Raiatea Lodge Hotel

Although there are several pensions (bed-and-breakfasts) located on Raiatea, this less-developed French Polynesian island only has a handful of true hotels. Raiatea Lodge Hotel is a small, colonial-style property with two floors of rooms featuring lots of wood and colorful decor. The open-air property has a cheerful blue-painted wooden exterior with white trim and balustrades, plus well-tended grounds housing a pool. A row of palm trees and smaller plants leads from the lobby all the way to the street, which guests can cross and come upon a dock that's a popular hangout spot during the magnificent sunsets. The open-plan lobby has several colonial rattan chairs topped with bright, colorful throw pillows, and next to it is the restaurant, which most guests eat at for breakfast and dinner due to the lack of nearby options. During the day, most guests are outside the property on excursions of some kind, though the vibe remains peaceful at all hours. Guests can often be seen having a beer by the pool or sitting on their terrace. The hotel is run by a French couple, Karine and Olivier, who receive consistent praise for their helpful and friendly attitude. Guests here are primarily French couples, though the occasional family is present.

While it's a six-minute drive to the airport, and about five minutes more to reach the main city of Uturoa, there's little of interest in the immediate surrounds. Raiatea is far less developed than other French Polynesian islands such as Bora Bora and Moorea, which makes for a pleasant non-touristy escape, but also means restaurants and shops are few and far between. Guests can use the hotel's bicycles for free, and it's a popular way to access Uturoa's popular covered market, ATMs, and shops, given that taxis are expensive here. On-site parking is free for guests with their own cars. Although not directly along the water, guests can cross the street and snorkel, or take kayaks to a nearby motu with a true beach. To reach Raiatea, international travelers will first have to fly into the main airport on Tahiti. From there, it's a 45-minute flight to Raiatea, and there are generally two flights per day.

Spread across two floors, rooms are divided between charming and simple Standard Rooms and more contemporary Superior Rooms. While all have furnished outdoor spaces, Superior Rooms offer the best views of the garden and distant ocean. Standard Rooms have a cheerful design of wood floors, textured white walls, minimal traditional wood furniture, and tropical-print fabrics in colors such as yellow or blue on beds and curtains. Some furnishings are showing a bit of age. Superior units are more up-to-date, with tufted headboards, modern bathrooms, and classier neutral-tone fabrics. On arrival, guests are always welcomed with a plethora of hibiscus and frangipani flowers carefully placed throughout the rooms. Amenities across the board consist of mini-fridges, kettles alongside tea and instant coffee, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, weak but free Wi-Fi, free bottle of water, tables and chairs, and closets with small safes and hairdryers. Bathrooms have stall showers and basic toiletries, as well as elegant stone basin sinks and bathrobes in Superior Rooms.Note that there's no elevator here, but ground-floor units are available. 

The Raiatea Lodge Hotel has a good amount of features for a small property. The standout here is the restaurant, which serves quality fare overlooking the pool and garden. Most rates include a continental breakfast consisting of fresh pastries, baguettes, yogurt, fruit, and cold meats and cheeses, plus juice, coffee, and tea. Gourmet a la carte lunch and dinner dishes are available, plus beverages throughout the day. Given that travelers are typically off-site during the day and there are limited dining options nearby, many guests opt for half-board rates. A six-minute walk down the road is a casual lunch restaurant that the hotel also runs.A lovely, good-sized pool is set near the restaurant, surrounded by modern wicker loungers. Free snorkeling gear and kayaks are available, which can be used right across the street. A nearby motu (small island) with a true beach can be reached by kayak in about 15 to 20 minutes. A small sitting area at the back of the restaurant has shelves stocked with free-to-borrow games and books. There are no full spa or fitness facilities, but in-room massages can be arranged. Staff can also organize tours and excursions around the island, as well as provide airport transportation for a fee. Parking and Wi-Fi are both free, but the latter's signal can be weak.