My fiance and I are looking into Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc. for our honeymoon in August, 2005. Any suggestions on doing it a bit more affordably? Suggestions on airfaire or places to stay? Any help is appreciated!! Thanks!

I am sorry that I don't have websites but you there are many gites or B&B in French Polynesia. You could probably find something under $100. a night and thats very good considering todays rate of exchange. A lot of these places only take cash so bear that in mind. An ideal situation would be to find a place with a kitchenette and prepare some meals. Unfortunately, they charge a lot more for those amenities. If you check Tahihi Nui airlines they have some package deals for under $1000. including flight and hotel. Not a bad option at all. Food tends to be expensive but there is no tax or tipping wich is great. They have these roulottes that are vans that sell great food. A meal can be had for under 15. tops. Its so beautiful there and I dream about going back. Don't even think about comparing it to Hawaii. You might as well compare Paris Texas and Paris France.

All the main resorts are pretty darned expensive - especially if you are "locked in" to the idea of staying in an overwater bungalow (one of the most exotic aspects of a trip to FP). Also, the American dollar has been hammered over the last 4 years, so if you are an American, the money exchange rate is no longer much of an advantage.

Least expensive OW bungalows on Bora Bora is at the Le Maitai Polynesia (http://www.hotelmaitai.com/). Least expensive OW units on Moorea are at the Club Bali Hai (http://www.balihaihotels.com/) - but are in really just barely OW bungalows as the beach there is nearly non-existant.

If you are willing to forego luxury and the conviences/services of a larger resort as well as the experience of staying in an OW unit, then the small, family-run resorts may suit you (keep in mind that they can sometimes be pretty basic though).

Here's a few sites to look at:

1) Web page for federation of small hotels and guesthouses in French Polynesia (a great place to find cheaper places to stay):

http://www.haere-mai.pf/index.php?pa...ueil&lg=en

2) Here's a terrific site that lists ALL kinds of accomodations (including rental houses) in all price ranges. Check it out:

www.thetahititraveler.com

3) Another worthwhile site:

http://www.mauarii.com/accueilA.htm

4) Here some additional websites feature small, family-run (and inexpensive) resorts and pensions. Many of these places do not take credit cards so payment in advance must be by alternate means. Note also, that I haven't been to any of these places, they are just placed here so that you may investigate further
These places are on Bora Bora:

http://www.tahiti-tekuratravel.com/t...ion/cgbor.html

Another series of places on Bora Bora:
http://www.pacific-communication.pf/...a/pensions.htm

This is a place on Huahine:
http://www.fare-maeva.com/

To find more places like this, do a web search on something like "Bora Bora pension".

5) You might also consider renting a house (possibly much cheaper option). We did this on Rarotonga in the wonderful Cook Islands and it was a terrific bargain. I don't know of any specifically available on Bora Bora (you may want to do a search on "Bora Bora Rental House" or something along those lines), but I have heard of a place on Moorea (http://www.farehamara.com/). The owner of this house is "Hamara" on the Tahiti-Explorer message board. Note that I've not been to the house, and I'm just listing it here for you to take a look at.

Also, if you and your bride are the outdoorsy types you can camp (at specific campsites) in these islands (just an idea).

Finally, you may also choose to look at some similar but less expensive destinations. We love the Cook Islands even more than FP, but it might be a bit cool for you in August (still tropical mind you, considering that it's winter down there) with average highs only in the mid-70's or so. I think the Kingdom of Samoa is warmer as is Fiji and Tonga and there are a bit better prices to be found in all of these places (though Fiji has very expensive places as well). If you want OW units you might look at Coconuts Beach Club in the Kingdom of (not American) Samoa (http://www.coconutsbeachclub.com/). Have not been there yet - though I'd like to one day (the "treetop" units look especially interestin).

Good luck.

Ken

Just a minor correction Ken when you said the "Kingdom of Samoa". Samoa isn't the kingdom, King Fatfat is from Tonga. ;-)

Thank you sooo much for all the information!! I will definitely look into all of these suggestions...

Oops! Sneezey - yes, of course. You are correct. I meant to say Independent Samoa - as distinguished from American Samoa.

Thanks for the heads up!

Jesica - Glad I can be of help.

Ken

Check out the cruise ships. There are lots of them and the costs are all inclusive..some even include tips and air fare. Food there is too expensive!

I second the cruise option. You can see many islands and you will not have to worry too much about the expense of food and lodging. What you could do is stay 3 nights in Moorea lets say after the cruise. I've done both the cruise and a 2 week stay in Fr Polynesia. I liked both experiences. I felt more pampered and comfortable on the ship but I also enjoyed meeting the locals by staying in smaller hotels and B&Bs.

This might sound personal, but is the best advice I can offer. If you are paying for your own wedding or expect to incur a lot of expenses in the near future - apply for an amex-starwood-optima card. Become a spg memeber and receive one point for every dollar you spend. Then use those points for free hotels stays at (in my opinion) some of the top hotels in the French Polynesia, Sheraton Tahiti, Sheraton Moorea and the Bora Bora Nui. You can go to spg.com and check it out. It's what we did and we saved a ton of money.

http://www.a1vacations.com/overwaterbungalow/1/

This place looks amazing. It is a two bedroom, which I assume you don't need on a honeymoon, but the price is only about $285 per night which is a lot cheaper than most OWB at resorts in FP.

We are taking a 43 ft. sailboat from SunSail (The Moorings also have boats) to sail from island to island. Again, we are sharing with another couple but the price will be only about $150 per night per couple for the boat. If you are certified to charter sail, its a great way to see the islands.