Temarii, Pirae, French Polynesia | (937) 315-4602
Beachfront hotel with Polynesian flair throughout
20-minute drive to airport and 10 minutes to ferry terminal
Spacious rooms have kettles, air-conditioning, and furnished patios
Studios come with kitchens and dining tables
Beautiful tropical gardens with water features and palm trees
Well-regarded restaurant serving French and Polynesian fare
Pool with waterfall and adjacent hot tub
Outdoor shaded terrace overlooking beach
Airport transfers available (fee)
Signs of wear and tear throughout
Rooms are on the dated side, and lack bottles of water
Crowing roosters can be a disturbance
Wi-Fi is pricey, as is restaurant
Pool and hot tub feel neglected and have few loungers
Beach is narrow
The mid-range Royal Tahitien is a dated, but welcoming property along the water, about a 20-minute drive from the international airport in Tahiti. The 10 Studios and 30 Standard Rooms are spacious and have some cheerful Polynesian flair, but lots of wear and tear, moderately comfy beds, and no bottles of water are downsides. Gorgeous tropical gardens house a small pool and hot tub that feel a bit neglected, lots of crowing roosters that can be a disturbance in the mornings, and a narrow dark-sand beach. The restaurant and bar serve delicious fare all day, but like much of the island, dishes are expensive. Additionally, Wi-Fi comes at a pricey fee. This is a suitable, affordable pick for overnight stays between onward travel, but for anything longer, it's worth considering the more contemporary and well-equipped InterContinental Resort Tahiti, though rates are much higher.
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Scene
Dated, beachfront hotel with Polynesian decor and signs of wear
Built in 1967, the Royal Tahitien occupies seven acres abutting a narrow beach. Grounds are filled with gorgeous tropical gardens, two-story brick and concrete structures, and open-air facilities. While the scenery and Polynesian flair found throughout are lovely, decor is somewhat dated and lots of visible wear is present. Additionally, there are many wandering roosters on-site, which can sometimes lead to early-morning disturbances. Nevertheless, palm trees, colorful flowers, and lily ponds are charming, and a waterfall at the pool is atmospheric. Travelers here are primarily couples staying one or two nights before traveling home or to other islands.
If it's in the budget, the InterContinental Resort Tahiti has a more modern design and additional amenities, though rates are much higher. Those with onward travel or a late-night arrival via the international airport should consider the Tahiti Airport Motel, which lacks the scenic setting but provides free Wi-Fi and basic breakfast.
Location
Lagoon setting, a 10-minute drive to the ferry terminal
Although the narrow beach the Royal Tahitien is along isn't the prettiest, the lagoon setting still provides some lovely vistas of the water -- expect to see sailing and canoe racing teams practicing here. The hotel is a convenient 10-minute drive to the Pape'ete Ferry Terminal, as well as to the downtown area housing shops, restaurants, and the Papeete Market -- a popular market with vendors selling fresh produce, local delicacies, and handmade goods. The Fa'a'ā International Airport is a 20-minute drive, and the hotel can arrange transportation for slightly less than a cab typically costs (between $20 and $30 during our 2017 visit). A handful of restaurants and grocery stores are within a 15-minute walk.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with patios and most visible wear in the bathrooms
There are 10 Studios and 30 Standard Rooms here, all outfitted in the same mostly contemporary decor. The design consists of beige floor tiling and walls, straightforward wooden furniture, brick accent walls, and two-tone brown bedding with tropical flower motifs. A lone piece of artwork decorates the space, but fresh flowers on arrival help brighten the largely bland rooms. Large floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a sliding door lead to furnished balconies or terraces with garden views. Standard Rooms come with moderately comfy beds, chairs, built-in desks, dressers, closets with mini-fridges, drawers, and safes, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning units, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Studios add kitchens with full-size fridges, microwaves, ovens, stovetops, and cookware, as well as dining tables and bar stools. Bathrooms show the most wear in rooms, with dated mustard-yellow countertops, shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and basic toiletries.
No elevators are available, so those with mobility issues should request a ground-floor unit. Unfortunately, in-room Wi-Fi comes at a pricey fee and no bottles of water are provided.
Features
Excellent restaurant, narrow beach, and small pool
If there's one feature that stands out at the Royal Tahitien, it's the on-site restaurant and bar, Le Royal Tahitien. Food is a fusion of French and Polynesian fare, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. On Friday and Saturday nights, live music is performed here. However, like many restaurants in French Polynesia, prices are high. Additionally, the restaurant has limited hours.
The small and shallow outdoor pool isn't the most alluring, aside from its waterfall feature, but it's sufficient for a dip. Note that there were only a couple plastic loungers provided during our visit. Adjacent is a small hot tub. We didn't see either used during our stay. A narrow beach is pleasant, but there are no loungers set up for guests. Overlooking the beach is a covered terrace with tables and chairs, which sometimes holds functions.
Wi-Fi requires a hefty fee, and can be purchased for various hour-long increments.
