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.

Tahiti Resorts at a Bargain Price from Luxury Link

Luxury Link is an online travel auction service, that works quite differently from eBay.

You bid on hotel packages but from observing the site I've noticed that the prices don't get bid up (for the French Polynesia properties). A bidder will place a starting bid and win that auction.

Currently they have two great deals on offer. Let me first note that your would be responsible for international and inter-island airfares (plus a hotel in Papeete if scheduling requires it). However these offers for 5* resorts for two are incredible.

For a minimum bid of $2,391 you can get:
6-night package for 2 includes:

On Bora Bora

3 nights in a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
Your elegant air-conditioned suite has been designed with privacy and romance in mind, and features an enclosed garden area with private open-air plunge pool, an indoor/outdoor shower, alfresco dining area, and a wooden terrace & sundeck.

Roundtrip boat transfers between the airport and the resort *
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Set-menu dinner for two on one evening of your choice, in the Tevairoa Restaurant **
Serving refined international cuisine, Tevairoa Restaurant sits just 20 feet above sea level, overlooking the exquisite Bora Bora lagoon and beyond to the majestic and memorable mountain Otemanu.

Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Kayaks
Mini-golf
Outdoor swimming pool
Outrigger Canoes
Pedal Boats
Ping Pong
Snorkeling
Tennis
Bacci ball court
Volleyball
Badminton
Movie theatre
Coral Nursery
VAT and government taxes ***

On Manihi

3 nights in a luxurious Overwater Bungalow at the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort
In addition to a spacious sundeck over the lagoon and a glass tables to feed the fish below, your bungalow features tasteful and traditional Polynesian architecture using a mixture of the most noble materials: local precious wood, bamboo, shells, pandanus and palm tree fronds.
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Candlelight dinner for two on one evening of your choice, including a bottle of champagne **
Dine over candlelight on your private table in the restaurant, while indulging in a gourmet dinner with champagne and a delicious cake for dessert.
Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Miniature Golf
Beach Volley Ball
Swimming Pool
Outrigger Canoes
Bacci Ball court
Bicycles
Game room
Billiard
Coral Garden
VAT, government, and local taxes
Rates above are quoted in U.S. dollars and are for two people sharing a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, and an Overwater Bungalow at Manihi Pearl Beach Resort. Price does not include airfare, service charge or customary gratuities. Local tax in the amount of XPF 150 per person, per day is payable directly at the hotel at time of check out.
* Arrival and departure details required.
** Advance table reservations recommended. Beverages other than noted are additional.
*** Local Tax of $1.50 per person, per night payable directly to Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort.
Price does not include handling fee of $20

For $2,659 you can get this package:
7-night package for 2 includes:

On Bora Bora

4 nights in a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
These elegant air-conditioned suites have been designed with privacy and romance in mind. Each features an enclosed garden area with private open-air plunge pool, an indoor/outdoor shower, alfresco dining area, and a wooden terrace & sundeck.

Roundtrip boat transfers between the airport and the resort *
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Set-menu dinner for two on one evening of your choice, in the Tevairoa Restaurant **
Serving refined international cuisine, Tevairoa Restaurant sits just 20 feet above sea level, overlooking the exquisite Bora Bora lagoon and beyond to the majestic and memorable mountain Otemanu.

Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Kayaks
Mini-golf
Outdoor swimming pool
Outrigger Canoes
Pedal Boats
Ping Pong
Snorkeling
Tennis
Bacci ball court
Volleyball
Badminton
Movie theatre
Coral Nursery
VAT and government taxes ***

On Tikehau

3 nights in a beautiful Overwater Bungalow at Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort
Designed in true Polynesian style, this spacious, airy bungalow features a private verandah, ceiling fan, thatched roof, and glass section in the floor from which to enjoy the spectacular underwater life of the lagoon.

Roundtrip boat transfers between the airport and the resort *
Fresh fruit basket in room upon arrival
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Set-menu lunch for two on one day of your choice, in the Poreho Restaurant **
With a terrace overlooking the lagoon, the Poreho Restaurant is truly a sumptuous setting for a taste of European and Polynesian cuisine.

Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Outrigger Canoeing
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Beach Volleyball
Badminton
Pétanque
Swimming Pool
VAT and government taxes

Rates above are quoted in U.S. dollars and are for two people sharing a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, and an Overwater Bungalow at Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort. Price does not include airfare, service charges or customary gratuities.
* Arrival and departure details required.
** Alcoholic beverages are not included. Advance table reservations recommended.
*** Local Tax of $1.50 per person, per night payable directly to Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort.
Price does not include handling fee of $20.

Moorea golf course to open first nine holes on April 15

Tahitipresse announced that the first nine holes of the Moorea Golf Resort course are set to open on April 15th. The other nine are due to be completed in a few months time.

This is part of a project that includes a 154 room hotel as well as 115 residential villas. Completion of the hotel is scheduled for June 2008 and the villas for December 2008.

One of the reasons that the French Polynesia experience is so special is the intimate scale of ones accomodations. Currently the largest hotel, outside of Papeete, is the 143 room Moorea Intercontinental. The new resort will house over 500 guests. Fortunately it is situated near the airport and away from the areas where most visitors will stay.

Club Med Bora Bora On Sale

Club Med is running a 1/2 off every second person sale at selected locations.

You can book the Club Med Bora Bora for $1,952 for two, for a weeks stay.

The rooms are air conditioned and include a fridge and TV.

All meals, drinks (both alcoholic and non), required membership, optional travel insurance (you can opt out and save $100 per couple), sports activities including snorkeling (with boat trips), sailing(catamarans) and windsurfing is included.

Transport to Tahiti, and then Bora Bora, and transfers to the resort is additional.

What's great about Club Med is that they have a picnic spot on the motu opposite the main island of Bora Bora that is in the most breathtaking location I've ever seen.

You'll have to book by April 14th. Travel dates are April 14th - December 21st 2007.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

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.

Manihi Pearl Beach Resort on Sale at Travelocity

On Travelocity select dates are showing Garden rooms at the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort for US$142.77 plus tax including breakfast and dinner.

That is an incredible deal!

On the Pearl Beach Web site they only have last years rate but the rack rate for a Garden room is 28000 or $307 USD. A continental breakfast is 2300 and dinner is 5400.

I put in April 23rd - 26th but the rate is available on many dates in March and April.

This is what I copied from the Travelocity Web site:

Room: Premium Beach Bungalow (2 Adults)
Nightly rates are based upon 2 people in the room.

Two Breakfast and Dinners daily

3 Nights:
Mon, Apr 23 $142.77
Tue, Apr 24 $142.77
Wed, Apr 25 $142.77

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Sum of Nightly Rates: $428.31
Taxes & Fees: $62.58

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Total for 1 Room: $490.89

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There is a daily tax of 150XPF (est. $1.50 USD) per person, per night due direct to the hotel.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Sale on Starwood Properties in French Polynesia

The Starwood Preferred Guest program (free to join) is having a four day sale from February 13th to the 16th.

These are the FP properties and rates (as well as available dates):

Sheraton Tahiti:

March 1-31	$180
April 6-15	$180
May 19-24	$180
June 6-12	$180
July 16-22	$180
August 6-12	$180
September 6-12	$180
October 22-29	$180
November 20-30	$180
December 3-16	$180

Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa:

March 1-31	$229
April 6-15	$229
May 19-24	$229
June 6-12	$290
July 16-22	$290
August 6-12	$290
September 6-12	$290
October 22-29	$229
November 20-30	$229
December 3-16	$229

Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa:

March 1-30	$399
May 11-31	$399
June 10-19	$399
July 1-7	$399
July 24-31	$399
August 3-10	$399
August 24-31	$399
September 2-13	$399
October 19-25	$399
October 27-Nov 5	$399

The fine print:

Reservations must be booked between 12:00 am EST on February 13, 2007 and 11:59:59 pm EST on February 16, 2007.
Rates are valid at participating properties only for the stay period specified on the offer, and are subject to availability at the time of reservation. Dates vary by property. A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates apply.
Advance purchase required. Credit card will be charged at time of booking. Cancellations are non-refundable; if cancellation takes place, guests forfeit total room charge plus tax.
Rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and availability at time of reservation and do not include additional per room, per night charges that may be imposed or state/local taxes.
Offer not applicable to groups.
Not to be combined with other special offers or promotions.
Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors.
Void where prohibited by law.
Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time.

Te Tiare Beach Resort in Huahine Offering a Stay 4 Pay 3 Special

From their Web site:

"Book 4 nights at regular rates, includes 1 night free

Valid for 4-night increments (book 8 nights, includes 2 nights free, etc.)

Not applicable with group bookings

Valid January 11-May 31, 2007

Stay 4 Pay 3 rates are in U.S. dollars. Rates are per room, per night double occupancy. Minimum 4 night stay required to qualify for a free night. Rates are subject to government tax and 6% value added tax. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to change/availability and restrictions may apply."

Their garden bungalows are $335.00 per night, 4 nights would make it $251.25 per night.

Very nice for the only 4* on the island.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.