As Ali Fedotowsky’s search for love culminates in Tahiti next Monday (August 2, 2010) on the season finale of The Bachelorette, the scenery is just as easy on the eyes as her remaining two suitors: Chris and Roberto. And as someone who has been lucky enough to visit this island paradise not once but three times, I can tell you that there has been no digital trickery or special effects to make Taha’a and Bora Bora (shown above; photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme) ready for their close-ups. These islands of French Polynesia are as postcard-perfect as they look – a total romance package for water-loving couples. Here’s the scoop on where Ali stayed and played and, hopefully, fell in love.
Taha’a Frank’s confession and tearful departure on Episode 9 (air date July 19, 2010) may have left Ali feeling blue, but her first two overnight dates at Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, were nothing to boo-hoo about: She was swept off of her feet by both Chris and Roberto at one of Tahiti’s most luxurious retreats (shown at right; photo courtesy of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa), where rates start at $763/night. The episode showcased the 60-suite resort’s incredible location on private Motu Tau Tau off of the “Vanilla Island” Taha’a, with panoramic views of Bora Bora in the distance.
Guests can choose from Overwater Bungalows (where Ali had her date with Roberto) or Beach Villas with Private Pools (where she had her date with Chris – shown at left; photo courtesy of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa). There are plenty of secluded spots for private dips and dinners. And the two excursions, with Roberto via helicopter to heart-shaped Motu Tupai and with Chris on a catamaran to swim and find pearls in oysters (I suspect the oysters were planted by the producers as most pearls in Tahiti are grown on oyster farms and not found near the beach), can be arranged by the resort’s concierge.
Tahiti Tourisme’s website lists a variety of packages, including the “Taha’a Dream Escape,” inspired by The Bachelorette, which includes round-trip airfare for two from Los Angeles, interisland airfare for two, one night on Tahiti at Manava Suites Resort, four nights at Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, daily breakfast for two, and a 30-minute massage for two, from $2,499 per person.
Bora Bora There really are few places in the world as stunningly beautiful as this emerald green island surrounded by a shimmering blue lagoon. Flying into Bora Bora’s tiny airport past towering Mt. Otemanu truly takes your breath away. There are now more than a dozen resorts to choose from, but for The Bachelorette finale, airing next Monday, Ali and her guys settled into the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa. The resort (shown at right; photo courtesy of Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa) is suspended over a particularly spectacular – and Tahitians say sacred – section of the lagoon on the far side of a scenic motu and features 122 bungalows (with rates starting at $540/night), some tucked on the lush hillside and others hovering over the azure lagoon (shown below; photo courtesy of Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa).
The Final Rose Ceremony appears to take place at the gorgeous hilltop Nui Spa with its 360-degree panorama of the lagoon and Mt. Otemanu. Will Ali choose Chris or Roberto? We’ll all have to wait a few days to find out. In the meantime, you have until this Sunday, August 1, 2010, to enter ABC’s “The Bachelorette Tahitian Getaway Sweepstakes” for a chance to win an eight-night trip (four nights at both resorts featured on the show), plus round-trip airfare for two on Air Tahiti Nui, plus lots of romantic extras. If you don’t win, you can book the Hilton’s “Bora Bora For Lovers Package,” which features five nights in an Overwater Villa, a Motu Tapu Escape and Private Picnic, daily breakfast and airport boat transfers, from $4,995 for two.
Book your own romantic getaway with our Romance Travel Deals. For general trip-planning info, see our Tahiti Travel Guide.
