Review: Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

Set the scene
Before Bora Bora, before overwater villas became shorthand for South Pacific luxury, there was the InterContinental Tahiti. Opened in 1974 and refreshed multiple times since, this sprawling resort sits just 10 minutes from Papeete’s airport and is often used as a stopover before or after a cruise of Polynesia, but it deserves more than a cursory glance. The rambling buildings sit in lush tropical planting and the seafront position provides views of Moorea on the horizon.

The vibe
Despite its proximity to the capital, the InterContinental feels worlds away from Papeete’s bustle. The pace is unhurried, the guests a steady mix of honeymooners in linen and families padding to breakfast in sarongs. Flight crews occasionally wander through with wheeled suitcases – a reminder this is the South Pacific’s most connected island – but it doesn’t disrupt the sense of escape. Staff are warm and chatty, quick to offer tips on local markets or where to buy the best monoi oil. Service is professional with a personal edge, and nothing feels overly rehearsed. Conservation is big here, too, and a turtle sanctuary nurses sick turtles before releasing them back into the sea.

The rooms
Rooms are understated but luxurious; think polished wood floors, cream coloured walls and carved fretwork headboards. Bathrooms have powerful showers or deep tubs. Lagoon-view rooms come with generous balconies that capture those Moorea sunsets, while overwater bungalows (the only to be found in Tahiti) sit on stilts above the coral-rich lagoon, with ladders that lead straight into the bath-warm water. There’s a more traditional feel here than in newer, flashier resorts, but that’s part of the charm. The minibar is stocked with Hinano beer and sodas, and rooms come with kettles rather than coffee machines and local monoi toiletries.

The food and drink
With three restaurants there’s no need to venture off-property unless you’re keen to try Papeete’s street food trucks (which are excellent, and just a 10-minute taxi ride away). Le Lotus, the romantic, overwater fine-dining restaurant, serves a menu created by two-Michelin-starred French chef Bruno Oger with a view of Moorea’s peaks. It’s old-school in the best way: linen napkins, a proper wine list, and waiters who know when to step in and when to let the setting do the talking. Dishes include foie gras terrine with asparagus and spiced French toast and pan-fried beef fillet with bok choy and truffle sauce. A vegetarian menu is also on offer.  Te Tiare, the main restaurant, is more casual, offering Polynesian buffets and à la carte classics under a soaring thatched roof. Breakfast is served here too: fresh mango, fluffy croissants, passionfruit yoghurt, and eggs any way you like them. The swim-up bar is the place to order cocktails for a front-row sunset seat, while lunch-time burgers can be ordered barefoot at the Tiki Bar.

Facilities
You’ll find plenty to keep you occupied between dips in the pool. There’s a watersports centre with snorkels and paddleboards, a dive shop for beginners and certified divers (which can also offer guided snorkel trips), and a serene spa tucked away in the gardens. The lagoonarium – a protected area of reef within the resort grounds – is home to technicolour fish and coral, and ideal for those who want to snorkel without venturing far. It also contains a turtle sanctuary and an enjoyable half hour can be spent chatting to the conservationists leading the project. Cultural experiences include ukulele lessons, flower crown workshops, and performances by local dancers and musicians several nights a week. It’s all done with genuine pride, not touristy sheen.

Eco credentials
InterContinental Tahiti takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. The resort operates its own coral nursery, supports reef monitoring initiatives in partnership with local NGOs, and is part of IHG’s wider Green Engage programme. Water stations have replaced plastic bottles, and guests are encouraged to reuse towels and minimise energy usage. The hotel provides the turtle conservation project Te Mana o Te Moana with an office and treatment room and an onsite lagoonarium doubles as an educational tool, with signs pointing out species and a marine biologist on site several days a week.

Accessibility
The resort is mostly flat and wheelchair accessible, with ramps throughout the public areas and several adapted rooms available. Most ground-floor rooms and main facilities are reachable without stairs, though overwater bungalows may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns.

Room rates
Rates start at 40,000 XPF (£290) a night for a flexible rate in a standard room. Book at https://tahiti.intercontinental.com