Taha’a Island Resort & spa : Visit the French Polynesia has always been a dream of mine, and it’s definitely a place that lives up to the hype. Known as Vanilla Island, Taha’a Island is absolutely beautiful, and it really smells like vanilla. I decided to live a truly luxurious experience in French Polynesia, and it was unforgettable!
Here’s how my stay at Taha’a Island & Spa Resort !
How to get there
There French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands. Tahiti is one of the largest and most famous of them. If you want to go to the island of Taha’a, you will have to go through Tahiti.
I flew from LA to Papeete, Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui and then took a short Air Tahiti flight to Raiatea.
From there, I took a boat transfer to Le Taha’a, organized by the hotel. Although it may seem like a long trip, I actually had a great time. It’s not uncommon to see a pod of dolphins along the way, and the scenery is breathtaking.
The hotel
The Taha’a is a five-star hotel that was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List of Best Places in the World. The resort’s fifty-seven suites and villas feature impressive Polynesian architecture and enjoy an ideal location.
Located on the peaceful islet of Motu Tautau, the resort is nestled between Taha’a Island and Bora Bora, offering incredible views in all directions.
Another thing I liked about this resort is that everything feels connected to the local environment. While many luxury hotels are a bit sterile, this place is connected to nature and the traditional culture of the island.
The rooms
Each type of Taha’a room offers a different view! The Taha’a Overwater Suite offers an impressive view of the sea and the Bora Bora Overwater Suite offers a view of Bora Bora. The Sunset Overwater Suite offers stunning views of the sunset over the water, and the End of Pontoon Overwater Suite offers equally stunning views and greater privacy.
I stayed in the Overwater Suite overlooking the turquoise lagoon, and it was amazing.
There are also the Beach Villas and the Royal Beach Villas, which are the resort’s flagship accommodations.
Featuring a private swimming pool and a tropical garden, these villas open onto white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. If you opt for the Royal Beach Villa, you will have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as outdoor baths and showers.
The food
The food at Taha’a is top notch. There’s a huge selection of seafood and fresh fruit, and the resort’s staff can accommodate any type of diet. With three on-site restaurants, room service, and a bar, you can dine like a king without ever having to leave the resort.
Le Vanille, the main restaurant, is the place to go for breakfast and dinner.
It also offers a Polynesian evening once a week, which is the perfect opportunity to attend folk dances and the famous fire dance of French Polynesia.
For lunch, check out Le Taha’a. This outdoor restaurant is a beach lover’s dream. Savor French-Polynesian fusion cuisine while sinking your feet into the sand. For an afternoon cocktail, swim up to the bar and bask in the sun.
Activities
There are so many things to do in Taha’a that I could have stayed there for weeks. From the resort, daily excursions are organized to the famous vanilla plantations, and you can snorkel in the coral reef off the resort.
The Taha’a Island & Spa Resort also offers a scuba diving program that takes you to the lagoons of Taha’a and Raiatea. It is one of best places to dive. In fact, I included it in my list of the best places to scuba dive in the world.
Some of the best spots in the region are Eleuthera in Tahiti, Nemo World in Bora Bora, The Six Passengers in Rangiroa, Scubapiti and Mahana Dive in Huahine, and Fun Dive in Moorea. If you love diving as much as I do, you’ll want to get the Te Moana Diving Pass, which lets you explore the whole area.
You could never leave the water here, and you would still have a great time. Ride a wave runner or take a sunset cruise. If you want a view from above, check out the legendary helicopter rides.
If Taha’a is the ideal place for a getaway with friends, it is also an incredibly romantic place.
The resort organizes all kinds of excursions for couples, like private beach dinners, sailing, local shows, picnics, and weddings. If you are looking for a unique romantic getaway, this is the perfect place for you and your significant other.
