Just booked a post-cruise stay (2 nights) in an OWB. We're just not going to be ready to leave FP once the PG is docked. Opinions on this property?

Also, any must do's while here (resort or on the island)? Any secrets those in-the-know wish to share with this FP newbie?

Thank you!

I just hope you and Paul have a great time and then book GREECE - sorry I can't help you but you know I would if I could ....Joanna

I know, J, just watchin my back!!

Always you have a great back :hug: :hug: :hug:

Isn't that where flyerdreamer/Sue just stayed for a couple of days? Editing to say to Robert, I would book this pre-cruise, not post. Anything is a let down after service et. al on PG. Well, maybe not, but I liked pre to get over jet lag, I was really rested getting on the ship!

Yes I think Sue is there now. I know on pre versus post, O and I agree completely but Paul's teaching job has very rigid vacation schedules. As it is, he is getting out of class at 1:00AM the day we leave for the cruise. He has 2 weeks after that but nothing before. Just being able to extend the time in paradise is good enough for me. So it takes someone a litle while longer to get my mai-tai and they do not greet me by name? I'll survive!! ;)

You'll survive and then some at the InterCon in Tahiti, R!

What a fantastic time you and Paul will have!

Paul, I agree, didn't realize you were so schedule restrained. Take whatever extra days you can get before or after! I never care if they remember my name! (Sometimes, almost wish they wouldn't)

The OWBs are great. If you enjoy relaxing, my advice is take it easy and hang out at the resort. We stayed 1 night at ICB post-PG and just enjoyed lazing on the deck of the OWB and relaxing at the pools...we did not leave the resort. Therefore, I can't help with activity or dining options, but I highly recommend the lazy approach!

If you haven't already, you might start monitoring the Tahiti Explorer website.

I think you cannot go wrong with whatever you decide to do. It will be great!

Dena

It's a wonderful spot, Robert. You'll have a great time. After the cruise, you may not care about going into town but if you do I really enjoyed the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands. That's one place I would not mind going back to see again. Le Musee de Tahiti et Ses Iles is how it might show up in a guide book.

Robert - I wish we'd have done the POST Cruise there. We did 4 days precruise and loved it. Join the Priority Club. It'll cost you $150 but then you can get an upgrade and you get a free certificate for joining which you can use on a weekend night for a free stay. You can use it in the ICB in Tahiti. One free weekend night if you book two.

Kathy, the Priority Club now charges to join? I joined at their Intercontinental hotel in San Juan, PR, back in 2000 and there was no cost.

KarenM

Yes, but, the charge is worthwhile.

Robert: we loved the Beachcomber OW bungalow. It was one of the highlights of our trip post cruise and we would definately return. We also got upgraded with the Ambassador card from the OW Motu location to one of their Lagoon OW where the bures are much farther away from the main area of the resort and stretch farther out into the ocean. They have a roomy oceanfront porch with two loungers and a table, outdoor shower and great swimming platform and stairs into the water. The inside was very eye pleasing and spacious with lots and lots of windows so you don't miss what's going on in the ocean and then plantation shutters for when you want privacy. A/C worked really well. They were having races the day we were there and it was fun to sit out on the porch sipping a cold one watching all the boats rowing by.
Pat

I work for InterContinental Hotels Group at a Crowne Plaza. We don't charge to join Priority Club. I believe the $150 charge Kathy is referring to is to specifically join the Ambassador's Club at InterCons. It would be wise to contact Priority Club, directly, for further information.


Priority Club® Rewards Service Centers
In the United States and Canada:

Telephone:
1-888-211-9874 (toll-free)

Fax:
1-800-725-8232 (toll-free)

Email:
PriorityClub@ichotelsgroup.com

Yes, Denise, we paid for the Ambassador level since it guaranteed us the upgrade to the OWB Suite and the free night coupon was included. There were a number of board discussions about it here because of PIP and which membership gave you what benefits.

That may have been a special promo, Kathy. I don't see it available on the PC site. Never hurts to inquire with PC, directly.

Just want to reiterate that joining Priority Club is FREE!

Robert, So glad you are finally becoming a cruiser. What a wonderful way to begin and have a wonderful time.

We joined the Ambassador's club for $150 for our trip this year pre-ROAR. Since we wanted to stay in Amsterdam at the tres expensive Amstel over the weekend, it really paid off to get the two nights for the cost of one for just an additional $150. The rooms were $360 euros per night and we got two nights for $360 euros (plus the $150)and were upgraded to the top suite and received free gifts each night (one night a box of godiva chocolates and another night, a small, but lovely, framed etching of an Amsterdam scene. We also received canapes and a drink each evening.

We paid for a regular room and were guaranteed an upgrade to the best room available. It is a good deal if you will be staying over a weekend.

Good idea, Kathy, to suggest it to Robert...No need to keep these benefits just to ourselves!!!

I went to the website and it's buried in the terms and conditions, but, there is a level - Gold Ambassador. With that level you get a free weekend night and guaranteed upgrade. There was no price level so if you join, do so by phone and ask about that level. Marc and Arlene did that too because for Tahiti the cost for the upgraded membership was worthwhile. Additionally, we made our reservations via AMEX Platnium Travel and we got Breakfast By Canoe included and there were several price plans. We reserved our rooms with a cancelable rate and then 30 days out, changed the reservation to a non-cancelable rate which included breakfast which came out to be quite a bit less.

This is the email we got. It is still available as an offer.

BECOME AN AMBASSADOR
As an InterContinental® Ambassador you'll enjoy our most exclusive Ambassador privileges at over 140 InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts worldwide and automatic Gold Elite Priority Club® Rewards membership. In addition, your corresponding Priority Club Rewards membership entitles you to Gold Elite member benefits when you stay within the Priority Club Rewards family of brands - Crowne Plaza®, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Express by Holiday Inn®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®. All for an initial fee of $150USD.

Enjoy a free weekend night on us:

As a special gift for signing up now, we’ll welcome you to Ambassador with a complimentary weekend night certificate, to be enjoyed during a minimum two-night weekend stay. Like Ambassador status itself, your certificate is welcome at over 140 InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, anywhere in the world.

Receive a complete Ambassador portfolio:

Designed to help you make the most of your new Ambassador status, our portfolio will offer full details on all the privileges that await you as our elite guest. You’ll also receive a number of essential items, including:

Your Ambassador/Priority Club® Rewards membership card
Your complimentary weekend night certificate
A complete guide to Ambassador and Priority Club® Rewards
A Quick Reference Directory with contact details for our InterContinental Hotels & Resorts around the world
A handy traveler’s guide to your Ambassador privileges
An Ambassador luggage tag to ensure you’re always recognized upon arrival

Guaranteed room upgrade at time of check-in
Fresh fruit and mineral water
Free ‘Pay TV’ film per stay
Complimentary newspaper
Late check-out
Complimentary weekend night certificate upon purchase or renewal*
Earn your choice of Priority Club® points or airline miles
Points never expire
Redeem points instantly for Reward Nights
No blackout dates for Reward Nights
Transfer points between accounts
Purchase additional points for that special reward
Convenient online rewards redemption
Complimentary weekday newspaper
Extended check-out
Dedicated toll-free reservation line
Priority guest list
Airport chauffeur service*
Special check-in desk
Instant Check-InTM
VIP greeting and welcome gift
Instant Check-OutTM

Wow! Thanks, D,K &A! I am a priority club member so upgrading to Amb should be a fairly siimple thing.

Good to see that it's still available. I don't follow PC benefits/promos closely. As I am an employee of IHG, most times I am eligible for an employee rate.

Well worth going for it, R!

Denise, you are ever so lucky to get these marvelous deals at Intercontinental properties. Am I envious! :hug:

R, This savings should pay for dinner in Tahiti!! Just kidding.

Andi, One of the very few perks we hotel employees get. I try to take full advantage, as you know. So many properties, so little time! I'm trying my best to make the rounds!

I think joining Ambassador's Club is a fantastic opportunity to experience InterCons. Amstel is magnificent and our stay there was very, very special. You were fortunate to have stayed there, too!

R, can't wait to hear how much you loved Tahiti!

Andi -

That's exactly the promo we got last year.

Robert,

Well worth it. We loved the IC Beachcomber.

Robert, that hotel is just simply fabulous. We loved it, even though we were only there for several hours. I am so happy you are going. Anyone that Joanna likes as much as you has to be quite a guy. Enjoy the anticipation, it is half the fun!!!

Which level of OWB did you book? We spent two nights in a lagoon OWB just a couple of weeks ago. Although we really loved the resort, I felt a little isolated and far away from everything in those units. If we go back we think we would stay in the Motu OWB's simply because they are closer in (although they are not as new, are smaller, and probably don't have in room internet access as we did).

We stayed pre cruise in a motu OWB and post in a garden room. Loved both rooms and the hotel.

Is there a big diffeence in the OWBs? My partner and I have booked our first PG cruise for October 2007 (11 nights). We are doing 2 nights pre-cruise at the intercontinental. This is a 20th anniversary celebration, so I want to do everything "right." Should I request a lagoon vs. a motu OWB?

We have been on the Voyager and the Mariner, and are looking forward to being pampered in paradise on the Paul Gaugin.

Tom Fynan

We selected the motu OWB because of the proximity to the resort itself. The full OWB's seemed so far away. We are happy with this location.

Welcome to LCT Tom. You will find this board a wealth of information and the posters helpful and kind. Congrats on 20 years! Awesome!

Good call Robert...although I say that without having seen the Motu OWB's, but they did look a lot smaller when I walked by them.

Tom, the Lagoon OWB's are basically mini suites with a separate sitting area, nice big tubs, and separate open showers. They were very nicely outfitted, but since we were just using the room as a two night 'decompression' before boarding the cruise, it really wasn't worth the extra expense (especially since we spent all day at the pool.

Steve

I guess it all depends on how close you want to be to the restaurant, pool and main lobby area of the resort. The lagoon OW bungalows are much larger then the Motu ones and if you are a walker then it won't bother you taking the walk to get where ever you are going. If you want more privacy, a bit deeper water, and larger digs then I would go for the lagoon location. The added separate sitting area really added a lot of welcomed space, especially if you called room service and ate in your room. If you like to be near where all the action is and don't mind the smaller rooms then go for Motu bungalow. Both levels are very appealing. It's just what suits you the best.
Pat

There is also a substantial cost difference between OWB's.

Steve

Pros and cons to both OWB's. I stayed in the lagoon ones all 3 times I went and wasn't sorry. My parents stayed in the motu ones and really liked them, but they didn't want to walk any more than they had to and they never wanted to swim off the deck. I liked the panoramic feel with the windows open and a breeze blowing through. BUT, they ARE more expensive.

I doubt they would still do it, but the first time I went I was booked in the least expensive room. I asked a the desk when I registered if I could upgrade, and they upgraded me to a lagoon OWB for only $200!! That was low season in March though.

Oh, and I absolutely agree that the Tahiti-Explorer site is fantastic. There is a lot of great info on there!

Well if I can get upgraded to the OWB by being an Ambassador I think it makes sense to stay booked in the Motu OWB and add my Amb number to my res as it gets nearer. I do have this right, right?

Thanks, gang!

Thanks for all the information. Are the Lagoon OWBs very far away from the center of the hotel? I mean, are they a half-mile away, or is it more like a half-a-block? I can't get a good idea of the scale of the property from the pictures I've seen. I like the idea of more room if we don't have to trek crosscountry to get there.

Tom Fynan

Looks to me like maybe a 5 minute walk. I'd imagine you could always call for a golf cart if you don't feel like walking.

We stayed at the very end cluster of Lagoon OWB's and the walk was actually about a 10 minute stroll through a very pretty walkway. It was quiet and very private, particularly on the deck, where we could see Moorea and sunbathe. The canoe racers would paddle by in the evenings and the sunset amazing. But if we were going to the main building, we'd be careful not to need to run back quickly to the room. There is a pool about 1/2 way right near Le Lotus. We used the living room area quite a bit and felt that the distance was worth it. Oh and the bathtub was an oasis including trees and flowers. Loved the oversized bathroom. The golf carts were for luggage and not available for people transportation except on arrival

Thanks, K! Sounds perfect. Is there a shower indoors as well? Not really a bath person.

Yes, a separate shower too! And I agree, it is a very pretty walk!