After so very much planning and research we decided on French Polynesia. We could not resist just one island so we decided to go to 3 of the Tahitian islands.

Our flight on Air Tahiti was pretty good; try for an emergency exit seat. It was so very long I thought my new husband would go crazy; I should have packed a baby bag for him to keep him busy. If he was good, I could have given him a little gift every hour to keep him happy. In the end to was all worth it and he said he would do it again.

We arrived, tired but very excited in Papeete and were greeted with Leis and a Tahitian Man. We had amazing service, they were so happy to have us at the Radisson Hotel. We choose this hotel due to wanting to see the black sand beach and yes, it was very private. The room was very modern and gorgeous, overlooking the ocean, the views were beyond staggering and the Jacuzzi on the patio was not bad either. We were only there for 1 day – we treated ourselves to massages in their luxurious spa and went out in downtown Papeete to eat at the Roulettes, a well known spot next to the harbor where you eat from travelling restaurants.

We rank this The Radisson Hotel, Papeete, as 7 out of 10.

Next stop – we flew inter- island to Moorea, the hotel staff were there waiting for us, it’s nice not to have to worry about getting there. It’s about a 10 minute drive from the Moorea airport to the Moorea Pearl where we stayed. We arrived to hot lemon scented hand towels, citrus water and an open air lobby, we booked a garden bungalow and after a quick tour of the resort we were guided to our room. It was our own little thatched roof hut, complete with kitchenette, cozy sitting area and a lovely backyard area with a private plunge pool and chaise lounges! The Pearl, unlike a few other resorts is only a 5 min. walk to town, where we bought beautiful souvenirs, stocked up on groceries and filled our stomachs with Pizza from a local restaurant. We rented a car for a day to tour the island, and visited places like the Moorea pinapao jus factory (pineapple juice) and drove up the mountain to the overlook for an incredible view of the two bays.

Moorea, French Polynesia

Our favorite night in Moorea we went to eat at a small local restaurant, Te honu iti, The Little Turtle, which sat right on the bay so as we ate the most amazing meal of our lives we were kept entertained by the stingray and sharks that swam right along the edge of your table.

We rank the Moorea Pearl Hotel as 9 out of 10.

Our last 4 days in Tahiti brought us to Bora Bora, after an hour flight we finally landed on this tiny little strip of land. The airport is completely surrounded by water and only accessible by boat. Our hotel staff greeter from the St. Regis met us with yet other lei and helped us aboard our boat for a 10 min boat ride to the resort. Our arrival at the St. Regis Bora Bora was unlike anything we had ever experienced, a row of hotel staff each one with a specific job to get you checked in and comfortable. Once checked in, our “butler” took us on a golf cart tour of the resort and property, ending at our room, a deluxe overwater bungalow. This bungalow was mind-blowing, glass bottom floors in each room, our own private deck with access right into the sparkling blue waters, a living room that was the size of a normal hotel room, bathroom with all the amenities and a view from our king size bed that was unbeatable.

The Private Lagoonarium at St. Regis, Bora Bora

Every night at 6pm a boat arrives at the resort to take you to the main land of Bora Bora if you want to dine or shop. The gourmet food at our resort was to die for, however the cuisine and atmosphere at the main island restaurants was remarkable. The St. Regis boasted the most wonderful natural lagoon for guests to snorkel and swim, snorkeling in the lagoon was our favorite thing to do, especially when the sea turtles were active and swimming around us. The Islands are known for their collection of black pearls, I of course had to do a bit of negotiating, but my husband finally gave in and we purchased a beautiful pair of black pearl earrings, STUNNING!

We rank The St. Regis Hotel as 10 out of 10. If we had it to do over again we would fly straight to the St. Regis and skip the other islands. However this was a very expensive hotel and the same one that is used for the movie Couples Retreat! It’s actually more beautiful than in the movie.

Leaving the French Polynesian Islands was bitter sweet, but my husband and I made memories there that will last a lifetime. It was truly the perfect paradise to start our new life together.

Rachel Garrett

Expertise: Experienced traveler with a young and fresh point of view if you are looking for the exotic and also southeast USA, especially Florida. She knows Florida inside-out!

Advice – Although traveling can be challenging on the details side, it’s a wonderful way to create memories and dreams.

Rachel has been to Mexico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Canada, Hawaii, Tahiti and hundreds of locations all over the US.

One of her favorite places is where she spent her honeymoon recently – the South Pacific/ French Polynesia. She has plenty of ideas for travelers looking for the same.

The South Pacific / French Polynesian Islands offer exotic, gorgeous settings that also are secluded and private, with a very rich and interesting history. Wonderful hotels she recommends are the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, and the Radisson Plaza Resort (Papeete) Tahiti.

In Florida, strong recommendations in Hollywood / Ft. Lauderdale for the Hard Rock hotel, the Bahia Mar, and even the more economical Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel.

Miami / South Beach recommendation is the Ritz. Same for Naples – the Ritz.

If you’re thinking South Carolina / Hilton Head, Rachel recommends the Villamare villas & condos.

If you’re headed to the Western US, she loves the Stanley hotel in Colorado, which is where the Shining movie was filmed.

In Mexico, she suggests the Marriott in Puerto Vallarta. Marriott for Toronto as well.

She’s been on Celebrity Cruises and loves cruising.

Other favorite places – Maui without a doubt, in part because it is exotic, romantic, beautiful and memorable – but also still USA and somewhat more accessible. She loves to tell people about Haleakal, or the East Maui Volcano, a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the island. In Maui, Rachel recommends Grand Wailea.

Another favorite is South Beach, Florida, and the Delano Hotel. It is the ultimate world-class urban resort and self-contained destination, a cool haven of relaxation in the middle of one of the world’s most vibrant communities…never a dull moment…sushi bar in lobby is awesome, nightlife is endless, alive at all hours.

Favorite thing to do when not traveling: Rachel likes to hang out with her husband and dogs and loves to shop, spend time with her mother and plan her next trip.

Rachel grew up moving about the US with her family, living in such states as Florida, Georgia and Michigan. She also toured many southeastern US states while playing soccer in high school and early college.

Rachel attended Brenau University in northern Georgia and ultimately took a different route. She graduated from William Beaumont Hospital’s Program of Radiologic Technology in Royal Oak, Michigan,

Rachel is an Interventional Radiology technologist with Beaumont Hospital.

When Rachel’s not working, she enjoys traveling with her husband, mother, family and friends.

Alexander T. Garrett

Alexander has been traveling to many US locations and many amazing locations around the world. He has been to Florida, California, New York, Las Vegas, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Canada, Tahiti, Mexico and Italy. His love for travel started at an early age and he continues to explore new destinations every year.

Alexander has been on numerous Royal Caribbean International cruises and has had the privilege of staying at some of the finest resorts in the world – the Ritz in South Beach, Naples, and Palm Beach; in Miami the Sanctuary and the Fairmont Turnberry Isle, and The Breakers Palm Beach.

His most memorable place was on his honeymoon at the St. Regis in Bora Bora. He also has wonderful childhood memories from living at The Wentworth by the Sea in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Alexander loves Las Vegas, is an expert regarding many hotels there and enjoys the Hard rock Hotel, Bahia Mar, Yankee Clipper& Ritz in Miami/Fort Lauderdale.

His travels also include visits to these lovely properties, St. Regis Bora / Bora, Moorea Pearl Moorea, Radisson Papeete, Marriott in Puerto Vallarta and Toronto, Grand Wailea in Maui, Celebrity cruise lines, The Stanley Hotel in Colorado, and Villamare in Hilton head

Alexander Garrett was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, and moved about the US until settling with his family in Rochester, Michigan. He received a BS in Business Administration from Oakland University works for Guardian Insurance Company in Michigan.