josephstern

I snagged some good seats to Bora Bora on a recent AA deal flying Air Tahiti Nui. But now I'm having problems figuring out where to stay.

I was assuming I'd use Hilton points to stay at the Conrad, but I'm only finding rooms for 300k+ points per night (while the 'standard' rate seems to be about 86k).

So then I thought I'd use Marriott points at the St. Regis. They also charge a fortune and there has to be a co-pay. Further, the recent reviews of that place are pretty bad.

Now I'm thinking that I'll use Citi or Chase points. With Citi, I can get the fourth night free, so that seems like the obvious choice. The best rated options through Citi are:

-Conrad (but now I have a grudge against these guys)
-Intercontinental Thalasso
-Le Taha'a Island Resort and Spa
-Four Seasons (probably more than I'm willing to spend)
-Le Meridien
-St. Regis (bad reviews)

Does anyone have a recommendation for me? I'd like an OWB, but I can be OK without one. I'd most like:

-Great snorkeling reef
-Good beach
-Comfortable bed/modern room
-Reasonably priced decent food

I suppose I'm also not locked into Bora Bora, but it does sound like the place I'd want to be for my first trip there.

number_6

You've picked the wrong destination for "reasonably priced decent food" presuming by that you mean American Steakhouse standard Bora Bora is expensive and the room rate is just the down payment for your vacation cost. Four Seasons is worth the (high) price, and St. Regis is a bargain but I can't comment on the "bad reviews".....I remember one review complaining about having sand in their beachfront villa, so you never quite know what "bad" means. Your best choice might be the IC based on your post.

CPMaverick

So are you currently flying to Bora Bora or not? It says you booked seats there, but I don't think there is a way to use AA points to fly to BOB. And then you say you aren't locked in....

Here are some threads that may be of interest...

A couple questions on Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tahiti

French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea)

number_6 has been adamant in the past that you have to spend at least US$500 a day on food in FP (in fact it was even said US$500/day is 'rock bottom' ), but as in the thread above, few if any agree with that.

This blog gives a good overview of the non-resort options. Maybe not what you want for lodging but particularly useful if you want non-resort food.
https://www.neverendingfootsteps.com...a-on-a-budget/

You may consider IHG status purchase? If you buy Ambassador status for $200, you can get a BOGO for a weekend night. This can be a good value in places like FP.

josephstern

Right - I have flights booked to PPT, not BOB.

IC is sounding like a good idea. Thanks for the status tip.

On the "American Steakhouse standard": no, not interested in that at all, either home or on a trip. I try to eat local, but I'm not sure 'local' has much meaning in such a touristy place.

number_6

You can eat local in PPT but not in BOB. The problem with Bora Bora is that almost all of the food is imported, much of it frozen. Even seafood is mostly frozen and imported, as the locals catch fish to eat themselves and not sell to restaurants. Thus the price for good food is sky high, but if you don't mind getting frozen seafood then it can be "cheap" (e.g USD 100 for dinner, but you can get better frozen food from Trader Joe's in US). It is a very unique market from that standpoint, hard to find many others in the world quite like it, and maybe not what people expect from Paradise -- certainly a lot different from Hawaii for example.

snabbu

Not true. If you stay somewhere like Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort or Intercon Le Moana they're very similar to the PPT resorts and infrastructure. Local restaurants/markets/supermarkets/corner stores/etc. It's when you stay at one of the resorts on the Motu that you are somewhat captive unless you take a boat over to the island.

On more than one occasion (the first time admittedly was on Moorea at the Sofitel just after it opened) I've seen the charter fishing boats pull up to the hotel marina and offload the morning catch... big black marlin are not uncommon. If a big billfish is onboard the kitchen staff will come out and dissect / fillet the catch there on the dock, drawing a crowd. Generally the fish will then be showcased for lunch / dinner around the resort eateries.

YVR Cockroach

I was in FP earlier this year and did self-catering. Ate a lot of fresh fish in Raiatea as it seemed to be available (shopped at the Casino in Utoroa) and there were locals selling it in the fishing villages. Harder to get on Bora Bora as per number_6 above. The fish at the 2 (or 3) supermarkets weren't as nice (had a car, stayed at a self-cater in Matara Point).so ended up eating a lot of beef and the bread and other stuff available at the local grocery (or what passed for one) wasn't very nice either. Don't remember if I saw someone selling fish from a bike in the village north of Vaitape. Had a homestay in Moorea and did the food truck thing in Papeete (only 1 nt pre-cruise).

Best croissants and other pastries, and bread was had in a French bakery in Utoroa.

flyingfkb

I'm currently at the Le Méridien Bora Bora. It is a great hotel but not the most luxurious of the luxury hotels on Bora Bora. The St. Regis or Four Seasons are definitely above the Le Méridien. Still the Le Méridien is a very very good hotel with great service, nice bungalows and good food. As mentioned Bora Bora hoteld are expansive. Just to give you the idea. A club sandwich at the Le Méridien is 3000XPF, a main course for dinner is between 4000XPF and 6800XPF. A local beer 330ml is 750XPF. A large bottle still water 1.5l is 500XPF. Wine is relatively inexpensive compared to other drinkd. A bottle is between 4400XPF and 6000XPF for standard wine. There are also bottles for 10000XPF and more. Cocktails are 2400XPF. Tours and a activities are around 13000XPF half day lagoon boat tour to 15000XPF full day tour. Ther are some very expensive private tours for 90000XPF.

Current exchange rate 100XPF are 0.93US$ or 0.84€