Four Seasons also allows few lucky people to have fractional ownership at the resort!
To get more in depth information about most of the Bora Bora resorts, please visit my most recent review.

The other most popular island destination in French Polynesia is the island of Moorea. Moorea is located closest to Papeete and is accessible via ferry from the main island of Tahiti. None of the resorts are on a motu and the island itself has the most to offer in the way of activities and sight-seeing outside of the resorts. The most expensive resort on the island is the Legends Resort, which consists of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas. The villas have full kitchens and the resort focuses on long term stays and on family stays. The most popular resort on the island is the  Hilton (formerly the Sheraton) Resort and is highly recommended for an OWB, but not overwhelmingly for any other type of accommodation, though the new garden plunge pool bungalows may change that. The Spa there is among the best in Moorea (the couples massage I had was VERY expensive, though!), and the views from the horizon OWBs are simply breathtaking. The snorkeling was out of this world and was better than any other island I had visited up to that point. For a beach or garden bungalow, the Pearl Resort, the InterContinental, and the Sofitel are the favorites. The InterContinental features the Dolphin Excursion, which is the only place to offer such an experience in the islands. The Pearl Resort is located very close to a village, so it has easy access to markets and restaurants. While the Pearl is the least expensive of the two, and also the smaller resort, it offers a similar experience but without the extra cost. The Sofitel was just recently remodeled and has a very nice view of the main island of Tahiti. While it’s somewhat close to the airport, which may concern some, the beach there is one of the best on the island. The InterContinental is making a comeback, with it’s just completed mult-million dollar renovation, adding new pools, plunge pools to their garden bungalows, and new expansive desk on their overwater bungalows. The consensus is not in on what will make this resort stand out yet, but i’ll be sure ot let you know! To learn more about the resorts on Moorea, please visit my most recent review.

Huahine is another island within the Society Islands that is similar to Moorea in topography, but is much less populated and developed. Huahine is considered the most cultural island because it reflects the Polynesian way of life more so than any other island. In Huahine, the Te Tiare Resort is most often recommended for accommodations. According to those who stayed there, the beach bungalows and the horizon overwater bungalows are the most sought after rooms, but the resort does offer garden bungalows as well. The Te Tiare was taken over by the Pearl Resorts group in 2008, and is starting to undergo some major upgrades to make it more on par with a 5 star resort. Le MaiTai Le Pita is the only other resort class accommodation on the island and is similar to Le MaiTai Polynesia in Bora Bora is hotel class and offerings. It is a newer hotel, though, so I do expect that it will start getting more favorable reviews than its sister property.

Another Society Island is Taha’a. It is just beginning to hit the travel spotlight with the opening of Le Taha’a Private Island Resort and Spa. While Taha’a is still relatively undeveloped, it is beginning to be a sought after location for new resorts, including a Raffles Resort and a possible golf resort. The main island itself does not offer much to do in the way of activities, but Taha’a is considered the Vanilla Island and there are some vanilla plantations located there. Another resort option in Taha’a is Vahine Island, which is a 4.5 star, extremely small, and extremely intimate resort. They only offer 6 bungalows- 3 over the water and 3 beach bungalows. It isn’t as popular as Le Taha’a, but it is a great option for those seeking a quiet, secluded getaway on a slightly lower budget. Unfortunately, it’s still quite expensive!
Raiatea, Taha’a’s sister island, is where the airport is located for both islands and is approximately 40 minutes by boat to Le Taha’a. Raiatea is not a popular tourist island, but it does offer some smaller pensions for those wanting to stay there. Raiatea’s main focus is diving and hiking, and not so much luxury or tourist amenities. While the Pearl Group does have a hotel there, it is perhaps a step below the other Pearl offerings on other islands, especially Le Taha’a just across the lagoon. There are also two other hotels there- Raiatea Lodge Hotel and Opoa Hotel, both of which are a step above the Raiatea Hawaiki Nui. As I mentioned in my review of the Hawaiki Nui, a little bit of love could vastly improve this hotel and make it a hidden gem! Raiatea is also the starting point for many private boat charters, including Moorings and Archipels.

While the Society Islands are lush and mountainous, the Tuamotus- Tikehau, Manihi, Rangiroa, and Fakarava- are flat, more desert-like, and much more secluded. The Tuamotus are the most popular destination for diving in French Polynesia and consist of many atoll islands, which are mostly uninhabited. These islands are a great destination for pure relaxation and just enjoying the beautiful water and surroundings, since each island has only one major resort and there are almost no outside restaurants and activities.

The largest of the Tuamotu resorts is the Hotel Kia Ora in Rangiroa. It is considered by many to be the only 5 star resort in the Tuamotus. The Kia Ora also has a smaller offshoot of the resort, the Kia Ora Sauvage, located on an outlying motu about an hour by boat from the village. The Sauvage is the ultimate in seclusion and privacy with only 5 beach bungalows and no electricity. (NOTE: Hotel Kia Ora is currently closed for renovations. It will reopen in September 2011.) Rangiroa is also home to Le MaiTai Rangiroa. This property, like its sister properties in Huahine and Bora Bora, is an all-inclusive property and focuses on the budget minded traveler.
Both Tikehau and Manihi are home to a Pearl Resort hotel and both resorts are very intimate as well, with just over 30 bungalows each. Tikehau is said to have the most concentration of fish in its lagoon out of all the French Polynesian islands, so snorkeling and diving are the most popular activities there. Manihi offers the same experience, perhaps a little more secluded, but the resort is slightly older than the Pearl in Tikehau. Fakarava, perhaps the least known of the Tuamotus is where you will find the White Sands Beach Resort. It’s a little hidden paradise and recommended that you visit there when you are fully relaxed and ready to completely unwind!

Once you have narrowed down your island choices, searching for the best package is the next best step. Of course, that’s when budget comes into play. French Polynesia is considered to be an extremely expensive venture, but can be done on a smaller budget if luxurious resorts aren’t of importance. Most French Polynesia honeymoons average between $8K-$12K for everything for 8-10 days. Of course, you can definitely spend less. What resorts you choose and what islands you choose are a big factor in determining price. Bora Bora and Taha’a are considered the most expensive islands, and the Tuamotu atolls are, for the most part, the most affordable. Moorea and Huahine tend to be in the middle of the budget scale. Of course, all of this depends on what accommodations you choose at what resorts. For example, a horizon OWB at the Hilton in Moorea is around $950/night rack rate, which is the same as the lowest category room at the InterContinental Thalasso Resort. Also, in Bora Bora, you can get an overwater bungalow at the 3 star Le MaiTai Polynesia for around $600/night, but an overwater bungalow at the St. Regis runs over $1200/night for their rack rates. A lot also depends on the current exchange rate, which can be found on XE’s website. Finding the right resort/budget combo can be frustrating, but remember you are in paradise, so do what you can afford and you’ll be guaranteed to get a lot for your money.

Also, keep in mind when pricing flights, they are expensive and can run around $1200/person. Of course, there are deals out there from time to time. Adding an upgrade to business class runs around $1900/person roundtrip ($700 one way when done at the airport) and first class tickets run around $3K/person. As one who flies first class often, I found that the upgrade to business class is more than sufficient for a decent, comfortable flight if you are looking for that extra luxury. To me, it is worth the extra money, but their first class is not. The only other airline that flies to Papeete is Air France. I have found Air France to be comparable to Air Tahiti Nui, so either choice is good.

As for food, activities, and souvenirs, expect to pay more than normal since much of their goods are imported from New Zealand. On an average 10 day trip, a conservative amount of spending money would be around $2K. Some resorts, such as the Tuamotus and Le Taha’a, have very few options for food outside of the resorts, and therefore, it’s harder to be more budget minded with meals. We ate three meals a day at Le Taha’a and spent around $30-$50/day on breakfast, $50-$75/day on lunch, and $100-$125/day on dinner, with minimal alcohol. Hamburgers generally run around $18, mixed drinks are usually around $12-$14, and a continental breakfast will run around $30, but offers enough food for two. Meal plans are offered by most travel agents, but not recommended for the more popular and developed islands because there are a lot of local eateries worth trying. Also, meal plans do not include soft drinks or alcoholic beverages (with the exception of Le MaiTai and even that does not include everything.) As for activities, a shark and ray feeding on Bora Bora will run around $80/person and a 4×4 jeep safari tour will run around $60/person. Our one hour Jet Ski tour in Taha’a was around $350. Of course, snorkeling is usually free unless you choose to go on a tour.

Last, but not least is finding the right travel agent. First and foremost, I have to recommend myself, Janelle , from Easy Escapes Travel, but of course, I don’t expect everyone to just stop their search with me (well, maybe in a perfect world!) I would also recommend two of my co-workers at Easy Escapes, Caroline Bracewell and Andrea Duvall, who, like myself, are certified Tahiti Tiare agents. There are a few agencies out there that specialize in Tahiti, such as Tahitian Vacations, Tahiti Explorer, Tahiti Travel Planners (who I used before I was an agent.) Also, other agents that do offer packages to Tahiti include Islands and Liberty Travel. If you are looking for a great price, but don’t mind doing most of the research on your own, look into Costco Travel or Island Spree. After doing tons of research, I have found that each agent typically has a few incredible select deals that beat all other quotes, so choose a few agents to get quotes on 2 or 3 different itineraries. Try choosing the agent who not only gives you a competitive price, but who also provides the best customer service. Paying less is great, but sometimes having questions answered thoroughly and timely is worth the extra money. As I mention on my website and as it’s stated on my agency’s website, we price match! So, if you do happen to find a quote from another agency that is lower, I am more than happy to meet or beat that confirmed rate quote! I would love to work with you! Also, Tahiti Specialists, or Tiare agents, can offer the best knowledge on the islands. I, personally, am a certified Tiare Agent and have been for over 5 years! For a listing of Tiare agents, consult the Tahiti Tourism website.

Various other tips:
- Vaccinations are not required to enter French Polynesia. I’m sure you could get them, but you will not need them. The only thing required for entry is your passport.
-pack lightly. Check out the packing list I put together for guidance.
-Food can be expensive, so visit a market on the island if you can to grab some baguettes and snacks. Also, considering bringing granola bars or other easily transported food along with you in your checked baggage. With the American dollar being so weak, any extra help in saving money goes a long way.
-Taking the 4:20pm flight out of LAX isn’t so bad. Yes, it adds a night to your itinerary in Tahiti, but you wake up feeling refreshed and renewed in the morning. The best choice for a hotel is the InterContinental or Manava Suites.
-Tipping in French Polynesia is not required, but it is becoming more popular, especially on the bigger islands as the American resorts move in. Some places will even leave a sign out on the table reminding you to tip!
-If all else fails when planning a trip due to budget, don’t count out a cruise. Paul Gauguin cruises offer a decent all-inclusive package and you get to see A LOT of the islands, including part of the Cook Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and even Fiji and Tonga!
-Learning a few of the Tahitian or French phrases is appreciated, but not required to get by. The locals like it when you try, and those phrases may come in handy in the Tuamotus since they are more remote.
-When planning your itinerary, and it includes Moorea, try to visit Moorea first. It is just a short ferry ride from Papeete (about 20 minutes), so it’s a fast and easy way to start off your vacation.
-To help with budget, and to get an overall experience of the islands, try mixing up your accommodations on each island. So, try an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora and maybe a garden or beach bungalow in Moorea. The overwater bungalows are unique, but some of the beach bungalows are amazing and worth giving a shot.
-If you get a chance, stop at the duty free store at the airport and pick up a bottle or two of alcohol. It will help you save some money if you order a Coke and then pour your own rum into it. Travelers are allowed to bring in 2 liters of spirits through customs without declaration.
-Island hopping is a great way to see French Polynesia and there are interisland flights that can take you from island to island on a small, 30 seater plane. The only island that has ferry transportation is Moorea, which goes round trip between the island and Papeete. There is also a helicopter transfer available through Le Taha’a from Taha’a to Bora Bora.
-Resorts on motus offer shuttles to the main islands for guest transportation. Each resort offers a different schedule, and some require a fee, so be sure to check with your resort to make sure you make your scheduled excursions or restaurant reservations. All excursions and reservations can be made through the hotel’s activities desk, so they will tell you the appropriate shuttle time when you make those reservations
-Booking excursions ahead of time is not recommended because it forces you to stick with a particular day and time. Booking spa treatments at some of the more intimate, exclusive resorts and the Dolphin Experience at the Moorea Dolphin Center ahead of time is recommended for the high season.
-French Polynesia is a tropical destination, so therefore, rain can occur at any time. I would not be afraid to travel to French Polynesia because of the threat of bad weather, though. Sunshine is abundant year-round and most rain showers are brief and isolated. It may be raining on one side of the island, but not the other!
-Since French Polynesia is tropical and there is plenty of gorgeous flora, bugs do exist. They are hardly a concern, however. Mosquitos are present, but in most cases, are not noticeable. In the case that you are a little concerned about the bugs, bring bug spray and an itch stick and keep it with you at all times. While there aren’t swarms of bugs flying around, a bite or two can happen and you wan’t be be prepared. If you are still unsure, try steering away from a garden bungalow since they are usually surrounded by tropical plants. Again- bugs aren’t usually an issue, but staying away from lush areas will help reduce the chance of getting bit.
-While there are beautiful beaches in French Polynesia, they are very different from what you’ll find in the Caribbean. So, if you are looking for long stretches of white, soft sand, the Caribbean is probably a better bet. The Tuamotu islands offer the best chance to see long stretches of beach, but this is more uncommon in the more popular Society Islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, Taha’a, Huahine). Most resorts, especially in Moorea, do not have much of a beach at all, but resorts like Le Meridien Bora Bora, the Bora Bora Nui, and the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort do have decent beach areas. The sand is mostly broken up coral (except at Le Meridien), so it isn’t fine grained and soft. Also, Bora Bora features the famed Matira Beach between the Moana Beach Resort and Hotel Bora Bora (I personally did not care for it, though). However, Matira Beach is public and not affiliated with any resort.
-Credit cards are widely accepted on the islands, but you will need some cash for your stay. Use yuor ATM card at the ATMs in the islands to get the best exchange rates. There are several located in Faaa Airport, or in the larger villages in Moorea and Bora Bora. Don’t forget to call your bank before leaving to let them know when and where you will be traveling so they do not flag your card as being stolen.

This is obviously just a broad overview of what to expect when planning a French Polynesia vacation! Good luck and happy planning!

 Be sure to also visit our "South Ses Escapes FAQ" page for more Tahiti travel tips and advice.  

Spotlight on St. Maarten & Anguilla ~ Agent Trip Review

By Janelle Graustein

I don’t often get to see my family, so I thought that taking my mom on a vacation would make up for all of those birthday dinners, Christmases, and Thanksgivings I’ve skipped over the years. While I am based in Arizona, my mom lives on the East Coast, so we chose the Caribbean for our big mother-daughter adventure. More specifically, we chose St. Maarten/St. Martin to have a great mix of shopping, beaches, and gorgeous views.

For those of you who read my reviews often, you have probably figured out that I am a total American Airlines mile/Starwood point junkie! So, I got a deal for airfare using 30K miles/person on American and 10,000 points a night for 4 nights at the Westin Dawn Beach (remember Starwood people- 5th night free- they didn’t have the 5th night available as you’ll see below). The flights were fairly uneventful, except for my mom befriending two flight attendants who proceeded to get her a bit tipsy. American is usually good about being on time, as long as you avoid Dallas/Ft. Worth or Chicago-O’Hare in the winter. We connected in San Juan.

Since the Westin did not have our first night available, we decided to choose a more moderate hotel for our short stay. I chose the Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort just outside of Philipsburg. The hotel was nothing fancy, just a basic place that happens to have a nice view of the cruise port and the beautiful bay and is within walking distance of the famous shopping district. It also has a casino, for those who like to gamble. While I would classify it as 3 stars, I would really only recommend this hotel for someone who was looking for an inexpensive getaway with a group of friends or for someone in my similar situation. The location really worked out because it was the half way point between the airport and the Westin.

Our stay at the Westin was very nice and very relaxing. Our room was on the 3rd floor with a view overlooking the pool, which was never very loud or crowded. The beach area was very nice as well, but be warned if you are against topless sunbathing (and be even further warned that Orient Beach, just on the other side of the border on the French side, is completely clothing optional!). The hotel has a casino, as well as 2 restaurants. I only ate at the one – Ocean. Ocean was very nice, with very good food, although a bit pricey, as any resort food tends to be.

The menu wasn’t very extensive, but I am also a very picky eater. I also dined at the pool restaurant, Liquid, but there was nothing worth noting, except that I felt they needed a more extensive menu there as well. They also offer a sushi bar, but it’s totally not my thing.
We also dined outside of the hotel a few times.

The first night, we went to Taloula Mango’s in Philipsburg. It is located right along the boardwalk, with views of Great Bay. The food was good, the atmosphere was fun, and the pina coladas were out of this world! Speaking of entertainment, if you want something completely loud, fun, and interactive, you have to try Cherie’s Cafe. It’s back toward the airport, near the Maho Resort area, and it has all of the loud, cheesy entertainment you could ever ask for. It’s funny and it’s a good time. You can act like a goof, dance like one, and no one there will ever see you again! Also, although not glamorous, we ordered Pizza Hut and had it delivered one night.

The highlight of our trip, other than buying a few pieces of jewelry for cheap (side note- remember to shop around and negotiate on price), we took a day trip to Anguilla. WOW- what an island. If you are looking for something low-key, high class, and gorgeous white sand beaches, Anguilla is the place to stay. Anguilla is known for its high-end, expensive, luxury resorts, and now I know why. I will be returning! We took the ferry over from the French Side of St. Martin, and arrived in Anguilla about 30 minutes later. We had met a man on the boat who offered us a cab ride and he also took the time to show us around the island. He dropped us off at Shoal Bay East and it was like a picture out of a post card. We happened to be there on a day that very few people were on the beach, but the weather was perfect.

I couldn’t have asked for a better trip and one that will not be forgotten any time soon. St. Maarten is a great destination for a girls –only trip, or a mother-daughter trip, while Anguilla would be the perfect destination for a honeymoon or anniversary. We had a blast and hope that the tradition will carry on into the future.
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