Bora Bora/Moorea Honeymoon

[becks]

DH and I honeymooned on Moorea at the Sheraton - it was really nice, but be prepared for a lot of quiet time - we were there in November and it was pretty empty. And no real nightlife to speak of. But, the water was fantastic! Get your scuba certification - I've never seen anything like the water there.

 

We also took a cruise that hit several islands. It was wonderful.

 

And I agree with Melinda - don't bother spending much time on Tahiti.

[ajncooter]

my husband and i just returned from an amazing honeymoon i highly recommend.. we spent a week at the old sheraton now hilton moorea in an overwater bungalow and then a week at the st regis bora bora in an overwater villa... i cannot say enough great things about this trip.. please feel free to email me should you want to see our pictures? ajncooter@yahoo.com

[peterpanpixiedust]

Could a TA on here give me hope that a honeymoon in Bora Bora and/or Moorea in an overwater bungalow is affordable? We just don't have the 3,000 to 4,500 pp that I've been seeing. The lowest I ever found was 2,500 pp, and the reviews of the place were horrible (cockroaches, food swarming with flies, cold breakfast buffet). I know there are ups and downs of the whole Bora Bora thing. There's the nothing to do (but I will be honeymooning, so that takes care of the events), I've heard some travel agents say there is a musty smell due to the constant moisture in the bungalow from being overwater (you know what, for the experience, I'll deal), and bugs, which seriously don't bother me all too much. But cockroaches.... that bothers me, and I'd prefer my food to be warm and for the most part bug free. Is there even a chance for us? Yet, I would like it affordable. We'd be willing to wait until the low season and stay in the OWB for just a part of the trip.

[jerzygirl85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust Could a TA on here give me hope that a honeymoon in Bora Bora and/or Moorea in an overwater bungalow is affordable? We just don't have the 3,000 to 4,500 pp that I've been seeing. The lowest I ever found was 2,500 pp, and the reviews of the place were horrible (cockroaches, food swarming with flies, cold breakfast buffet). I know there are ups and downs of the whole Bora Bora thing. There's the nothing to do (but I will be honeymooning, so that takes care of the events), I've heard some travel agents say there is a musty smell due to the constant moisture in the bungalow from being overwater (you know what, for the experience, I'll deal), and bugs, which seriously don't bother me all too much. But cockroaches.... that bothers me, and I'd prefer my food to be warm and for the most part bug free. Is there even a chance for us? Yet, I would like it affordable. We'd be willing to wait until the low season and stay in the OWB for just a part of the trip.

Hi! We just got back from our honeymoon! It was fantastic!!
I don't know what hotel your TA is giving you quotes on, but I had no problems of smells or any type of insect at any of the hotels we stayed at. The only types of animals we saw were geicos and stray dogs which were both harmless. And I have read great reviews on many of the hotels on both islands.

Yes, French Polynesia is expensive but it's worth it, at least to me it was. We paid a pretty penny on our honeymoon and stayed in Tahiti for one night at the Manava Suites Resort, Moorea at the Hilton for 4 nights and Intercontinental Thalasso for 5 nights. Our package included airfare from LAX, all transfers, one excursion on both Moorea and Bora Bora, American HOT breakfast buffet at all hotels and dinner in Bora Bora.

Also, we did a ton of stuff! We went snorkeling, jet skiing, we rented a buggy for a day and took a tour of the island, plus 1 excursion included in our package (we missed the 2 excursion because we lost track of time and the shuttle left without us lol!).

I don't know what your budget is or how long you plan on going, but i would go there again in a heartbeat! If you really want to go, I say go for it!

PM if you want me TA's info or if you want to chat more. HTH

[JanineA]

Peterpanpixiedust I am also heading to Bora Bora for our honeymoon. But I have to admit we did put a pretty penny into the whole trip since we are staying two weeks and wanted to be comfortable. We are staying 4 nights in Bora Bora, 4 nights Moorea, 4nights on the private island of Le Taha'a and 1 night in Tahiti. I did alot of research prior so if you would like my TA's info I would be more than happy to share. He gave us a range of prices and deals to choose from. We went all out because its our honeymoon and we figured why not just go overwater bungalows all the way.

[peterpanpixiedust]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanineA Peterpanpixiedust I am also heading to Bora Bora for our honeymoon. But I have to admit we did put a pretty penny into the whole trip since we are staying two weeks and wanted to be comfortable. We are staying 4 nights in Bora Bora, 4 nights Moorea, 4nights on the private island of Le Taha'a and 1 night in Tahiti. I did alot of research prior so if you would like my TA's info I would be more than happy to share. He gave us a range of prices and deals to choose from. We went all out because its our honeymoon and we figured why not just go overwater bungalows all the way.

You are doing my dream package! We really wanted to do the Tahaa one. I love the idea of vanilla growing right by you. We also liked the Rangiora one (with bora, bora, and moorea in OWB, then rangiora in a beach front with an outdoor tub and ylang ylang growing outside).

It was just a TA of a tahiti vacation site I asked who told me of the musty smells the OWBs can get even in the Four Seasons and the Sheraton. The cockroaches/bugs were actually from trip advisor reviews of the hotels that we found affordable (Sofitel, Bora Bora Lagoon resort). The best trip advisor reviews we could find for a decent price (but still not sure if affordable) were for Intercontinental (La Moana, not Thalasso) in Bora Bora.

We just can't afford anything over 2500 a person, which is why I am asking if anyone got that kind of a deal for over water. I am ok with just one island, and maybe only a few nights in the OWB.

[JanineA]

Peterpanpixiedust I actually have a friend on FB who has gone quite a few times, so she was able to help me in terms of weeding through the comment on TripAdvisor. With that said if you only want to do two islands I would say from the overwhelming remarks do Bora Bora and Moorea. If you can afford Thalasso that would be great and in Moorea we are staying at Sofitel. I am not sure what time of year you are thinking of going...that would play a big part. We are going right after our wedding which happens to be low season. As for the comments about the roaches etc I don't pay those comments any mind some people don't understand that they are in the islands and it is more rustic. I remember reading one person comment that the OWB though pretty was a bit hard to sleep in cause you could hear the lapping/movement of the water underneath?!?! How many days are you looking to stay and what time of year? I will see if I can get my best friend to get a quote under $2500/pp. He owns a travel agency.

[NikkiT1021]

I'm so excited to see this thread!!  My FI and I just booked 3 nights at Sofitel Moorea and 4 nights at the St. Regis Bora Bora in November 2011 !!  Although we spent a lot of money for this honeymoon, it is definatly a once in a lifetime trip!  My FI is also always looking for the best deal so we booked 5 excursions, including Bloody Mary's, all 7 nights in overwater bungalows plus airfare for less than $8000. 

A friend of mine stayed at the Sheraton in Moorea a few years ago and wasn't a fan.  She did say good things about Pearl Beach Bora Bora, however. 

[NikkiT1021]

People are always looking to complain about something!  You will find bad reviews about any resort anywhere in the world no matter how beautiful it is.
 

Originally Posted by JanineA 

As for the comments about the roaches etc I don't pay those comments any mind some people don't understand that they are in the islands and it is more rustic. I remember reading one person comment that the OWB though pretty was a bit hard to sleep in cause you could hear the lapping/movement of the water underneath?!?!  

[*Heather*]

For anyone who has been to French Polynesia - do you really think the overwater bungalow is worth the extra cost?  I read that some of the garden bungalows come with private pools...that sounds almost as romantic, for like half the cost.  Any opinions on this?