I am planning a trip to Moorea for my anniversary. <BR>Where should we stay? I need to keep things <BR>relatively inexpensive, but I don't want to miss out. <BR>Thanks for your help!

I haven't been to FP, but i'm also trying to plan a trip there for my honeymoon next year. I've been researching FP on the web and here are a bunch of websites that I've run across that are worth checking out. <BR> <BR>www.tahiti.explorer.com <BR>www.tahitiweb.com <BR>www.tahiti.com <BR>www.tahiti-nui.com <BR>www.hotelstravel.com/frenchpoly.html <BR>wwwtahititours.com <BR>www.tahiti-legends.com <BR>www.french-polynesia.com <BR> <BR>I hope this helps. <BR> <BR>

Have you ever considered fiji? It is less expensive than the Tahiti area. They speak and understand english. The people are more delightful. It does not cost any more to fly there. The only island in the Tihiti area more beautiful than Fiji is Bora Bora which is unique in the world. You might have fun in checking the gov tourist site http://fijifvb.gov.fj/. Also, while a little up scale, you might check http://MatangiIsland.com for a package including air fare. For pure joy and romance this will beat anything for the money that you will find in Moorea. Mantangi is a truly delightful private island. <BR>

I left out the www in the addresses. They should be as follows: <BR>http://www.fijifvb.gov.fj/ and http://www.MatangiIsland.com/ Sorry about that.

Returned in May from a vacation in New Zealand and French Polynesia. Spent time in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. CONCLUSION: Would return to Moorea and skip Bora Bora. Minimize time in Tahiti. We stayed at Sofitel in Moorea. Our room was approx $350 - deluxe beechfront - but have less and more expensive. Our agent told us we saved money by making reservations directly with hotel. If you do, expect delays since Polynesians are never in a hurry (except on highways). Sofitel has best location as far as airport, beach, view and ferry is concerned. Hotels on northwest part of island have best location as far as shops and independent restaurants are concerned. If you will have a car/scooter, Sofeitel is outstanding. Prices for food - is high, but if you eat ala carte and in grill next to beachside bar, very manageable. Actually, unlike Louis, we like Moore much better than Bora Bora. No question that the lagoon around Bora Bora is unsurpassed. However, the island itself is dirty and run down. You will have a beautiful hotel next to run down areas. The road is not paved is parts and other parts have pot holes. Unfortunately, the people tend to be lazy. It awould be interesting to know why, but Moorea is quite the opposite. It looks like what you would expect a south pacific island to look like. Bays are beautiful and clean. Streets clean and no shanty towns. Food is very good all over Moorea - in big hotels and the smallest road side restaurants. Budget, length of stay and whether you will have local transportation is the key issue. We would stay 4 days next time, have a car for 2 days and drive to the outstanding local restaurants.

We visited Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti 5 years ago. My favorite island was Moorea, my husband's was BB. We stayed at Hotel Bali Hai and were upgraded to on beach room from garden room. Food is expensive in FP - but realaxing quality and surroundings are well worth every penny. Sofitel properties were nice. <BR>

We just booked an excellent deal with Club Med in Moorea for a week in October. Total price, including airfare from our home city, transfers, accommodation, meals, and taxes was Cdn $1800 each (about US $1200). It seemed like a reasonable way to see Tahiti. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have any suggestions/tips regarding what to expect or take with us?

You will love Moorea. My only tip is to take some aqua socks for walking in the surf. Alot of coral - rough on your feet. Otherwise, take one gym bag for two people. You need nothing except bathing suits, t shirts (actually buy them there), shorts and tooth brush. Suggest you rent car or motorscooter for one day to tour island. The car will be old, expensive and dirty, but what the heck the island is outstanding. <BR>

<BR>I recommend you bring insect repellent for the evenings when mosquitos are active. I also highly recommend bringing a disposable underwater camera. Everyone used them.

My wife and I stayed on Moorea last fall at the Sofitel in a garden bungalow. I would highly recommend it as the place to stay for it is in a great location by itself with a good beach and good snorkeling right from shore a few yards down from the resort's beach. It seemed all the other places to stay were in clusters of resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. The staff at the Sofitel was very friendly and helpful arranging snorkeling trips to a motu (must do!), helping us renting a car to see the island, and of course rigging up a sailboard every day for our free use. Food can be expensive, but if you can eat ala carte, or eat the local sandwiches made fresh, or just partake in poison-cru with fresh bread and salad, the prices are no more than any resort property/island. Don't miss the tour of the pineapple distillery and the free samples. We did it by ourselves when we rented the car and needed to sit down for awhile and drink some diet-coke (known there as coca-cola light). We are looking forward to re-visiting Moorea, and would stay at the Sofitel again. Take the ferry over from Papeete and fly back when you leave- the flight is the definition of a puddle-jumper (fixed landing gear and only a 10-minute flight) Make sure you catch at least one sunrise on Moorea at the Sofitel <BR> - breathtaking!!!

We did Moorea and Bora Bora. We went to Bora Bora first, then Moorea and Moorea was a let down after Bora Bora. On Bora Bora we stayed at the Hotel Bora Bora -- truly the lap of luxury. Nothing before or after could compare. Whichever island you choose, it is all expensive. <BR> <BR>Make sure you take SUNSCREEN (on Moorea $18/bottle for SPF 8) and several of the disposable underwater cameras (if I remember, they were outrageous on the islands).