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This post is about the “Classic Bungalow” room type at the Le Meridien Bora Bora that I want to clear up some confusions based on how Marriott Bonvoy is advertising it.
Classic Bungalow is the least expensive room type at the Le Meridien resort in Bora Bora. It’s also the standard award room type that you can book 100% using Marriott Bonvoy points without any cash upgrade.
For more information on all things about booking Le Meridien Bora Bora on points, you can check out this post.
Bora Bora is an expensive destination! While it’s true that you should make the best out of your vacation when you fly that far to such a remote and exotic place, being able to pay less for a room that’s still “overwater” can offer significant savings to some people, especially when everything including food and drinks are outrageously expensive at the resort. For points travelers, you can use 100% Marriott Bonvoy points to book into one of these classic bungalows without any cash. Those nicer true overwater bungalows requires points and cash upgrade.
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| Photo Credit: Classic Bungalow at Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort |
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Classic Bungalow at Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort
According to Marriott Bonvoy website, the cheapest standard room type at the Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort is the Classic Bungalow with a resort view. Classic, Bungalow, 1 King, Sofa bed, Resort view. When we go directly to the resort’s website and check out the description of the room, it states the following:
Located at the beginning of the pontoon, this exquisite bungalow with no direct access to the water offers great views over the main island of Bora Bora and the lagoon.
The above description is somewhat misleading. At the end of our 5-nights stay at the resort, we kindly asked the receptionist girl to show us those classic bungalow rooms as we are very much interested in booking into that room type because we can use Marriott points to book without any cash upgrade. They are actually “overwater” room type as well and there are only 2 available bungalows that are classified as “Classic” at the resort. Therefore, if your search result does not show that room type, chances are they are already taken. Although those rooms are overwater, they do not have direct water access. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Classic Bungalow Right on the Pontoon
When you walk along the pontoon towards the lagoon water, on the right hand side is the classic bungalow #1.
The bungalow is a pretty good size bungalow and it has the same amenities as those more expensive true Overwater Bungalows. However, this bungalow does not have the glass bottom floor in the living area, and the most disappointing part is that, although it has a sundeck over the crystal blue water, it does not have stairs that provides direct access to the lagoon from the sundeck. See the photo below.
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| Le Meridien Bora Bora Classic Bungalow Photo Credit: Points Life |
Classic Bungalow Left on the Pontoon
On the opposite side of the classic bungalow #1 is the classic bungalow #2.
This bungalow has pretty much the same amenities as those more expensive true Overwater Bungalows. While similar to the other classic bungalow, this one also does not have the glass bottom floor. However, it does have a sundeck over the lagoon water and stairs that offers access to the lagoon. The only downside is that, the stairs is build on the rock, so guests have to step on the rock first to get into the water. Truthfully, that’s not the end of the world. See the photo below.
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| Le Meridien Bora Bora Classic Bungalow Photo Credit: Points Life |
Which Classic Bungalow at Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort to Choose?
Between the two classic bungalows describe above, we’d pick the 2nd bungalow because it has stairs that offers access to the lagoon from the sundeck. Although these bungalows are not 100% true Overwater Bungalows that has direct access to the water, the room layout and design are very much identical to those true overwater bungalows, minus the glass bottom floor.
Bora Bora is an expensive destination! While it’s true that you should make the best out of your vacation when you fly that far to such a remote and exotic place, being able to pay less for a room that’s still “overwater” can offer significant savings to some people, especially when everything including food and drinks are outrageously expensive at the resort. For points travelers, you can use 100% Marriott Bonvoy points to book into one of these classic bungalows without any cash. Those nicer true overwater bungalows requires points and cash upgrade.
There’s one more thing that I want to say before wrapping this post up. Keep in mind that if you have elite status with Marriott Bonvoy program, there’s a very high chance that you will be complimentary upgraded to at least the next level up overwater bungalow room type that offers a true direct access to the lagoon water. Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort has a tons of those overwater bungalows, and if you go there during off-peak time, you are highly likely getting an upgrade.
When we can go back to Le Meridien Bora Bora, we’ll book into one of those classic bungalows and request a complimentary upgrade with the resort.
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