10 Best Hotels in Tahiti, French Polynesia

This modern complex of individual bungalows has an enviable position: it's right on the lagoon, is backed by luxuriant rain-forested hills, is close to an excellent surfing beach, and is just 10 minutes from the golf course. The bungalows can accommodate up to four people; four of the bungalows have a kitchen, while all have hot-water private bathrooms, TVs, and refrigerators. The pension has its own bus and motorboat for private tours of the island. Breakfast is available (100 CFP per person) onsite and there's a restaurant 300 meters down the road. Transfers are 3,000 CFP one-way person if there are two people, and 6,000 CFP for a single traveler.

Three kilometers (1.8 mi) from the city, this is one of the few options east of the city. It's situated on former royal ground—the Pomare family used to live here. The hotel faces a black-sand beach, has lovely gardens with a Jacuzzi set into black volcanic rocks, and a swimming pool with decorative waterfall. Rooms are well maintained and prices are very reasonable and now include Wi-Fi. There's live music (some traditional, some western-style) on the weekends, great views of the lagoon, and good food in the restaurant.

Hotel Tahiti Nui. This is one of two new hotels built in Tahiti the past few years; it opened in 2009 with 91 rooms, more than half of which are suites. Each room has a balcony, air-conditioning, satellite TV, and a minimalist design featuring ceramic floor tiles, cream walls, and dark-wood features. Other firsts for a Tahiti hotel: underground parking, a fitness center, and a pool.

It doesn't get any better than this lovely resort, which is surrounded by 30 acres of gardens that includes an enclosed lagoonarium. Watch fish and rays being fed in the morning and the sunset over Moorea in the evening. Hotels rooms have handcrafted wooden beds and spacious bathrooms and are located in two wings; there are also 31 overwater bungalows. There are two "infinity pools" and a man-made white-sand beach. Tahitian women make handcrafts by the pool, which are available for purchase. Acclaimed dance troupe Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti stages a stunning cultural show on Friday and Saturday nights.

This popular resort had a complete makeover throughout 2010 and 2011; it has emerged with a very funky lobby with modern furniture and all rooms have flat screen TVs, movies on demand, iPod docking stations, Polynesia touches such as tapa wall hangings, and some have coffee tables shaped like surfboards. All rooms and suites overlook the lagoon, while the senior suites have expansive terraces. Located at PK15, this is the farthest resort from Pape'ete; guests, however, can take the local L'Truck bus into town. Like its rival, the Sofitel, Le Méridien claims it occupies the only natural white-sand beach on the island. Whatever the case, the sand is white. The swimming pool, with a sandy bottom, is certainly unique. The resort has a gallery, L'Atelier, where artists display their work and conduct art classes (approximately 3,000 CFP an hour for guests). On Friday nights there's a Tahitian dance show, while the indoor-outdoor Le Carre Restaurant is a romantic place to dine. The resort can also organize Tahitian wedding ceremonies in its beautiful grounds.

Manava Suite Resort Tahiti. This resort has a 121 rooms comprised of standard hotel rooms, duplexes, suites, and and three-bedroom apartments in a modern building with a distinctive Polynesian flair. The lobby area features huge vertical beams and huge wooden carvings, while the resort's standout feature is the infinity pool—the largest on the island. Situated on a the lagoon and short 10-minute taxi ride (or a L'truck ride) from the city and airport, it's an ideal place for with a short stay before heading to the other islands, or a longer family holiday in one of the apartments. PK 14, Coastal road, Puna'auia, Tahiti, Windward Islands, 98718. 689/47–31–00. www.spmhotels.com/resort/tahiti. 114 rooms, 7 apartments. In-room: safe, kitchen (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bars, pool, gym, spa, beach, water sports, business center, parking.

This charming colonial-style lodge is about a quarter of a mile walk from both Le Méridien resort and a small shopping center, and is just a few minutes walk to the beach. The rooms (some with kitchenettes for an additional 2,000 CFP a night) have a terrace with a view of the gardens and swimming pool, and are decorated with a Polynesian flair—bright bedspreads and local artwork. Each room has TV, refrigerator, and Wi-Fi (500 CFP per day). All meals can be provided—breakfast is 900 CFP, lunch and dinner 1,500 CFP. The public bus to Pape'ete stops at the front door.

Looking to immerse yourself in Polynesian culture for a few days? Guests at the Radisson can participate in Tahitian dance and cooking classes, though they must leave the wood carving and basket weaving to the Marquesan instructors. The accommodations here are a mixture of standard rooms, rooms with Jacuzzis on the balcony, two-story duplexes, and suites. All have a modern, western design and are decorated with framed photographs of colonial Pape'ete. A dance show takes place on the beach every Saturday night. A free shuttle offers transfers to the city 7 km (4 mi) away.

Shaped like a ship, this resort is situated on Maeva Beach, the only natural white sand beach on the island. The huge lobby is decorated with Polynesian totem poles and cane furniture with vibrant cushions. Rooms are also brightly decorated in orange, pink, white, green, and yellow fabrics from the Parisian design house Robert Le Heros. A feature of the bedroom is the sheer curtain printed with famous sayings of Paul Gauguin; as they are in French, it's best to ask the staff to translate. The grounds are very spacious and there are lovely views of Moorea from the pool. Le Bounganville restaurant has international cuisine and a Polynesian buffet the first Sunday of the month, while Le Sakura serves Japanese fare. There's a L'Truck stop across the road from the hotel.

If you have an early or very late flight to catch, or just like looking at planes from the breakfast terrace, then this is the place to stay. It's directly across the road (and up a hill) from the airport—five minutes on foot. The twin, double, and family rooms, which all have private bathrooms, are a little Spartan but the furnishings are pleasant with floral bedspreads and cushions. Rooms are air-conditioned, have Wi-Fi connections, refrigerators, and tea/coffee-making facilities. There is parking for 14 cars. Staff can arrange car rentals and day trips.