Conrad Bora Bora {PYF} (formerly Hilton)
#1037
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 11
We booked our Air Tahiti flights almost 10 months in advance, shortly after we booked our accommodations and Air Tahiti Nui flight, because we just wanted to get everything square away.. We periodically checked the prices and they DID NOT CHANGE at all over the next 9+ months. So if you want to wait to book, there shouldn't be any issue. They currently are the only interisland airline and they do not have sales.
That said, I recently saw an article that there may be competition coming, but no idea on when they may start offering flights:
https://simpleflying.com/tahiti-new-...etition%20area.
If you are traveling to multiple islands, there are various Air Passes which might be worth a look. We looked at the Air Pass option, but for our itinerary (PPT-RFP, RFP-BOB, BOB-MOZ) it wouldn't really save us any money and it was less flexible, so we just booked individual tickets. Note that Air Tahiti adjust flight schedules twice year, so the timing of all our flights shifted a bit. .About 2 weeks before our trip, we decided to reschedule to a later flight from RFP-BOB, price was still the same there was no change fee. Flights do fill up with locals about 1 week to a few days out, so you don't want to wait until the absoulte last minute.
When you fly out of PPT, they make you take all liquids and all electronics (phones, tablets, computers), battery packs, etc. our of your bag, so be prepared. Also, the planes are all open seating, so if you want a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views coming into BOB, get there early and get in line as soon as it starts forming. Coming back from BOB, the airport is tiny, and there is no security check like in PPT.
That said, I recently saw an article that there may be competition coming, but no idea on when they may start offering flights:
https://simpleflying.com/tahiti-new-...etition%20area.
If you are traveling to multiple islands, there are various Air Passes which might be worth a look. We looked at the Air Pass option, but for our itinerary (PPT-RFP, RFP-BOB, BOB-MOZ) it wouldn't really save us any money and it was less flexible, so we just booked individual tickets. Note that Air Tahiti adjust flight schedules twice year, so the timing of all our flights shifted a bit. .About 2 weeks before our trip, we decided to reschedule to a later flight from RFP-BOB, price was still the same there was no change fee. Flights do fill up with locals about 1 week to a few days out, so you don't want to wait until the absoulte last minute.
When you fly out of PPT, they make you take all liquids and all electronics (phones, tablets, computers), battery packs, etc. our of your bag, so be prepared. Also, the planes are all open seating, so if you want a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views coming into BOB, get there early and get in line as soon as it starts forming. Coming back from BOB, the airport is tiny, and there is no security check like in PPT.
#1038
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond
Posts: 60
We booked our Air Tahiti flights almost 10 months in advance, shortly after we booked our accommodations and Air Tahiti Nui flight, because we just wanted to get everything square away.. We periodically checked the prices and they DID NOT CHANGE at all over the next 9+ months. So if you want to wait to book, there shouldn't be any issue. They currently are the only interisland airline and they do not have sales.
That said, I recently saw an article that there may be competition coming, but no idea on when they may start offering flights:
https://simpleflying.com/tahiti-new-...etition%20area.
If you are traveling to multiple islands, there are various Air Passes which might be worth a look. We looked at the Air Pass option, but for our itinerary (PPT-RFP, RFP-BOB, BOB-MOZ) it wouldn't really save us any money and it was less flexible, so we just booked individual tickets. Note that Air Tahiti adjust flight schedules twice year, so the timing of all our flights shifted a bit. .About 2 weeks before our trip, we decided to reschedule to a later flight from RFP-BOB, price was still the same there was no change fee. Flights do fill up with locals about 1 week to a few days out, so you don't want to wait until the absoulte last minute.
When you fly out of PPT, they make you take all liquids and all electronics (phones, tablets, computers), battery packs, etc. our of your bag, so be prepared. Also, the planes are all open seating, so if you want a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views coming into BOB, get there early and get in line as soon as it starts forming. Coming back from BOB, the airport is tiny, and there is no security check like in PPT.
That said, I recently saw an article that there may be competition coming, but no idea on when they may start offering flights:
https://simpleflying.com/tahiti-new-...etition%20area.
If you are traveling to multiple islands, there are various Air Passes which might be worth a look. We looked at the Air Pass option, but for our itinerary (PPT-RFP, RFP-BOB, BOB-MOZ) it wouldn't really save us any money and it was less flexible, so we just booked individual tickets. Note that Air Tahiti adjust flight schedules twice year, so the timing of all our flights shifted a bit. .About 2 weeks before our trip, we decided to reschedule to a later flight from RFP-BOB, price was still the same there was no change fee. Flights do fill up with locals about 1 week to a few days out, so you don't want to wait until the absoulte last minute.
When you fly out of PPT, they make you take all liquids and all electronics (phones, tablets, computers), battery packs, etc. our of your bag, so be prepared. Also, the planes are all open seating, so if you want a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views coming into BOB, get there early and get in line as soon as it starts forming. Coming back from BOB, the airport is tiny, and there is no security check like in PPT.
#1039
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 303
WAlso, the planes are all open seating, so if you want a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views coming into BOB, get there early and get in line as soon as it starts forming. Coming back from BOB, the airport is tiny, and there is no security check like in PPT.
Not sure if anyone else has had problems with this. If you want to avoid the scramble pay the extra for the preferred/early boarding option (I forget what it’s called). They sell like less than 10 of them though so buy early.
#1040
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Preparing for Stay
Wife and I are very excited for our stay coming up next month! Other than restaurant reservations and maybe excursions is there anything else we should coordinate beforehand? Do they usually reach out to schedule the airport shuttle time or should I proactively reach out? Also any tips for best diving excursions would be a big help.
#1041
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 115
Wife and I are very excited for our stay coming up next month! Other than restaurant reservations and maybe excursions is there anything else we should coordinate beforehand? Do they usually reach out to schedule the airport shuttle time or should I proactively reach out? Also any tips for best diving excursions would be a big help.
#1043
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 303
Wife and I are very excited for our stay coming up next month! Other than restaurant reservations and maybe excursions is there anything else we should coordinate beforehand? Do they usually reach out to schedule the airport shuttle time or should I proactively reach out? Also any tips for best diving excursions would be a big help.
#1044
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 8
Just back from the Conrad-- Diamond status was hardly recognized safe for a black wristband. No upgrade, no late checkout. Resort was full but didn't seem that way-- there was plenty of space.
We booked all of our excursions directly through the hotel. Highlights were the catamaran with Vitamin Sea and the manta ray tour with the onsite biologist, as mentioned above.
In terms of restaurants, reservations are essential, but we were able to pester a bit via WhatsApp for better times. Iratai was a special dining experience, even dining a la carte (the prix fixes were almost always too much food for us), and Banyan was fine. The sushi place was overpriced and totally missable for us. Try your best to avoid eating at the Iratai bar-- the menu is totally disappointing.
The spa was a wonderful experience and fairly priced, highly recommend finding the time to go.
The only inconsistencies were with housekeeping, who seemed to have a different strategy for cleaning and turn down each day, and our host, who we barely saw after we arrived. We also were on our honeymoon and received no special treatment or arrival gift, so manage your expectations there.
Wi-Fi was strong in the rooms but dropped off around the resort. The TV channels are nearly all in French, so highly recommend bringing a Roku or HDMI cable if you want to watch anything in the evenings.
We booked all of our excursions directly through the hotel. Highlights were the catamaran with Vitamin Sea and the manta ray tour with the onsite biologist, as mentioned above.
In terms of restaurants, reservations are essential, but we were able to pester a bit via WhatsApp for better times. Iratai was a special dining experience, even dining a la carte (the prix fixes were almost always too much food for us), and Banyan was fine. The sushi place was overpriced and totally missable for us. Try your best to avoid eating at the Iratai bar-- the menu is totally disappointing.
The spa was a wonderful experience and fairly priced, highly recommend finding the time to go.
The only inconsistencies were with housekeeping, who seemed to have a different strategy for cleaning and turn down each day, and our host, who we barely saw after we arrived. We also were on our honeymoon and received no special treatment or arrival gift, so manage your expectations there.
Wi-Fi was strong in the rooms but dropped off around the resort. The TV channels are nearly all in French, so highly recommend bringing a Roku or HDMI cable if you want to watch anything in the evenings.
#1045
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 245
Is 6 days too many? I booked 5 nights (with 5th night free) with points and have a free night certificate expiring EOY. Just wondering whether to use it here or somewhere else. Seems Hilton Moorea is not available on points for standard room pricing.
#1046
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 303
This is all based on your ability to chill and relax. There is a lot to do in BB but it takes money and effort to do a lot of it (excursions, dinners, spa time, etc).
#1048
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
SFOvacations , I assume you can't order food just for the "under 6" and get away free? One adult must have a meal too? Could you please clarify. Thanks
#1049
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Glob; AA ExPlat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 317
As per
Under 6 and with the adults
SFOvacations , I assume you can't order food just for the "under 6" and get away free? One adult must have a meal too? Could you please clarify. Thanks
Under 6 and with the adults
SFOvacations , I assume you can't order food just for the "under 6" and get away free? One adult must have a meal too? Could you please clarify. Thanks
#1050
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Upgrade question
We are currently here on a 6 night point stay. We are Diamond but we know comp upgrades are limited so when Hilton asked if we wanted a paid upgrade to an OWB we accepted, only to then get a notice that that was pending availability. When we got here the hotel was sold out so we got it- no upgrades, comp or paid. We asked that they upgrade us when space became available later in the week, at the time Thursday and Friday were showing tons of availability. Today we asked again about a comp or paid upgrade to an OWB, as there is still availability showing. We were told no. I understand that the OWB are more than one level above the standard redemption rooms, but I’ve never been denied a paid upgrade when there is space available. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions or work arounds? Can the Hilton Diamond line help? Thanks.