In This Issue: Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa Sofitel Motu Bora Bora Hotel Bora Bora Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa Outrigger Te Tiare Beach Resort, Huahine Le Meridien Tahiti at Papeete Manihi Pearl Resort Did a friend forward this to you? You can subscribe to our travel newsletter too.

Travel Newsletter     Ia Orana! Big Day travel specialists Ann, Maureen, Denise, David and I visited Tahiti in the past couple of weeks, inspecting all of the top hotels and updating our knowledge of the latest properties and the latest changes to existing resorts. French Polynesia is truly a paradise, with unbelievable views, fabulous food and service, and uncrowded, gorgeous beaches. And yes, the water really is those unreal colors of aquamarine and turquoise you see in pictures--no PhotoShop needed :-) Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be adding new slideshows for the resorts we've visited, along with videos of many of the resorts to give you a better feel for what they're really like. Also watch for our 30+ page Tahiti Travel Guide, coming early next week! Until then, check out this article by Cindy Sawyer (originally published in Sport Diver magazine...included on our website courtesy our friends at Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine). Cindy talks about her first trip to Tahiti, experiences on the various islands, and about the fabulous scuba dives she did all over French Polynesia. In the meantime, here's a selection of my favorite resorts in Tahiti and why they'll rock your world... -- Michael

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Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa   Simply spectacular, especially the views from the spa perched on the hill We saw a LOT of gorgeous overwater bungalows on our trip, but I have to say that those at the Bora Bora Nui take the cake. Check out our slide show from our recent visit. While you can't see Mount Otemanu from the bungalows (you can from the top of the hill though), the views of the neighboring motus are terrific, and the colors in the water and reef area are amazing--rivalled only by Hotel Bora Bora, in my opinion. 7 nights from $3106 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Sofitel Motu Bora Bora   Private and secluded, but just a couple of minutes by water taxi from the main island of Bora Bora Beautiful and eclectic, this resort really captured my fancy. Surprise your sweetie with a romantic vow renewal at sunset on the top of the hill behind the resort, with Mount Otemanu rising in the background! Check out our slide show from our recent visit. The restaurant/bar area is tucked neatly away in the trees on the hillside, with stunning views of the main island. And for variety, you can hop in their shuttle boat (available ALL THE TIME, not just on a schedule!) and in a couple of minutes you can be at its sister resort, the Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort and try out the funky restaurant there. 7 nights from $2952 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Hotel Bora Bora   Historic, with old-world charm, and some of the most beautiful snorkeling waters in Bora Bora One of the best locations in Bora Bora, with terrific views and one of the nicest beaches we saw anywhere. The restaurant has a sensational, open 180+ degree view...and great food too (try their poisson cru!). Check out our slide show from our recent visit. The president of Tahiti was having lunch 2 tables away while we were there, and the movie stars who'd been there in the past year would make a list as long as your arm. For a romantic alternative to the stunning restaurant, their chef will consult with you to design a private dinner for just the two of you down on the beach at sunset. 7 nights from $3339 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort   Traditional Polynesian style, with great views of Mount Otemanu Definitely one of my top picks for Bora Bora, with beautiful, traditional overwater bungalows (but don't discount their garden bungalows...they're spectacular as well--see the photos). Check out our slide show from our recent visit. The Manea Spa is simply jaw-dropping, with views everywhere of the lush jungle and lily ponds. Definitely one of the most beautifully designed spas in French Polynesia! 7 nights from $2732 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa   Movie-star spectacular...stylish, dramatic, and environmentally conscious Not only is this resort stunning in its setting and in the accommodations, but it's home to a breakthrough in environmentally-conscious design. Air-conditioning is done via very cold water, drawn from a pipe 2 miles deep in the ocean...the first system of its kind anywhere in the world. The system works so well that they're only using 15% of its capacity to cool--and, the mineral-rich deep ocean water is used for many treatments in their stunning Thalasso Spa. Check out our slide show from our recent visit. On our arrival, a squadron of spotted eagle rays swooped under our bungalow's swimming platform--now that's a welcoming committee! 7 nights from $4202 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa   Home to dolphins and turtles as well as honeymooners...and even families This resort has a dolphin encounter available on-site (see photos), plus they rescue injured turtles here and nurse them back to health before releasing them. Check out our slide show from our recent visit. The Helene Spa is fabulous too...an oasis tucked away in the gardens of the resort that's collecting international awards like it's going out of style. 5 nights from $2,455 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort   Reopened in 2006 after a massive reconstruction project, the resort has 111 luxurious bungalows A very beautiful setting, with a gorgeous pool and one of the nicest spas we saw in French Polynesia. It's on Moorea's longest white sand beach. They've done a wonderful job on the reconstruction--I was told the bill came to about $40 million, and it shows! 7 nights from $2520 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa   Want authenticity? A Tahitian tatoo is available poolside! A funky lobby and entrance opens down onto the main part of the resort, with a beautiful pool and beach. The overwater bungalows fan out in front of you, giving a nice protected area between them and the beach in which to swim and snorkel. Check out our slide show from our recent visit. For more adventurous snorkelers, there's a steep drop-off just past the bungalows, so you're bound to see tons of fish! The Manea Spa features Vichy showers, a hammam, and three massage rooms. 7 nights from $1816 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Te Tiare Beach Resort, Huahine   On a secluded bay on the southwest side of Huahine The bungalows are newly refurbished, and all face west so you'll get some great sunsets. There's a terrific view from the lagoon-shaped pool, and the Arii Restaurant and Hawaiki Bar are perched out over the water just like the overwater bungalows. TheBigDay co-founder Larry Custer says, "Huahine has the most beautiful water in all of French Polynesia!" 7 nights from $2002 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Le Meridien Tahiti at Papeete   My favorite resort on the main island of Tahiti Beautiful architecture really makes this resort stand out on Tahiti from the others: it's hard to describe--check out our photo slideshow to see what I mean. Check out our slide show from our recent visit. The Polynesian revue here is really terrific, with great fire dances and a really good set of musicians performing. Stay tuned, we have a video of this performance coming to the site soon... 7 nights from $1784 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

Manihi Pearl Resort   Escape from the busier main islands to Manihi, in the Tuamotus Famous for its pearls, Manihi is also a great place if you're a diver. Hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, manta rays, barracuda, turtles and dolphins...it's all here for you. 7 nights from $2013 per person incl. R/T air from LAX

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