Tahiti (French Polynesia) Luxury Expert

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Shannon Hanes, Travel Agent in Los Angeles, CA

Shannon Hanes

Los Angeles, CA Travel Agent
Super Agent

Shannon Hanes

Los Angeles, CA · 6 Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(83)
100% Recommended
Shannon planned our honeymoon to Greece and it could not have been any better! The trip was amazing, accommodations were perfect, and all transportation was on... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

French Polynesia, Bora Bora, Tahaa, Moorea Island, Rangiroa Atoll

Interests:

Couples & Romance, Honeymoons, Luxury Hotels, Bespoke Travel, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

Four Seasons, Marriott Hotels

About Me

Views from the Four Seasons Bora Bora!
Views from the Four Seasons Bora Bora!

There is everything to love about French Polynesia!  It's a short 7.5 hour flight from Los Angeles, Seattle or San Francisco. All flights go into the main airport of Papeete on the island of Tahiti.  Each island is different and has it's own charms.  The most visited islands are Bora Bora and Moorea within the Society chain.  Raitea, Taha'a and Huahine are less popular but no less amazing. I personally love Taha'a for it's laid back luxury and crystal clear waters.  It's a very authentic experience.  There are also outer islands to visit such as Rangiroa, Tikehau and more.  For high luxury, there is the Brando, built on Marlon Brando's prior private island Tetiaroa.  If you prefer to spend your time out on the water, there are yacht and sailboats charters along with Paul Gauguin and Windstar cruises. 

French Polynesia offers something for everyone.  From high luxury resorts like the Four Seasons, St. Regis and Brando, to the Sofitel and Hilton properties in Moorea to villa rentals and yacht charters.  The main islands in the Society chain all have lagoons enclosed by coral reef.  The lagoons offer calm, clear and warm water.  In many locations, the water is only knee to waist high and generally about 80 degrees.  You will see an abundance of fish along with rays in the areas with coral.  I've sat in the water with a mask on with approved fish food and been swarmed with beautiful multi-colored fish.  

The days are warm and clear.  Don't forget to star gaze at night, it's usually clear and can be quite amazing.  

Then there is the food, a mix of Polynesian, Asian and French. This means you'll get very fresh dishes with flavors of vanilla and coconut or locally caught fish.  You have to try the Poisson Cru which is similar to Ceviche.  Save room for dessert as the French love of pastries is quite evident. 

I'd suggest an over water bungalow although many resorts have really nice beach front rooms.  On most islands and at most hotels, the rooms are all separate fare (villas). There are a lot of water and land activities depending on the island from ATV and jet ski tours to diving and pearl farms. The pearls are stunning! 

French Polynesia is a dream come true.  I've been there over 7 times and I can help you craft your dream trip. It really is like no where else in the world. 

 

 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
83 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 83 reviews

Best trip ever!!
Reviewed By Casey - Charleston, SC | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
Shannon planned our honeymoon to Greece and it could not have been any better! The trip was amazing, accommodations were perfect, and all transportation was on time and efficient. Shannon is great and we will definitely be using her again!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Bora Bora done right!
Reviewed By Brian - Los Angeles, CA | Traveled to Bora Bora ~ French Polynesia ~ South Pacific
Worked with Shannon for over 9 months on my birthday trip to Bora Bora. We had to reschedule a few times due to issues with entry into the country. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip as everything was planned and executed flawlessly. Shannon gave us all of the details we needed to understand the very strict entry rules into Tahiti. They even changed a week before our trip and she was on the phone to us explaining the details. We were prepared and noticed many travelers were not. We even gave some travelers advice she had passed onto us to assist them in their journey. We can't wait for our next trip which we are already planning with Shannon for fall.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The perfect honeymoon planned!
Reviewed By Tara S - Rye, NY | Traveled to Kauai Island ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Shannon was an amazing help from the very start of planning our honeymoon! We had the most amazing time In Kauai and we look forward to going back one day. The resort was stunning and we stayed in the most perfect location. We wouldn’t have been able to plan such a great trip without her assistance. I would definitely recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
8 of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Roman holiday of our dreams
Reviewed By Angie C - Thousand Oaks, California | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Shannon’s help in planning our trip to Italy was invaluable. We had never travelled abroad, so her assistance in selecting not only the places to visit, but general advice regarding travel logistics (ordering/taking Euros, time to allow for layovers, electrical adaptors to purchase, etc) was especially helpful. Shannon helped us to locate lodging which met our needs and preferences, and book tours which aligned with my family’s interests. We especially appreciated the digital itinerary Shannon prepared for us which had all our flight, train, lodging and tour confirmations (along with maps/direction) in one place - we referred to it constantly throughout our trip. Everything went according to plan and we treasure the lifelong memories of Rome, Florence, and Cinque Terre we created for our family. Thank you for your help Shannon - we are already looking forward to planning our next trip with you!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Use for your Honeymoon!
Reviewed By Cdey - Philadelphia, PA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Shannon was great planning our honeymoon to Italy. She checked in with us whenever she was booking something and kept our budget in mind the whole planning process. Even when there were some transportation issues in Italy she was quick to answer and make sure the problem was solved.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
The Luxury Leaders Alliance is a unique networking environment for a carefully selected group of luxury advisors that have common experience, skills and mindset. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and educational opportunities, these elite advisors are empowered to provide sophisticated, personalized experiences to luxury travelers.
The Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Leaders Alliance is a network of carefully selected travel advisors who excel in destination wedding and honeymoon travel planning. These elite advisors provide sophisticated, personalized experiences in the most desirable destinations and venues to discerning honeymoon and destination wedding travelers.
Certified Level 3 Tahiti Tourisme Specialist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

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