Bora Bora or Moorea for post-cruise, and hotel help?

[Olive]

We have never been to French Polynesia before so we aren't sure how to decide between the two islands. At first I was set on Taha'a, but then was worried that we might prefer a non-private island (we are doing 5 nights post-cruise) so we can go into town a few times.

I have read and heard that Bora Bora is more "touristy" and that we may have had our fill of Bora Bora after the 2 days PG spends there on the 7-night itinerary. It looks like getting to Moorea may be easier (just taking the ferry instead of a flight), and since we are doing our stay after the PG sailing, we shouldn't run into issues with having to stay in Papeete for the night first. TA is pushing Bora Bora. Other than that, I'm not sure how to decide. We like swimming, hiking, snorkeling and eating, if that helps.

If we do Bora Bora, I was thinking about the new Four Seasons, which is supposed to open next month. The TA we are working with isn't really behind that idea, as she thinks they may be still working out the kinks when we get there in June and she hasn't seen the property. She recommends the Intercontinental (Thalasso) or the Bora Bora Nui if we do stay there.

For Moorea, I was thinking of the Intercontinental or the Moorea Pearl (although there was a comment in the Travel & Leisure review or Conde Nast - can't remember which - about the food being off at Moorea Pearl).

Basically, I'm utterly confused and would appreciate the benefit of your collective wisdom. Any thoughts, as always, will be much appreciated!

[macbest]

We stayed at the Bora Bora IC Thalasso resort last month. We have been to the islands 4 times already and although we visit Moorea each time, we haven't stayed there. The IC Bora Bora was over the top. It really was one of the finest places we have ever stayed and we have been to a number of really nice places over the years. The property is gorgeous and the rooms are very nice. Super modern and very relaxing. You wake up each day to the view of Bora Bora mountain right outside your bedroom window! Swimming is amazing. We just floated along with some blow up mattresses we brought for hours on end. The spa at the IC is one of the finest I have ever been too!

They do have a boat that will take you to the mainland where there is hiking and a grocery store, other restaurants and a little bit of shopping. The whole place is characterized to me as laid back and relaxing along with great water activities.

Bora Bora is one of my favorite spots on earth and why I keep going back.

Moorea is beautiful also but in a different way and may have the advantage of more places to eat that are close by (although there are plenty of places to eat in Bora Bora, you just may have to take a boat to get to them). Realize those 5 days you stay at either place could cost you close to $10,000 when you include food.

Let me know if you have other questions about Bora Bora. If you are looking for a vote, Bora Bora for a pre/post cruise would be my pick for the reasons noted above.

[LOVE@CRUISE]

bora bora: St Regis Resort (all are either oceanfront or overwater..some have private swimmimg pools. Incredible!):)
moorea: Intercontinental (overwater bungalow...reserve one at the end, furthest away from the shore):D

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I have not stayed on either island, but visited them on cruises several times.

I think there are more varied luxury properties on Bora Bora. But most are out on the motus, so a water taxi is required to go "in town". There's the older Hotel Bora Bora which many people love, that is on the mainland.

That all being said, I believe Moorea is by far the more beautiful island, and is, ironically with its closeness to Tahiti, less touristy. Your super-luxury options are fewer, but mobility is not a problem--I would rent a car perhaps. It's also considerably cheaper, in general for accommodations, at least that's what I've always seen when I looked at packages.

[LOVE@CRUISE]

bora bora: St Regis Resort (all are either oceanfront or overwater..some have private swimmimg pools. Incredible!):) ENJOY HEAVEN :)

[ellbon]

I stayed on Moorea at the IC in a beach room. walked out on deck and walked into the water.

I love moorea to relax. i could walk to shops and lunch places. never ate at hotel but one lunch. Also al lthe nice resturants came and pucked you up and returned you.

Boro Boro was nice but I like Moorea more

[drifting_away]

We stayed at the Moorea Sheraton and thought the property was much nicer than the IC. The pearl looked really nice, but was on the windy side of the island. We loved Bora Bora, but would choose Moorea due to luggage constraints, ease of getting there, and its beauty. You cant throw a dime without hitting a resort with over the water bungalows on Bora Bora. Too many, too much!!

[Travelcat2]

For swimming, hiking and snorkeling -- Bora Bora is incredible! We have visited both islands a few times since 1982 and are saddened by how many hotels/resorts have been built. And, there are more ships visiting each year. The only thing that remained fairly constant is the beauty of the water in Bora Bora. The last time we we stayed in Bora Bora we attempted to find the old "feel" of the island rather stay than in some over-the-top luxury resort (which we typically do). We stayed at Club Med. It was a lovely experience and had everything you mentioned that you enjoy.

Moorea is beautiful -- just does not have the incredible coral reef. JMO

[NJBelle]

Hi, I was in the same situation a year ago when I was figuring out what we would do pre-cruise. After doing all the reading and research, I decided on the Sheraton Moorea in an OWB for 4 nights. Clearly there are a number of "right" answers, so you may just have to narrow down to a few choices and go with your gut.

Based on what I have read here, you can't go wrong whatever you decide. We leave tomorrow and when we get back, I will tell you if everyone has been right about French Polynesia.

Best, Janice

[drifting_away]

Moorea is beautiful -- just does not have the incredible coral reef. JMO

We are avid snorkelers and divers and the best snorkeling we experienced during our whole 2 week trip was right outside of our over the water bungalow at the Sheraton Moorea. You could go a mile in any direction and see beautiful coral heads, tons of fish, eels, and huge titan triggers (sharks came in at night!!!)

[Olive]

It does seem like we can't go wrong. What about the new Four Seasons if we do Bora Bora? I generally love the Four Seasons, but I don't know how wary to be of staying there during its first year and I don't want to wait too long to decide (my mind may be made up for me). Moorea sounds lovely, too. What a terrible decision, I know.

[lborne]

I vote for the Sofitel in Moorea. I prefer Moorea because I thought Bora Bora was too touristy and we wanted to just get away. I loved the Sofitel because it is apart from the other resorts. You'll need a rental car because of that, but we liked it that way. It also has a nice view of Tahiti in the distance. Finally, I can't say about the Bora Bora hotels, but at the Sofitel, you just snorkeled from your room. Very easy and the water is perfectly calm because of the outer reefs breaking the waves.

[sita3]

It's been said a lot here but is worth repeating; a pre-cruise stay is preferable. to a post as the experience really changes once you are off the ship; stark contrast in food & service (yep, even at 5 star resorts). That said, if you are heavy packers, you will have significant weight restrictions if you fly to Bora Bora, (the flight in is amazing; looks like you are landing into an aquamarine gem). If you are hardcore beach/water people, choose BB. If you like land adventures, with some water thrown in, Moorea. Would love to hear a report about the 4 Seasons, if you choose to go.

[parislady40]

I have to agree with Iborne. We stayed at an overwater bungalow at the Sofitel in Moorea December gone, and loved it so much that we are back there again in October. You can swim and snorkel right from the bungalows, and we had large numbers of fish there, including a ray or two!! It faces out over the Bay of Moons to Papeete, and is peaceful. The beach there is considered to be one of the best in Moorea. As it is gated, it is not crowded. There is quite a lot to do on Moorea. You can rent a car from the airport (5 minutes away), or the hotel itself. Been to most of the islands there, and Moorea just has the most to offer to me, from totally relaxing to being adventurous. Totally romantic!

[Olive]

We actually have to do a post-cruise instead of pre- because of babysitting availability. I think we are narrowed down to Four Seasons if we do Bora Bora or Sofitel if we do Moorea. I will be happy to provide a report if we stay at the Four Seasons. We'll be deciding this week, and these posts have been super helpful in the decision-making process!

[renroc13]

Thank you all for the responses you gave and the question asked. I am also looking at where to stay pre cruise next June.
Sue