Linda

Hi! Right now we are scheduled to stay at BB Lagoon resort for our honeymoon. It looks great! I keep hearing 2 conflicting reports. The first is that Hotel BB is spectacular and no hotel tops it. The other is that it is overpriced and BB Lagoon is just as nice if not nicer because it is newer. Has anyone been there and visited both? Is Hotel BB better if we can afford the upgrade? (I don't know if we can) Currently we are in an end unit at BB Lagoon...it we switched to Hotel BB. we would do the regular overwater not the premium....which would anyone reccomend?

Louis

I am not certain that it will be easy to find anyone that has stayed at both places. I don't think you will go far wrong with either but that is a matter of taste. From our view we would find resorts on motus confining. We like to walk out of the resort atmosphere into the real world of the island which can be done only on the mainland. Forgetting all else the Bora Bora Hotel is the choice location on the island proper. We always picked a more modest priced garden room and ate most of our meals at other places on the island. While we like the comfort features of good resorts we like, in addition, the more adventuresome feeling of being able to leave them. Many of our best memories are from outside the Bora Bora Hotel. Except where ocean action provides a lovely sound at night, we have never truly understood the appeal of over water rooms. The Bora Bora lagoon is very quiet. While they offer ready transportation to the mainland from the Bora Bora Lagoon, it is not the same as walking at will down the road at night along the lagoon to go to dinner at one of the local restaurants. There was one very fine Chinese restaurant near the Bora Bora Hotel but it may be long gone. We ate there often since the food was excellent and the wine was at the right price. In your case, if you relish the self contained resort, the Bora Bora Lagoon will be fine. However, prices are high throughout Bora Bora and the locals are not the gracious to non French speaking people. So don't expect the moon. In spite of recent over development, Bora Bora is still one of the most beautiful islands in the world and one of our favorites. We have however tended towards Fiji recently due to the friendly people, local beauty, and the quality resorts at attractive prices. None of the islands there however quite match Bora Bora for sheer beauty.

Louis

I forgot. I guess I also should have said that we would not waste our money on an over water unit at either place. The charm of Bora Bora is being on the island. That is why we want to leave the resort and tourists and be alone together on the island. There is something magic about it that we have not found anyplace else.

Linda

Louis, <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for your advice! The funny thing is, is that we had to make a choice fairly quickly (We deciede on the Hotel BB). We made our decision before I read you post but we decided to stay there for the exact reasons you posted! <BR> <BR>We decided we wanted the option of being able to just go for a walk if we wanted ect. Also we wanted a hotel that rents cars and bikes. And, I have to confess, that we have heard mixed things about BB Lagoon, while we have heard ONLY good things about Hotel BB. <BR> <BR>We actually did go for the underwater bungalows though! On everyother island we did not get them, but for Bora Bora we did, we figured we had to try them once. <BR> <BR>Does anyone know if Hotel Bora Bora has anywhere in the bungalow where you can see the water (See through coffee table ect?) Also since there remodeling, do the still have the pencil post, mosquito netting beds? <BR> <BR>Thanks again for your advice! <BR> <BR>Linda

Linda

LOL! I mean overwater, not UNDERWATER bungalows!!!! OOPS! Underwater, that would be interesting! Hey a new concept...you could then really see the fish! Any investors out there??

Louis

I don't think you have made a mistake and if you are going for a overwater unit, I would bite the bullet and go for one of the premium units. They are further out and near some reefs where there is some sea life. I have been in units with viewing windows elsewhere but if you are in shallow water with a sandy bottom there is nothing to see. I don't know if there are windows in their units. <BR> <BR>It is only 17 miles all of the way around the island by road. It is an easy bike ride. However, the best part of the island is around your hotel location. I believe Bloody Marys is still there which is an active bar restaurant. We have gone and watched some the the shows at Club Med. A few days back there were still two manta rays swimming in the lighted area off the end of the dock at the Bora Bora Hotel. It is a must to snorkel with them at night. There is absolutely no danger. It is an experience that will last you a life time. If you swim straight out from in front of the restaurant a 50 yards or so there is a nice drift current that will take you back to shore towards the end of the hotel property. <BR> <BR>Walk to the right towards Mantira sp? Point and see if the Chinese Restaurant is still there on your right about half way to the next hotel. If it is by all means check it out for dinner. We have eaten most of our dinners there as the setting is beautiful, prices are much less than the hotel, and we enjoyed the good. Be prepared for the high cost of food. To minimize on some of the costs, we have purchased a few items for noon time snacking at the hotel shop - soda crackers and cans of viena sausages - bottled juice. If you like in room drinking, I suggest you bring in the legal limit of your own booze. <BR> <BR>Bora Bora does on occassions have a water shortage problem. Pray that it does not happen when you are there. When we have been there under those conditions, they turn on the water only a few hours during the day. If this is the case, fill everything with water including bath tub and all of the waste paper baskets. You will need them to flush the toilet. We have not been there since the BB hotel was refurbished, perhaps they have their own plant now which could be one reason why their prices are so high. I think the beds are now king size and the same otherwise. The further you are out into the water fewer mosquitoes will be around. Unfortunately take enough deet along and wear protection from sun in the water. A long sleeve turtle neck tee shirt and some dancer's tights will save you lots of pain if you plan to be in the water a long time. Sun burn can take the joy out of a honeymoon. The main place of bad burns from snorkeling are the backs of the arms and legs and the back of the neck. Have a lovely time.