jimmychang

Are you seeing something different from this? It says it's nightly rates starting as low as 73,000 XPF.

http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels....OP_US_LC_1410&

ajnaro

I can't figure out exactly what the question is. I simply took the Polynesian Escape rate and compared it to the SPG 35 rate for the same room type, in both instances for two guests. This difference is on the order of xpf 30,000, or xpf 15,000 per person. It's no great bargain, but it's not totally absurd either.

TooMuchTravel73

Will be there in a week. Paying the $122 per night (12,000XPF) per night to upgrade.

gregorygrady

Darn, I wish you hadn't paid the $122 to upgrade. I want to find out from Plats had who shell out extra to see if they were upgraded or not. I'm not sure I wanna shell out of extra $500 for a guaranteed upgrade over 4 days. I might want to just gamble, especially since I have reservations at ICs sandwiching this stay which I WILL be in OWBs at. I just wanna see what the odds are of a further upgrade, but it looks like no Plats have wanted to risk the gamble yet........................

margarita girl

I'll be risking it, but I'm not going until March ... When will you be there?

gregorygrady

Probably February.......

margarita girl

Uh-oh, check out post #1495

BigBopper

I haven't had a chance to read the entire thread so forgive me if I missed something and answer incompletely.

My wife and I stayed at the Le Merridien for a week (after a week on Moorea) in Oct 07. We both felt the staff there was simply incredible. We recieved a nice upgrade, a beach bag, towel, hat and a few other assorted goodies for being a PLT. By far the BEST PLT recognition I've ever had at any property!

The only thing I caution at this hotel is that it's a LONG walk from some of the bungalows to the main building and lagoon areas.

margarita girl

Was it an OWB upgrade?

What about Sheraton Moorea? Any upgrade there, as I will also be spending 5 nights there.

TooMuchTravel73

I've had many e-mail threads with both the Moorea Sheraton and the Bora Bora property. According to the Moorea sheraton there is a Zero % chance that I'll be upgraded to an OWB. (So I paid 12000XPF there too).

From the Sheraton Moorea: "For our platinum member, we will try our best to upgrade to the best available room within the category.

It means that if you have reservation for garden bungalow, you will be able to upgrade to our SPA bungalow (half in the water, half on the beach) if there is an availability. But there are only 3 SPA bungalows in the property. Our beach bungalow is completely on the beach.
If you would like to be upgrade to our Over Water Bungalow, we have a special price for our platinum member.

It cost 12,000cfp per night without tax. (no able to pay by point, but you can pay by credit card or cash)

Please let us know in advance if you would like to secure your upgrade."

Contact: [email protected]

According to the Le Meridien Bora Bora, there is a *chance* that you can be upgraded, but don't count on it.

Contact: [email protected]


Also about food and booze at both the Sheraton Moorea and Bora Bora: Price Per Person


Meals Rates – P/Pers.
PETIT DEJEUNER BUFFET
American Buffet Breakfast 2857XPF

DEMI-PENSION

Modified American Plan
(Breakfast and Dinner only) 8482XPF

PENSION COMPLETE

Full American plan 12634XPF
(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

All Inclusive
(All food included, soft drinks, mineral water, beer as much as desired during the day, A la Carte, room service, Gastro restaurant, Snack, Buffet dinner. Excluded alcoholic drinks (except beer)
18150XPF


Leaving Tomorrow. Will post when I return.

BigBopper

I was upgraded to an OWB at both locations.

In Moorea, it was the first one on the pier. In Bora Bora it was the last one which was a premium OWB. I was not charged a fee to upgrade at either location although i was prepared to pay it if needed.

Just like any other hotel an upgrade is nice but if it's an absolute must you should pay for it.

As for food, Moorea wasn't so good and it was simple to get to local resturants that had great food for 1/3 of the price.

On Bora Bora, the food was pretty good and priced similar to NY prices. Keep in mind the dollar was much weaker when we went so the actual cost may have dropped.

Guava

Hmm...I know it's been a few years, but the last time I was there, I was a SPG Plat and even became acquainted with the GM of the resort. We have the same first name too (in French), so it was funny in a way. He specifically told me that they do upgrade Plats to OWB, which is not consistent with what's being posted here. Now, it's possible the management has changed and he is no longer there but I would definitely check with the GM of S/Moorea. If it's still the same man, then I have my doubts about this "policy" you have been given. Besides, BigBooper just posted his recent experience at S/Moorea that contradicts what you have been told.

SanDiego1K

Sheraton Moorea is managed by a woman, who moved to the property this spring. I can confirm that they charge an upgrade fee for OWB. There is lengthy discussion of this in the master thread for the Moorea property. It was this way long before the current GM arrived.

Now, it's possible that the policy for THIS hotel, Le Meridien Bora Bora, differs.

ajnaro

For whatever it's worth, I was upgraded to an OWB (from a beach front location) at the Moorea Sheraton in April 2006 for three of the five nights I was there. The upgrade required extensive discussions with the front desk and finally the manager. At no time was I asked for money; it was simply a question of finding availability. The manager's name at the time was Giuseppe. Of course, in times of crisis there may be more availability. Good will is another matter.

VanMan

We recently got back from our free four night stay. We were personally met by Alain at the boat dock and escorted to a seating area near the stairs to the restaurant. Alain took the opportunity to give us an overview of the hotel's facilities, as we enjoyed a complimentary fruit drink. All of the check-in documents were prepared in advance. He apologized for only being able to upgrade us to a premium OWB for the first night, since the hotel was about to receive a large intake of Universal Studios people who were filming in the St Regis, who would occupy 50 bungalows. He said they always upgraded Platinums if they had space available.

We enjoyed the OWB, it was at the furthest distance from the beach, but were woken early by the bright sunlight entering from the glass floor. However, we actually preferred the beach bungalow facing the lagoon...just four or five steps to the water, with a multitude of friendly fish and, of course, the turtles.

We got the free shuttle boat, it runs frequently all day, to the Meridien "base" on the main island, where there is a reasonable supermarket with the usual, including fresh baguettes, and limited French wine.