The InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa delivers luxury with island charm and an ocean view for everyone.
It doesn’t take much to float dreams of French Polynesia through your mind’s eye. When words like “Tahiti” and “Bora Bora” are thrown into the wind, we all get visions of steep mountains carpeted in lush green jungle, thrusting up from aqua waters. All ringed by whitewashed reefs teeming with fish, life and colour.
There are some 114 islands in French Polynesia, and no matter where your final destination may be, you’ll first set foot in Papeete. The country’s capital is on the island of Tahiti and, to be fair, likely the last place you want to be when you visit French Polynesia. It’s not bad and actually has plenty to see, but it’s not Bora Bora, either.
But alas, it and its large airport – and in my case, large port – are a necessary evil. I was in town to take the Windstar Dreams of Tahiti cruise on the good ship Star Breeze. Perhaps you’re heading to a cruise, too. Or just a getaway on any of the spectacular islands that dot the nearby seas like dart holes around a bullseye.
So, unless you luck out with flight times, you’re going to need to spend a night or two in Papeete. So where are you going to stay? I tried the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa.
Easy to Get to
When it comes to big-name resort options in Papeete, there aren’t too many to mull over. I opted for the InterContinental Resort & Spa due to its proximity to the airport and the town of Papeete. It’s not far into town as the crow flies, even if the winding local roads make a meal out of the journey. Still, it’s easy to make the distance by bus, cab or transfer for when you do want to go into town or, indeed, the port.
Yes, you do get the occasional plane flying by, but it never overwhelms the experience. It may be the country’s main airport, but it doesn’t get much action in truth.
You can walk into shops and restaurants if you desire; not too far down the road towards Papeete is a village of sorts. It’s not much, but it’s an option for those who want to wander. I felt little need to leave once I had arrived, however, the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is gorgeous.
Tropical Paradise
Built upon a knuckle of land that thrusts into the sea, there’s no interruption between your sun lounge and a glorious outlook out over the pristine waters, surf-soaked reef and mountainous terrain of neighbouring island, Mo’orea.
The resort itself is relatively shallow, barely deeper than your bedroom, a patch of grass and the pool. Instead, it’s long, spanning the length of the knuckle, wrapping around the coast in a shape not dissimilar to the wings of the manta rays you may spot on your snorkelling tour. And it all faces west towards a jaw-dropping sunset.
I spent more hours than I’d care to admit at the InterContinental Resort & Spa, just sitting on a sun lounge by the pool, eyes fixed across the natural wonder to the great beyond. Never underestimate the value of a great view. And every room, from what I could tell, has one. For those who don’t have the perfect outlook, a shaded sun lounge awaits.
Stretched out on the padded cushion, your toes will curl into your line of sight, over sand and aqua waters, to the tropical paradise you came to embrace. Which is why I’d argue that the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is how you get your French Polynesian adventure started early. All the wonder, but just a hop, skip and a jump from the capital.
Eat, Swim and Play.
The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa has two pools currently, and a third that, while not completed when I was there, will be by the time you arrive. (I anticipate great things, too, as it offers an infinity pool experience outside the main restaurant.)
The two pools I was able to enjoy are both fantastic, but offer very different experiences. One is a saltwater ocean lagoon, filled with fish, coral and even turtles; the latter part of an effort by the hotel to help rehabilitate these majestic animals.
Snorkels are provided free to guests, and this pool offers an opportunity for marine wildlife lovers to have a safe reef experience without having to deal with currents or, indeed, the fear that comes from floating off through the open ocean. Kids and learners will find it an absolute treat, but even as a veteran snorkeller, I was impressed by the lagoon pool. It’s not far off what you can expect out on the reef proper.
The second pool offers an infinity edge that backs right up against the waves. Its sandy bottom and rock outcrops bring the outside environment in, then populate it with a swim-up bar, a plethora of shaded sun lounges and even a little bridge to help shape those Insta snaps when the sun sets. I love this pool! It’s beautiful, relaxing and makes you feel like you’re over-indulging.
On the other side of the resort, you’ll find a third-party water sports hut, offering jet skis, kayaking and other activities for a pretty penny. There are a couple of free-to-use tennis courts, too, supported by a generous and modern gym that backs onto a small, yet eye-catching spa, notable for its cold plunge pool.
Feast not Famine
When it comes to sinking the old canines into a succulent Tahitian meal, there’s plenty on offer. If you’re looking for a “pub food” style experience, the Huriama Garden Lounge is the place to go. Swimmers are welcomed and I can vouch for the towering burgers. While handily placed by my favourite pool for lunch, it gets a second wind during sunset. Cocktails flow, a band plays, lights fill the trees, and the sky turns so many shades of purple you’d swear Prince was conducting nature’s song from heaven.
Also nearby, right along the oceanfront, is Le Lotus. It looks great, with tables literally reaching out over the waves. I was unable to try it, but spoke to some guests who raved about the quality of the experience.
I did most of my eating in the Te Tiare Restaurant. The buffet breakfast is solid and offers plenty of variety, but I’d stop short of saying it was excellent. The outlook will be stunning once that third pool is created, but I’d like to see them do a tad more with seafood, yoghurts and pastries, the latter in particular given the country’s French alignment.
I was lucky enough, however, to be at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa on a Saturday night. The Tahitian culture show and dinner that unfolded was a real treat, and I highly recommend attending if you can. The diverse dinner buffet was much better. Rich in multinational cuisines – including Oriental – it won me over with its oysters, squid salad and local dishes.
Room With a View
I adore a view of the ocean! You can go the full hog at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa and get an overwater villa. I was a step back from that, on the mainland, but still with a fantastic view from my Premium Ocean & Moorea View Room.
As mentioned, I’d wager 90-percent of the rooms offer a solid aquatic vantage, but the side-effect of having a resort that follows the coastline is that the distance from outlier rooms to the lobby and main restaurant will get your steps up. God knows I had some bacon to burn off anyway!
While the outlook is sensational, the room itself is where I think some guests may feel a tad disappointed. On the one hand, there are some lovely finishes (especially in the bathroom), a comfortable bed, a generous balcony area, and it’s actually a huge space relative to many hotel rooms.
But the décor is dated, with thick browns and off-whites that just feel dark rather than the intended island chic. Some key furniture, like a lounge, is absent despite the space. Lighting is poor; if the lights turn on at all, which wasn’t the case for many of my bulbs. My bathroom had dilapidated tiles, too, and the mini fridge was too loud for comfort.
These gremlins weren’t enough to take away from my overall positivity around the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa experience. But it was here where the need for a bit of TLC was most prominent. I felt it elsewhere, too. The majority of the jets in the cold tub (it’s not hot) didn’t work, the railing into the lagoon pool wobbled precariously, and tiles around the pool were missing. And so forth.
Is the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa worth it?
Yet, I’m still happy to recommend the Tahiti InterContinental Resort & Spa. The problems I’ve described don’t take away from the soul of a stay that wisely puts its focus on the natural wonder on its doorstep.
As I scurried around the foreshore, buzzing from a cocktail and camera in hand, snapping shots furiously of yet another spectacular sunset, I couldn’t have felt more content. Warmth against my skin, breeze through my hair, pool lapping at my ankles. Blissfully relaxed and forming memories I’ll readily tap into when I’m next stuck at the drudgery of my desk.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa
Address: PK7, Fa’a’ā 98702, French Polynesia
Contact: +689 40 86 51 10
Rates: From around AU$640 per night
Chris Stead was invited as a guest of the resort for the purposes of this review. If you’d like to book, you can head to the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa.
