Must-see hotels in French Polynesia

  • Sunset Beach Motel

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    The location (on an expansive coconut plantation fronting the lagoon) alone would make this one of Ra’iatea’s best options, but the 22 bungalows – which…

  • Fare Pea Iti

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    This option offers lots of comfort and a beautiful, quiet, white-sand-beach setting with tons of individual attention and a low-key atmosphere. Bungalows…

  • Ninamu

    The Tuamotus

    Anchored on a private white- and pink-sand motu a 10-minute boat ride from the village, this Australian-run venture is the kind of haven stressed-out city…

  • Ariiheevai

    The Tuamotus

    This place is one of the best deals in the Tuamotus. Rates include daily activities and excursions (flower-garland making, picnics on a secluded islet,…

  • Sunset Hill Lodge

    Bora Bora

    Although the location, on the northern outskirts of Vaitape, about 8km away from Matira Beach, doesn't exactly scream 'vacation', this is a real find if…

  • Opoa Beach Hotel

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    This small resort with a boutique feel is one of Ra’iatea’s top hotels, and it’s easy to understand why. An effortless tropical charm pervades the…

  • Vanira Lodge

    Tahiti

    Our favourite pension in Tahiti, this place is up a steep driveway on a miniplateau with vast views of the lagoon, surf, village and myriad island colours…

  • Tifaifai Motu Mahare

    Huahine

    This retreat on a dreamy, coconut-clad, surf-lapped motu has two authentic Polynesian (think: rustic), sand-floored, thatched bungalows with bathrooms …

  • Raimiti

    Fakarava

    Travellers in search of romance enthuse about this Crusoe-chic and very isolated spot with only nine units: five rustic but tastefully decorated…

  • Havaiki Pearl Lodge

    Fakarava

    At the southern end of Rotoava, this petite resort-style venue is the fanciest option in the north of the atoll, with 10 small but immaculate bungalows…

  • Maupiti Résidence

    Maupiti

    The location, right on Tereia Beach, is to die for. While hardly glitzy, the two bungalows are spacious and serviceable, with a living room, two bedrooms,…

  • Maitai Lapita Village

    Huahine

    The Maitai isn't just another luxury resort. No overwater units here, but an array of creatively designed bungalows around a small lake complete with…

  • Résidence Linareva

    Mo'orea

    Résidence Linareva has a great reputation and features a cluster of well-furnished, self-contained bungalows in a lush garden by the lagoon. What's…

  • Chez Cécile

    Rangiroa

    This solid-value option is run by a charming Paumotu family who will go the extra mile to help travellers. It features nine spacious wood bungalows in a…

  • Tikehau Village

    The Tuamotus

    You can’t argue with the location. It’s right on the beach, so your biggest worry is tracking sand into your bungalow. Beautiful views are augmented by…

  • Temetiu Village

    Hiva Oa

    This well-run and friendly pension has four shiny-clean bungalows perched scenically on a lush hillside, each enjoying wraparound views of Tahauku Bay…

  • Maupiti Paradise

    Maupiti

    Here the setting is magical – the property opens onto the lagoon and the ocean, with both Bora Bora and the majestic silhouette of the main island in the…

  • Mitirapa Villa

    Tahiti

    Five mini-villas are spread over two waterfront locations: the first on the lagoon, with views over aqua water; and the second on Phaeton Bay with its…

  • Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

    Mo'orea

    Magnificently laid out with real style and class, the Hilton is one of Mo’orea’s best resorts. Of the 103 guest units, 54 are built over the water and…

  • Cocoperle Lodge

    The Tuamotus

    This haven of peace is set in a coconut plantation facing the lagoon and a lovely hoa (small channel). The six bungalows are made with local materials and…

  • Titaina

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    Near the end of the road north of Poutoru, this delightfully secluded retreat has three bungalows spread out on grassy grounds surrounded by blooming…

  • Les Relais de Josephine

    Rangiroa

    The setting of this very French interpretation of the Polynesian pension, right on the mythical Tiputa Pass, is arguably the prettiest on the atoll. The…

  • Pension Atger

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    Hooray for motu digs without the hefty price tag. This warm, family-run Polynesian retreat on Motu Toahotu has five clean, comfortable and large tiled en…

  • Club Bali Hai

    Mo'orea

    One of Mo’orea’s few midprice accommodation options, Club Bali Hai has a range of anonymous rooms in a two-storey, motel-like building as well as an…

  • Motu Iti

    Mo'orea

    This modest place is an acceptable standby for unfussy travellers. The five bungalows are tightly packed together on a small property overlooking the…

  • Chez Alice & Raphael

    Bora Bora

    Simple hedonists will be hard-pressed to find a mellower spot to maroon themselves for a languid holiday. On Motu Ome, two well-proportioned bungalows are…

  • Le Méridien Bora Bora

    Bora Bora

    While lavish, the Méridien offers affordable luxury in its 98 units, including 14 beach villas and 82 overwater bungalows. The motu is a stunner, with a…

  • Pension Fetia

    Huahine

    Isolated out on Motu Ovarei, this is a place for a back-to-nature escape. The wide white-sand beach ends at some interesting coral formations that extend…

  • Vahine Island Private Island Resort

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    The setting here, on a white-beach-clad motu with a stretch of manicured coconut palms and views of blue in all directions, can't be matched. This…

  • Tetamanu Village

    Fakarava

    This place is a real heartbreaker. It sits on a paradisiacal motu overlooking the stunning Tumakohua Pass, with exceptionally healthy coral reefs just…

  • Le Maitai Rangiroa

    Rangiroa

    Privacy is not Le Maitai's forte – the 34 few-frills, functional bungalows are tightly packed on a small property – but otherwise this low-key resort is…

  • Chez Lionel Cantois

    The Marquesas

    Basking in familial warmth, this pension at the far end of Omoa has an air of Little House on the Prairie. Lionel, who is from Normandy and who is a mine…

  • Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island

    Bora Bora

    One of Bora Bora's most popular honeymoon spots, this Sofitel strikes a perfect balance between luxury, seclusion, privacy (there are only 31 units) and…

  • La Pirogue Api

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    Recently relocated to a small and very private motu, the handful of massive bungalows here built from polished wood and thatch all have steps that lead…

  • Hee Tai Inn

    Nuku Hiva

    Hee Tai Inn has the eight tidiest rooms in town, all in a plain but comfortable motel-like building at the back of a garden teeming with endemic plants…

  • Pension Bonjouir

    Tahiti

    Bonjouir is a nature-lover’s paradise – it’s surrounded by walks to waterfalls, swimming holes and caves and fronted by the clear lagoon – but it’s far…

  • Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

    Bora Bora

    This wonderful place is unique among the Polynesian resorts, and since its opening in 2008, it has consistently impressed. Indeed, this is one of the few…

  • Vahaui Paradis

    Rangiroa

    Hats off to the owners: they dared build this venture directly on the ocean side of the atoll – a rarity in the Tuamotus. Pros: crashing waves, exposed…

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