Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?..... WE BOOKED IT!!!!

I posted this on the BHB side, but realized it is probably better suited for you newlyweds who may have honeymooned there.

I wanted to stay at the Beachcomber while on Bora Bora, but am finding MUCH better deals at the other two. Any input? What is the advantage / disadvantage of staying on a motu instead of the main island? HELP!

Thanks in advance.

Message edited 1/25/2004 3:39:17 PM.

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

disadvantages - obviously, you're not on the main island so it's an inconvenience. We were a 10 minute walk from the local grocery store and we went there a number of times to buy snacks/bread/breakfast. it was also nice to walk around the island to local shops, etc. We ate dinner out every night in bora bora and the restaurants would send shuttles to pick us up from our hotel and drop us off. i'm not sure if they have arrangements like that if you're on a motu. i would call the hotel (or email) and find out how frequently they drop off/pick up people from the main island, and also if restaurants pick up from their drop off spot. make sure they have plenty of trips so you're not stuck waiting if you want to get back.

advantages - i'm sure it's beautiful to be completely surrounded by water. one of our friends stayed on a motu and he said that many of the water activities were included for free. none of them were at the beachcomber or any of the other hotels on the island (that i know of). this could save you a lot of money if you want to go jetskiing, etc. so definitely find out about that.

whatever you decide .. make sure you stay in an overwater bungalow on bora bora!

let me know if you have more questions

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

We stayed at the Bora Bora Pearl Beach resort - and it was wonderful. I don't think there are any disadvantages to staying on a motu in Bora Bora, b/c the main island is sooo small, and there really isn't much to do there that you couldn't do in one entire evening or afternoon. So, don't sweat the location - especially b/c the resort will take you over to the main island, if you want to go over there.

We thought the food at the resort was incredible - the dinners and desserts were delicious and the presentations were outstanding! Each night, the turn down service in the suites included a little "bedtime story" card on the pillow which was comprised of a local Tahitian legend - really cute thing that we saved from the trip.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions.

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

Thanks ladies for the replies!!

I think I may end up going with the Beachcomber in Tahiti and Moorea, but with the Bora Bora Pearl Beach in Bora Bora, we are getting a premium over the water bungalow, breakfast daily and an extra night for 2K less than if we stayed at Beachcomber in Bora Bora. I was so psyched about this until I read in my Tahit book that mosquitos and sand flies eat people alive on the Motus off Bora Bora!!

HELP ME CLAUD!! Did you find this to be true? My FI would freak out if he knew I wanted to spend 2K more just to avoid bugs!!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

Honestly, I had a worse time w/the mosquitos in Moorea, b/c there weren't any screens on the huts.

At the Pearl Beach however, the overwater bungalows had screens AND those little ultrasonic mosquito repellers in each room - so I never had a problem on Bora Bora.

However, it cannot hurt to buy insect repellent and something to soothe bug bites, just in case.

Here's some of our photos, to get you psyched for your trip!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAIT UNTIL FH SEES THESE!! He is going to go nuts!! Thank you so much for posting these beautiful pics and for all your help! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

FH and I are going to Bora Bora also - GORGEOUS PICS!! Thank you so much for posting them!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

claud your pictures are beautiful!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

EvanEden: We stayed on a Motu in Bora Bora in OWB and had no problems with mosquitos at all. When you stay over the water, the fish eat the bugs/mosquitos.

You will have mosquito problems if you stay on land in like a garden/beach bungalow or when you go inland like on the 4X4 safari tours. (We got stuck in Tahiti in a garden bungalow one evening and had problems in our room.)

Another advantage of staying on a Motu (depending on the location of the hotel) is that you may get a beautiful view of Mt. Otemanu on the main island which you wouldn't get staying on the main island.

Hope this is helpful.

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

what an amazing looking place!!! too far for me
I love that you can feed the fish through the living room table!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

ssdare: Thanks for your input, it makes me feel alot better. (I'm sorry it took me so long to notice your response.)

We are close to finalizing our plans. It looks like we will be spending two nights in Tahiti (Beachcomber), four nights in Moorea (Beachcomber) and six nights in Bora Bora (Pearl).

Thanks again to all my Tahiti girls for all the help. It makes planning so much easier!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

EvenEdan - just wanted to add that the Beachcomber hotels are some of the *nicest* resorts on the islands - they are preferred by the locals, and to me that says ALOT!

You will have a wonderful time! Enjoy!

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

you'll love the view from the lobby of the tahiti beachcomber. i think our one day there was worth it just for the view definitely take le truck into papeete .. its SO cheap, but watch out for wandering eyes from some of the local guys. make sure the big market is open so you can buy some pareos and other souveniers

aww i want to go back..

Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

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Posted by sonia

aww i want to go back..

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Re:  Has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora? How about the Bora Bora Pearl Beach?

WE BOOKED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just wanted to thank you ladies again for all your help. We made it official this weekend!

And Sonia, we went for the premium overwater bungalow in Bora Bora for six nights! I am so freakin excited!!!