In the end it all came together. 8 nights in Tahiti for $103 + the incidentals like $1,000,000 for a burger. My first choice was to stay at the Hilton Bora Bora but good luck trying to find availability even a year out.
I rationalized that 3 nights at the InterContinentals in Bora Bora would be sufficient and that I owe it to myself to go to Moorea seeing as how I would be in the neighborhood. Furthermore, to sweeten the deal, I received one night free for booking five. That brought the required points down from 350,000 to 280,000 causing my nerdy points hoarding heart to skip a beat. Even better, the cost of the overwater bungalow upgrade is cheaper at the Hilton Moorea than the Hilton Bora Bora. Also, from what I read prices are generally cheaper in Moorea. Maybe a beer will cost only $12 instead of $16.
Points enthusiasts will appreciate my cynicism for this trip because Constructing Tahiti is more about solving the puzzle of how to get there on points versus the desire of being on an isolated, though breathtaking island. TPOL is more of a big city guy, a thrill seeker, and libations binger than a Corona, find your beach retiree. Nonetheless, I am very much looking forward to doing nothing, until that gets old.
Here’s the recap:
- Shanghai – Papeete via Auckland on 787 Dreamliner Business: 60,000 United Miles Round Trip!
- InterContinental : Le Moana Bora Bora: Double Beach Bungalow; 1 Night; Stay Certificate; $0
- InterContinental : Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa ; Overwater Villa; 2 Nights; 100k ; $0
- Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa: King Guestroom Garden; 5 Nights; 280k; $0
- Papeete via stopover in Auckland to either Bangkok or Shanghai; $103
