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]
Feb 26, 2016, 11:18 pm
#2206
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
I have found the Jet ski tour around the lagoon to be totally out of this world if jet skis are your thing. Again with Moana tours.
Feb 27, 2016, 9:27 am
#2207
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Angels
Posts: 196
Feb 27, 2016, 12:44 pm
#2208
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
Hi All,
We're fortunate enough to be heading to The IC BB in April for what we're hoping will be a dream vacation (I travel a lot and I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a trip!) so I just wanted to find out if you guys had any specific tips to help the vacation go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few thoughts/questions I've have but, if anyone can think of anything we should do or see please chime in as all advice is super welcome:
1) The stay was booked with points and I'm considering purchasing Ambassador status to see if that can help with an upgrade to a Sapphire suite - I've seen some people mention that you stand a better chance of an upgrade if you purchase status at the resort, does this still hold true?
2) We're probably going to pre-purchase the Breakfast option as mentioned in the wiki - we're unlikely to be taking breakfast away from the resort so may as well save...right? Any reason not to?
3) For those who've visited the IC BB: how often did you find yourselves eating out? We're more than happy to venture out in the evenings but are equally aware how lazy one can get when in such an idyllic location. Is there a risk of finding yourselves eating in a lot more than expected...which would tun make something like the half-board map plan a good idea?
4) Any suggestions for "must see" activities/sights. We're happy to do a bit of walking, we're reasonably fit (although I could do with losing a few lbs!) and we love the water and seeing local life.
5) At the risk of sounding like Donald Rumsfeld, theres a definite case of "we don't know what we don't know so, if anyone who's visited has any suggestions they think would be useful, please let me know
Thanks!
Stripy
We're fortunate enough to be heading to The IC BB in April for what we're hoping will be a dream vacation (I travel a lot and I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a trip!) so I just wanted to find out if you guys had any specific tips to help the vacation go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few thoughts/questions I've have but, if anyone can think of anything we should do or see please chime in as all advice is super welcome:
1) The stay was booked with points and I'm considering purchasing Ambassador status to see if that can help with an upgrade to a Sapphire suite - I've seen some people mention that you stand a better chance of an upgrade if you purchase status at the resort, does this still hold true?
2) We're probably going to pre-purchase the Breakfast option as mentioned in the wiki - we're unlikely to be taking breakfast away from the resort so may as well save...right? Any reason not to?
3) For those who've visited the IC BB: how often did you find yourselves eating out? We're more than happy to venture out in the evenings but are equally aware how lazy one can get when in such an idyllic location. Is there a risk of finding yourselves eating in a lot more than expected...which would tun make something like the half-board map plan a good idea?
4) Any suggestions for "must see" activities/sights. We're happy to do a bit of walking, we're reasonably fit (although I could do with losing a few lbs!) and we love the water and seeing local life.
5) At the risk of sounding like Donald Rumsfeld, theres a definite case of "we don't know what we don't know so, if anyone who's visited has any suggestions they think would be useful, please let me know
Thanks!
Stripy
1) YES, purchase ambassador status. It helped in many slight ways. The first 2 nights we were not upgraded but the last 5 nights we were upgraded to the furthest out Sapphire level room. When we showed up, they had the 2 night+5 nights all together in a portfolio to review with us (I had pre communicated that were going to Moana). We purchased the breakfast on checkin at the promotional 50% off rate and it was so worth it. Additionally, there was a separate seating area/checkin area for the ambassador members (We were the only ones of 5-6 couples) and were serviced first with extra attention and juices etc.
2) see #1
Feb 28, 2016, 1:47 am
#2209
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 375
I've been searching through the thread, what has people's experience been that were not granted a late check out?
We'll be there in June, so I'm not hopeful, but I did read a recent post, so that's positive. Regardless, I'm sort of leaning towards not chancing it and just taking the earlier flight back to PPT.
We'll be there in June, so I'm not hopeful, but I did read a recent post, so that's positive. Regardless, I'm sort of leaning towards not chancing it and just taking the earlier flight back to PPT.
Feb 28, 2016, 1:54 pm
#2210
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
late check out for whom? If you're an ambassador, I believe they're obligated to give you the 4pm checkout. I received a list of benefits direct from IC for ambassadors and the 4pm checkout was listed without mention of "dependent on availability."
On another matter, I've got a private lagoon tour booked for one of my days. My concern is whether it rains that day. I'll get a refund but I'd be concerned that at that point I wouldn't be able to see the rays or dive with sharks. Any thoughts on this?
I'm thinking about booking a jetski tour with moana on another day to try and make sure I get 1 private tour for certain though I guess nothing is certain except for death and taxes.
On another matter, I've got a private lagoon tour booked for one of my days. My concern is whether it rains that day. I'll get a refund but I'd be concerned that at that point I wouldn't be able to see the rays or dive with sharks. Any thoughts on this?
I'm thinking about booking a jetski tour with moana on another day to try and make sure I get 1 private tour for certain though I guess nothing is certain except for death and taxes.
Feb 28, 2016, 3:11 pm
#2211
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I've been searching through the thread, what has people's experience been that were not granted a late check out?
We'll be there in June, so I'm not hopeful, but I did read a recent post, so that's positive. Regardless, I'm sort of leaning towards not chancing it and just taking the earlier flight back to PPT.
We'll be there in June, so I'm not hopeful, but I did read a recent post, so that's positive. Regardless, I'm sort of leaning towards not chancing it and just taking the earlier flight back to PPT.
If I were you, I wouldn't do an early flight just because you're worried about not getting late checkout. Worst case, you have front desk hold luggage while you lounge around.
Feb 28, 2016, 3:21 pm
#2212
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Absolutely, don't fly to PPT early, that's pretty stupid.
BTW, book your domestic flight early, there is only a few direct
BOB-PPT flight and they do sell out.
We always book the last flight of the day before the overnight
PPT-LAX flight and still have enough time for a nice dinner
at Interconti Tahiti.
BTW, book your domestic flight early, there is only a few direct
BOB-PPT flight and they do sell out.
We always book the last flight of the day before the overnight
PPT-LAX flight and still have enough time for a nice dinner
at Interconti Tahiti.
Feb 29, 2016, 8:42 am
#2213
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: AMEX PLT, AA PPro, Spire AMB
Posts: 1,617
Absolutely, don't fly to PPT early, that's pretty stupid.
BTW, book your domestic flight early, there is only a few direct
BOB-PPT flight and they do sell out.
We always book the last flight of the day before the overnight
PPT-LAX flight and still have enough time for a nice dinner
at Interconti Tahiti.
BTW, book your domestic flight early, there is only a few direct
BOB-PPT flight and they do sell out.
We always book the last flight of the day before the overnight
PPT-LAX flight and still have enough time for a nice dinner
at Interconti Tahiti.
Feb 29, 2016, 8:50 am
#2214
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: TK Elite, BA Gold, Skyteam Elite Plus, IHG Spire AMB, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 162
Feb 29, 2016, 9:18 am
#2215
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
No the best you could do is: 1) Get a Barclay Arrival card and buy these tickets with your bonus or 2) get a Citi Prestige and use your $250 annual airfare credit to book them. If you get the Prestige in November, you could buy one ticket this year and then in Jan 2017 buy the other ticket.
Feb 29, 2016, 11:21 am
#2216
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 105
I've been searching through the thread, what has people's experience been that were not granted a late check out?
We'll be there in June, so I'm not hopeful, but I did read a recent post, so that's positive. Regardless, I'm sort of leaning towards not chancing it and just taking the earlier flight back to PPT.
We'll be there in June, so I'm not hopeful, but I did read a recent post, so that's positive. Regardless, I'm sort of leaning towards not chancing it and just taking the earlier flight back to PPT.
Feb 29, 2016, 11:26 am
#2217
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 105
On another matter, I've got a private lagoon tour booked for one of my days. My concern is whether it rains that day. I'll get a refund but I'd be concerned that at that point I wouldn't be able to see the rays or dive with sharks. Any thoughts on this?
I'm thinking about booking a jetski tour with moana on another day to try and make sure I get 1 private tour for certain though I guess nothing is certain except for death and taxes.
And I HIGHLY recommend rebooking if the day looks cloudy/rainy. The lagoon has no color on these days and looks depressingly gray.
Feb 29, 2016, 11:53 am
#2218
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
I would recommend rebooking over a refund. Most operators are usually pretty good about rebooking- same thing happened to us (rainy cloudy day) and were able to rebook to the next day over email. That being said we rebooked for the 4x4 and the motu lunch not the lagoon tour but I don't see why they wouldn't be able to fit you in.
And I HIGHLY recommend rebooking if the day looks cloudy/rainy. The lagoon has no color on these days and looks depressingly gray.
And I HIGHLY recommend rebooking if the day looks cloudy/rainy. The lagoon has no color on these days and looks depressingly gray.
On another matter, can I remove the ability to charge to the room? My GF has a spending habit and I need to make sure she doesn't charge $2,000 worth of massages.
Last edited by TMM1982; Mar 1, 2016 at 7:05 am