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]
Jun 7, 2020, 10:02 pm
#3766
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 731
That's the best place to spend your birthday! I wish you lots of joy as you explore one of the most beautiful parts of the world on your special day. Taking a test and taking precautions will be with me for a long time, so to each their own on their level of risk/reward and I'm looking forward to going soon.
Jun 13, 2020, 10:47 pm
#3767
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Reward Night Strategy 2021
Hope any readers of my post are well. I am diligently trying to plan a summer or fall 2021 Bora Bora trip for my wife and I’s 10 year anniversary, as we were fortunate enough to visit for our honeymoon in 2011.
I’ve read of the difficulty and major challenges with Reward Night availability for this hotel as we hope o use our 200k IHG points for a couple nights and pay for the remainder. I’ve read around a dozen articles of strategies to try. My understanding is IHG posts rewards availability approximately 50 weeks in advance and there’s a trick to view it by searching by Chase Anniversary night.
Even when I practice, I rarely find any Reward Night availability. Is any of this due to Covid and Thalasso being closed, therefore unable to share updates or availability with IHG corporate?
I’ve read of the difficulty and major challenges with Reward Night availability for this hotel as we hope o use our 200k IHG points for a couple nights and pay for the remainder. I’ve read around a dozen articles of strategies to try. My understanding is IHG posts rewards availability approximately 50 weeks in advance and there’s a trick to view it by searching by Chase Anniversary night.
Even when I practice, I rarely find any Reward Night availability. Is any of this due to Covid and Thalasso being closed, therefore unable to share updates or availability with IHG corporate?
Last edited by mgriffis22; Jun 13, 2020 at 10:48 pm Reason: Typo
Jun 13, 2020, 10:55 pm
#3768
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Hope any readers of my post are well. I am diligently trying to plan a summer or fall 2021 Bora Bora trip for my wife and I’s 10 year anniversary, as we were fortunate enough to visit for our honeymoon in 2011.
I’ve read of the difficulty and major challenges with Reward Night availability for this hotel as we hope o use our 200k IHG points for a couple nights and pay for the remainder. I’ve read around a dozen articles of strategies to try. My understanding is IHG posts rewards availability approximately 50 weeks in advance and there’s a trick to view it by searching by Chase Anniversary night.
Even when I practice, I rarely find any Reward Night availability. Is any of this due to Covid and Thalasso being closed, therefore unable to share updates or availability with IHG corporate?
I’ve read of the difficulty and major challenges with Reward Night availability for this hotel as we hope o use our 200k IHG points for a couple nights and pay for the remainder. I’ve read around a dozen articles of strategies to try. My understanding is IHG posts rewards availability approximately 50 weeks in advance and there’s a trick to view it by searching by Chase Anniversary night.
Even when I practice, I rarely find any Reward Night availability. Is any of this due to Covid and Thalasso being closed, therefore unable to share updates or availability with IHG corporate?
Award nights are now released four months out. The value is better at Thalasso but your odds of snagging two award nights at Le Moana is much higher. Best of luck!
Jun 15, 2020, 7:22 pm
#3769
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,692
Last edited by italdesign; Jun 17, 2020 at 6:20 pm
Jun 21, 2020, 10:08 am
#3770
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 109
I'm reading that COVID tests can take up to a week to come back. I assume you need to have the result back by the time you board the flight to Papeete, yet you must have taken the test within the last 72 hours. I wonder how realistic it is to be able to get this test back in time for a flight, and whether this policy is sensible.
Jun 21, 2020, 10:19 pm
#3771
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 731
depends where you live- 24 hours in Bay Area
I'm reading that COVID tests can take up to a week to come back. I assume you need to have the result back by the time you board the flight to Papeete, yet you must have taken the test within the last 72 hours. I wonder how realistic it is to be able to get this test back in time for a flight, and whether this policy is sensible.
Jul 19, 2020, 8:20 pm
#3772
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,268
Jul 20, 2020, 2:23 pm
#3773
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,878
I think that may be tough...you need to be referred by your provider, and have the appt scheduled within 72 hours of your scheduled flight.
Jul 20, 2020, 3:05 pm
#3774
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
How did this work out for you and your wife? I am planning a Bora Bora trip for summer 2021 and run into the same challenge with Thalassao. There may be one date showing Reward Nights availability over a 2 year span. I believe Reward Nights are "released" 120 days in advance which I believe you alluded to. Any best practices would be appreciated! Thanks!
Jul 21, 2020, 1:06 pm
#3775
was ShootinPutin11
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA-Plat, Hyatt-Globalist, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium, UA-Silver, DL-Silver
Posts: 129
I need to cancel two award nights I have booked for Sept. 9 and Sept. 10. Unfortunately I've had to completely change my travel dates due to work responsibilities.
If you are confident you can make use of these dates (not just a speculative booking), drop me a line and we can coordinate cancel/booking times. It's not guaranteed, but often the availability goes back into the system after a room gets cancelled.
I also currently see Sept. 5 as available (I don't have it booked) in case anyone wants to put in the work/hope of stringing the dates together.
If you are confident you can make use of these dates (not just a speculative booking), drop me a line and we can coordinate cancel/booking times. It's not guaranteed, but often the availability goes back into the system after a room gets cancelled.
I also currently see Sept. 5 as available (I don't have it booked) in case anyone wants to put in the work/hope of stringing the dates together.
Jul 21, 2020, 4:38 pm
#3776
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Thank you very much for this kind offer and hope you are able to still make that trip. My wife and I plan to visit in summer 2021 for our 10 year anniversary so we will decline this offer. I frequently search the IHG calendar with "Reward Nights" and/or "Chase Free Night"...and MAYBE find one day in a whole year. Is there anything I should be doing that I am not as I search for availability? Any recommendations are highly appreciated.
Jul 21, 2020, 5:10 pm
#3777
was ShootinPutin11
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA-Plat, Hyatt-Globalist, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium, UA-Silver, DL-Silver
Posts: 129
That's a great question, but sadly, I don't have any tips. It's completely based on luck, and the Thalasso is especially notorious with award availability.
It's also incredibly rare for me to see a single night available, let alone two back to back, so I was over the moon to have found these. In the rare instances that award nights do show, it's usually only within the next three months, so I don't think you'll be able to book anything until next spring at the earliest. Maybe that will change, but it's the usual rule of thumb. To confirm, the Chase Free Night is no longer valid at any IC in French Polynesia since the points cost is now capped (at 35k or 40k points I think)
For what it's worth, having stayed at both the Thalasso (2 paid nights) and the Moana (6 award nights with free upgrade 5/6 nights as Platinum Ambassador) in the past, my wife and I still had a wonderful experience at the Moana. Award availability is much, much easier to come by, and the ability to leave the hotel (since it's on the main island) was awesome. While the suite and the views at the Thalasso are incredible, we really disliked the food but felt "stuck" there and unable to eat anywhere else without paying through the nose for the boat shuttles. We say rays swim by our OTW bungalow at both hotels, so both have plenty of incredible experiences to offer
.
It's also incredibly rare for me to see a single night available, let alone two back to back, so I was over the moon to have found these. In the rare instances that award nights do show, it's usually only within the next three months, so I don't think you'll be able to book anything until next spring at the earliest. Maybe that will change, but it's the usual rule of thumb. To confirm, the Chase Free Night is no longer valid at any IC in French Polynesia since the points cost is now capped (at 35k or 40k points I think)
For what it's worth, having stayed at both the Thalasso (2 paid nights) and the Moana (6 award nights with free upgrade 5/6 nights as Platinum Ambassador) in the past, my wife and I still had a wonderful experience at the Moana. Award availability is much, much easier to come by, and the ability to leave the hotel (since it's on the main island) was awesome. While the suite and the views at the Thalasso are incredible, we really disliked the food but felt "stuck" there and unable to eat anywhere else without paying through the nose for the boat shuttles. We say rays swim by our OTW bungalow at both hotels, so both have plenty of incredible experiences to offer
.
Jul 27, 2020, 8:49 pm
#3778
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,268
Nov 14, 2020, 12:19 pm
#3779
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830
My family of four is planning a Feb trip to FP for 7 nights. Two kids ages 11 & 8.
Got very lucky and booked 4 NTS at the Thalasso with 4th night free benefit. No doubt Covid helped us with that. At any rate, our schedule is 2 nights at the Tahiti Pearl upon arrival, 4 NTS at Thalasso, the finish with a NT at IC Tahiti. My question is, would the Moana suit us better due to easier access to the main island. Which is better when you have kids in tow? How does my stay schedule look?
Thx!
Got very lucky and booked 4 NTS at the Thalasso with 4th night free benefit. No doubt Covid helped us with that. At any rate, our schedule is 2 nights at the Tahiti Pearl upon arrival, 4 NTS at Thalasso, the finish with a NT at IC Tahiti. My question is, would the Moana suit us better due to easier access to the main island. Which is better when you have kids in tow? How does my stay schedule look?
Thx!
Nov 14, 2020, 12:27 pm
#3780
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 101
My family of four is planning a Feb trip to FP for 7 nights. Two kids ages 11 & 8.
Got very lucky and booked 4 NTS at the Thalasso with 4th night free benefit. No doubt Covid helped us with that. At any rate, our schedule is 2 nights at the Tahiti Pearl upon arrival, 4 NTS at Thalasso, the finish with a NT at IC Tahiti. My question is, would the Moana suit us better due to easier access to the main island. Which is better when you have kids in tow? How does my stay schedule look?
Thx!
Got very lucky and booked 4 NTS at the Thalasso with 4th night free benefit. No doubt Covid helped us with that. At any rate, our schedule is 2 nights at the Tahiti Pearl upon arrival, 4 NTS at Thalasso, the finish with a NT at IC Tahiti. My question is, would the Moana suit us better due to easier access to the main island. Which is better when you have kids in tow? How does my stay schedule look?
Thx!
I wouldn't "waste" two nights @ the Tahiti Pearl; IMO not a great experience.
IC Tahiti is a great hotel with very good facilities. I'd swap the Tahiti pearl with the IC.
In any case, enjoy paradise!