Amanda

We are planning our honeymoon for March in Moorea & Bora Bora. We can't decide betwen the Bora Bora Hotel or the Moana Beachcomber in Bora Bora - anyone have suggestions?

Linda

Hi! <BR> <BR>You should split your time at the two if you can! That is what we are doing for our honeymoon! We are going in April and doing 5 nights at each, and 3 nights in Tahiti. <BR> <BR>We were told that Moorea and Bora Bora are both great, and that people like both or prefer one over the other for different reasons. So we decided to split them. Also we heard though Bora Bora is beautiful, it can get boring after a few days, whereas in Moorea there is more to do. <BR> <BR>By the way do you mean Hotel Bora Bora? Or is there a Bora Bora Hotel? <BR> <BR>Also we were told not to spend that much time on the main island Tahiti...but we wanted at least a day, to look through the village. Our flight times kind of made us add on the 2 extra nights (We couldn't afford to add on in BB and Moorea was booked) so we figure we will rent a car! Also I heard if you go off the beaten path in Tahiti, it really is beautiful and has charm...just don't spend all your time in Papeete. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR> <BR>Linda

John

We just got back from the Moana Beachcomber. It is a very nice hotel. Friendly staff. Tasty drinks at the bar ($7.50 for a Pina Colada at current exchange rates, half price at happy hour 6-7. Beers are $3). Pretty good food. Beautiful beach. <BR>Pros: Great location. Across the road from the public beach where you can watch the sunset and walk out to the reef (1 mile I was told) without the water going over your head. The beach at the hotel has a great view of Raiatea and Tahaa. Centrally located to food places. A general store 40 yards away (great for buying snacks or make your own breakfast of baguette, cheese, fruit, chocolate filled croissants and crepes at a fraction of the cost of a hotel breakfast). FANTASTIC little restaurant right next door called Tuanomatu (sp?). Other restaurants available within walking distance. <BR>Cons: The sun sets behind the hotel, so you can't watch the sunset from your bungalow. But since the public beach (Matira) is right across the road (and nobody is there usually) you can still get your sunset. Don't forget your camera and cocktail! The over the water bungalows (which we had) aren't over a big reef area. They have put small coral heads under each bungalow to attract fish, but the best way is to toss some bread down there. The Hotel Bora Bora may have more coral under their bungalows, I don't know. The snorkeling off the resort is great though. The dropoff isn't that far out so you can see some larger coral heads, or just cruise around the shallows where there are plenty of staghorn coral areas and lots of fish. I would without a doubt go back again to the hotel. I wouldn't get the OW bungalow again though. It was great, but not every OW bungalow has a great view, while all the beachfront bungalows do. And since we've done the fish feeding through the table thing, I don't need to do it again. <BR>I didn't see the inside of Hotel Bora Bora, because they keep a guard and chain across their entrance. They are on the north end of Matira beach (its a long beach), so they have a sunset view and the sandy flats of Matira Beach. They don't have that many restaurants within walking distance, and I didn't see a nearby store. If you plan on eating at the hotel or the upscale restaurants, then location to other places isn't a problem because the high end restaurants will pick you up. You are near the restaurant/bar Bloody Mary's, so if you want to party it up you can stumble home. Different people have different opinions on Bloody Mary's, must see or tourist trap. We chose not to go. <BR>Although when we booked we tried to get into the Hotel Bora Bora (but it was full), I'm glad we ended up at the Beachcomber. <BR>But whatever you do, don't miss the Lagoonarium! You get to swim with sharks, rays, and turtles! Don't worry, its safe.

Amanda

Thanks John! That was great info. Were youin a deep overwater bungalow or shallow? Would you still recommend it for a first time visitor?

John

All of the Moana Beach bungalows are in shallow water - about 3-4 feet. They have what I think are called "horizon" bungalows and regular OW bungalows. We had a regular OW and our view out our window was back toward the beach more than it was out to sea, although we could see the outer reef. I think the horizon OW have views of the motus and Raiatea and Tahaa. Even though we were not in a horizon, our bungalow was somewhat far out on the dock. <BR>My wife really wanted to be able to feed the fish through the coffee table. We did it every day, the only time you wouldn't get much of a response from the fish was at night (we would try at 9 or 10 after coming back from dinner). It was fun, and we would even feed them from the lower dock area of our bungalow, where you only about 2 feet above the water. We were afraid this would be our only trip to Tahiti (so many places, so little time), so we were willing to splurge for the OW. I'm glad we did, but now I don't think it will be our only trip there!

Coral

If I were you I would pick one or the other. Both are great. If you like to snorkel the Hotel Bora Bora might be the best for being close to the Coral Reefs as the Parkroyal Moana Beach has more white sand then reef areas. You might also want to consider what category of bungalow you are going to have? At the Hotel Bora Bora the overwater bungalow have the wonderful romantic 4 poster beds, but then do not have coffee table that slide open so you can feed the fish. The Parkroyal Moana Beach does. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions and also if you would like a quote for your honeymoon. <BR> <BR>SŐLACE Exclusive Destinations <BR>10625 N. 25th Ave. #220 <BR>Phoenix, AZ 85029 <BR> <BR>Phone: 800.548.5331 /602.944.8080 <BR>Fax: 602.944.5411 <BR> <BR>E-mail: [email protected] <BR>http://www.solace1.com <BR>

Louis

If you can afford it, the Hotel Bora Bora is first choice without question.