As I stared at the colorful fish swimming beneath the
glass-bottom floor while a massage therapist spread deep-ocean
water and a special seaweed mixture on my back, I drifted off into
the special place where decadence and heaven meet and everything
seems deliciously perfect. And to think I was a bit apprehensive
about this trip.
I had already visited French Polynesia twice, and was wondering
if a third trip seemed, well, excessive. I soon discovered, though,
that this cluster of islands always has something new up its
sleeve.
This year, it would be the new Inter-Continental Resort &
Thalasso Bora Bora (called the Thalasso for short). All 80 of their
rooms are overwater bungalows, which was a great starting point.
The size of the rooms was a welcoming surprise. Double the size of
most standard bungalows I had visited in the past, the Thalasso had
enormous tubs that overlooked turquoise waters, bedrooms that felt
like they were floating at sea and a huge living area and sizeable
balcony. The rooms are perfect for honeymooners of which there are
many at the resort.
After relaxing in my room, I headed to the spa. The first
thalassotherapy spa in the South Pacific, this 13,200-square-foot
feature is pure decadence. It’s also the first spa in the world to
use water taken from 3,000 feet below sea level in all its
signature treatments. The deep water of the ocean has been
protected from harmful influences for thousands of years, so it is
one of the purest sources of water rich in minerals, vitamins and
nutrients.
All the signature treatments facials, wraps, scrubs, massages
utilize this magical water, and I could feel (or so I imagined) its
healing effects during my massage. Of course, the other real treat
for me was the overwater treatment rooms; I stared at fish, coral
and other marine life while looking down through the glass-bottom
floors.
After my Deep Blue massage, I wanted to check out one of the
world’s first overwater wedding chapels.
From the outside, the chapel looked unassuming, an A-frame
wooden bungalow suspended over the water. However, from the inside,
the chapel shows its hidden charm. The glass-bottom floor allows
guests (and the wedding couple) to view the variety of marine life
that turns out for the nuptials. A large plate-glass window offers
the most impressively beautiful views of Mount Otemanu. The
concierge explained that during the ceremony, local Tahitian
musicians serenade the couple while a traditional priest performs
the ceremony. Various wedding packages include flowers, traditional
Tahitian dancers, champagne, a couples’ day at the spa and a
romantic dinner on the beach. The hotel can arrange beach
ceremonies as well.
The other big news at the Thalasso will thrill
environmentalists. It’s the very first hotel in the world to run an
air-conditioning system entirely with water drawn from the depths
of the ocean. The cold water replaces the traditional
hydro-fluorocarbons; the latter is responsible for worsening
climatic changes. This new procedure, sure to be a hit, not only
saves 80 percent of the cost of air conditioning electricity
consumption, but is also clean and sustainable resulting in limited
impact on the environment.
After spending several days in my overwater bungalow in Bora
Bora I headed to Moorea, the lush, rugged heart-shaped island
located 30 minutes by ferry from Tahiti. The InterContinental
Resort and Spa Moorea is a favorite in Moorea because it offers one
of the most extensive activities centers on the island. There’s
water skiing, scuba, outrigger canoes, parasailing, kayaking,
glass-bottom boat rides, aquascope (half submarine) and a host of
other activities. My favorite and a big hit with most all visitors
to Moorea is the dolphin encounter. In small groups, guests
interact with these playful creatures.
Another highlight of the resort is the Helene Spa. The first spa
to open in Polynesia, the Helene spa focuses on natural products
and local Polynesian techniques in their massages, facials and body
treatments. The spa features several treatment rooms, a meditation
garden, outdoor shower, bamboo sofas and a Jacuzzi lined with
seashells and flowers. I felt like I was in a bouquet of flowers
while relaxing in my treatment, the smells and colors were fresh
and beautiful.
All in all, my trip to French Polynesia did not mirror previous
visits, but instead offered a host of welcoming surprises.
THE DETAILS
Air Tahiti Nui
Flies nonstop from Los Angeles and New York City to Tahiti
877-824-4846
www.airtahitinui-usa.com
Commission: 3 percent
InterContinental
800-327-0200
www.boraboraspa.interconti.com
Commission: 10 percent Tahiti Tourism Board
877-568-2448
www.tahiti-tourisme.com |