Tanya

My husband and I planning a trip to French Polynesia in October. We are looking at a package deal through "Islands In the Sun" that would include 2 nights Tahiti, 3 nights Moorea, and 4 nights Bora Bora. We will either be staying at the Sofitel resorts or the Beachcomber Parkroyal resorts. Can anyone share your experiences? Also, I have heard the AOM flight is horrible. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks! <BR>

Bruce

Tanya: My wife and I spent eight days total in FP last November. Four nights at the Beachcomber in Moorea and four at the Hotel Bora Bora. If you're looking to stay in an over-water bungalow on Moorea, I would recommend the Sofitel. We weren't all that impressed with the Beachcomber as the rooms weren't truly over-water. They sat on little islands connected by a boardwalk and had porches that overhung the water. The bungalows at the Sofitel looked to be more of what I had in mind. I believe the grounds/lagoon/pool/restaurants etc. at the Beachcomber were better however. If you're not interested in an over-water I'd probably recommend the Parkroyal. On Bora Bora I couldn't recommend one over the other. It did appear though that the Beachcomber units were truly over-water. As to AOM, I too had heard some horror stories in my research. I was more concerned about flight delays and cancellations than leg room, though. My wife and I chose Air France. One of our bags was three days late leaving L.A, but the trip itself was o.k. As much as eight hours in coach can be. I heard good reports on Air New Zealand although there schedule leaves a little to be desired. I believe it returns from Tahiti at around 3:00 am. Anyway, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Bring twice the money and half the clothes you think you'll need. Be glad to answer any other questions you might have.

Coral

I have been traveling and visiting islands for the past 17 years and am still one of my favorite places. If I had a choice between the Sofitel and the Parkroyal I would choose the Sofitel Ia Ora on Moorea for the overwater bungalows (as Bruce mentioned.) The Sofitel Ia Ora is also on the best beach on the island of Moorea. On Bora Bora I would choose the Parkroyal Moana Beach hotel which only has beach or overwater bungalows. It also so has two classes of overwater. Horizon which is the more deluxe and in deeper water while the lagoon are in more shallow water. All their bungalows are great though. Please contact me if I can help you further with your plans in the islands of French Polynesia.

Andy

First, blow off staying in Tahiti! Staying in the capital is like being in Mexico City!! Yuk!! <BR>Call Tahiti Legands- do the Turq.Gems <BR>Tour! <BR>The only airline to fly is Air Tahiti Nui!! All others are terrible. <BR>Moorea Sofitel Bora Bora Pearl Beach resort

Marian

I agree with Andy. Don't spend any days in Tahiti. It's not very nice at all. My husband and I just returned on Monday from Moorea. We stayed at the Beachcomber Parkroyal which was very pretty and nice. We stayed in an A/C room overlooking the beach which was very comfortable. The bungalows are very nice but I did enjoy having the A/C at night to sleep. Although it was comfortable 82 degrees every day the humidity is still quite high. We spent an afternoon at the beach near the Sofitel and the beach is better there but not by a whole lot. The Sofitel is not as pretty or nice as the Beachcomber but you may not mind. We flew Corsair with our package from Tahiti Legends. It was much better than I expected. The planes were quite new and the service was excellent. Be aware that it is an 8 hour flight and on our flight the movies and the music were all in French. No subtitles. Bring a good book and some music if you want. Hope you have a good time.

Nancy

We stayed at the Parkroyal properties on both Moorea and Bora Bora in June/July 1998 and highly recommend them. The staff was extremely friendly and made us feel very special. We visited the Sofitel in Moorea and while the beach and grounds were beautiful and the view of Tahiti was breathtaking, the staff was not friendly at all. No one even smiled or looked at us. We also met people who stayed there who told us that they were very disappointed since the bungalows were very small and the staff was definitely unfriendly. Most of the bungalows at the Beachcomber are partially in the water. There are 4 that are totally in the water. We requested one of them. I think the numbers are 510,511,512 and 514. We were in 510. On Bora Bora all of the bungalows are over the water except for 10 which are on the beach. Definitely ask for a Horizon view. The bungalows in Bora Bora are much nicer than the ones in Moorea. We didn't visit the Sofitel in Bora Bora because of the bad experience we had in Moorea. <BR> <BR>Definitely blow-off Tahiti. It's third world and very seedy. Spend more time in Bora Bora. <BR> <BR>We flew AOM. Was extremely uncomfortable and very cramped. If possible try to fly another airline. I understand that Air Tahiti is now flying from LA to Tahiti. We flew Air Tahiti from Tahiti to Bora Bora and return and it was a great flight. I recommend taking the Ferry from Tahiti to Moorea. After flying for 8 hours from LA we didn't want to get on another plane. The ferry ride was great. We also used Islands in the Sun. They were great. If you want more info, E-mail me.

Nancy

We stayed at the Parkroyal properties on both Moorea and Bora Bora in June/July 1998 and highly recommend them. The staff was extremely friendly and made us feel very special. We visited the Sofitel in Moorea and while the beach and grounds were beautiful and the view of Tahiti was breathtaking, the staff was not friendly at all. No one even smiled or looked at us. We also met people who stayed there who told us that they were very disappointed since the bungalows were very small and the staff was definitely unfriendly. Most of the bungalows at the Beachcomber are partially in the water. There are 4 that are totally in the water. We requested one of them. I think the numbers are 510,511,512 and 514. We were in 510. On Bora Bora all of the bungalows are over the water except for 10 which are on the beach. Definitely ask for a Horizon view. The bungalows in Bora Bora are much nicer than the ones in Moorea. We didn't visit the Sofitel in Bora Bora because of the bad experience we had in Moorea. Check out their website www.tahit-resorts.com <BR> <BR>Definitely blow-off Tahiti. It's third world and very seedy. Spend more time in Bora Bora. <BR> <BR>We flew AOM. Was extremely uncomfortable and very cramped. If possible try to fly another airline. I understand that Air Tahiti is now flying from LA to Tahiti. We flew Air Tahiti from Tahiti to Bora Bora and return and it was a great flight. I recommend taking the Ferry from Tahiti to Moorea. After flying for 8 hours from LA we didn't want to get on another plane. The ferry ride was great. We also used Islands in the Sun. They were great. If you want more info, E-mail me.