IC Bora Bora Le Moana Master Thread [merged]
#496
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 112
Would you recommend getting over to Moorea as early as possible on the 2nd day of the trip or is the IC Tahiti worth spending some time at before we make the trip over to Moorea?
If you go to Moorea first thing, your room will not be ready. I stay at the Hitlon, and every time the lobby is full of people who took the red-eye flight from LAX. They arrive on Moorea at 8:00 a.m. and sit in the lobby, looking tired, waiting until their room is ready in the afternoon. (I don't know why they don't change their clothes and spend the morning at the pool on those comfy loungers.)
Is it better to take the ferry or a flight from Tahiti to Moorea?
One time I took the flight from Moorea to Tahiti. I bought a "Bora Bora Pass" from Air Tahiti https://www.airtahiti.com/multiisland-fares because it only cost 10 euros more that a Tahiti-Bora round trip. So I was basically getting the Moorea-Tahiti flight for 10 euros. That flight is very short (15 minutes in the air). It is nice to see Moorea and Tahiti from an airplane.
Do you have ambassador and if so did any of those places give you ambassador benefits?
#498
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: IHG AMB/Spire, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 204
Is there any major difference between the Overwater Horizon bungalow and the end of the pontoon bungalow? I know the end of the pontoon ones are at the end of the row - but the physical rooms, any bigger or nicer? I have some reward nights booked for the beach bungalow and will be paying to upgrade to OWB. I do not plan to be going to Bora Bora often given its location and cost, so as a 1 time splurge I am fine paying the upgrade fees, the question is it worth ~$150USD a night more for the end of the pontoon vs the horizon OWB?
#499
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sun & beach destinations
Programs: UA-lifetime Platinum (2MM), IHG-Amb, HH-Diamond, Hertz-PC, Marriott-Gold, CX-AM
Posts: 1,427
Is there any major difference between the Overwater Horizon bungalow and the end of the pontoon bungalow? I know the end of the pontoon ones are at the end of the row - but the physical rooms, any bigger or nicer? I have some reward nights booked for the beach bungalow and will be paying to upgrade to OWB. I do not plan to be going to Bora Bora often given its location and cost, so as a 1 time splurge I am fine paying the upgrade fees, the question is it worth ~$150USD a night more for the end of the pontoon vs the horizon OWB?
The overwater bungalows at Le Moana are all identical, same size and same amenities, except one overwater suite # 75-76. The only advantage for the end of the pontoon bungalow is people hardly walk past your bungalow, but later I find it not necessary the truth. At the long pontoon, the end of pontoon overwater bungalows are night next to the platforms (unused jetty) where some guests tend to visit for photos.
Last edited by GordonGordon; Sep 25, 2017 at 10:04 pm
#500
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: IHG AMB/Spire, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 204
Just got back from Bora Bora in mid August and it was my 6th visit. Previously stayed 3 times at Thalasso and this time I only stayed at Le Moana (also my 3rd stay). I was upgraded to the end of the pontoon bungalow # 74, I wasn't very impressed by the view, after 3 nights I moved to the horizon bungalow # 25, the view is much better and I like it more. It overlooks sofitel motu private island and Mount Otemanu on the left.
The overwater bungalows at Le Moana are all identical, same size and same amenities, except one overwater suite # 75-76. The only advantage for the end of the pontoon bungalow is people hardly walk past your bungalow, but later I find it not necessary the truth. At the long pontoon, the end of pontoon overwater bungalows are night next to the platforms (unused jetty) where some guests tend to visit for photos.
The overwater bungalows at Le Moana are all identical, same size and same amenities, except one overwater suite # 75-76. The only advantage for the end of the pontoon bungalow is people hardly walk past your bungalow, but later I find it not necessary the truth. At the long pontoon, the end of pontoon overwater bungalows are night next to the platforms (unused jetty) where some guests tend to visit for photos.
To get an idea of the layout - where is bungalow #25 ?
#501
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 112
The beach bungalow is great too!
Is there any major difference between the Overwater Horizon bungalow and the end of the pontoon bungalow? I know the end of the pontoon ones are at the end of the row - but the physical rooms, any bigger or nicer? I have some reward nights booked for the beach bungalow and will be paying to upgrade to OWB. I do not plan to be going to Bora Bora often given its location and cost, so as a 1 time splurge I am fine paying the upgrade fees, the question is it worth ~$150USD a night more for the end of the pontoon vs the horizon OWB?
More pictures here: https://bhughes.smugmug.com/Travel/T...-November-2015
#502
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sun & beach destinations
Programs: UA-lifetime Platinum (2MM), IHG-Amb, HH-Diamond, Hertz-PC, Marriott-Gold, CX-AM
Posts: 1,427
Thanks I saw those maps online but did not give me XRay vision into inside the rooms :-) I'll stick to the horizon OWB and hopefully try to request a good view of Mount O. I'll save the $150USD to help offset the expensive food
To get an idea of the layout - where is bungalow #25 ?
To get an idea of the layout - where is bungalow #25 ?
I personally think that the best horizon overwater bungalow is # 24 and probably it's the best of the best among all overwater bungalows, and the first runner up are # 23 and # 25. I would avoid any horizon ones # 29- # 37 facing south (facing the shorter pontoon bungalows across the lagoon), because the view is not as good as those facing Sofitel Motu and the bungalows themselves block the sun on the decks after 1pm. For bungalows # 18- # 26, you will get the maximum sunshine hours on the deck.
#503
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: IHG AMB/Spire, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 204
Oh...the black and white pic has all the bungalow numbers. Maybe it is too small to read. You can right click on the image and save it on your computer, then open the image file and enlarge it.
I personally think that the best horizon overwater bungalow is # 24 and probably it's the best of the best among all overwater bungalows, and the first runner up are # 23 and # 25. I would avoid any horizon ones # 29- # 37 facing south (facing the shorter pontoon bungalows across the lagoon), because the view is not as good as those facing Sofitel Motu and the bungalows themselves block the sun on the decks after 1pm. For bungalows # 18- # 26, you will get the maximum sunshine hours on the deck.
I personally think that the best horizon overwater bungalow is # 24 and probably it's the best of the best among all overwater bungalows, and the first runner up are # 23 and # 25. I would avoid any horizon ones # 29- # 37 facing south (facing the shorter pontoon bungalows across the lagoon), because the view is not as good as those facing Sofitel Motu and the bungalows themselves block the sun on the decks after 1pm. For bungalows # 18- # 26, you will get the maximum sunshine hours on the deck.
#504
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,302
Any opinions on what is the best beach suites?
Oh...the black and white pic has all the bungalow numbers. Maybe it is too small to read. You can right click on the image and save it on your computer, then open the image file and enlarge it.
I personally think that the best horizon overwater bungalow is # 24 and probably it's the best of the best among all overwater bungalows, and the first runner up are # 23 and # 25. I would avoid any horizon ones # 29- # 37 facing south (facing the shorter pontoon bungalows across the lagoon), because the view is not as good as those facing Sofitel Motu and the bungalows themselves block the sun on the decks after 1pm. For bungalows # 18- # 26, you will get the maximum sunshine hours on the deck.
I personally think that the best horizon overwater bungalow is # 24 and probably it's the best of the best among all overwater bungalows, and the first runner up are # 23 and # 25. I would avoid any horizon ones # 29- # 37 facing south (facing the shorter pontoon bungalows across the lagoon), because the view is not as good as those facing Sofitel Motu and the bungalows themselves block the sun on the decks after 1pm. For bungalows # 18- # 26, you will get the maximum sunshine hours on the deck.
The IC Tahiti is a wonderful property with a beautiful view of Moorea. I wouldn't be in a hurry to rush out on your second day. Have a leisurely morning and relax - you're on vacation.
If you go to Moorea first thing, your room will not be ready. I stay at the Hitlon, and every time the lobby is full of people who took the red-eye flight from LAX. They arrive on Moorea at 8:00 a.m. and sit in the lobby, looking tired, waiting until their room is ready in the afternoon. (I don't know why they don't change their clothes and spend the morning at the pool on those comfy loungers.)
I've done both. I slightly prefer the ferry. It's very nice to get out on the water after a long flight. The ferry cost a lot less than the flight (see exception below).
One time I took the flight from Moorea to Tahiti. I bought a "Bora Bora Pass" from Air Tahiti https://www.airtahiti.com/multiisland-fares because it only cost 10 euros more that a Tahiti-Bora round trip. So I was basically getting the Moorea-Tahiti flight for 10 euros. That flight is very short (15 minutes in the air). It is nice to see Moorea and Tahiti from an airplane.
Yes, I got a welcoming gift and a fruit plate and bottled water. Don't expect a room upgrade. I've never gotten one. Some others have. It's not a sure thing.
If you go to Moorea first thing, your room will not be ready. I stay at the Hitlon, and every time the lobby is full of people who took the red-eye flight from LAX. They arrive on Moorea at 8:00 a.m. and sit in the lobby, looking tired, waiting until their room is ready in the afternoon. (I don't know why they don't change their clothes and spend the morning at the pool on those comfy loungers.)
I've done both. I slightly prefer the ferry. It's very nice to get out on the water after a long flight. The ferry cost a lot less than the flight (see exception below).
One time I took the flight from Moorea to Tahiti. I bought a "Bora Bora Pass" from Air Tahiti https://www.airtahiti.com/multiisland-fares because it only cost 10 euros more that a Tahiti-Bora round trip. So I was basically getting the Moorea-Tahiti flight for 10 euros. That flight is very short (15 minutes in the air). It is nice to see Moorea and Tahiti from an airplane.
Yes, I got a welcoming gift and a fruit plate and bottled water. Don't expect a room upgrade. I've never gotten one. Some others have. It's not a sure thing.
#505
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sun & beach destinations
Programs: UA-lifetime Platinum (2MM), IHG-Amb, HH-Diamond, Hertz-PC, Marriott-Gold, CX-AM
Posts: 1,427
I never stayed at beach suite but seems # 57 to # 60 are the better ones because it's at the end of the beach, and less hotel guests walk past your bungalows and hang out there. Hotel guests who stay at the overwater bungalows # 71-# 78 at the shorter pontoon do not walk past the beach to get back to their overwater bungalow, they usually walk through the path behind the beach suites because if they walk past the beach, it will take some effort for them to climb up to the pontoon.
The beach suite # 61 is too close to the pontoon and # 62-# 63 do not exist anymore for some unknown reasons.
Also some hotel guests from overwater bungalows sometimes hang out on the beach near the pool, so the beach area in front of beach suite # 50-# 52 might be a bit busy.
The beach suite # 61 is too close to the pontoon and # 62-# 63 do not exist anymore for some unknown reasons.
Also some hotel guests from overwater bungalows sometimes hang out on the beach near the pool, so the beach area in front of beach suite # 50-# 52 might be a bit busy.
Last edited by GordonGordon; Sep 28, 2017 at 9:57 pm
#506
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 112
I never stayed at beach suite but seems # 57 to # 60 are the better ones because it's at the end of the beach, and less hotel guests walk past your bungalows and hang out there. Hotel guests who stay at the overwater bungalows # 71-# 78 at the shorter pontoon do not walk past the beach to get back to their overwater bungalow, they usually walk through the path behind the beach suites because if they walk past the beach, it will take some effort for them to climb up to the pontoon.
The beach suite # 61 is too close to the pontoon and # 62-# 63 do not exist anymore for some unknown reasons.
Also some hotel guests from overwater bungalows sometimes hang out on the beach near the pool, so the beach area in front of beach suite # 50-# 52 might be a bit busy.
The beach suite # 61 is too close to the pontoon and # 62-# 63 do not exist anymore for some unknown reasons.
Also some hotel guests from overwater bungalows sometimes hang out on the beach near the pool, so the beach area in front of beach suite # 50-# 52 might be a bit busy.
#508
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sun & beach destinations
Programs: UA-lifetime Platinum (2MM), IHG-Amb, HH-Diamond, Hertz-PC, Marriott-Gold, CX-AM
Posts: 1,427
Yes, when we checked in we were asked if we wanted to take the offer but we had to have breakfast every morning. I don't remember exactly how much, I think it should be around XPF8000-9000 for 2 persons before 50% discount. I remember after discount, it's even a lot cheaper than a lot of 4-5* hotel breakfast in NYC. Breakast at 4-5* hotels in NYC easily costs you over US$30 after tax + 15% tips.
The night before check out, they delivered the preview bill to our bungalow, it still showed the full price before 50% discount. Had no problem to ask them to take off 50% when I checked out.
Had breakfast 5 days in a row, we didn't see any smoked salmon at all. Not a big deal, but thought it was standard in *4-5 star hotel.
The night before check out, they delivered the preview bill to our bungalow, it still showed the full price before 50% discount. Had no problem to ask them to take off 50% when I checked out.
Had breakfast 5 days in a row, we didn't see any smoked salmon at all. Not a big deal, but thought it was standard in *4-5 star hotel.
#509
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sun & beach destinations
Programs: UA-lifetime Platinum (2MM), IHG-Amb, HH-Diamond, Hertz-PC, Marriott-Gold, CX-AM
Posts: 1,427
Almost forget to mention.... The shuttles between Thalasso and Le Moana are all chargeable. For those of you who want to visit Thalasso without paying the boat shuttle, actually you can make an appointment at Le Moana concierge for using the gym at Thalasso, they will offer you 2 free shuttles, one leaves Le Moana at 7:45am and the other one leaves in the evening at 5 something pm, but you need to take the appointed shuttle back to Le Moana in order not to be charged, I was tempted to use the gym but finally gave up because I calculated the time I would have in Thalasso, and realized I had 45 only minutes! Besides, it will take you at least 5 mins to walk oneway between the jetty of Thalasso and the gym, so actually you will have only around 30 mins to exercise. I already stayed 3 times at Thalasso, so I didn't have the drive to go there to have a look. If you only want to go to Thalasso to take some photos, then I think it's a good idea to utilize the free service but you need to dress like you are going to do exercise lol.