Tahiti – the idyllic stopover and holiday destination

With most airport stopover hotels located in busy urban area, it is very rare to be able to fly internationally between major cities like Los Angeles and Sydney and get off the aircraft at a stopover, and be at an idyllic resort in minutes.

Well this is what the Sofitel Tahiti Resort offers you and your clients, because it is only minutes from the international airport in Papeete, yet it is right on a stunning swimming beach and also offers superb, newly refurbished, if not huge rooms with great views of the gardens and Moorea – [Pictured right – this is the view from my room!]

Without doubt the Sofitel Tahiti Resort is a great location to combine business with pleasure and also break that horrendous trans-pacific flight and I suggest for more than just couple of days as Sofitel also have four resorts on the three islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, all magical locations and names associated with clear blue water, white beaches and idyllic, stress free relaxation.

The great thing about Tahiti and the Sofitel Tahiti Resort is that they deliver a truly international experience, combining French sophistication with the warmth and traditions of Tahiti – it is like being in France, but warmer and a lot calmer

The Sofitel Tahiti Resort has 216 newly refurbished rooms [Pictured left: a lagoon room] and suites, with very French, modern styling and contemporary furnishings and while the rooms are not huge, they have all the modern comforts you would expect in hotel of this status.

This includes an amazing massive rain fall shower head and all boasting private balconies capturing views over the deep blue lagoon or the lush green mountains.

You can relax at the poolside bar, sip sunset cocktails on the balcony or enjoy a range of leisure activities from tennis, the golf driving range or dive centre, or just lie on the beach or by the pool [Pictured below] and do absolutely nothing. 

For those workaholics like me, the free hotel wireless broadband network works by the bar and pool!

The Sofitel’s tour desk can also arrange a host of activities and although I did not have time to take advantage of them they included, sea trips, helicopter tours and transfers to other islands, island tours and Jeep safaris in the mountains, museum visits, scuba diving, golf and water-skiing.

I did have time to take a tour of the buzzing port town which I really liked, so colonial and very historic, while a real working town with heaps of shops and an amazing local market hall [Pictured left] selling practically with everything you can think of from fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and all sorts of “knickknacks” and it is where the Tahitians shop.

Upstairs there is also a massive local tourist gift and souvenirs section with all sorts of local products on stalls and where you can bargain for a great deal.

The contrast in the working port was amazing with with Reg Grundy’s multi million dollar superyacht Boadicea sitting alongside fishing boats and local island ferries!

Two things you have to do in Papeete is firstly visit the Robert Wan Pearl Museum, which is just amazing and for the girls, you will be wowed by the amazing range of Tahitian pearls – if you go there ask to speak with Sabine [Pictured right] – very French indeed or for more information visit www.robertwan.com   

Do not expect a bargain at the Robert Wan Pearl Museum [I think one pearl necklace was $A800,000 – I closed my eyes and ears at that point] they also do sell stunning pearls for less than that, but if you want to buy the very best pearls and the credit card has enough space then go for it at Robert Wan!

For more competitively priced pearls – and you need to be very careful as there are many poor quality pearls in the markets and cheaper stores – you should visit the Tahiti Pearl Market, which has an amazing selection to choose from.  They have what appeared to be millions of pearls – all high quality and you will not be ripped off.  For more information visit www.tahitpearlmarket.com

Back at the Sofitel as you would expect on a French orientated island, cuisine is an integral part of any holiday, with Sofitel saying that it helps to set the tone and mood of the guest experience and creating memories to last a lifetime, with restaurants including Le Bougainville Restaurant, offering alfresco dining overlooking the lagoon, fine local and international cuisine and American buffet breakfast and Sakura Japanese Restaurant, which was very good, offering leading Japanese teppanyaki cuisine, [Pictured right] with the Moorea Snack Bar offering poolside, light meals and grills.

In summary, Tahiti is not a cheap destination, but for the more discerning traveller, who is not overly worried about the cost, but wants an idyllic and rather exclusive holiday, it is a fabulous place to visit and spend some time.

I heartily recommend looking at the Sofitel resorts and in particular perhaps staying a few nights at each of the four resorts on the three islands – sounds to me like a very relaxing holiday!

You can also fly there in the three class aircraft of Air Tahiti Nui non stop from Sydney and via Auckland from other ports.

For more information on the Sofitel Tahiti Resort visit www.accor.com or for reservations or questions please email:  [email protected]  

For more information on Air Tahit Nui, visit www.airtahitinui.com

A report by The Mole on location in Tahiti.