Would you all suggest Bora Bora or Moorea for a precruise.

Would you prefer Intercontinental or Radisson for a one night stay prior to boarding PG.

Since all the PIP folk just got back he wanted your opinion. I gave him mine but he would like to know yours.

We loved Intercontinental in Tahiti. Beautiful location, well reconditioned property, beautiful view, and close. We never went to the Radisson.

I enjoyed water more at Bora Bora and thought Moorea was a prettier island. Assuming you were doing an OWB precruise, I would choose Bora Bora. The new Ritz Carlton looks like it is going to have some fabulous OWBs.

I would definately choose the Intercontinental over the Radisson. The Radisson looks like it has potential, but it's just not ready. Even though we were only there for an afternoon, you could easily see the disorganization (especially in the restaurant/bar). The Intercontinental, on the other hand, seems to have its act together. It may be a bit more pricy, but I believe it's worth it for now. The Radisson has some beautiful rooms and has potential, but not now.

Beachcomber for sure for the one night precruise. The grounds were bigger and nicer, closed to the airport and port. The Radisson had nice rooms and for the day room, but I like the different pools and bars at the Beachcomber.
Having not done a precruise I can't say for sure, but Heather and I like Moorea overall better than BoraBora. There is more to see and do. Oh...and it was beautiful.

Ngaire, I don't think anyone visiting either of those island will go wrong. My one PG cruise, (not PIP) I was taking 4 of us, and chose the RSSC package at the Moorea Beachcomber because it was more affordable and did not require a flight from Tahiti. Everyone just loved it, because there was a lot to do right from the hotel, and there was an excursion desk that helped us plan things off the property. Meals were not included in the hotel plan.

However, Cyndi's report on the Bora Bora Hotel made me drool! Definitely a very romantic spot! On the cruise, Bora Bora was my favorite, but at the time I did not regret doing our pre-cruise in Moorea because we did so much snorkeling right off the OWB, parasailing right from the hotel beach, an off-road thrill ride that I will never forget. Also on the property was a swim with the dolphins activity that was fun to watch even though we did not participate.

Ngaire - this is a tough one. I absolutely loved Hotel Bora Bora and the beautiful lagoons of that island with great snorkeling. BUT, Moorea is a much more beautiful island. Too bad you can't shake them both up and get the best of everything!!! If we ever go back, I'd love to do a land tour and stay 4 nights at Hotel Bora Bora and 4 nights on Moorea. Or maybe do that and then PG?????? I want it all!!!

On one of Tom's excursions in Moorea they went snorkeling near the Intercontinental Beachcomber in Moorea and he said it was every bit as beautiful as Bora Bora for snorkeling. So perhaps a pre-cruise at that resort would be good.

As for the choice between the Radisson and Beachcomber? I only stayed the one night at Beachcomber and then the dayroom at Radisson. But I'd still pick the Beachcomber over the Radisson. The Radisson had a very modern, upscale room but had sort of a cold feeling to it compared to the island flavor of the Beachcomber. And the grounds of the Beachcomber are so beautiful. Of course, the Radisson is very new and needs time for the grounds to grow. I agree with John about the Radisson being very disorganized - probably since it is still so new.

Hope this helps.

Well we didn't do pre-cruise anywhere - but here's my comments - we liked Moorea better than Bora Bora just from the environment standpoint. Didn't see the Beachcomber of course but from what we saw of the Radisson - it's more of a nice mid-line type of place with well renovated rooms. The disorganization at the Radisson is probably partially due to 100+ rooms worth of people trying to check-in/out all at basically the same time with all the accompanying luggage too. I think they need to rethink the whole disembarkation thing. At least ask people to pack stuff they'll need at the day room separately so they don't have to deliver all the bags (and then pick them up again) from the rooms (just for 3-4 hours or so).

WE stayed 4 days at the Beachcomber pre-PIP and we were given a suite at the Radisson Plaza. I really enjoyed everything about the Beachcomer = pools-service-views- and even though I had a suite at both hotels, The OWB experience was wonderful.

The food could be a deal breaker too - we paid $50.00 (for two) for grilled cheese "panini" at the Radisson. The service was horrible and there was no one in the restaurant.

The food at Le Lotus was remarkable - we ate there twice and the Friday seafood buffet was one of the best seafood buffets I have ever seen including Austrailian Lobster Tail - as much as you wanted. The price was about $75.00 US but included the show.

I'm a bit confused. For our day room after the cruise, I know one of my sons (he was in a non-balcony cabin) stayed a what I thought was the Beachcomer that was being renovated, but we were taken to another property, Meridian I think? I thought that was an Intercontinental. Is that hotel off the RSSC list now, and Radisson resort is the other hotel?

I haven't stayed at either, but the CLEAR CHOICE is INTERCONTINENTAL ;)

Denise - methinks you might be slightly biased. :) Though I will say that the InterContinental Tokyo Bay that we stayed in when we were in Japan last was gorgeous ...

Masaki

Me, biased? Why, yes I am :D