Originally Posted by
evergrn
Maybe you watch it more closely than I do, but it seems to me the cash rates have traditionally fluctuated quite a bit at Tokyo Hilton.
I do see that most Dec rates are at least 50,000yen + tax, which is quite high for this property. But keep watching it, and I'm sure it'll come down at some point (then it'll rise back up, then possibly come down or stay up as you get to within a couple weeks of the date).
But if you take a closer date, like June 24th for instance, you will see that they're going for as low as 28k yen + tax refundable rate (still 70k points, though, which is their new floor) which is close to some of the lowest refundable rates I've seen them go for over the past year.
I hope you're right, and I am playing the waiting game right now. But those December rates are the highest I've ever seen in 25 years at this property-I always stay for a two week block in December every year.
Originally Posted by
italdesign
I of course don't disagree. I'm just pointing out where the best value is after these devaluations.
FWIW, my bill from 4 nights in Bora Bora was just the OWB upgrade fee (which I thought was worth it for a OIALT experience). Spend $0 on food/drinks onsite - bought them at the store across the water. Intend to do the same when I go back this year.
I did the same as you and didn't spend much at the resort, but carried 4-12 packs of Coke/Sprite Zero and various food items e.g. tuna fish packets, pickles, condiments, Ritz Crackers, noodle cups, etc. in my luggage, and bought liquor at Duty Free in SFO instead of at
Chin Lee supermarket. The only thing that I had to buy when I got to Vaitape was limes from one of the roadside vendors. A couple of the restaurants near Vaitape were outstanding e.g.
St. James.
The resort is truly exceptional. Honestly, it's the best place I've ever stayed and better than the Four Seasons, where I also spent 5 nights. Bora Bora is way nicer than Hawaii, and the ocean swimming is the best and clearest that I've ever experienced-including the Maldives. I got 11 award nights in a row and received an excellent OW upgrade on my recent stay. The above being said, the dining leaves much to be desired. The food is definitely not 5-star quality.