Honeymoon: Tahiti or Hawaii??
 

Hi, We need help with our honeymoon destination? We are considering Tahiti or Hawaii. Our budget is $7000 - $9000 & we would like to stay for 10-14 nights. Any suggestions, comments would be appreciated. Especially on the best places to stay! Thanks, Jennifer & Lou

I can only speak on be half of Maui, Hawaii. I spent my honeymoon there 5 years ago and we loved it. Stayed in Kaanapali at the Hyatt (nice area any hotel along there would probably be nice). It is located just above Lahaina (old whaling village), lots to do on the island. If I had your budget and time I think I would probably do something you cant do everyday such as French Polynesia area. From the people that I have spoken with though, they only use Tahiti as a stopping point to fly into on their way to places like Moorea, Bora Bora, etc. Not to stray your thoughts but you may want to think about Australia, we just got back from 2 weeks there on 12/1/99 and it was outstanding. <BR>Good luck with your plans.

In Hawaii I would recommend the Kona Village http://www.konavillage.com or the Hotel Bora Bora in Bora Bora. Both are ideal honeymoon spots although I am not cetain that you can make 14 days for $9,000 at either place. If want something in a like catagory which I think more wonderful and a better value, I recommend Fiji. Its easy to get there and the people are very friendly. The islands are beautiful. Based on our direct experience, we would recommend without question the Matangi Island Resort, a two generation family owned island. They have honeymoon specials. Check http://matangiisland.com. Here you can make it for two weeks for less that $9000. Based on the recommendations of others at a higher price I would recommend the Namale Resort see tham at http://www.namalefiji.com. They also cater to honeymooners. If you are golfers I would recommend Lanai in Hawaii at either of the two resorts. In Fiji there are more really top resorts on some of the other islands. You can see a lot about them at http://www.bulafiji.com. Anything at $800/night all inclusive and up is excellent. A last comment, I do think Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and the best spot is where the Bora Bora Hotel is located. Prices are high here, we have always eaten most of our main meals down the road to keep the budget in bounds.

I would recommend French Polynesia. We had the time of our lives. You can easily go there and stay in a nice place for that kind of money. There are plenty of package deals that make the prices much more affordable. Check out this page for more details. <BR> <BR>http://www.diveatlas.com/travel/Inde...hPolynesia.asp <BR> <BR>

Hi Jennifer - <BR>Congratulations! As for your question about Hawaii or Tahiti, the answer is "it depends". My husband and I recently booked a fabulous trip to Tahiti, so I have been doing extensive research. I have found numerous comments that say Tahiti/French Polynesia is what Hawaii was about 50 to 80 years ago. So I guess the answer to your question would depend on what you're looking for. If you want to party and experience lots of night life, I'm sure Hawaii is the place to be. But if you are looking for peace, quiet, calm serenity, and most of all romance - I'd say go for the Tahiti trip. I promise I've looked into MANY possibilities for this trip, but the best bargain I found by far was the one offered by Renaissance Cruises. My husband Hank & I booked a 10-day cruise including airfare from Los Angeles for about half of the budget you quoted. And we booked a Category B suite with a balcony! The cruise ship visits 5 different islands in French Polynesia (Including Moorea and Bora Bora!)and you get to spend two days at each island. The idea of seeing all of these gorgeous places without having to pack and unpack our suitcases every day was very appealing to me. I can't wait to experience the fabulous sunrise and sunset over the South Pacific from our own balcony - it will be one of the most romantic settings ever! Best of luck to you on your impending nuptials! <BR>

Louis, <BR> <BR>Thank you for posting the url for the Matangi Island Resort. The pictures on the website are just spectacular! <BR>

no-brainer. we just returned from an honeymoon in moorea and bora bora sept/99. loved it. research and brushing up on your french will be helpful. easily fits into your budget-including a black pearl purchase. nightlife is at a minimum on these islands. if you want more insights give us a holler. <BR>tim and renae

We just returned from our anniversary trip for 14 nights to Bora Bora <BR>Le Meridien), Rangiroa (Kia Ora Village and the Sauvage), Huahine <BR>(Te Tiare) and Moorea (Sofitel)- it was heaven and exceeded our <BR>wildest expectations. We can't wait to go back. Each island was <BR>so great in its own way. Huahine was our overall favorite but the <BR>Kia Ora Sauvage on Rangiroa was such a wonderful place too. <BR> <BR>We have been to Hawaii twice and it was about the same price but Hawaii is not nearly as beautiful as Moorea or Huahine. <BR> <BR>We really think that using one of the travel agents that <BR>specializes in Tahiti is the best way to go. We used Tahiti <BR>Travel Planners and could not have been more pleased. They were <BR>very organized and very knowledgeable about each island <BR> <BR>Let me know if my husband or I can help you with questions about <BR>the islands or hotels where we stayed. <BR> <BR>Karen Schilling

French POlynesia - definitely! If you want romance, peace, no crowds & beautiful scenery beyond belief -go to French POlynesia. For your budget you could certainly stay in the islands. Be prepared for Exhorbitant food and drink prices, however. We especially liked Moorea - its just a 5 min plane hop from Tahiti. I would not stay on Tahiti, though. It's an interesting place to visit, but I would stay on Moorea & Bora Bora. And definitely plan a Black Pearl into your budget! Oh, and staying in an overwater bungalow is REALLY worth the extra price. It made our trip. We stayed at the Bali Hai on Moora, which is not the top end property, but it was great, and the overwater bungalow was the essence of romance. We had our own private balcony over the water...We could dive right off the balcony - snorkel right under it! There was even a plexiglass window in the floor of the bungalow so we could see the fish swimming beneath! Go to French Polynesia - you won't regret it!

Depends on what type of vacations you like. If you enjoy a westernized tropical environment lacking charm and a unique culture I would choose Hawaii. 30 or 40 years ago I suspect Hawaii was probably what the Tahitian Isles are like now. If you are looking for a beautiful tropical environment, exotic culture, unbelievable French food with a tropical flair, over the water bungalows, few people, and great snorkeling and diving, then by all means try Moorea or Bora Bora. Avoid the Island of Tahiti though since it's crowded and dirty compared to all the other Tahitian Isles.

Thank you all so much for your helpfulness and insights! My fiance and I are getting married this August and have decided to go to Oahu and Maui for our honeymoon. But, I was thinking that maybe we would spend a few nights in Bora Bora or Moorea (sp?). I've heard so much about these two places and have been wanting to go. I'm just wondering how painfully long the flight will be (I'm coming from NYC) and if it would be too much travelling all together?. Between LAX to Bora Bora (or Moorea) and then Hawaii. Can anyone tell me if 4 nights would be enough in Bora Bora? <BR> We will be spending 5 nights in Oahu and 5 in Maui. Also, if we "can swing" Bora Bora and Moorea...I wonder how much it would cost us. We too would like to keep within a certain budget. Any recommendations? I'd appreciate it! <BR> Thanks!! <BR> April

Check out hawaiianair.com schedules to see if they fit in with your schedule. Hawaiianair flys to Papeete Tahiti directly and I think it's about a 5 hour flight, give or take. (see the schedule) No time difference I don't think. <BR> <BR>From Papeete it's a 30 minutes ferry ride to Moorea ($10pp). To Bora Bora it will cost a lot more for both Air Tahiti interisland airfare (approx $300PP RT -- it takes too long by boat if you have limited time) and hotel costs. Since you are already going to Hawaii maybe Moorea will be better? There's lots to do and sure is beautiful. I think four nights is doable on Mooreaif you don't mind added flight time between there and Hawaii. I would suggest flying to Hawaii first -- nonstop flight from Newark airport -- because I think Oahu may be a letdown after Moorea, but exciting if it's your first time there. <BR> <BR>I've never been to Oahu but Maui is wonderful. Haleakala is gorgeous at sunrise and a nice (though strenuous) hike too. If you can't make it to Moorea maybe just go to Kauai -- which is the most lush island in Hawaii and definitely can do it in four days. <BR> <BR>have fun and congratulations!

Cut and Paste this URL and have a look at my photo album and it will give you an idea of the places you will see and the things you can do in French Polynesia. http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3732&a=1767095 <BR>Peg.