Vacation Rentals by Owner

OUTSTANDING OVER THE WATER BUNGALOW - PERFECT WAY TO START ANNIVERSARY TRIP

Guest: Alan & Sonja (Houston, Tx., USA)
Date of Stay: 05/05/12 Review Submitted: 05/11/12

My wife Sonja and I are spending a month in French Polynesia to celebrate our 12 wedding anniversary. We are off to a perfect start with a week in Richard Holland's Black Pearl bungalow. This is our first trip to these islands. Planning started almost a year ago, and Richard was totally helpful from the beginning. He not only helped us plan our trip, but gave many valuable contacts locally, such as restaurants, a pearl shop owner, a car rental suggestion, and a local tour operator/friend. It seems that most people on the island know Richard. The bungalow itself was everything the vbro ad suggests. It is very spacious, the a/c works great, as do all the appliances/electronics/wi-fi, etc. Great deck to sit, read, feel the breezes, and watch the kayaks and other boats go by. Also, a lower dive platform with a ladder for easy access to the sea. He also provides snorkel gear and two very nice kayaks. We have rented vbro properties globally for a dozen years and I find the Black Pearl to be one of the best values for the money that we have experienced! Highly recommend for couples of any age. P.S. the rental auto with a/c from Nir was also nice and a better value than my corporate Avis rate. Keeping the car for the full week is advisable.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Black Pearl Paradise

Guest: Sea Rancher (The Sea Ranch, California)
Date of Stay: 03/21/12 Review Submitted: 04/10/12

This is an amazing home—very well-appointed and comfortable, with a spectacular setting surrounded by turquoise water! Nir was the perfect attentive manager and we agree with the other reviewers re: how smooth and wonderful this experience was. We cooked in each night, since the home is located on the opposite end of the island from the restaurants, but that was our preference anyway, as we loved the well equipped kitchen and great barbecue. While we loved seeing the gorgeous fish right off the deck, as well as watching the canoe races, we only snorkeled off the deck once, as the stairs were a little difficult to maneuver. However, we adored Matira beach and it was worth the 20-minute drive each day to be able to swim forever in what seemed like a giant aquarium—this is an amazing beach that is often deserted except for cruise ship days. We had the beach almost to ourselves for 6 of the 7 days. We highly recommend a new restaurant on the marina at the Top Dive shop—called Mai Kai. It is right on the marina, with views of the cruise ships; food is fantastic and what makes it extra special is that the menu is the same for lunch and dinner, unlike other places that have only a few offerings at lunch. We appreciated getting the feel of the island, shopping for groceries with the locals, walking past the homes during our daily hour walk along the road, waving to school children on the buses, making peace with all the dogs, and feeding a few kittens who waited for us each day. Only negatives were the occasional road noise at night, and the unfortunate daily construction noise from the condo being built across the street. Regardless, we left with many beautiful pictures and fond memories.

Owner response:Dear Eric and Judy! Thank you for the wonderful review. We do our very best to make things as easy as possible. It sounds like you took full advantage of the unique experience of staying in a private Over water home. I love barbecuing and eating on the lanai while the sun sets and the sound of the water beneath my feet. The Mai Kai is a great restaurant and only about seven minutes by car. I love Matira Beach as well, but actually prefer just laying on the lower boat dock and falling into the lagoon whenever I the mood strikes me. I hope you will return someday soon. Many thanks and warm regards! Richard

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Lovely Home in the Tropics

Guest: Lynn (Woodinville, Washington)
Date of Stay: 03/05/12 Review Submitted: 03/17/12

We stayed 5 nights. Firstly I want to say the house actually exists and the man who meets you actually comes. We were a bit worried having paid by check in full and never given an actual address but we had talked to the owner on the phone and exchanged emails with the very pleasant and helpful manager several times. My advice is to rent the car the manager provides or another. The house is on the north end of the island away from any restaurant or grocery store. There are some nice corals and fish off the back porch but the best snorkeling is either across the bay or on the south end of the lagoon a boat ride away. We went on a small snorkel tour with 6 others and they picked us up from our dock, very cool. Highly recommend that and also the lady who comes to the house for massages on the back porch with the water lapping, heavenly. Free Wifi was very nice, bring your laptop. Grocery shopping is an experience, eggs are delish!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Paradise is the only way to describe the Black Pearl

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 02/05/12

Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful home in Bora Bora. Each morning we had coffee on the lanai and feed the fish bread from the local store. The water was so very clear. During our waking hours we spent 90% of our time outside on the lanai reading books, laying in the sun, and watching the natives go by on their kayaks. We especially enjoyed the BBQ as we used it every night. Our "entertainment" at night was to lay outside on the lanai and watch the stars. We have never seen such incredible stars in our entire life. We found the Black Pearl to be exactly as described on your listing and especially liked the oversized bathroom. We highly recommend the Black Pearl for folks that simply want to hang out, kick back, and can easily entertain themselves. We will never forget our 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration at the Black Pearl. Thank you again so very much. All the best to you!

Recommended for:Age 55+

Canuck in Bora Bora

Guest: robert (winnipeg canada)
Date of Stay: 01/08/12 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

Just the above picture should put this on your bucket list as it was on ours. We considered going to the VERY HIGH END hotels and we did visit them so believe me when I say we made the right choice. The high end has all the restaurants and toys but nothing close to the ambience or privacy of your own bungalow. We started with four days of rain..... who knew January is rainy season in Bora Bora. But we came from twenty below and snow so suck it up. The TV may not have worked but if you need TV in paradise then go to Mexico. I thought because it is such a small island that we could walk every where. The Black Pearl is on the opposite end of the island to most amenities which is both its beauty and charm. For what you are saving, rent a car from Nir or rent a bike but don't bike at night ! Four miles toward town is a good dive shop and a new excellent french restaurant. There are two dives on this island on a shark feed dive ( big lemon sharks) and a mantra ray dive site. Both produce what they advertise. The coral is poor and the clarity of the water is average so two dives and your done but next time I will take an underwater video camera. Richard is more than helpful and very quick in responding to questions. You walk in and you know you are visiting someones home. If spending time in a home on the water in a very exotic location with great sunsets and ocean breezes at night then consider the long flight to Bora Bora. I most definitely would recommend this to friends and I already have. It was a very good friend that told me about the Black Pearl.... we still are good friends. We got caught with having to spend a day on the island between check out and our flight home. We went to the Sofitell Hotel and spent the day on their beach and restaurant which was a great way to say good bye. Would I go again..... there are too many things left in the bucket list, but never say never.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind words. I' m so glad you enjoyed your stay and That I could help you fill up that bucket list! Hope you can make it back when it's full! Warm regards, Richard

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Black Pearl Magic

Guest: Matt (Whistler BC Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/05/11 Review Submitted: 09/26/11

We just spent the first week of our honeymoon at the Black Pearl. Very nicely appointed, clean, and inviting. The pictures on the website don't even come close to how beautiful a spot it really is. We really enjoyed having our own kitchen and BBQ to prepare meals and the car was an absolute must to have. Nir, the property manager, was there to pick us up and drop us off at the ferry to/from the airport and was super helpful and friendly. Day trips over to the motu's and ritzy resorts are fun, however $30 margaritas would get old and expensive if you stayed there for a week. Private accommodation is the way to go for sure. Richard was very easy to work with and made our stay that much more relaxing. Dinner at the Villa Mahana will cost you a month's pay cheque, but not to be missed, absolutely excellent. Bloody Mary's was fun but the food wasn't great. Swimming with the reef sharks and sting rays is a must. Thank you Richard for making our honeymoon extra special! Matt & Courtney Whistler BC Canada

Owner response:Dear Matt and Courtney, I am so happy you enjoyed The Black Pearl and Bora Bora. It is such a pleasure for me to share this magical place and introduce the paradise that is French Polynesia to new converts! I hope you can come back again someday. Many thanks for the kind review. Best regards, Richard

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Paradise

Guest: Rena (Lindale, TX)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

My husband and I are currently staying at the Black Pearl and we love it! Our favorite thing to do is wake up each morning and look over the balcony to see what kinds of fish and stingrays are below. Renting a car is helpful since it is located away from the restraunts and stores but Nir helped us out with a rental car and also helped set up what we want to do. Food is a little pricey and like one of the previous posts says, you definately want to buy extra bread to feed the fish. Having internet has been helpful to keep in touch with home. The bathroom is very nice with a rain showerhead and all the nice tile. All in all we are very satisfied with everything. Thanks Richard and Seiko for sharing your little bit of paradise with us! Stephen and Rena

Owner response:Hi Stephen and Rena! I am so glad you are enjoying yourselves. Many thanks for your kind words. Warm regards, Richard

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Paradise and more

Guest: Nancy D. (Arizona)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 06/08/11

We absolutely loved the Black Pearl. What a beautiful place. Exceeded our expectations. Richard was so easy to work with and Nir was most helpful. Everything was clean and comfortable, well appointed and modern. The bathroom was gorgeous. Need I say anything about the view. Look at the pictures. They speak for themselves. Thank you for a great experience from beginning to end. Highly recommend.

Owner response:Ia orana Nancy! Many thanks for your kind words. We are so proud of our beautiful bungalow and strive to give our clients the very best. I am very happy that you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again. Warm regards, Richard

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our stay in paradise!

Guest: Paradise Lover (KS)
Date of Stay: 04/10/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

We stayed in this house in the Spring of 2011. Every detail was fabulous. We enjoyed our trip so much. The house was well maintained and exactly like the listing. Highly recommend staying here. It is a very different experience than an impersonal hotel.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Black Pearl is Heaven

Guest: JPP (Bora Bora)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11 Review Submitted: 05/10/11

Michelle and I spent two amazing weeks at the Black Pearl. The home is beautiful, clean and most relaxing. Of all the beach destination we have been to, this is by far the best. We enjoyed how quiet the home and the area is. Every day, we would snorkel right off the dock. We easily drove to restaurants and shopping (rented car). You will have the vacation of a life time if you stay here. JP Parenty - Canada

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Top Rate Experience

Guest: Jim and Diana Wort (Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 12/23/10 Review Submitted: 06/13/11

My wife and I celebrated our thirtieth anniversary at the Black Pearl, and it fulfilled all our expectations. The bungalow is well built, well appointed, and does not have any of the usual tropical rot odours. The location on the quiet side of the island was appreciated by us - we'd much rather rub shoulders with the locals than be stuck in a resort! Kitchen excellent, bathroom excellent. Guests should expect to spend more money on bread for the fish off the deck than for bread for themselves... Richard and Nir were both very responsive and pleasant to deal with. We'd both happily stay here again, though perhaps choosing another month than December to avoid the strong winds and rainstorms.

Owner response:Dear Jim and Diana, Thank you so much. I am very happy that you are keeping our fish well fed! December can be rainy or dry, I'm sorry it wasn't sunny all the time for you. I hope to see you again sometime soon. Warm regards, Richard

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Beautiful place,room for improvement

Guest: traveller (Victoria Bc)
Date of Stay: 10/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

This was a beautiful place where we spent our honeymoon.Overall,our experience was good,however I don't mean to be a downer but I have to say my expectations were higher given the price.I will focus first on the positives:The condo itself was beautiful.Private and the deck to the ocean was amazing.It was great to jump in the ocean every day at 7 am.The water was beautiful and clear and I really miss it!!We barely had a day of rain although we were there in the rainy season.When it did rain,we still swam which was also pretty cool.We spent alot of time snorkelling swimming,a bit of kayaking.We went on a tour with Nono tours and THAT was amazing.Had a picnic on a motu.The condo had a great kitchen fully equipped and the barbq was great.Groceries were reasonable provided you didn't buy american name brand stuff.Alcohol is pricey but you can still get a bottle of wine for 12USD or so. The bedroom was well situated and the bathroom was amazing.Beautiful rain shower,plenty of hot water and full bath.Beautifully tiled and designed. Let me say that I've worked in 5 star resorts for the past 6 years or so and in service for the past 20,so perhaps my idea of 5 star is pretty high.I worked for a period at the 4 seasons and the 5 star standard is very strict. The biggest problem that we had was that the bed was too hard for us.I realize this is a matter of preference.The way this could be resolved would be to have a pillowtop mattress topper available and determine from the guest upon deposit whether they like a firm ,medium or soft mattress.Have what they like set up upon arrival.Next,the linens should be 300 thread count cotton and soft for what the nightly rental goes for.Instead they were scratchy and thick and didn't fit the bed properly.During the whole 21 days of our we were only offered a change of linens once.To be fair we only asked once but the ones we were given didn't fit properly nor did the ones in the drawer and they were all mediocre quality.The towels didn't get replenished either.The way to resolve this would be to offer weekly maid service if the client wants it and change sheets at that time . The wifi didn't work with the blackberry we had.The Dvd player was great but the dvds there wouldn't work if they were US.THe brochure book was outdated and needed to be updated.These improvements would make a 5 star experience.Currently you get the feeling that its passive income for little effort.If that's not intended,the energy to fix these is needed

Owner response:We appreciate ever one of our clients individual needs, but unfortunately we can't satisfy all of them. Our clients have always been happy with our bungalow (Please read other comments) and we feel we do everything we can to make their trip an enjoyable one. We are not a hotel, we are a private home. The Black Pearl is our home when we are in Bora Bora and we consider it to be of the finest quality. We appreciate the suggestions and will certainly take them under consideration.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Two Weeks in Paradise

Guest: Natalie (Northern California)
Date of Stay: 10/11/10 Review Submitted: 11/22/10

This was without a doubt the best choice ever for our 15th Wedding Anniversary getaway. The house had everything we needed, and then some!! Our vacation was in early to mid October and the weather was perfect for enjoying Bar-B-que'd dinners on the covered back deck at sunset, and watching the beautifully colored fish in the clear waters of the lagoon. This was our first time using HomeAway, and I was a little nervous at first, but the Owner was so very wonderful to work with and quickly made me completely comfortable with our transaction, and I extend such gratitude to them for sharing their beautiful home with us and others. We enjoyed a 4x4 Safari excursion, and going to the famous Bloody Mary's restaurant, but most of all we enjoyed the time spend relaxing on the beach in the 82-86 degree weather and in the warm tropical waters of the beautiful Tahitian Islands.

Owner response:Dear Natalie, We our so very happy that you enjoyed your time in our bungalow. We take great pride in offering our guests the most comfortable environment for their stay in paradise at the very best price on the island. Bora Bora is our home away from home and we want our clients to feel the same way. Thank you for your kind words.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Beautiful Bora Bora Bungalow

Guest: Hank & Cheryl (Eureka Ca USA)
Date of Stay: 09/11/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

We just came back from a wonderful week on Bora Bora. The bungalow was just as promised. Nice kitchen area -king size bed -big walk in shower. Wifi for those who just can't get away from it all. We spent our time swimming off the deck and relaxing on the lanai. We took the day long snorkeling trip arranged by local contact Nir (who was very helpful) and saw sharks, fed stingrays, and floated among thousands of tropical fish. We also took in a show at one of the hotels. It was good to have a car- we went to the bakery every day for fresh croissants . Food was expensive. Expect to pay $2,75 for a can of beer - a sobering experience. Local fish is available at nearby markets -Mahi Mahi, tuna, etc. Barbeque works great. Vaitape is a cute little town but the sidewalks roll up at 6pm. We suggest you buy a bottle of scotch from the duty free shop on your way over and spend your time playing Rummykub on the lanai. It's only a 7 1/2 hour flight from LA to Tahiti and 40 minutes to Bora Bora.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

25th Anniversary Paradise!

Guest: Clay & Janet (Tega Cay, SC)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

We had the best time at The Black Pearl! Our week was filled with snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, touring the island and relaxation beyond description. The bungalow was amazing with all the amentities plus more. We enjoyed many hours on the porch enjoying the breeze, the view, kayakers and boaters that passed. The reef just outside the house was like an outdoor aquarium with many hours of entertainment. The kayak and snorkeling gear available was such a pleasure. We did not have to go far for lots of fun. The local grocery was stocked with plenty of fresh food so we were able to cook most of our meals on the grill provided. Our tour guide Nir was available for any questions and recommendations. Patrick provided an adventuresome tour by boat where we experienced swimming with sharks, feeding rays, snorkeling along the most beautiful coral reef and the scenic view. We also enjoyed an internet cafe about 5 miles away which allowed us to keep in touch with our children while away. I would recommend Black Pearl to anyone looking for a romantic getaway. There is much privacy available in this spot. It was the trip of a lifetime! Many thanks to Richard for sharing this beautiful slice of paradise! We hope to return some day.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our 25th Anniversary in Paradise

Guest: Clay & Janet (Tega Cay,SC USA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

We had the best time at The Black Pearl! Our week was filled with snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, touring the island and relaxation beyond description. The bungalow was amazing with all the amentities plus more. We enjoyed many hours on the porch enjoying the breeze, the view, kayakers and boaters that passed. The reef just outside the house was like an outdoor aquarium with many hours of entertainment. The kayak and snorkeling gear available was such a pleasure. We did not have to go far for lots of fun. The local grocery was stocked with plenty of fresh food so we were able to cook most of our meals on the grill provided. Our tour guide Nir was available for any questions and recommendations. Patrick provided an adventuresome tour by boat where we experienced swimming with sharks, feeding rays, snorkeling along the most beautiful coral reef and the scenic view. We also enjoyed an internet cafe about 5 miles away which allowed us to keep in touch with our children while away. I would recommend Black Pearl to anyone looking for a romantic getaway. There is much privacy available in this spot. It was the trip of a lifetime! Many thanks to Richard for sharing this beautiful slice of paradise! We hope to return some day.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Quiet Place in Paradise

Guest: Ed n Ann (San Clemente CA USA)
Date of Stay: 06/07/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

We stayed at the Black Pearl for 18 days in June 2009 and it wasn't enough time to enjoy the location, bungalow, and amenities. Pictures do not do justice to it and all the amenities were in excellent condition. You cannot ask for a more beatiful and peaceful place to enjoy the beauty of Bora Bora. The owner and on-site manager provided great service. The bikes provided were great to use but we recomend the very cheap (for Bora Bora) car rental from the Manager for extended stays (the location is about 3+ miles from other Hotels, Restaurants, Stores, etc, which is a great feature since it insures total peace and quiet). All the amenities were either new or in great condition. We never needed to use the Air Conditioner since the lagoon breezes and over-head fan provided all the cooling that was necessary. We prepared most of our meals from food bought at the local market in the fully equipped kitchen or new BBQ and ate them all on the deck. It was great to take a few steps from your bed or living room and dive into the warm peaceful waters of the lagoon. We will return and recommend, without reservation, this place to all our family and friends

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

The Best Vacation Rental Ever

Guest: Nirali (New York, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/06/09 Review Submitted: 06/11/10

My husband and I rented this overwater bunglow last summer for our honeymoon and we loveeed it. The owner Nir was terrific and very helpful. He even took us to his home and showed us around a few places...and I think he was the only person on the island who watched Indian movies hahaha...so we shared some movies too. The bunglow itself is amazing. It gives the best view of the sunset and the deck is great for eating outside while you watch the sunset. For those who snorkel...there were very unique fishes just under the bunglow but we just fed them...we didn't go snorkeling. The pictures on the website dont even come close to how great the place was...it was better then described. It was very clean, well maintained...the kitchen worked great for us since we were vegetarians and didnt have alot of options to eat out so we cooked at home. We absolutely loved it and would recommend it for couples or families looking to stay at a wonderful place.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

beautiful bungalow!

Guest: Sandy & Steve (Brockport,ny USA)
Date of Stay: 02/25/09 Review Submitted: 03/12/09

We stayed at the Black Pearl Feb.2009 for 10 days.What a fabulous place! The bungalow was gorgeous,and exceptionally clean. pictures do it no justice! It was so nice to swim and snorkel right off your own deck. We will definitely be back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

our stay in August 2008

Guest: Bea & Sash (Switzerland)
Date of Stay: 08/20/08 Review Submitted: 10/06/08

We had a wonderful time in the Black Pearl. We were positively surprised when we saw that it looks even better than on the photos. The bungalow is a dream come true. The terrace is awesome, overlooking the lagoon and you just want to keep on watching what is going on over and under the water ;-) If you are looking for relax away from the big resorts on Bora Bora this is the perfect place to go. We hope to come back one day! Beatriz & Sash

Owner response:Dear Beatriz and Sash, I am so happy that you enjoyed your stay at the Black Pearl. It really is a special place. I hope you will always remember our little piece of paradise and hopefully come back soon. Many thanks and warm regards, Richard and Seiko

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Ideal Honeymoon

Guest: Romance seekers (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/23/06 Review Submitted: 12/01/09

We honeymooned at Black Pearl in July 2006 - we are still raving about our hidden paradise. It was so nice NOT to be in a built up tourist trap. Everything we needed was there and we spent blissful hours on the terrace and floating in our own piece of Bora Bora. Tours will pick you up on the water from your own dock. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for those who want a romantic getaway without the cliche. We hope to return.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway