Travel Agent met with Denis Le Nohaic, general manager of Le Meridien Bora Bora, to find out what's new at this luxury island property. Here's what we learned.
The 12-year old property has just undergone a new "creation" phase, adding on a host of new services and amenities. While the property caters mostly to honeymooners and couples (we learned that 80 percent of guests are honeymooners), more and more returning lovebirds are flocking back and bringing their children. To accommodate families the property has built four new villas, which can hold up to four adults and four children. Each villa has its own private pool and access to the beach and lagoon.
The hotel has also built a brand new over-water chapel and designed a special ceremony. Agents should note that the paperwork for U.S. citizens to have a legal marriage in Tahiti is time consuming. The hotel recommends that the chapel be used for couples who want to recreate a 'vow' experience after being legally wed back home. Of course, if the paperwork doesn't bother your clients, legal marriages can be performed. Coming in April guests will have the option of a special underwater ceremony, where bride and groom will be outfitted in scuba gear and will take their vows with the fish.
A new infinity pool with Jacuzzi was also recently installed.
But the GM was most excited about the hotel's environmental efforts. For years the property has been a sea turtle sanctuary, rehabilitating injured sea turtles and breeding new ones to release into the wild. The hotel is in the process of constructing an ecological center for guests to learn about the hotel's efforts.
The hotel will undergo renovations starting in October, which will include public spaces and guest rooms. The renovations are expected to be done in February 2011.
Visit www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien.
