Message for ALF - Moorea info.

Old Jan 12th, 2005, 06:54 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Message for ALF - Moorea info.

Hello!

I have a few questions regarding accommodations in Moorea. You've given me great info. before, so I figured I'd ask you again! Here goes...going to Moorea for my honeymoon in August, 2005. We're trying to keep the cost reasonable...so, we're looking into the following: Les Tipaniers, Hibiscus, Moorea Village, & Fare Vai Moana. My questions are:

1. How are the beaches at each location? I'm looking for clear, shallow, calm water...like a swimming pool.

2. Do these resorts offer daily cleanings/towel deliveries/toiletries...or are we on our own?

3. Considering we are trying to keep the cost down, BUT it is our honeymoon, which would you say has the nicest accomodations?

4. My fiance and I are looking forward to relaxing on the beach & having fruity drinks. We do like to socialize a bit also. Is one place better suited for that?

Any help is greatly appreciated! I think I've done TOO MUCH research! Now I'm just getting confused!
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 12th, 2005, 07:39 PM
  #2  
ALF
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jesica,

1. Each of these four places are essentially in a row along the same beach. You have them listed going from north to south. While I think that there is little qualitative difference, it was my perception that the beaches are wider as you go further north. Also, I would say that the lagoon is more protected and sandier as you go further north. There are some motus offshore from Les Tipaniers and Hibiscus that create a shallow strait within the lagoon itself.

2. I would consider Moorea Village a step up from the other three, in terms of daily service. I imagine that you would get your bed made daily, but daily towel replacement is probably not in the cards, except perhaps at Moorea Village. They will also probably not clean your room daily.

3. It depends on how you define, 'nicest'. Moorea Village is more 'upscale', a fancier restaurant, more spacious and better-appointed rooms, etc. On the other hand, I found Moorea Village to be larger and more resort-ish. The others are smaller and quieter, particularly Hibiscus and Fare Vaimoana. Les Tipaniers seemed to me to be nicer than these two, with a better restaurant and better-quality rooms. I've never been to Les Tipaniers Iti, but I hear that its nicer still. If you do stay at Moorea Village, I would spend the extra $ for a beachfront fare, as opposed to the 'garden' ones that are set farther back, and closer to the road. You will experience much less foot traffic closer to the beach.

4. I must admit to being no authority whatsoever on fruity drinks, but a lot of folks were doing just that on the nice lounge chairs provided by Moorea Village. Les Tipaniers also has lounge chairs on the beach, with a bar nearby.

I think I mentioned this previously, but consider taking the 'Shark Tour' from Moorea Camping, which is located just north of Moorea Village. A couple of years ago, a Polynesian dance group practiced on the dining room patio there, and we found that to be fascinating.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip!
ALF is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 06:44 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much! We're leaning towards Les Tipaniers or Moorea Village. Do you know if either of these places have screens on their windows? My fiance is concerned there will be a bug problem if we leave the windows open throughout the night. Also, if you have the time, please check out this place: www.labaiedenuarei.com It's located near the Sofitel. The beach/water looks amazing! The place looks very cute & quaint. Are there restaurants/a grocery store in this area? I believe there's not too much going on around there. If not, how close is the next area of restaurants and such? I think we'll be renting scooters for the week...

Thanks again!!!
Jessica
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 08:27 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Jessica,

Just thought I'd butt in to say that I took a look at the website you mention and the beach there is indeed drop-dead gorgeoous (it's the same one shared by the Moorea Sofitel - and the prettiest one that we saw while on Moorea). Also, very nice views from that area looking back across the "Sea of the Moon" towards Tahiti. I actually have a photo taken on the bluff just above this hotel which I had not posted in any of my Webshots albums. I have now done so and you can see it here:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...50417499IZUqZl

If you ignore the fact that my wife and I are the main subjects of the shot and look instead at the background, you can see just how beautiful both the lagoon and views of Tahiti are.

Ken
LordBalfor is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 09:00 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Ken!

No problem! Any information is appreciated. I've received a lot of good information from you about Bora Bora. Would love to visit there someday too! I'd stay at Baie de Nuarei in a heartbeat! I love the beach, and love the quaint little place. However, my fiance takes a little more convincing. He definitely wants to be close to restaurants/a grocery store/snack places so we can hop on a scooter and have some food. So, I believe the northwest side of the island is better suited for that. Also, he doesn't like that the bathroom/kitchen area is open. He's concerned about bugs & such. In your opinion, would that be a problem so close to the beach? Thanks for the photo, by the way, it's beautiful!!
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 09:24 AM
  #6  
ALF
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
La Bai de Nuarei looks like a great place - quiet, out of the way, and a nice beach. Locals consider the beach along the Sofitel la Ora to be the nicest on the island. We have been there, and it sure is a nice beach. I looked at the photos on the Web site you listed, and I realize that I have been pretty much at that location, but never realized the place existed. I have photos from the plateau above the point, looking down on the OW bungalows at Sofitel.

The nearest town is Teavaro, south of Sofitel la Ora. There's not much to it, a couple of pensions, a magasin, and a couple of small restaurants. It is certainly not nearly as busy as the NW side of the island. I also wonder if there will be any airport noise, which is only a couple of miles away.

As for bugs, well, there are going to be some, and there are precious few screens in most places, primarily because they impede the windflow through open structures. You are generally not going to find that bugs are a problem, except mosquitoes in the evening. Lots of folks around there use those mosquito coils, which seem to do a good job of repelling bugs.
ALF is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 09:28 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, bugs are pretty much ALWAYS an issue when it comes to kitchens - especially in a garden bungalow - or even a beach one for that matter. They are just there, period - this is the tropics after all and unless you want to constantly lace the area with pesticide you share your world with some insects once in a while - that's why geckos are actually considered a GOOD thing to have (they eat a lot of bugs). The thing to remember there is that ALL opened food containers that cannot be tightly resealed MUST be kept in the fridge. If you do that, you will minimize your problems in regards to attracting bugs.

Any open bathroom (with garden showers etc) will have the possibility of some bugs. You just have to keep in mind that it's pretty cool to experience the exoticness of such a bathroom and that the possiblity of a bug in there is just a tradeoff you have to accept if you want that experience.

Not familiar enough with the area (especially not recently) to know about nearby shops. Just don't remember that degree of detail from back then (keep in mind that we just drove through there). ALF can probably help you with that.

Ken
LordBalfor is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 09:33 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ah, can see that ALF was writing a reply at the same time that I was. Take any FP advice from him over advice from me. He knows that part of the world VERY well indeed.

Ken
LordBalfor is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 09:39 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PS - One last thing (and this is directed toward your fiance) - remember that these islands are pretty darned small and with a scooter you can anywhere on the island in pretty short amount of time.

Ken
LordBalfor is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 10:22 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Gentlemen!

I don't think we'll have a problem with the bugs. My fiance seems to think it will be me that will have the problem. Perhaps I'm more high-maintanance than I think, eh?? But, I do know, in Kauai the geckos and the frogs were one of the best parts of my trip! Loved them! Anyway, I'm thinking the northwest side may be a bit more of what we're looking for as far as restaurants/shops and things. Good point about the airport, also. But, as Ken said, we'll be close enough to visit the beach by the Sofitel on an afternoon. But, I will be sure to check out Baie de Nuarei while we're there. And, if we like it better...well then, we'll just have to take another trip to Moorea!! Oh yeah, does Les Tipaniers have a pool? I didn't think it did, but on one website's amenities list, it says yes. How far is Les Tipaniers from Moorea Village? Is it the same uninterrupted stretch of beach?
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 13th, 2005, 08:51 PM
  #11  
ALF
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Two years ago, Les Tipaniers did not have a pool, and I'm pretty sure that Tipaniers Iti doesn't have one either. Les Tipaniers is about 5km from Moorea Village, along a pretty-much uninterrupted beach.

My wife reminded me that there is another town that is bigger than Teavaro, and a couple of km closer to Sofitel, at the junction to the airport, Its called Temae, and has several restaurants and stores.
ALF is offline  
Old Jan 14th, 2005, 07:02 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That is definitely helpful! I was thinking the four hotels noted in my first post were about 100 yds. or so from each other. I guess things are a bit more spaced out, huh? Is Moorea Village closest to town? So then, how far is Les Tipaniers from town? Also, is Temae between the Sofitel and the airport? Thanks again for all your help!
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 14th, 2005, 07:57 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, let's see if I have this right:

On the northeast corner from north to south it's the airport, Tamae, Sofitel, ferry dock, right?

Then, on the northwest corner from north to south it's Les Tipaniers, Le Petit Village, Hotel Hibiscus, & Moorea Village.

So, I'm guessing Le Petit Village is around 2.5 km. from Les Tipaniers?
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 14th, 2005, 09:09 PM
  #14  
ALF
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here's a map:
http://www.blackpearlgemco.com/mvb_moorea_map.htm

My recollection is that you turn off the 'highway' to get to Sofitel just north of Temae.

As for the NW side of Moorea, you have the north-to-south order correctly, but I would say that it is significantly less than 2.5 km between Le Petit Village and Les Tipaniers. I would think that it is more like 1.5 km (i.e. about a mile) between the two.
ALF is offline  
Old Jan 20th, 2005, 09:25 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all the great info.! Okay, now I have other questions on a different subject, if you don't mind?! We are going to take the ferry over to Moorea. From the aiport in Papeete, how far is the ferry dock and how do you get there? Is there a "le truck" station at the airport? Are there taxi's readily available? Also, we're going to bring credit cards for the major purchases, but I know some places don't accept them. We'll need a little money to start, I'm assuming, for taxi or Le Truck. Should we exchange some money at the airport? Once in Moorea, how availble are banks and such, for this purpose? Just want to be prepared! Went to Europe with only travelers checks and it was such a pain in the butt! Anyway, thanks in advance for the help!

Jessica
iamjesica is offline  
Old Jan 20th, 2005, 05:43 PM
  #16  
ALF
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is about 6-7km from Fa'aa Airport to Gallieni Quay. Taxis are available at all hours, but they are quite pricey (about US $15 daytime, $25 nightime), especially compared to a bus or Le Truck ($1-$2). The bus/LeTruck stop is across the road from the airport (go across the parking lot, up some steps. and across the road. With your back to the airport, you will be heading to the left toward downtown Papeete). Many flights arrive in the very early morning, but usually by the time you clear customs, it will be 6am, which is when I think the buses start. My experience has been that we have had to take a taxi to get to outbound flights, which commonly leave in the morning before buses/Le Trucks get going.

You can exchange enough money at Fa'aa Airport to pay your fare. We changed money at a bank in Papeete, but we also got money from a the Banque Socredo in the Maharepa Shopping Center. There is at least another bank there as well. There is an ATM at Le Petit Village (Haapiti), which we also used.
ALF is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2005, 06:12 AM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great info.! Thanks! We're arriving on one of the early morning flights, so that should be perfect. When we leave we don't leave until around 10:00 pm. I've heard there is a storage place across from the airport where you can leave your luggage and do a little sightseeing if you like. So, since there's a gap between the last ferry & our flight, we may do that. Who knows? We may be too tired and just want to sit around in the airport!!
iamjesica is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
seasweetie
Caribbean Islands
6
Jul 27th, 2006 01:44 PM
iamjesica
Australia & the Pacific
22
Nov 11th, 2004 11:05 AM
lynnejoel1015
Australia & the Pacific
4
Aug 18th, 2004 07:20 PM
SadieM
Australia & the Pacific
11
Oct 24th, 2003 05:55 AM
earlymorninghawk
Caribbean Islands
4
Apr 18th, 2003 09:37 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -