addie

We are looking into traveling in June to the Tahiti area but are looking for a very remote island/hotel with really good snorkeling and non-hotel feeling rooms with empty beaches- Hotel Bora Bora as well as The Sofitel Motu both look amazing-are they worth the money? are there any discount TA or websites which you can reserve these places? Also ANY OTHER comments on other islands or recommendations for a honeymooning spot that fits our ideas...

PB

We stayed at the Sofitel Motu for our honeymoon in July 2002 and it was fabulous! I highly recommend it. The biggest drawback were the restaurants (one @ the Motu and one @ the sister hotel across the lagoon). I found the food to be of poor quality and incredibly overpriced. Do NOT get a meal plan. Our hotel discouraged us from going to some of &quot;the best&quot; restaurants because they were too expensive. We made our own reservations anyway and found that these restaurants were priced just a bit under the hotel prices and were EXCELLENT! Our favorite was Bloody Mary's. I could have eaten there every night and was sad that we didn't discover it until the end of our trip. I've been to both Hawaii and Tahiti and I both are equally wonderful for honeymooners. (Hawaii is much more commercial though.)<BR>Good luck and congratulations.

addie

did you do much snorkeling or day trips? do those need to be done in advanced

mms

The reef that the snorkeling tours visit in Bora Bora is directly behind the little island that the Sofitel Motu is on. The Sofitel Motu provides snorkeling gear and kayaks free of charge. We just snorkled all the way around the little island at our own leisure (two times in a four day visit) and loved it. We took the kayaks to the outer motu and to the little island right next to the Sofitel's. The Sofitel Motu was fabulous and worth every penny! I would second the poster above and say forget the meal plan!!!! There are wonderful little restaurants in the village near the Sofitel marara and all around the island for that matter. We just went to the various bakeries/markets for fresh breakfast pastries and fruits, and for lunch we stopped for fresh french baguetts and cheese, wine, etc. and had wonderful picnics. Eating this way was fun, delicious and really no more expensive than eating at home!!!

MMS

PS - while the snorkeling was free of course - we did sign up for the shark tour and for one scuba dive trip through the concierge at the Motu - No problems. My favorite day was the day we rented bicycles and rode all the way around the island. We also rented a little motor boat and went various places on the outer Motu. We also enjoyed Bloody Mary's but personnally I thought it was a bit expensive and kind of a tourist trap. We did eat one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner at the Sofitel Motu. The food was fine, but expensive - The view, however, (as it is from every point on the little island the hotel is on) was fabulous!!!

MMS

Pps - There might be some discounts for the Sofitel Motu if times are really slow right now (going to war, recession, etc.) When we were there, however, the hotel was booked and no discounts were to be had. (two years ago). The Sofitel Motu only has 20 rooms - and they are all fabulous - so, except for war, recession, and &quot;off season - whatever that is&quot; - I would predict the hotel is full most of the time.

enrique

Hi:<BR><BR>How much should I expect to pay for a dinner for 2 at Bloody Mary's? Thanks,<BR><BR>Enrique

bcmb

I've done some research in order to get a good deal to go to French Polynesia. The best buy that I've found is at Costco. I don't know if you have them where you live (are they nationwide?) but the quotes they've given have been much less than everyone else. We're going to the Sofitel Motu and Pearl Beach Tahaa for our honeymoon. I've read very good things about both of these resorts on these forums. Hope this helps.

bcmb

P.S. they're online if you don't have them in your city. I think that it's www.costco.com - if not just type costco into a search engine. They definitely have the BEST prices.

Ericka

Hi Addie,<BR>I've just posted a reply to a similar question, but I'll try to refurb it for your benefit.<BR><BR>My husband and I recently spent our honeymoon in Tahiti. You're right in choosing Bora Bora as your main island destination. Skip Tahiti other than the flight in - based on your ideal honeymoon description, you won't like it. <BR><BR>Given that, I have to say that HOTEL BORA BORA is absolutely worth the money! The hotel is owned by the Aman group, a group of hotels more exclusive than the Four Seasons. They will treat you very well. Check out the last few years of the Conde Naste Traveler Gold List. They are always the top rated property in Bora Bora.<BR>The best snorkelling is just off of your own bungalow's private beach. You wake up in the morning, grab your gear and go out for 5 minutes or all day if you'd like.<BR><BR>Think twice about the overwater bungalows. There is no air conditioning so everyone has their windows open and (whichever hotel you choose) the overwater units are stacked up like a trailer park. You may hear the other honeymooners doing what honeymooners do. We opted for a bungalow on the beach that was only 3 steps from the water. The bungalow is slightly larger (separate sitting room) and you get a lovely hammock and a small outrigger all to yourselves. When you wake up in the morning, you look out from your bed and there's the lagoon - just as if you were in an overwater bungalow. But you can walk the beach and experience the lush vegetation all around your bungalow. These accomodations are infinitely more private and further apart. We would hear the occasional coconut fall on our roof and it was so magical. Also, the snorkelling off of your private beach is just as good as those from the overwater units.<BR><BR>I'm not aware of any discounts, per se, but I find that I always get the best deals by contacting the property (manager) directly. They can make room recommendations (also upgrades) and are more incented to fill the hotel more than anyone in a reservations or travel agents office.<BR><BR>P.S. Make sure you get the fruit and cheese breakfast with fresh French baked breads and the best mango in the world.

addwag

is there decently cheap food anywhere?

Loki

Not really. Any sitdown dinner with any atmosphere will be pricey. There are some local restaurants which will be cheaper but you'll have to get there yourself. If you don't rent a car, that'll be $20 each way by taxi so you're right back to a fairly expensive meal. The nicer restaurants usually provide free shuttle service.

addwag

I have been told that if we go to the village near Sofitel marara and go to the store and markets there the food is about the same price as it is in the states;
Is the breakfast at Sofitel Motu ok? then if we did lunch and dinner from the markets?

Wendy

I'd also like to know what some of the average prices for dinner for 2 at the nicer restaurants are.