French Polynesia Over Water Bungalows for $220 USD!

Amazing but true! A combination of the falling Euro (to which the Tahitian currency is fixed to) and years of declining tourism is finally producing bargains.

I went to Expedia, selected Manihi (in the Tuamotus), entered November 13 - 17th and Voila! A real over-water bungalow - with the glass coffee table that you can see the fish through, your own stairway to the the lagoon at the Manihi Pearl Resort at a rate that a budget traveler, such as myself, could consider splurging on. Just 220.18 US dollars per night. (Expedia also adds $34.36 taxes and fees per night.) When I shortened the stay to three nights the rate went up to $264 per night.

Is there a catch? Yes, it's the food costs. The only restaurants are the resorts and the prices are high. The 2008 food rate sheet is posted online.

American breakfast 2600 xpf
Lunch (set menu) 7900 xpf
Dinner (set menu) 10900 xpf
but MAP (half board) is only 3200 xpf
and AP (full board) is 5600 xpf

Transfers are 1000 xpf each way from the nearby airport. (Again'08 rates).

There is a daily tax of 150 xpf per person, per night due direct to the hotel.

Moorea - Club Bali Hai

Club Bali Hai
PK 8, Cooks Bay
Tel: 1-888-222-5406 (toll free)
Tel: (689) 56 13 68
Fax: (689) 56 13 27
reservations@clubbalihai.pf

Club Bali Hai has the most stunning view of any accomodations in Moorea. It's also the first place that I stayed in French Polynesia. For me, Moorea is the magnificent bays. I loved watching the clouds pass in front of the mountains. Being on the bay, the water is deep and dark (it gradually but quickly gets deep). There is just a tiny beach there. It has a funky, 60s decor.

I stayed in a Bayview room, which included a fully equipped kitchenette. I must admit that I paid about half of the current price less than five years ago. The value choice here is an overwater bungalow. The CBH's don't extend far into the water like the resorts but still they are very choice accomodations given the incredible view.

All rooms are air-conditioned.

Bayview rooms with kitchenette 129 Euros ($171 U.S. as of 1/27/07)
One bedroom Beachfront Bungalows with kitchenette are 213 Euros ($275 U.S. as of 1/27/07), including breakfast.
Overwater Bungalows with kitchenette are 220 Euros ($282.00 as of 1/27/07), including breakfast.
They are currently advertising a seasonal special for the Overwater Bungalows of 165 Euros (approx. U.S. $214 ), breakfast included and 160 Euros (approx. U.S. $206) for the Beachfront Bungalows. (Let me note that CBH is a timeshare as well as a hotel and the timeshare guests get first priority on the more popular room selections.)

They also have Gardenview rooms which only have a refrigerator. The prices for these are not shown on their Web site.

In the back of the Bayview building there are the Mountianview rooms, with only a fridge. They are not mentioned on the site at all, however, I did stay in one when I extended my stay there. They face the road and I found the room depressing after being spoiled by the stunning Bayview I had previously.

CBH is close to two supermarkets, restaurants, has its own restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, there is a gas station across the street where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

Wednesday nights they have a free Tahitian dance show.

The staff is lovely.

Overwater Bungalows for $293 in Manihi

I checked out Expedia and while they offer the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort $147 Garden bungalow special (on fewer dates and with only a free breakfast) what caught my eye was the Premium Overwater Bungalows for $293 per night including breakfast.

That is a great deal! Imagine yourself staying here:









Snorkeling in the lagoon there has been described as being inside an aquarium.