Mar 23, 2015, 11:08 pm
Last edit by: jigri2003
Some info:
Prepaid meal plan rates as of Feb 2015 per post 1305: (breakfast price updated as of Jan 2020)
Breakfast: 4860 xpf (tax incl) per person per day
Half board (breakfast and a 3-courses dinner): 13 053 xpf (tax incl) per person per day
Full board (breakfast, a 2-courses lunch and a 3-courses dinner): 17 632 xpf (tax incl) per person per day.
Breakfast 50% discount: available only at check in time if it is taken for the entire stay. It does not apply for half board and full board. Post 1376
Guaranteed Upgrade Costs as of January 2015 per post 1293
Emerald to Sapphire: 15,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Emerald to Diamond: 25,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Emerald to Diamond Otemanu: 35,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Emerald to Diamond End of Pontoon: 45,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Full prepayment prior to arrival required
Direct Boat Transfers to/from Airport One-way: 7334 XPF (updated Dec 2019) (about 15 minutes). Resort will email you to arrange this ahead of time if desired.
Boat transfer from the Airport is not mandatory despite what any hotel emails might imply to the contrary. It's possible to take the free Air Tahiti shuttle to Vaitape (15 minutes), followed by a taxi to the IC Le Moana for 2000XPF (15 minutes), then the IC's shuttle between Le Moana and Thalasso for 3390 XPF per person one way (updated Dec 2019) (15 minutes). If all transfers go smoothly, the journey could be as short as an hour, or longer than two hours if you're unlucky.
Boat Times (as of Oct 2016, and current as of Jan 2020)
Leaving Le Moana:
7:45am
8:45am
11:45am*
12:45pm
1:45pm
4:30pm
5:30pm*
6:30pm
8:30pm
10:00pm
Leaving Thalasso:
8:15am
9:15am*
12:15pm
1:15pm
2:15pm*
5:00pm
6:00pm
7:00pm
9:30pm
10:30pm
* Boat times with a * can connect with the bus shuttle between IC Le Moana and Vaitape town, as shown below:
Bus Shuttles between IC Le Moana and Vaitape town:
Depart IC Le Moana:
9:45am
2:45pm
Depart Vaitape:
11:15am
5:00pm
The bus shuttle costs 1150 XPF RT/person.
Note: There is no ATM at the Thalasso. The closest ATMs are in Vaitape, the main town where the airport ferry stops. However, both IC Le Moana and Thalasso will give you a "cash advance" on your credit card for a fee of 5%. The transaction will post as a purchase.
XPF is also available at the airport in Pappeete from several ATMs.
POST 1795
Resort Email: [email protected]
Prepaid meal plan rates as of Feb 2015 per post 1305: (breakfast price updated as of Jan 2020)
Breakfast: 4860 xpf (tax incl) per person per day
Half board (breakfast and a 3-courses dinner): 13 053 xpf (tax incl) per person per day
Full board (breakfast, a 2-courses lunch and a 3-courses dinner): 17 632 xpf (tax incl) per person per day.
Breakfast 50% discount: available only at check in time if it is taken for the entire stay. It does not apply for half board and full board. Post 1376
Guaranteed Upgrade Costs as of January 2015 per post 1293
Emerald to Sapphire: 15,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Emerald to Diamond: 25,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Emerald to Diamond Otemanu: 35,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Emerald to Diamond End of Pontoon: 45,000 XPF + 14% taxes per night
Full prepayment prior to arrival required
Direct Boat Transfers to/from Airport One-way: 7334 XPF (updated Dec 2019) (about 15 minutes). Resort will email you to arrange this ahead of time if desired.
Boat transfer from the Airport is not mandatory despite what any hotel emails might imply to the contrary. It's possible to take the free Air Tahiti shuttle to Vaitape (15 minutes), followed by a taxi to the IC Le Moana for 2000XPF (15 minutes), then the IC's shuttle between Le Moana and Thalasso for 3390 XPF per person one way (updated Dec 2019) (15 minutes). If all transfers go smoothly, the journey could be as short as an hour, or longer than two hours if you're unlucky.
Boat Times (as of Oct 2016, and current as of Jan 2020)
Leaving Le Moana:
7:45am
8:45am
11:45am*
12:45pm
1:45pm
4:30pm
5:30pm*
6:30pm
8:30pm
10:00pm
Leaving Thalasso:
8:15am
9:15am*
12:15pm
1:15pm
2:15pm*
5:00pm
6:00pm
7:00pm
9:30pm
10:30pm
* Boat times with a * can connect with the bus shuttle between IC Le Moana and Vaitape town, as shown below:
Bus Shuttles between IC Le Moana and Vaitape town:
Depart IC Le Moana:
9:45am
2:45pm
Depart Vaitape:
11:15am
5:00pm
The bus shuttle costs 1150 XPF RT/person.
Note: There is no ATM at the Thalasso. The closest ATMs are in Vaitape, the main town where the airport ferry stops. However, both IC Le Moana and Thalasso will give you a "cash advance" on your credit card for a fee of 5%. The transaction will post as a purchase.
XPF is also available at the airport in Pappeete from several ATMs.
POST 1795
Resort Email: [email protected]
IC Thalasso Bora Bora Master Thread [merged]
Oct 6, 2015, 10:26 am
#1816
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
Got back Saturday night and the property is BEAUTIFUL. The service is impeccable, grounds are gorgeous, restaurants are great, and we had OWB 201. Views were AMAZING from the OWB. I honestly think this is the best one there is (even compared to the Diamon/Otemanu view ones). Water height is about waist to stomach deep off of 201 (I'm 5'8"). We were supposed to go to the main island for stuff, but opted to just sit and stare at the lagoon for the entire first day. It really is that beautiful.
The free internet is perfectly adequate. We were streaming stuff from youtube app (website will not work). They also blocked facetime and other video calling apps for us and imessage did not work either. It was really bizarre. Also, if internet access is what you're worrying about when here, you're doing this trip wrong.
Overall, I would try for the south facing bungalows on the southern claw (201 if you can get it). Second best is south facing bungalows on the northern claw. Overall though, I honestly wouldn't worry too much about getting the perfect bungalow. The entire properly is so beautiful that any OWB will make your jaw drop (even the ones facing the dock). I do think that the lagoon colors are prettier near southern facing OWBs on the northern claw. Don't worry yourself that much about which OWB you get. It has a truly minor effect on your overall stay (unless you are super anal about stuff and want everything to be exactly as you planned).
Get the breakfast buffet deal when you check in. Its well worth it and the food is very good quality. We did lunch and dinner a la carte. Didn't think the dinner buffets with shows were worth it.
If you are stopping for a day in Tahiti, go the the IC Tahiti for the show and the dinner buffet, much better in my opinion and more food options as well.
You can also take the shuttle over to Moana and go eat at local restaurants to save some money. Fare Manuia right outside of Moana has good food for about 15% cheaper prices.
Activities:
-booked a snorkelling and laggon tour with Reef Discovery. Booked it online, beforehand.
-booked a 4x4 with Vavu (for the 4x4's, keep in mind that each company owns private land/viewpoints so you will not be able to see all the view points- just the ones the company owns).
-rented a scooter, drove around the island, and just climbed to all the viewpoints that Vavau couldn't go to. People are really really nice and will usually let you through if you ask them without hassle.
-Did a motu lunch with Vavau as well on their private island- I HIGHLY recommend going there as the panoramic views from their hill top are gorgeous.
TIP: Make damn sure that the day you book activities is not cloudy. It will have a HUGE impact on the view...the sky was overcast when we did the 4x4 and the lagoon was a depressingly grey hue. Re-book to a day when you have sun/clear skies if you have the option.
Lastly, we split our stay between Thalasso and Le Moana. If you do this, do Moana first. It is a colossal let down to go from Thalasso to Moana. Moana is perfectly fine in it's own right as a resort but if you stay at the Thalasso first, you'll feel like you've gone from a Michelin starred restaurant to Olive Garden.
The free internet is perfectly adequate. We were streaming stuff from youtube app (website will not work). They also blocked facetime and other video calling apps for us and imessage did not work either. It was really bizarre. Also, if internet access is what you're worrying about when here, you're doing this trip wrong.
Overall, I would try for the south facing bungalows on the southern claw (201 if you can get it). Second best is south facing bungalows on the northern claw. Overall though, I honestly wouldn't worry too much about getting the perfect bungalow. The entire properly is so beautiful that any OWB will make your jaw drop (even the ones facing the dock). I do think that the lagoon colors are prettier near southern facing OWBs on the northern claw. Don't worry yourself that much about which OWB you get. It has a truly minor effect on your overall stay (unless you are super anal about stuff and want everything to be exactly as you planned).
Get the breakfast buffet deal when you check in. Its well worth it and the food is very good quality. We did lunch and dinner a la carte. Didn't think the dinner buffets with shows were worth it.
If you are stopping for a day in Tahiti, go the the IC Tahiti for the show and the dinner buffet, much better in my opinion and more food options as well.
You can also take the shuttle over to Moana and go eat at local restaurants to save some money. Fare Manuia right outside of Moana has good food for about 15% cheaper prices.
Activities:
-booked a snorkelling and laggon tour with Reef Discovery. Booked it online, beforehand.
-booked a 4x4 with Vavu (for the 4x4's, keep in mind that each company owns private land/viewpoints so you will not be able to see all the view points- just the ones the company owns).
-rented a scooter, drove around the island, and just climbed to all the viewpoints that Vavau couldn't go to. People are really really nice and will usually let you through if you ask them without hassle.
-Did a motu lunch with Vavau as well on their private island- I HIGHLY recommend going there as the panoramic views from their hill top are gorgeous.
TIP: Make damn sure that the day you book activities is not cloudy. It will have a HUGE impact on the view...the sky was overcast when we did the 4x4 and the lagoon was a depressingly grey hue. Re-book to a day when you have sun/clear skies if you have the option.
Lastly, we split our stay between Thalasso and Le Moana. If you do this, do Moana first. It is a colossal let down to go from Thalasso to Moana. Moana is perfectly fine in it's own right as a resort but if you stay at the Thalasso first, you'll feel like you've gone from a Michelin starred restaurant to Olive Garden.
Oct 7, 2015, 11:14 am
#1817
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Washington, DC area
Programs: Air: Many; Hotel: HH D, HY G, IHG P, MR S, RR
Posts: 504
Moorea
Also, to set expectations, Moorea does not have the same water color/clarity that BB does. That would have been a big letdown for me if I had not known in advance.
Last edited by needtoescape; Oct 7, 2015 at 11:20 am Reason: clarify and add info
Oct 10, 2015, 9:14 pm
#1818
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 36
Ia orana
My wife and I were lucky enough to snag 7 reward nights at thalasso in the last week of sept. We got room 202 and the view was pretty nice too.
Reading these last few posts i feel like we couldve bumped into some of you lol. The resort was fully booked, but there was so much space that it felt like we had the place to ourselves most of the time. The only time I saw a lot of people was during the daily stingray feeding. I think the only thing we didn't like about the resort was the restaurant Corail. I wouldn't recommend going there and would've rather spent another dinner at la villa mahana.
I was at IC Moorea before bb, and it was more family oriented than I expected. There were way more parents and kids over there than in bb.
Either way this was the best trip ever!
My wife and I were lucky enough to snag 7 reward nights at thalasso in the last week of sept. We got room 202 and the view was pretty nice too.
Reading these last few posts i feel like we couldve bumped into some of you lol. The resort was fully booked, but there was so much space that it felt like we had the place to ourselves most of the time. The only time I saw a lot of people was during the daily stingray feeding. I think the only thing we didn't like about the resort was the restaurant Corail. I wouldn't recommend going there and would've rather spent another dinner at la villa mahana.
I was at IC Moorea before bb, and it was more family oriented than I expected. There were way more parents and kids over there than in bb.
Either way this was the best trip ever!
Oct 11, 2015, 12:35 am
#1819
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Service impeccable??!! I've been to the Hilton, Le Moana, and Thalasso. Service at any of these properties has been poor all around, especially for the cost of stay. Same thing when we visited restaurants on the main island. My wife and I talked about it with other couples-- we just joked that it's "island life".
Oct 11, 2015, 7:05 pm
#1820
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 105
Service impeccable??!! I've been to the Hilton, Le Moana, and Thalasso. Service at any of these properties has been poor all around, especially for the cost of stay. Same thing when we visited restaurants on the main island. My wife and I talked about it with other couples-- we just joked that it's "island life".
How was service less than stellar for you??
Ours was like clockwork. We never had to wait at a single place at Thalasso- from checkin, to restaurants, to checkout, to room service, to turndown, etc. Literally not once did we have wait at any place on the resort for service. People who had issues with english immediately called someone over to translate.
The only island time experience we had was for dinner at the main island restaurants where they took FOREVER to get you anything. Lunch service was prompt. (Le Moana is island time as well).
In terms of the price, I think you are forgetting that you are in the middle of nowhere. Resources are sparse to a point where they built a desalination plant to accommodate the stress put on by Thalasso, Regis and Four Seasons. The high price you are paying is because of how difficult it is to give you that level of comfort and service despite those hardships.
I think.
Oct 12, 2015, 2:54 am
#1822
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 44
Dinner at FS or St Regis
Does anyone know or had the experience to dine at Four Seasons or St Regis while staying at Thalasso? How to get there & come back? I am planing my first BB trip in July 2016. Thanks.
Oct 12, 2015, 12:58 pm
#1823
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
and they will charge you a lot for this even though it's a 5 minute ride.
Oct 12, 2015, 3:25 pm
#1824
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 36
surprisingly there doesn't seem to be any info on water taxis. I think the only accessible motu resort from thalasso is le meridian. It looked like you could just walk through the back of the motu but that wild dog sign was a big deterrent for me.
Oct 13, 2015, 8:14 am
#1825
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 53
It is my impression that the resorts do not want to "cross over" guests around.
Oct 13, 2015, 9:43 am
#1826
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SNA and XRY
Programs: UA PP, 2 MM; IC;
Posts: 1,043
I would say that's exactly what they want... they want every last dollar or euro of yours they can capture... and then some... I've been to Bora 8 or 9 times now and I'm not going back just because of that... We've manage to find much friendlier places in French Polynesia... which I think are better than Bora given the costs, service, etc...
Oct 13, 2015, 3:07 pm
#1827
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,787
Oct 14, 2015, 7:10 am
#1829
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SNA and XRY
Programs: UA PP, 2 MM; IC;
Posts: 1,043
For example, Fakarava... not currently a hotel on the atoll, on.. but 8-10 pensions with various degrees of comfort, all of which offer at least half board for about 300 US a night for two persons... only 600 people live there... not a lot of tourists... a lot of Polynesians come from Papeete to holiday... no restaurants other than "snacks" which offer limited menus at reasonable prices.... it's a beautiful place, but certainly no Bora Bora or Moorea in terms of stark beauty
Oct 14, 2015, 9:05 am
#1830
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,787
For example, Fakarava... not currently a hotel on the atoll, on.. but 8-10 pensions with various degrees of comfort, all of which offer at least half board for about 300 US a night for two persons... only 600 people live there... not a lot of tourists... a lot of Polynesians come from Papeete to holiday... no restaurants other than "snacks" which offer limited menus at reasonable prices.... it's a beautiful place, but certainly no Bora Bora or Moorea in terms of stark beauty
I read that this atoll, located in the Tuamotus, was great for diving.