InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (French Polynesia)

November 23, 2022

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

Right now: Evaluate of the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (French Polynesia)

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is the most important luxurious resort on French Polynesia’s foremost island of Tahiti. Situated simply 5 minutes from the airport, additionally it is essentially the most handy. Regardless of its proximity to downtown Papeete (French Polynesia’s capital metropolis) and the airport, the lodge supplies a pleasant Polynesian oasis with among the greatest views of Moorea on the horizon. The rooms and overwater bungalows are tastefully embellished and supply all of the facilities of a deluxe worldwide resort. Though not extremely trendy, this solely provides to its conventional Polynesian allure. The InterContinental Tahiti Resort options two freshwater infinity swimming pools and supplies an intensive vary of actions and eating venues. Elegantly engulfed by tropical gardens, that is the best resort to start or finish your go to to French Polynesia.

The InterContinental Tahiti options in my high 10 checklist of the greatest resorts in French Polynesia.

Have you ever ever stayed on the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluation (extra data and photographs under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is the greatest lodge on Tahiti, the primary 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 embody 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 ready 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 daytime solely – don’t all the time join effectively 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 completed in 2018. It includes a typical French Polynesian design, which is clear the second you step contained in the massive tropical foyer house, full with its stone Tiki statue, woven grass Pandanus roof, and carved wood columns. The foyer opens to a big terrace, which gives a spectacular view of the plush resort gardens, the primary pool space and the magnificent silhouette of Moorea island on the horizon. The foyer can be residence to 2 outlets – 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 huge sliding glass doorways permitting in loads of pure mild. Throughout my vacation, I stayed in a Premium Ocean & Moorea View Room, geared up 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 lavatory was geared up with a deep soaking bathtub, two basins, and separate bathroom and bathe cabins.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa gives two well-liked 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 reveals with Polynesian dances, this restaurant gives a theme night two instances 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 gives a superb breakfast buffet.
- Le Lotus Connoisseur overwater restaurant – often known as the perfect eating venue on the island of Tahiti – gives a refined service for lunch and dinner, in an intimate ambiance close to the sand-bottom pool, revealing an impressive view of Moorea.
- The classically styled Tiki Bar is legendary for its dwell bands at sundown each weekend. Well-liked 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 gives a choice of drinks and snacks and lovely sundown views.
- Le Lotus pool swim-up bar gives tropical cocktails and refreshing drinks.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa boasts two gorgeous freshwater swimming swimming pools. Set in entrance of the foyer constructing is the primary pool, referred to as Te Tiare pool. This large pool options cascades and a Jacuzzi, and gives 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 positioned subsequent to the Te Tiare pool. The pure aquarium, referred to as Fare l’a Reserve, was constructed to assist lodge visitors admire the wonder, variety and fragility of Tahiti’s reef atmosphere. It homes a reef ecosystem rigorously monitored by a workforce of scientists that recreates the pure underwater situations for greater than 200 aquatic species, together with parrot fish, Picasso fish and angelfish. Right here, visitors find out about a wide range of corals, shells and sea creatures and snorkel in managed atmosphere among the many tropical fish. Friends may also be part of the resort employees at 9 am and three pm every day for an exhilarating picture alternative after 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 know the way mixed with Polynesian methods. The spa not too long ago reopened following an intensive refurbishment and gives a menu of enjoyable and rejuvenating therapies. Signature therapies embody 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 methods. A steam bathtub and chilly plunge pool can be found to visitors, too. In the meantime, exercise buffs can train within the resort’s health centre.

The property is managed by InterContinental Resorts & 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 among 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 atmosphere and native traditions. The opposite two InterContinental properties are each positioned 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 primary island of Bora Bora options direct entry to one of many world’s most gorgeous lagoons.
- The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, located on a barrier-reef coral island, gives completely 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 choice is to order a non-public switch, the speed of this service for one individual is 4500cfp plus 100cfp per piece of baggage. The speed for 2 individuals is 6000cfp plus 100cfp per piece of baggage. With this feature a driver will look ahead to you outdoors the customized space holding an indication together with your title on it.
- The second choice 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 baggage. Taxis will solely take native foreign money. There may be an ATM machine on the airport or a foreign money change on the airport.

For the reason that lodge is lower than a mile from the beginning of Tahiti’s Faa’a Worldwide Airport, there is likely to 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 somewhat quiet airport with only some worldwide departures per day (which – sadly – largely happen within the early morning or within the late night).

One of many Intercontinental Tahiti’s biggest property is its location. Attributable to its handy proximity to the airport, many visitors select the InterContinental as a transit lodge, staying right here for one evening both at the beginning or the tip of their vacation (because the home flight schedules doe not all the time align effectively with worldwide departures). The resort additionally serves as a crew lodge for a lot of airways which might 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 usually lengthy queues on the check-in desks within the foyer). Additionally understand that the resort will not be inside strolling distance of native outlets or eating places.

The InterContinental Tahiti options stunning and expansive seafront gardens but it surely lacks an actual seashore. There’s a small seashore close to the watersport middle, however it’s removed from French Polynesia’s greatest, 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 outdated, the InterContinental Tahiti is certainly not a contemporary property. There isn’t any denying that the resort is exhibiting its age and it does really feel a bit dated in sure areas (regardless of a number of refurbishings), though the whole lot could be very effectively maintained. Whereas this is likely to be a problem for some visitors, 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 suggest to journey from Tahiti to one in every of French Polynesia’s different 118 islands, equivalent to 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 value greater than a in a single day keep, because it’s a fantastic property and it’s a terrific introduction to French Polynesia. Additionally, Tahiti island gives some chic 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: excellent 8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect 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 change them keep free of charge stays at IHG properties, such because the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa.

Room tip: the perfect rooms are the premium rooms on the primary and second ground in one of many two buildings close to Le Lotus pool. {Couples} could choose the overwater bungalows

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

French Polynesia is greatest 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 will probably be busy and the lodge charges are skyrocketing. The months on both aspect of this era (Might & October) are often known as the shoulder season and supply snug climate too, however with decrease costs and fewer wind. Though French Polynesia could be visited year-round, the months of November to April convey extra humidity and cloudy days, with tropical showers passing at higher frequency than different instances of the 12 months. Nonetheless, they’re usually interspersed with durations of sunshine. This can be a humid time of 12 months, although, which could be uncomfortable and I like to recommend selecting a lodge with A/C if visiting throughout these months. The islands not often endure from tropical storms besides throughout years when El Niño impacts ocean currents.

HOW TO GET THERE

Airways from all over the world supply 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 photographs of the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. To view extra photographs (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.