Bora Bora - where to stay
 

We are planning our honeymoon on Bora Bora in May. Our travel agent has recommended staying at Moana Beachcomber Parkroyal or Sofitel Marara in overwater bungalows. We would appreciate your comments on these two or any other hotel you would recommend.

Check out the following: Hotel Bora Bora, Bora Bora Lagoon, Le Meridien, Le Pearl. Overwater bungalows are great. We stayed at the Le Meridien and loved it - the other 3 are the ones that I heard really good things about. Check out their web sites.

We loved the Bora Bora Hotel. The management is gracious without being overbearing. The location is unbeatable-the best beach, the best snorkeling, along with expansive and beautifully landscaped grounds. Their food is the best and most varied on the island. And most importantly for American travelers: you don't have to know how to speak French, as all their employees are bi and tri-lingual. But, if you do speak the language "un peu", give it a try...the local people are very kind and do not make you feel like a dolt if you are not fluent. We're going back next summer!! And, we like the beach bungalows, rather than the over-water ones. We felt it gave us more privacy, important on a honeymoon!

But Bob and Celia, weren't you really HOT without air-conditioning?!? What about when getting dressed for dinner, etc.? You must have been SWELTERING!!!

Tim, <BR>It is hot during the day. But since you are either in the water, by the beach or on a boat it really does not matter. There is always a breeze there. <BR> <BR>Regarding dressing up for the night. I presume you can choose to wear something sweltering, but why bother when for most guys dressing up for a nice meal means slacks and collared shirt, if they bother to dress up that much at all.

As you can note from some of my other postings, AVOID the Beachcomber hotels AT ALL COST. OVER PRICED and OVER RATED. You may end up spending more at the Hotel BB or others that are mentioned, but you will not be disappointed with the Hotel BB. I am guessing that the travel agents receive higher margins for recommending Beachcomber or maybe Sofitel. The horror stories (beyond my own) about the Beachcomber were incredible. One guest complained that his $65 seafood buffet was the worst meal of his life, so the hotel gave him a 10% discount!! Another asked to talk with the manager and the manager refused!! (Mr. BION, GM of Beachcomber in Morea never gave me the time of day when I asked to speak with him. This was after they gave me a room at the busiest intersection at their hotel, after I asked for something more private, since it was for my honeymoon.) The complaints that we heard about the Beachcomber were endless. <BR> <BR>About over the water rooms, they are great when it's a peaceful setting. They seem to lose their majic when you have a lot of rooms on top of each other so check on the number. Also, heavy boat traffic can be disturbing in some locations. Seeing the fish is fantastic though, so just choose wisely.

Ditto on the Moorea Beachcomber. For the sake of comparisions, I would rate Beachcomber like a glorified Hoilday Inn in need of refurbishment!!! We stayed in OW bugalow and it felt like a trailor over water! OOUCH! This is advice for picky travelers, as myself. I just feel if one is paying those kind of prices, the room should be luxurious. On the other hand, Hotel Bora Bora was very first class. The OW had just been redecorted. Only negative there was it a bit HOT in the room (we were there August 99) but, the staff provided a couple standing fans. I have adivse on which room # to request if you are interested.

OOPS!! Sure wish they offered SPELL-CHECK on this forum. Sorry, I didn't proof-read before sending.

Location, Location, Location---pick a garden bungalow if you don't want to pay the price of an overwater one. As far as I am concerned, it is the only place I would chose in Bora Bora and worth every penny. Also, to cut costs, eat your evening meals out -- it is fun and the nights are beautiful as you stroll down the road. To further shave costs, we have purchased things at the local shops for noon snacks. The other post regarding location is correct.

In the above post I mean the Bora Bora Hotel of course.

HBB only has a/c in a few of the bungalows. I am considering the BBLR some beach bungalows have a/c or pearl Beach garden bungalow I was told that the bedrooms have a/c. Can anyone give advise? Thanks!

The Sofitel Motu bungalows also have air conditioning. We found it totally unnecessary, however. The sea breeze and the fan were more than enough to cool our overwater bungalow. The drone of an air conditioner would have ruined the effect. <BR> <BR>The Sofitel Motu's bungalows, service, and view were incredible!!!!

The Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort has a/c in the sleeping area of their bungalows. They're beautifully designed and the resort is first class all around!! To get a better idea, visit their Web site at www.pearlbeachresorts.com