7 Lafayette Beach Pk, Arue, French Polynesia | (937) 315-4602
Prime beachfront location overlooking the Bay of Matavai and
Lafayette Beach
Large rooms with balconies and ocean views
Huge infinity pool and an oversized whirlpool
On-site restaurant and two bars with ocean views
Free shuttle service to Pape'ete
Free daily aqua aerobics classes
On-site day spa and fitness center
Children's activity center
Free W-Fi
Some parts of the property are run-down and in need of
renovation
Beach is narrow, leaving little room to lounge during
high tide
Dark-sand beach may not appeal to those used to soft
white sand
Waves are large and the water is often rough; not ideal for
swimming
Property has lots of stairs and is difficult to navigate
The location is somewhat isolated from Pape'ete, requiring a
car or shuttle to access
Cab rides to the shops and restaurants of Pape'ete can be expensive
Set along the black-sand shores of quiet Lafayette Beach, the upscale 91-room Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort (formerly the Radisson Plaza) caters to families, honeymooners, and pre- and post-cruisers. Large rooms feature simple Polynesian decor and ocean views from private balconies but the furnishings are in need of updating. The hotel features a spa and fitness center as well as a huge infinity-edge pool and an open-air restaurant and bar, all within earshot of the crashing waves. While the hotel has undergone some sprucing up since it changed ownership, many areas are unkempt, run-down, and in need of renovation. Those seeking more modern style might consider the slightly pricier Intercontinental or the comparably priced Le Meridien Tahiti, which has overwater bungalows.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
An established beach resort with a centerpiece pool, open-air restaurant, and lounge overlooking the ocean
Popular with families, honeymooners, and the pre- and post-cruise set, the Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort possesses a laid-back atmosphere away from the bustle of Pape'ete. The hotel is set in a residential area along the shores of Lafayette Beach, a long stretch of black-sand beach that looks out onto Matavai Bay. The uncrowded beach is considered one of best on Tahiti's north shore, but guests of the hotel tend to prefer to lounge poolside or gather at the Bay Bar with a tropical cocktail in hand to take in the views. Regular aqua aerobics classes, Tahitian dance classes, and a kids' club help keep guests busy. In the evenings, the Lafayette Lounge features live music a few nights a week and is an ideal perch for taking in the sunsets before retreating to the open-air dining room beneath a palapa roof for dinner at Hiti Mahana.
Location
In Aure, a residential suburb of Tahiti's capital city Pape'ete, steps to the black sand of Lafayette Beach, about a 30-minute drive to the Fa'a'ā International Airport
Set along a paved road in the residential suburb of Arue, the Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort is secluded from the bustle of Pape'ete. It's located along one section of Lafayette Beach, overlooking Matavai Bay, the spot where James Cook landed in the 1760s.
Rooms
Rooms and suites with spacious bathrooms, private terraces with ocean views, and Polynesian style
All of the Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort's room face the ocean and are decorated in a simple Polynesian style with dark wood floors, dark wood furnishings, and local artwork. Rooms fall into three basic categories. The Deluxe Ocean View rooms are the smallest (at 140 square feet), with one king-size or two single beds. Ideal for couples, the Ocean View Whirlpool rooms offer king-size beds and a layout that is similar to the Deluxe rooms, with the addition of a private whirlpool tub tucked behind wooden louver doors. The Deluxe Ocean View Suites offer separate bedroom and living areas that open onto lanai-style balconies. Rooms that are classified as "Premium" are located on the top floors of the hotel. Also located on the top floors are the Premium Duplex and Premium Two-bedroom Suites.
The rooms come equipped with king-size, queen-size, or two single beds finished with basic white linens. The style is streamlined and a little bland; expect accent walls painted a pale yellow, thick avocado green window treatments, and wicker furnishings with cushions that show their age. Polynesian artwork adds local flair while long desks provide plenty of room to work. The best feature of the rooms at the hotel are the spacious terraces set with chairs and small tables that face the ocean.
In addition to spacious terraces, the rooms offer large bathrooms with one or two basin sinks on granite counters, plenty of toiletries and towels, and tubs and separate glass-enclosed showers. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, tea kettles, and closets with safes, irons, and ironing boards.
Features
A huge oceanfront pool, two bars, a restaurant, and one of the island's largest day spas
The resort's greatest asset is its huge oceanfront infinity pool and accompanying oversized hot tub. Daily, guests can hop into the pool to participate in aqua aerobics or wander away from the activity for a walk along the black-sand Lafayette Beach. The hotel's Hiti Mahana restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood as well as basic burgers, while the Bay Bar and Lafayette Lounge entice guests with tropical cocktails and live entertainment.
At Le Spa, guests can book exfoliation treatments that use local ingredients such as black sand, raw sugar, or crystal salts. Facials use local papaya and traditional massage treatments incorporate local Monoï oils. Daily shuttles deliver guests to Papeete for shopping and exploring, but the hotel also offers a shopping arcade where guests can purchase local products, souvenirs, and Tahitian pearls.
