Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa

Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa is the only five-pearl resort in Taha’a. Located on a private "motu" (tiny island), it’s a favorite of honeymooners and anniversary celebrants, as well as a few A-list celebrities looking for seclusion. The resort experience begins at Raiatea airport, where guests are greeted by staff members and whisked away by boat. After a 45-minute ride, guests are welcomed again at the arrivals dock, and brought to the stunning lobby. Inspired by a traditional Polynesian canoe, the lobby features Marquesan wood floors, an arched pandanus roof, and woven coconut nape rope work. It feels exotic and elegant, but not in an over-the-top way. During check-in, guests are offered scented cold towels and iced tea infused with local vanilla. Because the entire resort was built around preexisting vegetation, even the man-made elements of the hotel have a natural feeling about them. The main restaurant looks like it was built within the treetops, concrete pathways blend in with the sand, and rows of palm trees create shady spaces along the beach. Plus, without vehicles on the island, it’s possible to hear birds chirping and waves lapping against the shores. The atmosphere is entirely peaceful, without much to disturb the silence. The majority of guests at Le Taha’a are Americans, followed closely by Europeans. Most are couples, and many are celebrating honeymoons and anniversaries. Children are welcome, and we did see some during our visit, but families are certainly the minority here. People traveling with young children may feel out of place in such an intensely quiet atmosphere.  

Le Taha’a’s location can be confusing to anyone unfamiliar with French Polynesia. As its name suggests, Le Taha’a Resort & Spa is located in Taha’a, a Polynesian island that shares a lagoon with neighboring Raiatea. The resort isn’t located on the main island of Taha’a, though, but a neighboring motu (tiny island). In order to reach Le Taha’a Resort & Spa, guests must first fly to Raiatea, and then take a 45-minute boat ride (provided by the hotel), to the resort. Raiatea is about a 20-minute flight from Bora Bora, and about a 40-minute flight from Tahiti. Alternatively, guests looking for the ultimate transfer can take a helicopter from Bora Bora directly to the resort’s helipad. The island of Taha’a is small and quiet. Its claim to fame is its locally grown vanilla, which is used regularly in both food and drink preparation. Taha’a is also known for its exquisite black pearls, which are sold in high-end jewelry shops across Polynesia. Many of Polynesia’s islands are tranquil places where people come to relax and take in the stunning natural beauty, but it’s hard to describe just how quiet Taha’a is. Don’t expect many shops, restaurants, or bars, because there really aren’t any. Conveniences like ATMs and internet cafes are nonexistent on the island. And good luck if you forget any kind of vacation essential like a camera, charger, or converter — chances are you won’t be able to buy any replacements on Taha’a. But travelers looking for quiet seclusion and an authentic Polynesian lifestyle will find what they’re looking for here. Since Le Taha’a is located on a motu across from the main island, the resort offers a free shuttle boat to the village of Tapuamu a few times per day.  

Rooms at Le Taha’a are luxurious, but still feel authentically Polynesian. The hotel comprises 45 overwater bungalows and 12 beach villas. The overwater bungalows are most popular with couples, while families and groups tend to book the larger beach villas. The overwater bungalows are located on the northern side of the property, closest to the communal beach and pool area. Most have views of Taha’a, but a select few have stunning views of Bora Bora in the distance. Beach villas are located on the southern end of the property, closest to the lobby and main restaurant. Decor throughout all rooms is fairly consistent. The authentic Polynesian design elements found in the resort’s rooms continues the natural feeling exuded in its public spaces. Just like the lobby, rooms have beautifully thatched ceilings and Marquesan wood floors. Beds are dressed in local tapa cloths, and carved wood murals echo the rich tradition of Polynesian storytelling. Coconut nape rope work adds a casual island feel to rooms, as does the bamboo furniture. Bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs, large walk-in showers, and separate water closets. Bathrooms in the beach villas have large outdoor components as well.  In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, Nespresso machines, and closets filled with terry robes, slippers, electronic safes, extra pillows and blankets, rain ponchos, and an iron and ironing board. The in-room desk has plenty of outlets, as well as one convertor for American guests. Overwater bungalows have large outdoor decks with cushioned lounge chairs and ladders that lead straight into the lagoon below. Beach villas have private plunge pools, and the beach area in front of these rooms is reserved exclusively for beach villa guests. 

Almost all of Le Taha’a's on-site amenities are on the northern side of the motu, closest to the overwater bungalows. The hotel’s gorgeous freeform pool is surrounded by a large wooden deck and cushioned lounge chairs. The pool has an infinity edge that overlooks the beach and a swim-up bar. Many guests spend their days lounging poolside or relaxing by the beach, which is literally steps from the pool deck. Shaded by palm trees and tropical vegetation, the beach feels private and peaceful. Pairs of lounge chairs are scattered across the sand, and hammocks hang between tree trunks. With tons of twigs and pesky seaweed washed up on the shoreline, it’s certainly not the most pristine beach we’ve ever seen, but it feels natural and undisturbed. Just offshore, guests can find incredible snorkeling conditions and lots of sea life. Thanks to a gentle current, guest can easily float and let the water pull them across the reef — no effort required! Le Spa by Le Taha’a is the resort’s full-service spa. Located in a secluded garden overlooking the motu’s interior lagoon, the spa feels like a private hideaway. Though it’s not quite as luxe as the spas at The St. Regis or the Four Seasons in Bora Bora, it has a large menu with a wide array of offerings. Guests can book treatments like couples massages, Polynesian reflexology sessions, and facials. Some treatment rooms, like the one we visited, have private outdoor balconies with hot tubs. Le Taha’a also has a small fitness center with a few modern cardio and weight machines. Guests looking to exercise outdoors can take advantage of the resort’s volleyball and tennis courts.  Wi-Fi is free for all guests, but only works in the lobby. The connection can get a bit slow when multiple people are trying to use it at once. 

There are three restaurants at Le Taha’a. Le Vanille is the resort’s main restaurant, and serves breakfast and dinner in an open-air setting. Located above the lobby, Le Vanille feels like a tree house. Guests can dine under the palapa-style roof, or outside beneath the cover of the trees. Breakfast is served buffet style, and is included in all nightly room rates. Dinner is served a la carte, and features lots of locally sourced ingredients. Taha’a’s famous vanilla seems to make its way into nearly every dish. At night, there’s also an extensive wine list with wines by the bottle and the glass. Tehutu, the resort’s evening bar, is adjacent to Le Vanille. Guests can stop at Tehutu for pre-dinner drinks, or even have a light meal at the bar. La Plage is the pool bar and restaurant. It’s open for lunch, but early evening snacks at the bar. La Plage’s sand-bottom floor and thatched roof give it the ultimate casual beachy feel. The lunch menu consists of salads, burgers, sashimi, and the ever popular Tahitian dish, poisson cru — raw tuna and fresh vegetables marinated in lime juice and coconut milk. The Ohiri Restaurant is the resort’s reservations-required gourmet dining option. The 12-seat dining room features semi-private table settings in an intimate space, and the cuisine is Polynesian-French fusion. It’s an ideal place for a celebratory dinner, and can also be reserved by groups for private events. Along with Le Taha’a’s three restaurants, the resort also hosts a weekly Polynesian evening. Weather permitting, the show takes place near La Plage restaurant and features a Tahitian buffet and traditional dancing. The highlight of the night is a performance by Tavita, one of the area’s best known fire dancers.