French Polynesia vs. Hawaii
 

My fiance and I are debating between Tahiti/Moorea and Hawaii for the honeymoon. I'm leaning towards FP because it doesn't seem as commercial as Hawaii. I don't want to travel from Massachusetts to stay in a hotel similar to something I've been to in Florida. <BR> <BR>Please reply with your experiences and advice. Thank you. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Jen

We have been to Hawaii 3 times and Tahiti/Moorea twice. Here are differences we noticed. <BR> <BR>The modern hotels in FP as a structure does not differ much from what found in the US. The building code there forces all structures to stay below the tree top so you do not see massive skyscrapers as found in Hawaii. Many hotels in FP do not have A/C even the luxury ones. While we wished we had A/C some times, the sea breeze kept the temperature tolerable. The hotels are nice and expensive but not opulent as you might find in the Hawaii. <BR> <BR>What FP has are islands with large lagoons. Along with them are overwater bungalow. If you want this type of room, FP is the place to go. By the way, spend least time possible in Tahiti and most time Moorea (or Bora Bora, Huahine, ...) Tahiti is a busy modern island, that is probably not the reason you want to be in FP. <BR> <BR>Thanks to French, the food in FP is good, although very expensive. <BR> <BR>In FP hotels, you are assumed to be want to be left alone while Hawaii resorts, like mainland US resorts, assume you want to be made sure your needs are met. Difference in European vs American view of a good service I suppose. <BR> <BR>They are both commercial, but FP is commercial in European way which may be refreshing to Americans. <BR> <BR>People on beaches in FP looks like those in French Riviera...

The above comments are excellent and to the point. From Massachusetts to Tahiti is a long way and Hawaii is much closer. Here is a suggestion. Take a look at http://konavillage.com or consider someplace closer to home such as Harbor Island in the Bahamas or Bermuda. The big island has a large variety of weather and activities.

Jen, if it's within your budget, why not try to do both? There are quite a few very beautiful and SECLUDED hotels in Hawaii as well that don't resemble Waikiki in the least! As a suggestion, why not try the gorgeous Manele Bay Resort on the island of Lanai in Hawaii first and then perhaps fly down to the gorgeous Bora-Bora Lagoon Resort on Bora-Bora!

Jen, you answered your own question when mentioning Florida. I've taken a trip to Maui and a trip to Kauai and left both times thinking I just visited a cousin to a place like Boca in Florida. It's a great place for ultra luxury hotels and golf if this is your thing. <BR> <BR>FP is for someone looking for some adventure, a new culture, restricted building development, few people, great French food, beautiful landscape and numerous shades of blue waters. We went to Moorea a year and a half ago, it was a great trip. Use Tahiti only as an arrival and departure gateway. I would highly reccomend a day trip to Tetirora(sp?), the string of protected Islands owned by Marlon Brando. Pick up the Loney Planet book on FP it's a great resource. <BR> <BR>I would also throw in another option for you, the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. We just got back from them and I don't think any other tropical locale can compare, this region is a favorite of professional travel journalists and wealthy Europeans. It's expensive and a long trip from the states but it's in the ballpark of what you are going to spend in time and money to get to Moorea from the east coast. We first heard about them from a well traveled couple we met on Moorea. Definitely do some research on them, there's no other tropical paradise like it imo. <BR> <BR>Feel free to send me email if you have questions for me. i'm here researching our honeymoon as well, should be around these boards for a while. <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR> <BR>Mike

Jen, <BR> <BR>We just went through the same debate for our June honeymoon. Decided on Tahiti/Morrea/BoraBora for all of the previously mentioned ideas! Jennifer

I've been to Maui, Oahu and Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands. It is beautiful there - but FP is another world. Last year we went to Tahiti (previous poster is correct - you spend as little time as possible there), Moorea (beautiful) and Bora Bora (breathtaking). Both sets of islands are terrific. Hawaii is a wonderful US state. French Polynesia is another culture. As far as romance - there is nothing more amazing that sitting at a restaurant right next to a lagoon and eating breakfast while feeding hundreds of beautiful fish right off the side of the deck (Le Meridien in Bora Bora). It certainly is not commercial over there and if you could swing the cost (it is the most expensive vacation we've taken) - there would be no question in my mind to go to FP. It will be, for us, a once in a lifetime trip. Hawaii I've been to 3 times, and I'm sure we'll go again. Once again - they're both great - but FP wins handsdown in my book! D

Jen, have a look at my photo album of FP, perhaps this will help you make up your mind:-) <BR>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3732&a=1767095 <BR>Peg.

Well, I must add my two cents also. First off, Hawaii is about 5.5 hours from LAX. Tahiti is about 7.5 hours, so...the flight time should not be an issue. Secondly, the island of Tahiti gets a bum rap. Yes, Papeete has a reputation of being busy and crowded, but the island is also known for its historical value and scenery...black sand beaches, waterfalls, tropical gardens, panoramic views.... <BR>One difference between Hawaii and Tahiti is that the islands in Tahiti are surrounded by coral reefs, resulting in fantastic lagoon waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The colors range from turquoise blue to chartreuse green. <BR>Moorea, Bora Bora and Huahine are the most frequented islands. Each have their own charm and I recommend you research which island(s) would best meet your idea of a dream vacation. <BR>Each island has wonderful accommodation

Although I have not been to the main island of Tahiti I have no doubt that poster Gigi above just MIGHT be correct, I don't know! You see, before I made my first trip to Hawaii everyone told me to avoid Oahu like the plague! Well, I'm certainly glad that I did NOT listen to any of them because in my opinion the island of Oahu is gorgeous and extraordinary looking (especially away from Waikiki, of course), the most beautiful in the chain, in my opinion! And that is why I am wondering just how beautiful the main island of Tahiti really is! Now perhaps the lagoons/ocean ARE more beautiful in FP -- they certainly look like they are, I can't deny that! But I cannot imagine the interior/geography of those islands in FP looking any more beautiful than what I saw on Oahu (or even certain parts of the other islands). As a matter of fact, I have been told by many people that they are not! Apparently it is only the lagoons that make FP look so special. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time to go. This is what I have been told. Maybe I would agree or disagree once going there, I don't know! I also agree with the above poster about the Manele Bay Hotel: It is a private, gorgeous place for a honeymoon or vacation and certainly does NOT resemble ANYTHING I've ever seen in Florida, scenery-wise or hotel-wise!! Not by a long shot!! Even the Ritz-Carlton on Maui, the Ihilani Resort and Spa on Oahu or even, believe it or not, the Hyatt Regency on Waikiki certainly do NOT resemble ANYTHING I've ever seen on Florida!! As a matter of fact, ALL of the 5-star hotels are quite superior to anything you will find in Florida!!! However, to be perfectly fair (and I know some people will disagree with me), the Kanapali side of Maui DID sort of remind me of a mini-Florida, so DON'T even think about visiting that side of the island anyway, if Maui becomes one of your choices! There aren't any 5-star hotels on that side anyway, not even that particular Hyatt Regency; but the Wailea side of the island is really where you should be focusing. But then again, as beautiful as Wailea is, the brown sand beaches and rough waves of Wailea did not thrill me that much either! In that respect, I CAN understand people's choices for the white sands and apparently beautiful lagoons of FP. Again, the ironic thing is that, in my opinion, the most beautiful beaches and water found in Hawaii are actually on Oahu (yes, even Waikiki)! In any event, good luck with your choices, and please make a posting on this Board upon your return! <BR>

A waste of time to go! I don't think so. <BR>Greg summoned up the differences nicely but I find FP (& Fiji) so much more exotic than Hawaii because Hawaii is so commercialized. It is so wonderful seeing other cultures that have yet to fall completely under the spell of westernization (though the changes in the last 15 years are not heartening. It is not just a matter of who has the whitest sand. You will have much more of an "experience" in the South Seas.

I agree with Peggy. If you want Big Macs, traffic lights & rush hour traffic then go to Maui. If you want a refreshing South Pacific experience then go to Moorea. I've been to both & I am presently planning a return cruise to the FP. During our week on Moorea we met a retiree who was born & raised on Maui, she has chosen to spend 6 months every year on Moorea to escape the rat race that has engulfed Maui.

Ahhhh -- but what delightful scenery I'm surrounded by while I'm stuck in traffic on Maui!! And the roads just happen to be beautifully paved as well!!