Going to the ends of the earth, to make your Polynesian dream come true. Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, Tahiti: island names that evoke bluish emotions. As soon as you arrive in the Society Archipelago – one of the 5 that make up French Polynesia – the traditional Polynesian greeting Ia Ora Na is joined by a magnificent necklace of deliciously scented Tahitian tiaras. From now on, we’ll be talking about dreams, lagoons, fare, paradise; so, to make your stay a success, we’ve selected our favorite hotels for you.
Bora Bora: The Island of Fantasies
Wedding at Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Nestled in a private cove on Motu To’opua, the resort is ready to welcome you for your wedding ceremony or vow renewal. The stilt villas seem to float on turquoise waters, offering breathtaking views of the indigo horizon of the Pacific Ocean. The luxury villa on stilts offers treasures of beauty: from your terrace, in a hammock over the water, by your private pool or inside your villa with fully retractable windows, your Polynesian dream is everywhere. Each villa is also beautifully appointed, with a spacious bathroom with separate bath, a dressing room and an adorable relaxation area.
For the most beautiful day of your life, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui offers an idyllic setting and a team dedicated to fulfilling your wishes with professionalism, creativity and originality. You can hold your ceremony on Bora Bora’s longest white-sand beach, the aptly named Plage du Bonheur, in the Chapelle Saint Amour, on Mont Tapu, the private beach of Queen Pomaré IV, the last queen of Tahiti, request a Polynesian blessing, tropical flowers, Polynesian musicians and dancers, etc. All our teams are on hand to ensure that your special day is a truly unforgettable experience.
When it comes to dining, the resort offers 5 restaurants to suit both refined and more casual tastes. From the veranda of the Iriatai, you’ll be immersed in the blue of the lagoon, from breakfast to gourmet dinner. At the Banyan, Chinese cuisine takes center stage in a breathtaking natural setting. For sushi and fresh cocktails, UPA UPA is the bar where you can admire the coral reefs through the glass floor. The Tamure invites you to enjoy a selection of Mediterranean dishes and delicious grilled meats under a splendid pandanus roof and with your feet in the sand.
Finally, one of the highlights of your stay is the Polynesian dinner and show, which allows you to immerse yourself in local culture and traditions. Another evening to create lasting memories!
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort: A villa on stilts
Facing the photogenic Mount Otemanu on Motu Ome’e atoll, the hotel offers the most spacious stilt villas in the South Pacific, with a minimum surface area of 140 m². It’s easy to see why The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is the choice of Voyages Confidentiels, which is always on the lookout for luxurious addresses around the world, and especially in Bora Bora. Each villa features a bedroom and separate living room, a luxurious bathroom and glass floors to admire the lagoon’s turquoise-blue waters. When it comes to decor, The St. Regis has focused on Polynesian craftsmanship, choosing exotic woods, an outdoor shower, palm roofs and private pontoons. The exoticism continues on the pillow with Tahitian monoi oil and homemade coconut sweets!
Among the activities offered by the resort, I recommend getting up with the sun and heading for the Famous Bridge. It’s here (and one wonders why) that magnificent marine creatures such as manta rays and stingrays meet up. An unforgettable spectacle.
For dinner, embark on a world tour of flavors at the Lagoon restaurant. Also on stilts, it offers a breathtaking view of Bora Bora and its seabed through glass tiles. But the real show is on the plates, where Executive Chef Nicolas Nguyen honors the richness of local cuisine. To start, he offers red tuna in coconut milk, and Mahi Mahi sashimi in a spicy tomato broth. The main course surprises with beef tataki served with truffled potato gratin. Unique to Bora Bora, the cheese platter comes from master cheese-maker Juliet Lamy, “La fromagère de Tahiti”. After 10 p.m., the atmosphere takes on a piano bar feel as the singer leads guests in a rendition of Edith Piaf’s La vie en rose.
Dinner at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
On a private island, here’s another corner of paradise between lagoon and exotic garden. The evening begins at Bar Vaimiti, where you can admire the starry Tahitian sky like nowhere else. The twinkling constellations make for a perfectly romantic evening. With its 4 restaurants that allow you to switch from one culinary culture to another, the Four Seasons Bora Bora offers everything you’d expect from an exceptional 5-star hotel. In the coconut grove, the Arii Moana (Tahitian for “prince of the oceans”) restaurant offers a culinary experience that blends Mediterranean cuisine with local specialties: homemade focaccia, citrus-roasted lobster, tajine with preserved lemons and chocolate delight. Congratulations to Chef Sébastien Fontes, back in the South Pacific!
Raiatea: The island of dreams
It’s a private island, a motu, 2 kilometers from Raiatea. A little piece of paradise in the middle of the Pacific. The Motu Nao Nao, which I reach aboard an elegant white and red boat, is a nugget found by Voyages Confidentiels, which always promises its customers exclusive, elegant and rare experiences. After a 10-minute crossing, the island takes shape behind a long row of coconut palms. Of the 26 hectares, 3 villas are available for privatization only. Suffice to say, this motu is a treasure trove. Each ocean-facing villa is named Miri, Miti or Mata, and ranges in size from 60 to 103 m2, accommodating up to 6 people. The decor, by local designer Alain Fleurot, emphasizes the elegance and luxury of local materials: island coral, Aito wood frames, Burmese teak terraces, etc.
The entire Motu Nao Nao team is committed to making your stay unique, exclusive and exceptional. Sylvain Delanchy, Director of the residence, coordinates your every wish with Arnaud, the Maitre d’hôtel. But the height of luxury is having a private chef from breakfast to dinner. Having been made aware of your allergies, Chef Wilfrid Kobylt prepares dishes to your delight, using 80% local and seasonal ingredients, including fish, organic vegetables and plants grown on the motu. He loves to come and talk to you about his recipes, and even invites you to join him in his vegetable garden. If I add that he makes his own bread, pastries and jams, including a memorable one with porcelain flower, you’ll agree with me that motu Nao Nao makes all your dreams come true!
On the motu, you can travel on foot or by bicycle to discover Lagoon Beach, Sunset Beach or Shark Point. I also recommend riding along the forest where coconut crabs nest. If you feel like it, canoeing and paddling are available, as well as snorkeling in your own private lagoon. Finally, take the time to explore the motu’s 26 hectares and discover the many species of palm, frangipani, Tahitian tiare, pandanus and walnut trees…
The motu teams are also keen to share their passion and respect for Raiatea’s marine fauna. So, one morning, Sylvain takes us close to Ile aux oiseaux for an extraordinary snorkeling trip. Alone in the world, we discovered a seabed of breathtaking beauty and a rare variety of coral.
At sunset, 3 musicians come to sing for us tunes that tell us all about the sweetness of Polynesia. So goes life on the motu Nao Nao.
Moorea: The island of charm
Moorea, Tahiti’s little sister, has a peaceful atmosphere and mountainous landscapes. The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is located on the island’s northeast coast, on the edge of a magnificent lagoon classified as a Marine Reserve. The bungalows are set in a lush tropical garden, above the crystal-clear, abundant waters of the Pacific or on the edge of the sublime white sandy beach of Matae. You’re in a veritable sanctuary of peace and refinement.
The bungalows or fares (in Tahitian) evoke the surrounding beauty and tropical serenity of Moorea. Ranging in size from 40 to 80 m2, each fare is inspired by local architecture for a more authentic stay. Roofs are covered with pandanus leaves, walls are adorned with exotic woods, and the utmost care is taken to ensure modern comforts. The colors and fabrics are reminiscent of some of Paul Gauguin’s paintings. An outdoor terrace lets you enjoy the beauty of nature and the beautiful sunsets.
Dining occupies a central place in the Polynesian art of living, so it’s essential to enjoy a romantic tête-à-tête at the hotel, on the beach, in the 3 restaurants, or on your bungalow terrace. At the Pure restaurant, meals are served with panoramic views of the lagoon and Tahiti Island, from the vast outdoor terrace or from the pontoon. The restaurant’s chefs are experts in French and Polynesian cuisine, using only the finest local ingredients. Once a week, Pure hosts a grand Polynesian show and specialty buffet.
The Bar Vue is aptly named, as it is the ideal place to admire the sunsets. The cocktail menu is an invitation to travel, and the tapas menu lets you enjoy the warmth of Polynesian nights.
Le K, on the other hand, is the romantic, gourmet restaurant par excellence. With your feet in the sand, you’re seated under a majestic cathedral ceiling made of Tuamotu Kahaia wood. The evening is all about fine dining, with a wine and food tasting menu featuring exceptional wines and dishes. Don’t miss this luxurious experience at the end of the world! It’s time to return to your fare, in a fragrant world worthy of the most beautiful postcards.
Tahiti: The island to discover
Too often, it remains an island of passage before the famous Bora Bora or Moorea. What a shame! The Hilton Hotel Tahiti, just ten minutes from Faa’a airport and the center of Papeete, is the ideal address for exploring French Polynesia’s largest island. The hotel first came to prominence in the 60s, when stars such as Brando, Bardot and The Beatles discovered these lands at the end of the world. Completely refurbished, the hotel reopened in 2021 to become an essential part of Tahitian life.
All rooms and suites offer spectacular views of the ocean, the island of Moorea and Tahiti’s largest swimming pool. On stilts, the Moevai restaurant, where breakfasts are served, becomes La Strada every evening for Italian specialties. At the Taitea brasserie, the terrace overlooking the pool and lagoon is open for lunch and dinner. As for the San Sushi Bar, it offers a wide selection of sushi, nigiri and sashimi freshly prepared by the sushi chef, as well as a choice of Japanese sakes and whiskies.
For excursions, a visit to the Conciergerie is a must for a tour of Tahiti Nui and the Papenoo Valley, not forgetting the Tahiti Iti peninsula, which embodies a more authentic Tahiti, with its peaceful hamlets and moving landscapes.
Voyages Confidentiels
The mantra of Myriam Guyon, founder of Voyages Confidentiels, could be “art and excellence for exceptional travel”. She creates travel experiences in the most prestigious places on the planet, from the most famous to the most secret, to match our desires for emotion and escape. We design unique, made-to-measure itineraries and incomparably luxurious stays that respect the environment and people. Voyages Confidentiels, the art of travel with a soul.
Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti Nui, with its distinctive “tattooed” fleet, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023. It flies to Tahiti via Los Angeles, and since last June via Seattle. The change of scenery begins as soon as you board, with a warm welcome from the 100% Polynesian cabin crew, and continues throughout the flight, with a Tiaré flower offered on board, music and announcements in Tahitian on board, numerous documentaries on the destination in the video library, hostess uniforms and kits featuring local products. It offers 3 travel classes with renewed comfort, and all-inclusive fares including hand baggage, cabin baggage, 23kg hold baggage and an extra bag containing sports equipment, meals with alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Air Tahiti
Air Tahiti has been the main inter-island carrier in French Polynesia for over 60 years. It serves a network as vast as Europe, covering 47 of the country’s islands and connecting over 90% of the population. The company provides administrative, educational and medical exchanges between Tahiti and the islands, thus contributing to the Territory’s planning and economic development. It is also involved in the development of tourism, environmental protection and numerous cultural and social initiatives. Want to visit several islands in the same trip? Opt for Air Tahiti Passes and discover the islands of French Polynesia’s different archipelagos at an attractive rate.
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