Hotel of the Day: Le Taha'a by Pearl Resorts

Few hotels can lay claim to the fact that they are located on their very own island, but La Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is one of them. Found in Tahiti, French Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean, La Taha’a is the very best of Tahitian hospitality. Comprised of 59 luxury villas and suites, this hotel borders Taha’a’s lush shores on one side, and Bora Bora on the other – making it one of the most beautiful island hotels anywhere in the world. This is truly a one-of-a-kind hotel.

What Makes Le Taha’a one of the World’s Best Hotels?

La Taha’a has the advantages of a rural escape and a South Pacific hidden gem. Because of its remoteness, very few tourists visit the South Pacific Islands, and as such, there is very minimal evidence of a heavy tourist presence, which helps preserve the region’s beauty. La Taha’a is no exception – set on its own private islet, this hotel is truly luxury personified, and an idyllic hidden gem.

Location

Very few places on Earth hold the mystique and fresh sense of exploration like the South Pacific. In fact, it was early European explorations in this part of the world which inspired novels such as R.M. Ballantyne’s The Coral Island and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island in the 19th century, and years later, this part of the world still holds the same appeal as it did then.

Sun-soaked beaches, crystal-clear waters and swaying coconut palms dominate the skyline and simply exude relaxation. Le Taha’a is found on Motu Tautau, a private islet off the north of the group of Polynesian Islands known as the Society Islands. If you’re looking for a rural tropical escape, it doesn’t come much more rural than this: Fiji is around 3,000km away, New Zealand is 4,500km away, and Australia is almost 7,500km away from the islands. 

With glorious weather, white-sand beaches, and more, where better to spend a special getaway in one of the most rural areas on Earth, and one of the most untouched and therefore unspoiled? You can watch the sunrise over the mighty Pacific in the morning, enjoy freshly made cocktails on the beach in the afternoon, and dance the night away to traditional Tahitian music under the stars at night.

Room Types

The accommodation offerings at Le Taha’a can be split into two distinct types: suites and villas.

Suites

When a hotel only offers suites and villas, you know that you’ve already hit the jackpot and should be prepared for a luxury stay.

All rooms at the hotel – suites and villas – are designed in the traditional Polynesian way, largely constructed with elements of bamboo incorporated, thatched pandanus roofs, stones, corals and ropes made from coconut husk.

The suites are ideal for couples on a honeymoon, as while they are smaller and more cost-effective than the villas, they also have that extra element of privacy and comfort that few hotel suites or villas can rival.

All suites have direct access to the lagoon, and a dip in the warm waters is a perfect way to start your day.

All suites sleep up to three adults, or two adults and a child under 13.

Villas

The villas are ideal for families, and contain two bedrooms, and are able to sleep up to five adults or four adults and one child under 13.

Luxury and privacy are the two key selling points of these villas, as all villas have private beach access and contain a tropical garden, with a freshwater pool.

These villas also contain tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar which can be restocked by members of staff during your stay if you wish, an outdoor bath in the tropical garden area, as well as a turndown service on an evening.

Facilities & Amenities

Le Taha’a has a strong focus on keeping things authentic, or as they say, authentically Polynesian. This means using the right materials for architecture, but also leaving as little impact on the environment as possible – making this the perfect destination for eco-conscious travellers.

Health and fitness are two key aspects of Polynesian life, and you can make sure you stay in shape when you visit Le Taha’a, as there is a tennis court on site, which is free to book, as well as a fitness centre, which includes state-of-the-art gym equipment, so you don’t have to miss a workout if you have a strict exercise routine at home.

Aside from fitness, as we’re well aware that not everyone comes on holiday to spend half of it exercising, there are numerous other services which the hotel offers to its guests. One of these is a babysitting service, which is ideal if you’re travelling with a young child and want a date night for you and your loved one for a few hours.

There is an outdoor swimming pool for those who prefer not to swim in the sea, while the hotel’s spa is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate if you want to escape the baking hot sun for a few hours.

It’s also a great place to treat yourself to a massage or a facial for the ultimate relaxing way to enjoy your Polynesian holiday.

Dining

The hotel has three restaurants and two bars, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to eating and drinking at Le Taha’a.

Hawaiki Nui Restaurant

This is the main restaurant at the hotel, and is open daily for both breakfast and dinner.

Whether you want to start your day Polynesian style with fresh fruit and freshly squeezed tropical juice, or French style with handmade croissants and coffee, the choice is yours. Every evening, the restaurant offers both a hot and a cold buffet, with regional and international specials on offer, as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Opening Times: 07:00–10:00, 18:30–21:30

Titiraina Restaurant

This beach-front restaurant is set right on the gorgeous sands of Motu Tautau, and the talented chefs offer a tableside service, including salads for those wanting something a little lighter, or freshly grilled fish and meats straight from the barbecue. Tahiti’s famous poisson cru is also offered daily – raw tuna salad, marinated with fresh vegetables, lime juice and freshly-squeezed coconut milk.

Opening Times: 12:00–15:00

Tipairua Restaurant

This is Le Taha’a’s gourmet dining restaurant, specialising in a fusion of French and Polynesian cuisine. Reservations are necessary for this restaurant, and the dress code is ‘Island Chic’ – no flip flops or shorts. A sommelier also offers you a selection of luxury wines from the naturally chilled basement.

Opening Times: 18:30–21:30 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Bars

The Tiki Bar takes over when the Titiraina Restaurant closes after lunch, specialising in cocktails and also offering a light selection of tapas to snack on after a few drinks.

The Manuia Bar is open from 10:00 until 18:00, and is the perfect place to enjoy an ice-cold beer or some cocktails during the day. Happy hour runs from 16:00 until 17:30, where exclusive daily offers on drinks are available.

Experiences & Activities

Despite its remote location, there is still a lot to do at Le Taha’a for all types of travellers.

As mentioned earlier, the tennis courts are a great way to spend a couple of hours, as well as helping you to keep fit, while the gym is the same. The hotel’s spa is also another superb place to relax.

However, for those wanting to do some things outside of the hotel, bring your swimming gear and snorkel, as there’s so much incredible marine life nearby. In addition, Tahitian pearls are grown on pearl farms close to the island, and these can be explored underwater or on boat tours.

You can also book to go on a vanilla farm tour, as this is one of the island’s most cultivated crops.

Who It’s Best For

Le Taha’a is aimed primarily at adults wishing for a remote, luxury escape. While children are allowed, there is only really room for one in either a suite or a villa, making it a better hotel for adults.

Because of its eco-conscious nature, travellers who are worried about their carbon footprint are more than welcome at Le Taha’a.

Sustainability

Sustainability is not just a buzzword at Le Taha’a. Part of the reason Polynesia looks so beautiful today is because of how well it has been looked after for generations of native Polynesians, and Le Taha’a is ensuring that it will be looked after for generations to come.

As mentioned earlier, there is a heavy presence of local materials in the hotels – this is not solely for aesthetic purposes, but because many of these resources either last for years on end, or they are in great abundance in Tahiti and its surrounding areas.

Even the boats which transfer you to Le Taha’a are powered completely by electric energy, and as such, they are silent as they sail across the ocean and the lagoon, therefore not disturbing the marine life. The hotel is also partly solar powered, taking advantage of the natural climate, as the region experiences over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.

Seaweed is used as fertiliser in the hotel’s gardens, while vegetable waste is used as compost, thus adding an extra element of reducing waste and putting it to good use.

Unique Selling Point

Le Taha’a is easily one of the best hotels anywhere in the world. It is built on its own private islet for starters, so while hundreds of other hotels across the globe advertise their private and secluded settings, Le Taha’a is genuinely private and secluded.

The authentic blending of French and Polynesian culture can be found in very few other places on Earth, making this a perfect cultural melting pot. The crystal-clear waters are picture-perfect, and the white sand beaches look like they’ve just been taken straight from an artist’s painting or a postcard.

The commitment to sustainability also shows that it is not just a buzzword and to hit environmental quotas – the genuine commitment to sustainability at Le Taha’a is so that this unique and incredible culture can be preserved for years and years to come.