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]
#3676
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,302
Our tentative itinerary is:
Night 1: IC Tahiti (late arriving flight)
Nights 2-6: IC Le Moana
Nights 7-10: IC Thalasso (first two in Brando suite, last two in pool OWV)
Would love to stay in the Brando suite for four nights but even two nights (one on a BOGO cert) is a splurge right now. (Were on one salary with my fiance in a Ph.D program right now.)
Depending on award night availability at Le Moana we may spend a few nights in Moorea instead but I plan to be vigilant come January once nights are released, so fingers crossed.
TD
#3677
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LTP, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver, Delta Silver
Posts: 53
My 2 cents...
I just got back from FP and stayed at the St. Regis, IC Thalasso, IC Moorea, and saw the IC Le Moana. Of the IHG properties, the IC Thalasso was heads and shoulders above the other two. I can't speak for service, but the Le Moana looked tired and not anywhere near the same 5* quality of the Thalasso. The IC Moorea was nice though the Lanai rooms were just standard hotel rooms (if that's what you booked). What they really lacked was any quality customer service. I think you'll be less disappointed than me if you do the setup you're doing now (Tahiti, Moorea, Thalasso), as you don't know how good the Thalasso is. I know some people apparently like the Le Moana more, but I don't really see it. Regardless, you'll have a great trip.
I just got back from FP and stayed at the St. Regis, IC Thalasso, IC Moorea, and saw the IC Le Moana. Of the IHG properties, the IC Thalasso was heads and shoulders above the other two. I can't speak for service, but the Le Moana looked tired and not anywhere near the same 5* quality of the Thalasso. The IC Moorea was nice though the Lanai rooms were just standard hotel rooms (if that's what you booked). What they really lacked was any quality customer service. I think you'll be less disappointed than me if you do the setup you're doing now (Tahiti, Moorea, Thalasso), as you don't know how good the Thalasso is. I know some people apparently like the Le Moana more, but I don't really see it. Regardless, you'll have a great trip.
#3678
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Thanks, TD. We have the United red-eye so I think departure is around 10 p.m. Snagged business class seats on a mixed award fare in IN class! Hoping to stick around Bora Bora as long as possible that day as I've heard there's not much to do or see if Papeete.
#3679
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
My 2 cents...
I just got back from FP and stayed at the St. Regis, IC Thalasso, IC Moorea, and saw the IC Le Moana. Of the IHG properties, the IC Thalasso was heads and shoulders above the other two. I can't speak for service, but the Le Moana looked tired and not anywhere near the same 5* quality of the Thalasso. The IC Moorea was nice though the Lanai rooms were just standard hotel rooms (if that's what you booked). What they really lacked was any quality customer service. I think you'll be less disappointed than me if you do the setup you're doing now (Tahiti, Moorea, Thalasso), as you don't know how good the Thalasso is. I know some people apparently like the Le Moana more, but I don't really see it. Regardless, you'll have a great trip.
I just got back from FP and stayed at the St. Regis, IC Thalasso, IC Moorea, and saw the IC Le Moana. Of the IHG properties, the IC Thalasso was heads and shoulders above the other two. I can't speak for service, but the Le Moana looked tired and not anywhere near the same 5* quality of the Thalasso. The IC Moorea was nice though the Lanai rooms were just standard hotel rooms (if that's what you booked). What they really lacked was any quality customer service. I think you'll be less disappointed than me if you do the setup you're doing now (Tahiti, Moorea, Thalasso), as you don't know how good the Thalasso is. I know some people apparently like the Le Moana more, but I don't really see it. Regardless, you'll have a great trip.
#3680
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Ah, sorry, I was confused because you said you were staying 4 nights but listed Brando for 2 and pool for 1...
To be honest, if you have the points for Moana I would suggest staying more nights at Thalasso in the standard overwater villa instead. Moana is good if you want to buy some supplies and go for a meal on the island before heading to Thalasso, but I don't think I would stay for 4 nights if Thalasso was an option. Keep in mind food at Thalasso is more expensive than Moana.
I'm guessing you're going around April then?
Moorea is nice, but you really only need a day and a rental car to see the whole island. We're going back to FP in a few months, and are skipping Moorea this time and staying 3 nights Thalasso followed by 5 nights St. Regis. We also have a night at IC Tahiti due to late arrival.
To be honest, if you have the points for Moana I would suggest staying more nights at Thalasso in the standard overwater villa instead. Moana is good if you want to buy some supplies and go for a meal on the island before heading to Thalasso, but I don't think I would stay for 4 nights if Thalasso was an option. Keep in mind food at Thalasso is more expensive than Moana.
I'm guessing you're going around April then?
Moorea is nice, but you really only need a day and a rental car to see the whole island. We're going back to FP in a few months, and are skipping Moorea this time and staying 3 nights Thalasso followed by 5 nights St. Regis. We also have a night at IC Tahiti due to late arrival.
#3682
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,868
#3683
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 786
You managed to snag business class on UA PPT-SFO??? Using which points?
#3684
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,302
But I think Tahiti gets a little beat up over the other islands. I would have to say it it like Oahu vs. Maui or Kauai. I never really suggest people go to Oahu over the others. Same goes for Tahiti. You don’t go all that way to just visit Tahiti. But there are very nice areas to visit in Tahiti/Papeete. If you end up there with a couple extra hours to spend head over to the market. A little hot/humid and not the best market in the world, but better than sitting in the PPT lounge
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...y_Islands.html
#3685
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 786
Think that is a good plan to stay as long as you can in BB.
But I think Tahiti gets a little beat up over the other islands. I would have to say it it like Oahu vs. Maui or Kauai. I never really suggest people go to Oahu over the others. Same goes for Tahiti. You dont go all that way to just visit Tahiti. But there are very nice areas to visit in Tahiti/Papeete. If you end up there with a couple extra hours to spend head over to the market. A little hot/humid and not the best market in the world, but better than sitting in the PPT lounge
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...y_Islands.html
#3686
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Yes, luckily! It's a mixed fare. Business class PPT-SFO, economy SFO-MSP. 70k miles. I have 1K status (for about four more months), so I had a small advantage.
We actually could've flown both SFO-PPT and PPT-SFO in business for the same saver rate, but the outbound would've been a week later and we couldn't have used the BOGO night cert for the Brando Suite. (Once I checked for a different weekend in the Brando, the Ambassador rate had jumped about 100,000 XPF per night and I'm already splurging haha.)
We actually could've flown both SFO-PPT and PPT-SFO in business for the same saver rate, but the outbound would've been a week later and we couldn't have used the BOGO night cert for the Brando Suite. (Once I checked for a different weekend in the Brando, the Ambassador rate had jumped about 100,000 XPF per night and I'm already splurging haha.)
#3687
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 786
Yes, luckily! It's a mixed fare. Business class PPT-SFO, economy SFO-MSP. 70k miles. I have 1K status (for about four more months), so I had a small advantage.
We actually could've flown both SFO-PPT and PPT-SFO in business for the same saver rate, but the outbound would've been a week later and we couldn't have used the BOGO night cert for the Brando Suite. (Once I checked for a different weekend in the Brando, the Ambassador rate had jumped about 100,000 XPF per night and I'm already splurging haha.)
We actually could've flown both SFO-PPT and PPT-SFO in business for the same saver rate, but the outbound would've been a week later and we couldn't have used the BOGO night cert for the Brando Suite. (Once I checked for a different weekend in the Brando, the Ambassador rate had jumped about 100,000 XPF per night and I'm already splurging haha.)
#3688
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 786
My 2 cents...
I just got back from FP and stayed at the St. Regis, IC Thalasso, IC Moorea, and saw the IC Le Moana. Of the IHG properties, the IC Thalasso was heads and shoulders above the other two. I can't speak for service, but the Le Moana looked tired and not anywhere near the same 5* quality of the Thalasso. The IC Moorea was nice though the Lanai rooms were just standard hotel rooms (if that's what you booked). What they really lacked was any quality customer service. I think you'll be less disappointed than me if you do the setup you're doing now (Tahiti, Moorea, Thalasso), as you don't know how good the Thalasso is. I know some people apparently like the Le Moana more, but I don't really see it. Regardless, you'll have a great trip.
I just got back from FP and stayed at the St. Regis, IC Thalasso, IC Moorea, and saw the IC Le Moana. Of the IHG properties, the IC Thalasso was heads and shoulders above the other two. I can't speak for service, but the Le Moana looked tired and not anywhere near the same 5* quality of the Thalasso. The IC Moorea was nice though the Lanai rooms were just standard hotel rooms (if that's what you booked). What they really lacked was any quality customer service. I think you'll be less disappointed than me if you do the setup you're doing now (Tahiti, Moorea, Thalasso), as you don't know how good the Thalasso is. I know some people apparently like the Le Moana more, but I don't really see it. Regardless, you'll have a great trip.
#3689
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LTP, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver, Delta Silver
Posts: 53
From a grounds perspective, I really liked the StR. I needed more time at the Thalasso (only had one night) but it seemed much smaller in terms of area and had fewer restaurant choices. The StR seemed much older, but they kept pretty good care of it. There was a lot to do (lagoonarium, Hobie cat, sharks, etc), and I liked the beach and pool more. That being said, the Thalasso was VERY nice, you just don't have the same scale that the StR had. The pool was nice and they had a little lagoon to snorkel in.
The service... No question the StR was better. Though I guess it should be expected with a butler, they were on top of everything. They arrived early every time we requested a pickup (the Thalasso was quite late the one time we requested - sample size) and they always remembered our names and what we were celebrating. Again, small sample size so I don't want to make it seem like the Thalasso was poor, the StR just seemed to be a step above.
All of that being said, I would go back to the Thalasso in a second. The food was delicious (again, only one meal), and the rooms were gorgeous. I liked the hotel a lot, but between the two, I'd have to pick the StR if I was offered both at the same price.
I apologize for my long winded response
#3690
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 786
At the StR I had a reefside villa and a standard overwater villa. At the Thalasso I believe I had a Sapphire overwater. From a room perspective, while I had renovated rooms at the StR, the Thalasso's room was a design I liked more. It seemed a little more modern and nicer...I think the StR is trying to keep rooms similar to the way they looked in the movie Couples Retreat. From the room, you go snorkeling and even stand directly from the Thalasso owv whereas you couldn't really for the StR.
From a grounds perspective, I really liked the StR. I needed more time at the Thalasso (only had one night) but it seemed much smaller in terms of area and had fewer restaurant choices. The StR seemed much older, but they kept pretty good care of it. There was a lot to do (lagoonarium, Hobie cat, sharks, etc), and I liked the beach and pool more. That being said, the Thalasso was VERY nice, you just don't have the same scale that the StR had. The pool was nice and they had a little lagoon to snorkel in.
The service... No question the StR was better. Though I guess it should be expected with a butler, they were on top of everything. They arrived early every time we requested a pickup (the Thalasso was quite late the one time we requested - sample size) and they always remembered our names and what we were celebrating. Again, small sample size so I don't want to make it seem like the Thalasso was poor, the StR just seemed to be a step above.
All of that being said, I would go back to the Thalasso in a second. The food was delicious (again, only one meal), and the rooms were gorgeous. I liked the hotel a lot, but between the two, I'd have to pick the StR if I was offered both at the same price.
I apologize for my long winded response
From a grounds perspective, I really liked the StR. I needed more time at the Thalasso (only had one night) but it seemed much smaller in terms of area and had fewer restaurant choices. The StR seemed much older, but they kept pretty good care of it. There was a lot to do (lagoonarium, Hobie cat, sharks, etc), and I liked the beach and pool more. That being said, the Thalasso was VERY nice, you just don't have the same scale that the StR had. The pool was nice and they had a little lagoon to snorkel in.
The service... No question the StR was better. Though I guess it should be expected with a butler, they were on top of everything. They arrived early every time we requested a pickup (the Thalasso was quite late the one time we requested - sample size) and they always remembered our names and what we were celebrating. Again, small sample size so I don't want to make it seem like the Thalasso was poor, the StR just seemed to be a step above.
All of that being said, I would go back to the Thalasso in a second. The food was delicious (again, only one meal), and the rooms were gorgeous. I liked the hotel a lot, but between the two, I'd have to pick the StR if I was offered both at the same price.
I apologize for my long winded response
Thanks, definitely appreciate it! I've stayed at Thalasso, and am staying again this fall. I haven't been to STR, but am visiting this fall as well, so I was curious as to how you thought they compared. I'm booked in reef side villa at STR, and thinking that's what I want to keep. I'd prefer the pool to direct lagoon access I think.