In researching our upcoming stay at the Thalasso and Hilton, we've found current menu prices to be mostly in line with what we paid at the Hilton Moorea. Then, I read from many posters that they nickel and dime you for everything in Bora Bora and meals are much more. So, are the current menu prices made available by Intercontinental and Hilton not truthful or accurate? If these are the current prices than I don't understand why people say buying half board will save money.

My wife and I don't eat appetizers, don't order beverages, not even water; we use a Steripen and drink tap water or fill up water bottles from the gym, and we rarely order dessert since we are full. We do eat less than most people (I'm 172lbs and wife is 112lbs). We ate almost all our meals at Hilton Moorea and didn't spend anywhere near what some people say it takes per day there (we averaged $75 to $85 per day for food in Moorea and ate at the hotel). So far, it looks like the menus in Bora Bora are just a little more for some things, at least with the resorts we are staying at. If a meal is $50 and the website says that includes the tax then it will be $50 right? Is it just people buying booze, pre-dinner salads, appetizers and desserts that say your meal will be $100 each? I realize dinner buffets are expensive and we learned are never worth it for us. In fact, we're planning on ordering continental breakfast room service so we don't have to pay for the breakfast buffet at the Thalasso and one of their continental breakfast (to your room) is big enough for the 2 of us based on others experience. Our Hilton breakfast will be free each day due to being HH Gold.

Also, what else will they "nickel and dime" us on if kayaks are free, snorkeling of course is free and even getting from the Thalasso to mainland is free in the morning and then kayak from their sister resort to the Coral Gardens is free. We will do a couple excursions and have the prices for those. What other costs are there that I may not be expecting besides transportation?