InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

The Intercontinental has a location convenient to the airport and is often booked as a one-night stop for those beginning or ending their stays in French Polynesia. Traditional French Polynesian style complete with stone Tiki statues, woven grass Pandanus roofs, and carved wooden columns set the tone while the peninsula location keeps guests focused on the mesmerizing blue water of the Pacific Ocean.

The resort is built around a Lagoonarium, a calm, aquamarine body of water with a reef ecosystem, managed by scientists. Guests can snorkel among the 200 species fish and sea creatures or simply watch as the staff feeds the fish and rays during its daily rounds.

The hotel's beachfront location also provides easy access to the ocean for diving excursions, water-skiing, and jet-skiing but many guests prefer to relax, settling in to lounge chairs or floating along in the huge pools. 

One of the Intercontinental Tahiti's greatest assets is its location. Set on a chunk of lush green land, surrounded by a turquoise lagoon, the resort looks directly across 12 miles of sea at sister island Moorea. 

• 10-minute drive to Fa'a'ā International Airport
• 10-minute drive to Pā'ōfa'i Gardens
• 12-minute drive to Pape'ete Ferry Terminal
• 20-minute drive to Pape'ete
• 22-minute drive to James Normal Hall Museum
• 30-minute drive to Point Venus Lighthouse
• 40-minute drive to Cascades de Faarumai
• 50-minute drive to Paul Gauguin Museum    

The hotel's 245 rooms are situated in traditional three-story buildings or in collections of stilted overwater bungalows accessed via long wooden bridges. While the Superior Rooms are the same size at the Standard Rooms (307 square feet), they have a more modern look, with colorful floral-patterned accent chairs, neutral bed linens, and artful white floral motifs that are repeated as accents on cabinet doors, throws, and headboards. Standard Rooms and the slightly larger, 414-square-foot Panoramic Rooms have more traditional Polynesian style, typically featuring two-power beds with gauzy drapery and lots of wood. All rooms in the hotel offer private terraces set with chairs and small tables, and the three aforementioned categories have subcategories with either garden or lagoon views. Bathrooms vary, and some have big soaking tubs that are separate from the showers. 

The 14 414-square-foot Junior Suite Overwater Lagoon Bungalows are set at the end of the resort near the Lotus pool. Like some of the hotel rooms, they feature Polynesian style and somewhat outdated decor that includes woven sea grass walls, a separate living area with rattan furniture, and mahogany toned doors and floors. Large glass doors open onto wooden decks with cushioned lounge chairs and wooden steps that lead to a small platform that allows guests to access the water.

The eight, 398-square-foot Junior Suite Overwater Motu Bungalows are more modern. Set around a private islet near the Lagoonarium, the bungalows feature polished Polynesian style accented by plush bedding, warm-toned wood floors, neutral colors, and modern lighting. King-size beds face walls of glass that slide open to huge decks outfitted with lounge chairs, sofas, and dining tables. Stairs descend to a platform that lets guests access the water and coral reef.

All rooms feature the modern conveniences expected at a higher-end hotel such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, robes, and slippers. Bathrooms are stocked with a variety of toiletries, white towels, and yellow and white-striped beach towels. Guests staying in the bungalows can opt to have their breakfast delivered via canoe. Rooms can typically accommodate two adults and one child. 

Overlooking the beach, the Lotus pool features a sandy bottom, a swim-up bar, and an infinity edge that provides the illusion that it blends into the sea. The Ti Tiare pool features a sandy islet and a grand waterfall. The beach is far from French Polynesia's best, with a small rock wall separating the water and sand. 

The hotel's two restaurants offer both formal and casual settings for conversation. Le Lotus is the hotel's fine-dining restaurant, serving French food in an intimate overwater setting that affords views of the ocean and distant Moorea. A second, much larger restaurant, Te Tiare, is an open-air space located on the ground floor of the hotel. With an open-concept kitchen and views of the infinity pool and its waterfalls, Te Tiare serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as regular entertainment and dinner shows. Adjacent to Te Tiare is the Tiki Bar, a lively spot where guests can sit beneath the pandanus roof, sip tropical cocktails served in coconut shells, and listen to live music. There's also a bar off the lobby that's ideal for watching sunsets.

The hotel's Deep Nature Spa serves as respite from the sun and sand, specializing in healing treatments that incorporate seaweed-rich Algotherm products. There is also a small but well-equipped fitness center.

For business travelers, the Tahitian resort delivers a 24-hour business center and meeting space.