InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (French Polynesia)

Wednesday newsletters all the time function a lodge or flight evaluation.

Right this moment: Assessment of the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (French Polynesia)

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is the biggest luxurious resort on French Polynesia’s primary island of Tahiti. Situated simply 5 minutes from the airport, it’s also essentially the most handy. Regardless of its proximity to downtown Papeete (French Polynesia’s capital metropolis) and the airport, the lodge offers a pleasant Polynesian oasis with a number of the finest views of Moorea on the horizon. The rooms and overwater bungalows are tastefully adorned and provide all of the facilities of a deluxe worldwide resort. Though not extremely fashionable, this solely provides to its conventional Polynesian allure. The InterContinental Tahiti Resort options two freshwater infinity swimming pools and offers an in depth vary of actions and eating venues. Elegantly engulfed by tropical gardens, that is the perfect resort to start or finish your go to to French Polynesia.

The InterContinental Tahiti options in my prime 10 record of the finest resorts in French Polynesia.

Have you ever ever stayed on the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this evaluation (extra data and images beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is the finest lodge on Tahiti, the principle and largest island of French Polynesia. Whereas most vacationers will spend solely little time on Tahiti and instantly proceed to the paradisiac islands of Bora Bora or Moorea, the island of Tahiti is extremely stunning and a vacation spot in its personal proper. Tahiti’s mountainous inside and wild shoreline is adorned with mystical valleys, jagged peaks, thundering waterfalls, coral reefs and crystal clear waters. Highlights of any go to to Tahiti embrace swimming with humpback whales (August to September) and observing surfers who experience Teahupo’o, one of many world’s most well-known and heaviest waves (Might to October).

With dramatic volcanic peaks and an aquamarine lagoon backdropping its expansive resort gardens, the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is about on the northwest coast of Tahiti, on the outskirts of the bustling capital of Papeete. The property lies simply 2 km (1.3 miles) or 5 minutes from Tahiti’s Faa’a Worldwide Airport and never rather more than 10 minutes from downtown Papeete. This tremendous handy location means the lodge is usually booked as a one-night cease for these starting or ending their stays in French Polynesia (because the inter-island flight inside French Polynesia – which largely function throughout sunlight hours solely – don’t all the time join properly with the worldwide flights arriving in or departing from Tahiti).

The resort opened in 1974 as a Journey lodge, was later rebranded into Parkroyal and Beachcomber, and in 2001 was once more rebranded as an InterContinental resort. Since then, the property has been absolutely refurbished thrice, the final one performed in 2018. It incorporates a typical French Polynesian design, which is obvious the second you step contained in the massive tropical foyer area, full with its stone Tiki statue, woven grass Pandanus roof, and carved wood columns. The foyer opens to a big terrace, which affords a spectacular view of the plush resort gardens, the principle pool space and the magnificent silhouette of Moorea island on the horizon. The foyer can be dwelling to 2 retailers – a boutique promoting souvenirs & Polynesian handicrafts and a jewellery store.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is a Polynesian-style resort options 246 rooms & suites unfold out between overwater bungalows (at each ends of the resort grounds) and several other three-story buildings. All rooms include a terrace or non-public balcony and large sliding glass doorways permitting in loads of pure mild. Throughout my vacation, I stayed in a Premium Ocean & Moorea View Room, outfitted with two queen-size beds. That includes a heat and welcoming atmosphere, the room opened to a spacious terrace with panoramic views of the tropical gardens, Le Lotus infinity pool, the Pacific Ocean and the island of Moorea within the distance. The ensuite toilet was outfitted with a deep soaking bathtub, two basins, and separate bathroom and bathe cabins.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa affords two standard eating places and three energetic bars:
- The all-day eating Te Tiare Restaurant with its open kitchen has been conceived as an amphitheater in genuine Polynesian styling. Internet hosting stunning dinner exhibits with Polynesian dances, this restaurant affords a theme night two occasions per 30 days on Friday and a wealthy Tahitian Brunch each Sunday. The venue serves a wide range of worldwide meals from snacks and salads to seafood and meat dishes and every morning, it additionally affords a wonderful breakfast buffet.
- Le Lotus Gourmand overwater restaurant – referred to as the very best eating venue on the island of Tahiti – affords a refined service for lunch and dinner, in an intimate environment close to the sand-bottom pool, revealing a powerful view of Moorea.
- The classically styled Tiki Bar is legendary for its reside bands at sundown each weekend. Fashionable with each vacationers and locals alike, it serves signature cocktails in hollowed out coconuts and pineapples.
- The Foyer Bar is handy for late arrivals or early departures. It affords a choice of drinks and snacks and lovely sundown views.
- Le Lotus pool swim-up bar affords tropical cocktails and refreshing drinks.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa boasts two beautiful freshwater swimming swimming pools. Set in entrance of the foyer constructing is the principle pool, referred to as Te Tiare pool. This large pool options cascades and a Jacuzzi, and affords views of the lagoonarium and the Pacific Ocean past. At brief distance from the Te Tiare pool, in entrance of the room wings, is one other, extra intimate and oceanfront pool space. Known as Le Lotus, this sand-bottomed infinity edged pool enjoys awe-inspiring views of Moorea. Offering a serene setting for enjoyable and sunbathing, the freeform pool comes with a swim-up bar and a Jacuzzi, and is surrounded by a man-made white sand seashore with loungers. Each swimming pools are serviced by attendants from 8 am till 6 pm.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is constructed round an enormous lagoonarium, which is situated subsequent to the Te Tiare pool. The pure aquarium, referred to as Fare l’a Reserve, was constructed to assist lodge company admire the sweetness, range and fragility of Tahiti’s reef surroundings. It homes a reef ecosystem fastidiously monitored by a group of scientists that recreates the pure underwater circumstances for greater than 200 aquatic species, together with parrot fish, Picasso fish and angelfish. Right here, company find out about a wide range of corals, shells and sea creatures and snorkel in managed surroundings among the many tropical fish. Friends may also be a part of the resort employees at 9 am and three pm every day for an exhilarating picture alternative once they feed the fish.

Nestled within the coronary heart of the huge tropical gardens, the resort’s Deep Nature Spa is the supply of pure island bliss, specializing in holistic Polynesian-inspired pampering. Deep Nature is the alliance of French well-being understand how mixed with Polynesian strategies. The spa not too long ago reopened following an in depth refurbishment and affords a menu of enjoyable and rejuvenating therapies. Signature therapies embrace the Bora Bora Bliss Therapeutic massage, a calming full-body rubdown utilizing native Monoï oil and tropical scents, and a Polynesian Taurumi Therapeutic massage, a multi-faceted remedy that restores interior wellbeing by combining contact and petrissage strategies. A steam tub and chilly plunge pool can be found to company, too. In the meantime, exercise buffs can train within the resort’s health centre.

The property is managed by InterContinental Motels & Resorts, the main chain of luxurious resorts in French Polynesia and one of many first to maneuver into the archipelago. This early arrival meant that the InterContinental resorts secured a number of the most spectacular spots within the Society Islands and Bora Bora. Although every property has a definite character, the three resorts of the InterContinental model in French Polynesia all embrace the identical philosophy. Every suits in flawlessly with its pure environment, with overwater bungalows, and makes nice effort to guard each the surroundings and native traditions. The opposite two InterContinental properties are each situated on the island of Bora Bora (a 50 min flight from Tahiti):
- The InterContinental Bora Bora Moana Resort is flanked by two lengthy seashores and set within the shade of a splendid coconut plantation. This distinctive boutique lodge on the principle island of Bora Bora options direct entry to one of many world’s most beautiful lagoons.
- The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, located on a barrier-reef coral island, affords solely villas over the water, standing on stilts between the ocean and the lagoon. Its spa is the primary Thalasso spa on this planet to faucet into the advantages of deep-sea water and minerals in all its signature therapies.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Sadly, because of the native regulation, the InterContinental Tahiti doesn’t present free airport shuttle, regardless of the aiport being solely a 5 min drive away. There are two choices to get from the lodge to the airport:
- The primary possibility is to order a non-public switch, the speed of this service for one individual is 4500cfp plus 100cfp per piece of bags. The speed for 2 folks is 6000cfp plus 100cfp per piece of bags. With this selection a driver will look ahead to you outdoors the customized space holding an indication along with your identify on it.
- The second possibility can be to take a taxi. Taxis are discovered simply outdoors the arrival gates and no reservation is required. The speed of a taxi from the airport to the lodge, is roughly, 1500cfp plus 100cfp per piece of bags. Taxis will solely take native foreign money. There may be an ATM machine on the airport or a foreign money alternate on the airport.

For the reason that lodge is lower than a mile from the beginning of Tahiti’s Faa’a Worldwide Airport, there could be some occasional noise from plane actions. When a wide-body plane takes off from the runway finish close to the lodge, the engine sound is clearly audible, even contained in the rooms (which aren’t soundproof). It’s nothing too unhealthy although since Tahiti’s Faa’a Worldwide Airport is a slightly quiet airport with just a few worldwide departures per day (which – sadly – largely happen within the early morning or within the late night).

One of many Intercontinental Tahiti’s best belongings is its location. On account of its handy proximity to the airport, many company select the InterContinental as a transit lodge, staying right here for one evening both in the beginning or the top of their vacation (because the home flight schedules doe not all the time align properly with worldwide departures). The resort additionally serves as a crew lodge for a lot of airways which can be based mostly outdoors of French Polynesia. Consequently, the resort is usually absolutely booked and would possibly really feel busy, particularly after the arrival of a global flight when many passengers proceed to the lodge (with typically lengthy queues on the check-in desks within the foyer). Additionally understand that the resort isn’t inside strolling distance of native retailers or eating places.

The InterContinental Tahiti options stunning and expansive seafront gardens however it lacks an actual seashore. There’s a small seashore close to the watersport middle, however it’s removed from French Polynesia’s finest, with a small rock wall separating the water and sand. There are additionally some synthetic areas of sand by the artifical lagoonarium in addition to across the serene and quiet Le Lotus pool.

Being nearly 50 years previous, the InterContinental Tahiti is in no way a contemporary property. There is no such thing as a denying that the resort is displaying its age and it does really feel a little bit dated in sure areas (regardless of a number of refurbishings), though every part could be very properly maintained. Whereas this could be a difficulty for some company, I really didn’t have any downside with the charming, considerably older decor because it displays French Polynesia’s conventional design, creating a way of place.

Whereas the InterContinental Tahiti is gorgeous resort with a handy location, it’s not a vacation spot lodge, just because the island of Tahiti ought to by no means be the ultimate vacation spot of any vacation to French Polynesia. I extremely advocate to journey from Tahiti to certainly one of French Polynesia’s different 118 islands, reminiscent of Moorea and Bora Bora which rank among the many stunning islands on this planet and that are a much better place for having fun with a calming seashore vacation. That stated, the InterContinental is price greater than a in a single day keep, because it’s a fantastic property and it’s an important introduction to French Polynesia. Additionally, Tahiti island affords some elegant sights to not be discovered on different islands (as talked about above).

MY VERDICT

Location: 7/10
Design: 7/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: N/A
Service: 9/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
Total expertise: superb 8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: learn right here my ideas for getting the very best deal at a luxurious lodge like InterContinental Tahiti (and/or obtain many free perks).

Lower your expenses: IHG has a loyalty program which I reviewed right here and which lets you acquire factors and alternate them keep at no cost stays at IHG properties, such because the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa.

Room tip: the very best rooms are the premium rooms on the primary and second flooring in one of many two buildings close to Le Lotus pool. {Couples} might want the overwater bungalows

Learn my ideas for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

French Polynesia is finest visited between June and September when the local weather is at its driest and the climate is balmy (however windy). Nonetheless, that is excessive season, so it is going to be busy and the lodge charges are skyrocketing. The months on both facet of this era (Might & October) are referred to as the shoulder season and provide comfy climate too, however with decrease costs and fewer wind. Though French Polynesia may be visited year-round, the months of November to April deliver extra humidity and cloudy days, with tropical showers passing at larger frequency than different occasions of the yr. Nonetheless, they’re typically interspersed with durations of sunshine. It is a humid time of yr, although, which may be uncomfortable and I like to recommend selecting a lodge with A/C if visiting throughout these months. The islands hardly ever endure from tropical storms besides throughout years when El Niño impacts ocean currents.

HOW TO GET THERE

Airways from world wide provide direct flights to Faa’a Worldwide Airport in Papeete, Tahiti. From the airport, it’s a brief 5 min drive to the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & spa.

PHOTOS

Beneath is a choice of my images of the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. To view extra images (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.