Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel

Though Le Meridien has all the features of a destination resort, it is best suited as a stopover stay, and there are even day rates available. The hotel's location close to the international airport and cruise pier makes it convenient for those arriving and departing, whether on a cruise, ferry, or plane; many guests are couples or part of tour groups. Leisure travelers seeking beautiful beaches are better off heading to Moorea or Bora Bora, and most will find a night or two on Tahiti is plenty. The service here can be slow, and some will find maintenance not up to expectations for the brand. 

It's clear upon arrival that this is an older property, and it has a little less shine than its main competitor, the Intercontinental. Still, Le Meridien has all of the same features, including snorkeling and overwater bungalows, for less money. Most interior areas were updated in 2011, and the hotel melds traditional Tahitian style -- steeply pitched thatched roofs and open-air spaces -- with contemporary decor. An airy lobby awash in white is a busy hub for arriving and departing guests and those needing to check Wi-Fi (it's free in the lobby, but not the rooms). Neat rows of curvy high-back chairs offer private space for meeting or reading and a wide staircase descends beneath a floating lagoon to the hotel's restaurant.

Throughout the grounds, the Le Meridien offers plenty of places for guests to escape. Grassy areas are peppered with swinging basket chairs and clusters of seating while the huge sandy-bottom pool delivers duos of cushioned lounge chairs with umbrellas, a popular place to spend the afternoon or grab a cocktail at the tiki-style pool bar. In the evenings, the beach is a popular spot for watching the sunset.

Le Meridien Tahiti is located south of Pape'ete along a stretch of beach that’s part of the Nu'uroa peninsula. It's convenient for travelers with business in the capital as well as leisure travelers stopping over before or after an inter-island flight or ferry ride. There's a grocery store a short walk away with cheap crusty French baguettes for those who don't want to rely exclusively on the hotel's pricey dining. Pape'ete has the highest concentration of nightlife and shopping in French Polynesia, but little in the way of charm or sightseeing. Taxis are the easiest way to get around, and during our visit it was $35 to $40 USD to the airport and Pape'ete. 

• 15-minute drive to Fa'a'ā International Airport
• 15-minute drive to the Pape'ete Ferry Terminal
• 15-minute drive to the Pā'ōfa'i Gardens
• 16-minute drive to Vai'ete Square (food trucks)
• 16-minute drive to the Pearl Museum
• 17-minute drive to Pape'ete Market
• 28-minute drive to the James Norman Hall Museum
• 40-minute drive to the Point Venus Lighthouse
• 50-minute drive to the Paul Gauguin Museum
• 60-minute drive to the Cascades de Faarumai

Le Meridien's 150 rooms, suites, and bungalows are classified into three categories. The hotel's Garden View rooms (550 square feet) offer views of the surrounding greenery from private terraces while similarly sized Deluxe Ocean View and Panoramic Ocean Front views are located on higher floors, offering glimpses of the ocean and the hotel's lagoon. Junior (893 square feet) and Senior (1,410 square feet) Suites offer separate bedroom and living rooms as well as huge terraces furnished with cushioned lounge chairs, dining tables, and additional seating. The 12 overwater bungalows (602 square feet) are set on stilts above a natural coral garden and are accessed via a long deck-like walkway.

The bungalows, which are slated for renovation, feature traditional Polynesian style with light wood floors, pale yellow walls, shuttered windows, and vaulted ceilings with exposed beams that reveal the woven grass of the tiki-style roof. King-size beds are finished with white linens and neutral floral pattern throws. Built-in daybeds footed by a long surfboard-style coffee tables, large work desks by the windows, walk-in closets, and bathrooms with double teakwood vanities and separate soaking tubs are also included.

The renovated rooms and suites in the main building feature playful contemporary Polynesian style that incorporates light wood floors, neutral colors, and bright orange accents displayed in the coverings of hanging bedside lamps and throw pillows. Wall-mounted flat-screen TVs are surrounded by swirling ebony and white carved wooded panels while the king-size beds are finished with soft white linens and neutral accent throws. The bathrooms in all room categories offer floating white double vanities, deep soaking tubs, separate stall showers, and gray tile floors. All of the rooms also offer private terraces furnished with chairs and side tables. The suites offer the largest terraces, equipped with dining tables and separate lounging areas.

All rooms have the amenities expected from an upscale hotel, including espresso machines, mini-fridges, robes, spa-quality toiletries, and safes.

Le Meridien Tahiti caters equally to business and leisure travelers, delivering the amenities expected from an upscale chain hotel. A sleek business center, furnished with curvy white chairs and modern computer stations, affords views of the hotel's lagoon through walls of glass. A small, basic spa features open-air treatment rooms (with little atmosphere); guests can also book an in-room massage. Those looking to relax will find plenty of lounge chairs scattered among the gardens and encircling the white-sand-bottom pool. Creative-minded guests can interact and learn from residence artists at the hotel's Art Space L'Atelier.

A handful of restaurants are within driving distance of the hotel, and Le Meridien offers several options for dining on-site. La Plantation Restaurant is an open-air space on the ground floor of the hotel that serves French-Polynesian cuisine for all three meals and offers a Tahitian dance show on specific nights. Located above the restaurant is the L'Astrolabe Bar, a bright contemporary space with woven furniture, local artwork, and a menu of light fare and crafted cocktails. Le Carre Restaurant evokes a stylish beach-inspired vibe with outdoor seating, ocean views, and a la carte dining. The tiki-hut style pool bar serves tropical drinks and snacks all within easy reach of the poolside lounge chairs.

The beach is hardly one of French Polynesia's best, and the water lacks the beautiful turquoise color of other islands. Still, there is good snorkeling right off the sand, though guests will need to be careful of the strong current moving parallel to the shore. Local families also use the beach and kids sometimes jump into the water off the wooden walkway that leads to the overwater bungalows.