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Frequently Asked Questions About Tahiti
What is the best area to stay in Tahiti?
Papeete, the capital city of French Polynesia, is one of the best places to stay in Tahiti, as it has many attractions and it offers easy access to other parts of the island. The city also has some great hotels such as Hanikea.
Which island is best in Tahiti?
Moorea Island is one of the best islands in Tahiti. Its a stunning place filled with lagoons scenic hiking trails, and it also has many unique hotels such as Sofitel Kia Ora.
Which is better: Bora Bora or Tahiti?
Tahiti is a more urbanized island, and it offers excellent shopping areas, nightlife, cultural events, and unique outdoor activities. Bora Bora is a more intimate and high-end island that is built up a lot for tourism.
Is it expensive to stay in Tahiti?
Tahiti and the islands around can be the most expensive destinations globally. However, there are ways to travel on a budget if you choose cheaper accommodation and limit your expenses.
What are the best hotels with overwater bungalows in Tahiti?
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Te Moana are some of the best overwater bungalows in Tahiti. Both offer incredible services and have excellent reviews.
What are the best hotels in Papeete?
Hanikea and Fare Suisse are the best hotels to stay in Papeete, the capital city of French Polynesia. The hotels offer all the facilities you need and have great reviews.
Such a magical place! I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Secluded Resort In Tahiti Iti: A Pueu Village
Kick back and relax on this exclusive resort on the Tahitian coast. Its not surrounded by any towns, so youll get to enjoy some true peace and quiet away from the rest of the world. Dont worry too much about feeling lonely, though. Its actually a small village in its own right, with plenty of opportunities to mingle with other guests.
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West Tahiti Nui For Families
For those planning a family trip to Tahiti, Ive found an area that will suit you perfectly. The West Coast of the main island is fabulous for you and the kids as its only 5 miles away from downtown Papeete.
The West Coast wont be as busy as Papeete, which is great, because lets face it, traveling with the children in an area full of crowds can be super tricky. Plus youll be close enough to the airport so you wont have to go through a super long trip to get to your accommodation.
Apart from the beaches and stunning lagoons, youll also find plenty of other attractions like sea parks. I think the best way to get a feel of this part of the main island is to rent a car so you can get around easily. Or you can just chill on the beaches for as long as you want, swimming, playing with the kids, enjoying the good life!
The West Coast offers a wide variety of hotels and resorts, from luxury and budget and also many restaurants and bars. Still, you can always head to the capital if you need any other amenities.
Linareva Beach Resort |
Best Hotels In Tahiti The Top

- Emily Appelbaum
Go on the ultimate island escape as you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime in the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.
Book a room at a stunning accommodation featuring various amenities, like guest rooms with captivating Pacific Ocean views, beachfront tiki bars, tropical gardens, turquoise pools, glamorous suites, and more.
It offers the perfect lodging facility for romantic retreats, destination weddings, a trip with friends, family vacations, and the like.
I understand how planning and deciding can be overwhelming and time-consuming, which is why I made a list of the best hotels in Tahiti.
Let me help make your dream getaway a reality as you read through the list below!
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Marina Of Papeete & Paofais Garden
Take the scenic route towards downtown and walk along the stunning Papeete waterfront. The perfect way to stretch your legs after a long flight or get some exercise in the morning.
At the waterfront, you will find the Marina of Papeete and the beautiful Paofais Garden. Numerous sailboats, large pontoons, and gorgeous yachts are all docked along the port. Enjoy a peaceful walk while you take in all of the splendid views.
Things To See And Do In Tahiti Iti:
- Take a self-guided food tour around the area. Each town has at least one restaurant, café or patisserie offering something unique.
- Grotte Vaipori is pretty hard to get to , but its well worth the trip for stunning photos.
- Visit Tautira a small town offering unique insight into local life as well as some attractions about ecological measures on the island.
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Where Are The Best Pensions Located
If youre looking for accommodation thats not too far from the airport, there are a few Tahiti pensions that offer cosy, intimate lodging and some come with a handy kitchenette, including Pension de la Plage and Pension Relais Fenua.
On the island of Fakarava youll find pensions are almost the only type of accommodation available, promising a really authentic stay and a great opportunity to meet locals, practice your French and begin to experience what life is like as an islander – try the Pension Havaiki.
The islands of Raiatea and Tahaa are home to some luxurious pensions which are at the top end of the pension style accommodation. If youre looking for that rustic charm but with a little more comfort, then consider adding a stay in Tahaa into your itinerary. In Taha’a, head to the Fare Pea Iti for striking views over Bora Bora from the comfort of an authentic little pension, or the beautiful, boutique Le Taha’a.
Think 3 course dinner with candlelight and local décor adorning the walls this kind of accommodation makes for a lovely honeymoon if youre keen on French Polynesia, looking for somewhere secluded where you can have the place to yourselves or cant justify the prices of Moorea or Bora Bora.
All of the pensions can organise local activities for you and will also provide bicycles and snorkelling gear, and they may include non-motorised water sports equipment like kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Roulettes In Downtown Papeete
I do not want you to miss out on this during your stay in Papeete! If you have time before your flight, stopping by Place Vaiete is one of the best things to do in Papeete, Tahiti. Located at the waterfront in you will find roulettes, which are food trucks.
They serve a variety of cuisines for a reasonable price and have outdoor seating with an incredible view. What more could you ask for?
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Convenience Of Staying In Hotels Downtown
If you’re planning your first trip, there are plenty of downtown hotels such as Mahana Lodge Hostel & Backpacker or Pension Ahitea Lodge in Papeete to put you in the heart of the action. An option near the city center is Residence Tehiva next to Place du 02 juillet 1966.
Consider staying at Hotel Tiare Tahiti, where you’ll be within 5 minutes’ walking distance of Place du 02 juillet 1966. If you want to stroll around the city of Papeete , opt for Hotel Sarah Nui, which is situated in close proximity to Fresque de Jops.
Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
Accommodation: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa features the world’s first overwater glass floor wedding chapel and sits on its own islet of Motu Piti Aau. This world-class resort offers spectacular mountain and lagoon views from its spacious overwater villas. The villas have child safety features, and guests can take advantage of a Nanny Service and Kids Program.
The centerpiece is the Deep Ocean Spa, and the resort comes with three restaurants and a saltwater pool. Fill your vacationing days canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling in the warm tropical waters. Regular boat transfers to the main island are provided to the sister property of InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana.
Address: Motu Piti Aau, 98730, French Polynesia
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The Best Hotels In Papeete According To Travellers
Rated by travellers, for travellers like you. We don’t just pull in the cheapest hotel prices from across the internet. We also gather independent reviews and ratings from thousands of guests, to help you make the right choice.
Travellers who recently visited Papeete rated , , and the best in terms of location, amenities and customer service.
Looking for that extra special stay? You can also use dozens more filters to find hotels with swimming pools, bars, restaurants and more.
Bonus: Best Bungalow Hotels In Tahiti

When you say Tahiti, the first thing that comes to my mind is the incredible scenery and the overwater bungalows! The bungalow was invented in French Polynesia, and its very encountered on the other islands in French Polynesia, like the Gambier Islands and Tuamotu Islands.
These accommodations are so dreamy, and Im sure many of you will want to stay in one, so Ive thought of making a list of the best bungalows, to help you out! All the accommodations below are luxury with prices from US$250 US$600:
Lets check them out:
- Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort Take a yoga class to enjoy late nights on the beach while drinking a cocktail at this luxurious hotel on Moorea Island! Each bungalow has a private balcony or a terrace, and some even offer plunge pools. The resort will make you feel as if youre on your private island, and it also offers a spa center and different activities like horse riding.
- Te Moana Located on the West Coast in the village of Punaauia, this fabulous resort is just perfect for your holiday on the island. The rooms are super spacious and feature a kitchenette and garden or bay views. Get a cocktail and head to the infinity pool for a pretty epic sunset!
- Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort Wake up to the sound of the waves hitting the shore in this fantastic resort located on the West Coast in Punaauia, which offers access to a private beach area and many activities like snorkeling with manta rays, kayaking, and many others!
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Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa
Accommodation: Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa
Located on the secluded Motu Tautau, this intimate luxury resort is part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection. Facing the island of Taha’a, the location of the coral garden is ideal for snorkeling Tahiti’s marine-rich waters. Inspired by traditional Polynesian architecture and style, the resort’s 60 suites and villas welcome guests to experience island life in harmony with the natural environment.
The resort provides butler service, cultural activities, a fitness center, meal plan, nanny service, outdoor showers, a spa, Wi-Fi, and three restaurants.
Address: Motu Tautau BP 67 Patio, 98733, French Polynesia
Languages Spoken In Tahiti
The main languages spoken by the locals are French and Tahitian. However, a lot of the resort employees and people in the tourist industry speak English as well. Familiarize yourself with a couple of easy words. Its something very simple, but makes a huge difference!
Hello: Ia ora na Thank you: Mauruuru Welcome: Maeva Good Bye: Nana
Merci: Thank you Hello: Bonjour Goodbye: Au revoir
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The Best Areas To Stay In Tahiti
About halfway between Australia and America, Tahiti is firmly part of French Polynesia, yet over 15,500km from Paris. The 5 archipelagos of 120 islands and atolls rightly invoke images of tropical paradise with white sands, sloping palms, and turquoise lagoons, and islands with exotic names like Bora Bora populated by gorgeous young ladies in grass skirts and portly old men playing ukuleles. But theres even more: rainforests peppered with waterfalls, mountainous interiors begging to be explored, ruins of villages that predate colonization, and world-class diving among shipwrecks and luminescent reefs.
Still substantially French in history, culture, food, and of course, language, Tahiti is not as developed as its Melanesian cousin: New Caledonia . Tahiti is more urbanized than Fiji and Vanuatu, but also among the most expensive places in the Pacific, with costs exacerbated by the isolation. Tahiti does receive vast amounts of aid from France, yet many residents predominantly the unemployed and indigenous still actively seek independence.
Tahitians and tourists who tsk-tsk the over-development, crowds, and traffic of Papeete and western Tahiti Nui flock to Moorea Island, barely 30 minutes by ferry from the city center. Almost condensed enough to cycle around, this enchanting island offers comparatively undeveloped snow-white beaches and enclaves radiating a tropical holiday vibe.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Immerse yourself in modern comforts in overwater bungalow suites and beachfront villas at this family-friendly resort on the coral atoll of Motu Tehotu. This uber luxury resort features 100 overwater suites and seven beachfront villa estates set amid a vast tropical grove with coconut and pandanus trees.
Rooms and suites are designed with thatched roofs and decorated with local artwork. One-, two-, and three-bedroom villas can accommodate up to six adults. The oceanfront spa offers Asian-, Polynesian-, and Western-inspired treatments.
Address: Motu Tehotu BP 547, 98730, French Polynesia
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Want The Best Eating On Tahiti’s Main Island
The acclaimed Le Coco’s restaurant is easily accessible from the Intercontinental and the Le Meridien. Foodlovers will want to taste the delights at Le Coco’s. Every creatively presented morsel of this gastronomic experience is worth savoring, as are the wines. Expect to pay $400.
Tahiti Pearl Beach ResortFormerly the Radisson Plaza, Pearl Beach is located at the end of tranquil Matavai Bay. We found it useful to hire a car while we stayed here. It enabled us to shop at an awesome Carrefore supermarket, and independently explore the most beautiful spots on the island, while eating our French delicacies. It’s usually a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport, but it’s wise to factor in half an hour, as the drive is through downtown Papeete.Comprising of four separate buildings, with pathways between them, every room has an ocean view. The huge 2 level premium suites, on floors 4 and 5, offer sensational views, and parents have the privacy of their own spacious ‘penthouse’.
Manava Suite Resort
This modern resort has spacious, apartment style accommodation. The décor includes some artful decorative and functional touches using natural, island materials.
We bought incredible fresh fish of the gods at a Carrefore, and cooked it in coconut milk in our well-equipped kitchen.
Manava Beach Resort & Spa
Accommodation: Manava Beach Resort & Spa- Moorea
Located near Cook’s Bay, the Manava Beach Resort & Spa in Moorea provides an array of accommodations in an idyllic setting, including family-friendly duplexes, overwater bungalows, and garden bungalows with private plunge pools. Each bungalow has an outside terrace with comfortable loungers, and the overwater bungalows have direct access to the lagoon.
The hotel’s accommodations are decorated in Polynesian style, and on-site amenities include a pool, spa, meal plan, bed and breakfast packages, and two restaurants. On Saturdays, the resort invites guests to enjoy a night of Polynesian culture with traditional dances and a delicious buffet.
Address: BP 3410, Maharepa 98728, French Polynesia
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Eat A Traditional Polynesian Meal
Another one of the best things to do in Papeete is to eat and taste all of the delicious Polynesian food! There was one restaurant in particular that really blew us away and that would be Zen Cafe.
A hidden gem off of the beaten path is where you can find Zen Cafe. We cannot take all of the credit for this find, it came highly recommended by our host Thérèse. The cafe was recently bought by an up-and-coming chef who updated the menu.
Zen Café serves traditional Polynesian food with a French flair. The outside of the café doesnt look like a restaurant at all. However, we trusted Thérèses advice and went in with an open mind.
Holy moly! We were impressed! My entree was a beautiful presentation of perfectly cooked cod, placed in a bed of risotto and topped with white coconut foam. Our entire meal was fantastic! There were so many layers of unique and delicious flavors.
Maybe it was the Hinano beer, but I definitely believed that it was one of my favorite meals the entire trip.