{"id":65126,"date":"2026-09-03T16:03:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T06:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=65126"},"modified":"2026-09-03T16:03:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T06:03:09","slug":"french-polynesia-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/french-polynesia-surprises\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things That Surprised Me About French Polynesia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>From mountain adventures and local guides to boat transfers that become part of the magic, these are the unexpected details that make French Polynesia so much more than just a honeymoon destination.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I got the opportunity to travel to <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/hotels\/country\/french-polynesia\">French Polynesia<\/a>, I was immediately thrilled. It had been on my <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/singapore-airlines-destinations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bucket list<\/a> for years, and I couldn\u2019t wait to see it for myself. Still, with only the images I\u2019d seen online to guide me, I wasn\u2019t quite sure what to expect. Scenic islands and impossibly blue lagoons, certainly. But what else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travelling through Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, I found the French Polynesia I knew from postcards, but I also found so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"lux_UI lux_single_dealcard cacheid_40ee918a23363dd4c1516036abf17f81\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"dealcard_preview\">\n\t\t<div class=\"splide lux_dealcard_gallery\" data-lux-event=\"gallery_carousel\" data-lux-event-trigger=\"splide-moved\" aria-label=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia\"><div class=\"splide__arrows\"><button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--prev\"><\/button><button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--next\"><\/button><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/manava-beach-resort-and-spa-moorea-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Ee5ogAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC  LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Manava Beach Resort &#038; Spa Moorea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\"><div class=\"splide__track\"><div class=\"splide__list\"><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 1\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/25h7o08rk3sx4dc1wdp.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/25h7o08rk3sx4dc1wdp.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/25h7o08rk3sx4dc1wdp.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/25h7o08rk3sx4dc1wdp.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/25h7o08rk3sx4dc1wdp.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 2\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/qna7ll4498w8pri6afl5.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/qna7ll4498w8pri6afl5.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/qna7ll4498w8pri6afl5.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/qna7ll4498w8pri6afl5.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/qna7ll4498w8pri6afl5.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 3\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/c1nt15kdnbfxatzyii4c.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/c1nt15kdnbfxatzyii4c.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/c1nt15kdnbfxatzyii4c.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/c1nt15kdnbfxatzyii4c.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/c1nt15kdnbfxatzyii4c.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 4\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/3b2hho0vj61xvbjqb7wx.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/3b2hho0vj61xvbjqb7wx.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/3b2hho0vj61xvbjqb7wx.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/3b2hho0vj61xvbjqb7wx.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/3b2hho0vj61xvbjqb7wx.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 5\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/85r6aga0soebd65fpc5.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/85r6aga0soebd65fpc5.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/85r6aga0soebd65fpc5.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/85r6aga0soebd65fpc5.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/85r6aga0soebd65fpc5.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 6\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/xt8mu2ptdgcg3nd9nz0s.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/xt8mu2ptdgcg3nd9nz0s.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/xt8mu2ptdgcg3nd9nz0s.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/xt8mu2ptdgcg3nd9nz0s.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/xt8mu2ptdgcg3nd9nz0s.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 7\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/8llto0e4wjynynr968zf.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/8llto0e4wjynynr968zf.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/8llto0e4wjynynr968zf.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/8llto0e4wjynynr968zf.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/8llto0e4wjynynr968zf.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia 8\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"dealcard_details\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/manava-beach-resort-and-spa-moorea-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Ee5ogAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC deal_card LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Manava Beach Resort &#038; Spa Moorea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t\t<div class=\"dealcard_details_inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Moorea, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea<\/div><span class=\"inclusions_label\">Luxury Escapes inclusions: <\/span><div class=\"inclusions_list\"><div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/plugins\/le-wordpress-offers-plugin\/assets\/img\/inclusions\/check.svg\" alt=\"-\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\"><span>Bottle of wine on arrival (4+ nights)<\/span><\/div><div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/plugins\/le-wordpress-offers-plugin\/assets\/img\/inclusions\/check.svg\" alt=\"-\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\"><span>30-minute couples massage (7+ nights)<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rating_box\"><span class=\"rating_count gold \">8.8<\/span><span class=\"rating_label\">Excellent<\/span><span class=\"rating_reviews\">1335 reviews<\/span><\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$490<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$428<\/span><\/div><div class=\"tax\">Taxes &amp; fees apply<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<span class=\"btn_view_offer\">View offer<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"Hotel\",\n    \"name\": \"Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea\",\n    \"address\": {\n        \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n        \"addressLocality\": \"Moorea\",\n        \"addressCountry\": \"French Polynesia\"\n    },\n    \"telephone\": \"+1201 977 8523\",\n    \"aggregateRating\": {\n        \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n        \"ratingValue\": \"4.4\",\n        \"reviewCount\": 1335,\n        \"bestRating\": 5,\n        \"worstRating\": 1\n    },\n    \"priceRange\": \"1 night from $505 USD\",\n    \"photo\": \"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp\",\n    \"image\": \"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/25h7o08rk3sx4dc1wdp.webp\",\n    \"description\": \"Serene French Polynesia Beachfront Hideaway on Idyllic Moorea Island\",\n    \"amenityFeature\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"LocationFeatureSpecification\",\n            \"name\": \"Bottle of wine on arrival (4+ nights)\"\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"LocationFeatureSpecification\",\n            \"name\": \"30-minute couples massage (7+ nights)\"\n        }\n    ],\n    \"geo\": {\n        \"@type\": \"GeoCoordinates\",\n        \"latitude\": -17.481006558453867,\n        \"longitude\": -149.80376601219177\n    }\n}<\/script>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Each island has its own personality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before I arrived in French Polynesia, I wondered whether the islands might blur together. Blue water, <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/the-worlds-most-opulent-overwater-villas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">overwater villas<\/a> and pristine beaches \u2013 how different could each stop be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very different, as it turned out. <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/search?query=Tahiti&amp;destinationId=le_ad110b81cf05db07b4fdaa971d46c56d&amp;typeaheadId=af13bdd2-2777-4b98-9bc9-b8fcdb4fc4b4&amp;adults=2&amp;children=none&amp;pages=2\">Tahiti <\/a>was livelier and more expansive than I expected, with shops, restaurants and busy towns clustered next to mountain roads, waterfalls and lush inland valleys. <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/search?query=Bora+Bora&amp;destinationId=le_c7a67e4450aa307b8c3991da5fe94bd0&amp;typeaheadId=9d55897a-3178-4b57-a0b1-cf8ee2f1c9f9&amp;adults=2&amp;children=none&amp;pages=2\">Bora Bora<\/a>, on the other hand, revolved around the lagoon. You can drive around the small main island in half an hour, but many resorts sit on the surrounding motu \u2013 small islands reached only by boat. The separation makes each resort feel like its own world, and any exploration inevitably takes you across kaleidoscopic blue water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/search?query=Moorea&amp;destinationId=le_624b9af3663101486043a860eadf3738&amp;typeaheadId=e64e4ba3-ebe0-40db-ba1e-2f072930bd8b&amp;adults=2&amp;children=none&amp;pages=2\">Moorea<\/a> sat somewhere between the two: villages, restaurants and hiking trails make it easy to explore on land, while the lagoon is also a drawcard, alive with fish, eagle rays and blacktip sharks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Travelling between the islands is easier than you think<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French Polynesia comprises 118 islands and atolls. With a number that big, I assumed travelling between Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora would involve long days that might not give me enough time to explore each location. That couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Moorea is just a 40-minute ferry ride from Tahiti, and the journey itself is an experience, with striking scenery and the chance to spot marine life. Bora Bora is just a 50-minute flight from both Tahiti and Moorea. The journeys are short and straightforward, so before you know it, you\u2019re stepping off the plane and into a new lagoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"lux_UI lux_single_dealcard cacheid_ee5e9465e5c9b7b5dd1365293e61aebb\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"dealcard_preview\">\n\t\t<div class=\"splide lux_dealcard_gallery\" data-lux-event=\"gallery_carousel\" data-lux-event-trigger=\"splide-moved\" aria-label=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia\"><div class=\"splide__arrows\"><button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--prev\"><\/button><button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--next\"><\/button><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/intercontinental-tahiti-resort-ihg-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Bdt5sAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC  LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &#038; Spa, an IHG Hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\"><div class=\"splide__track\"><div class=\"splide__list\"><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 1\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/j3sxvm3ln8c4rf60vpkb.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/j3sxvm3ln8c4rf60vpkb.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/j3sxvm3ln8c4rf60vpkb.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/j3sxvm3ln8c4rf60vpkb.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/j3sxvm3ln8c4rf60vpkb.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 2\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/ullmnwcw6a9ktx873aq.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/ullmnwcw6a9ktx873aq.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/ullmnwcw6a9ktx873aq.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/ullmnwcw6a9ktx873aq.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/ullmnwcw6a9ktx873aq.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 3\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/m9fynhehfica8hu3wriu.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/m9fynhehfica8hu3wriu.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/m9fynhehfica8hu3wriu.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/m9fynhehfica8hu3wriu.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/m9fynhehfica8hu3wriu.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 4\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/smi35uwgkwr1tmyvfvjqh.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/smi35uwgkwr1tmyvfvjqh.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/smi35uwgkwr1tmyvfvjqh.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/smi35uwgkwr1tmyvfvjqh.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/smi35uwgkwr1tmyvfvjqh.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 5\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/t9ywux459ieb0wv0rjiw.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/t9ywux459ieb0wv0rjiw.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/t9ywux459ieb0wv0rjiw.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/t9ywux459ieb0wv0rjiw.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/t9ywux459ieb0wv0rjiw.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 6\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/0jvrqf02zc46neqvhbg.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/0jvrqf02zc46neqvhbg.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/0jvrqf02zc46neqvhbg.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/0jvrqf02zc46neqvhbg.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/0jvrqf02zc46neqvhbg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 7\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/ad4xm2fzqp4gpjlyfebn.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/ad4xm2fzqp4gpjlyfebn.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/ad4xm2fzqp4gpjlyfebn.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/ad4xm2fzqp4gpjlyfebn.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/ad4xm2fzqp4gpjlyfebn.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia 8\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"dealcard_details\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/intercontinental-tahiti-resort-ihg-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Bdt5sAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC deal_card LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &#038; Spa, an IHG Hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t\t<div class=\"dealcard_details_inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Fa&#8217;a&#8217;\u0101, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Tahiti Oceanfront Paradise overlooking Moorea Island&#8217;s Volcanic Peaks<\/div><div class=\"rating_box\"><span class=\"rating_count gold \">8.8<\/span><span class=\"rating_label\">Excellent<\/span><span class=\"rating_reviews\">2184 reviews<\/span><\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$402<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$352<\/span><\/div><div class=\"tax\">Taxes &amp; fees apply<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<span class=\"btn_view_offer\">View offer<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"Hotel\",\n    \"name\": \"InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel\",\n    \"address\": {\n        \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n        \"addressLocality\": \"Fa'a'\\u0101\",\n        \"addressCountry\": \"French Polynesia\"\n    },\n    \"telephone\": \"+1201 977 8523\",\n    \"aggregateRating\": {\n        \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n        \"ratingValue\": \"4.4\",\n        \"reviewCount\": 2184,\n        \"bestRating\": 5,\n        \"worstRating\": 1\n    },\n    \"priceRange\": \"1 night from $414 USD\",\n    \"photo\": \"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp\",\n    \"image\": \"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/j3sxvm3ln8c4rf60vpkb.webp\",\n    \"description\": \"Tahiti Oceanfront Paradise overlooking Moorea Island's Volcanic Peaks\",\n    \"amenityFeature\": [],\n    \"geo\": {\n        \"@type\": \"GeoCoordinates\",\n        \"latitude\": -17.570924813947087,\n        \"longitude\": -149.6187361702323\n    }\n}<\/script>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. The resort isn\u2019t the whole experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With my limited knowledge, I expected French Polynesia to offer a similar experience to the <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/hotels\/location\/maldives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maldives<\/a>: luxury resorts, private islands and overwater villas. Two parts of that picture were right, but private islands aren\u2019t the defining experience here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora all have established local communities, so the resorts sit within a wider island world of villages, restaurants and hiking trails. You can retreat to your resort for quiet mornings, lagoon swims and long dinners, but you can also step beyond your hotel to explore the landscape and discover the local culture. In French Polynesia, the island itself is part of the holiday, and leaving the resort often reveals the most memorable surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. The mountains are just as exciting as the lagoon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/australias-best-multi-day-hikes-where-to-stay-after\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hiking-TAHITI-\u00a9_Myles_McGuinness-1-1024x636.jpg\" alt=\"View of the mountains while hiking in Tahiti\" class=\"wp-image-65819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hiking-TAHITI-\u00a9_Myles_McGuinness-1-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hiking-TAHITI-\u00a9_Myles_McGuinness-1-350x217.jpg 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hiking-TAHITI-\u00a9_Myles_McGuinness-1-767x476.jpg 767w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hiking-TAHITI-\u00a9_Myles_McGuinness-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hiking in Tahiti. Source: supplied \/ Myles McGuinness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French Polynesia\u2019s mountains are more than a dramatic backdrop. From the water, they spear into the sky in steep emerald peaks and valleys, but it was only when I ventured inland that I realised how much life they held. On a 4WD journey through Tahiti\u2019s Papeno\u2019o Valley, waterfalls appeared around every bend, while fish and eels darted through the river below. Even the Tahitian hibiscus added to the sense of constant movement: its flowers can shift from yellow to pink to red in a single day. It\u2019s easy to focus only on the water if you\u2019re visiting French Polynesia \u2013 the lagoons made the destination famous, after all \u2013 but the mountains promise their own kind of adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. The airport transfer can be part of the magic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I usually think of an airport transfer as a formality \u2013 a necessary step before my holiday can actually begin. In Bora Bora, however, the airport transfer ensured my holiday began the moment I stepped off the plane. The airport sits on a motu in the lagoon, so after landing, I boarded a shuttle boat to my resort almost immediately. I was desperate to get onto the water after seeing it from the plane, and the crossing delivered: Mount Otemanu rose ahead, the lagoon shifted from pale turquoise to deep sapphire beneath the boat, and the surrounding motu slipped past on either side. Instead of simply taking you to your resort, the boat transfer introduces you to Bora Bora from its most spectacular vantage point \u2013 on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"lux_UI lux_single_dealcard cacheid_646715dcb71578fe4433c4228d23dda2\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"dealcard_preview\">\n\t\t<div class=\"splide lux_dealcard_gallery\" data-lux-event=\"gallery_carousel\" data-lux-event-trigger=\"splide-moved\" aria-label=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia\"><div class=\"splide__arrows\"><button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--prev\"><\/button><button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--next\"><\/button><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/sofitel-kia-ora-moorea-beach-resort-french-polynesia\/006RF00000GRfHCYA1\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC  LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\"><div class=\"splide__track\"><div class=\"splide__list\"><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 1\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/wzfjgpwqjpbcdybal4l.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/wzfjgpwqjpbcdybal4l.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/wzfjgpwqjpbcdybal4l.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/wzfjgpwqjpbcdybal4l.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/wzfjgpwqjpbcdybal4l.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 2\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/dlnwuz481m0dwwlfikdv.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/dlnwuz481m0dwwlfikdv.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/dlnwuz481m0dwwlfikdv.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/dlnwuz481m0dwwlfikdv.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/dlnwuz481m0dwwlfikdv.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 3\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/e356mh0ywt6cwcpetvuo.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/e356mh0ywt6cwcpetvuo.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/e356mh0ywt6cwcpetvuo.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/e356mh0ywt6cwcpetvuo.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/e356mh0ywt6cwcpetvuo.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 4\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/fg42lt2ui6sqctyh84v.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/fg42lt2ui6sqctyh84v.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/fg42lt2ui6sqctyh84v.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/fg42lt2ui6sqctyh84v.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/fg42lt2ui6sqctyh84v.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 5\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/s0q2rly05rhihaktzvyg.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/s0q2rly05rhihaktzvyg.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/s0q2rly05rhihaktzvyg.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/s0q2rly05rhihaktzvyg.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/s0q2rly05rhihaktzvyg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 6\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/9f1u08nnsogabql9dj.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/9f1u08nnsogabql9dj.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/9f1u08nnsogabql9dj.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/9f1u08nnsogabql9dj.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/9f1u08nnsogabql9dj.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 7\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"splide__slide dealcard_img\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/zrfp38u6spt78wu5t7gl.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_400,h_400\/zrfp38u6spt78wu5t7gl.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/zrfp38u6spt78wu5t7gl.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_800,h_800\/zrfp38u6spt78wu5t7gl.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_1200,h_1200\/zrfp38u6spt78wu5t7gl.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 400px, 400px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia 8\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"dealcard_details\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/sofitel-kia-ora-moorea-beach-resort-french-polynesia\/006RF00000GRfHCYA1\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC deal_card LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t\t<div class=\"dealcard_details_inner\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">French Polynesian Paradise in Mo&#8217;orea with Fine-Dining &#038; Spa <\/div><div class=\"rating_box\"><span class=\"rating_count gold \">9.0<\/span><span class=\"rating_label\">Exceptional<\/span><span class=\"rating_reviews\">1660 reviews<\/span><\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$597<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$614<\/span><\/div><div class=\"tax\">Taxes &amp; fees apply<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<span class=\"btn_view_offer\">View offer<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"Hotel\",\n    \"name\": \"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort\",\n    \"address\": {\n        \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n        \"addressLocality\": \"Moorea-Maiao\",\n        \"addressCountry\": \"French Polynesia\"\n    },\n    \"telephone\": \"+1201 977 8523\",\n    \"aggregateRating\": {\n        \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n        \"ratingValue\": \"4.5\",\n        \"reviewCount\": 1660,\n        \"bestRating\": 5,\n        \"worstRating\": 1\n    },\n    \"priceRange\": \"1 night from $614 USD\",\n    \"photo\": \"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp\",\n    \"image\": \"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_scale,w_600,h_600\/wzfjgpwqjpbcdybal4l.webp\",\n    \"description\": \"French Polynesian Paradise in Mo'orea with Fine-Dining & Spa \",\n    \"amenityFeature\": [],\n    \"geo\": {\n        \"@type\": \"GeoCoordinates\",\n        \"latitude\": -17.500798683057138,\n        \"longitude\": -149.7648810222745\n    }\n}<\/script>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Local guides make all the difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French Polynesia has no shortage of tours, but excursions hosted by local guides promised the most memorable experiences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Moorea, my guides Hereiti and Autoa steered our small boat away from crowded snorkelling spots and into quieter waters, where I could marvel at the underwater world \u2013 including a group of 14 eagle rays \u2013 in near solitude. In Bora Bora, my guide Toiki knew where to search for manta rays, even after a morning storm made the sighting uncertain. In Tahiti, Tamatia brought Papeno\u2019o Valley to life, pointing out plants, stories and details I would have missed alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The landscapes are spectacular on their own, but local guides completely changed the way I understood and experienced them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. It\u2019s not just for honeymooners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Bora-Bora-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Jet ski on the lagoon in Bora Bora \" class=\"wp-image-65820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Bora-Bora-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Bora-Bora-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Bora-Bora-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Bora-Bora.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jet ski on the lagoon in Bora Bora. Source: supplied \/ Eric Rubens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French Polynesia is undeniably romantic, but there\u2019s so much more to do than just the typical <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/worlds-best-honeymoon-destinations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">honeymoon holiday<\/a>. You can visit local villages, discover restaurants, snorkel with eagle rays and blacktip sharks or take a 4WD tour into the mountainous interior. The islands are easy to tailor to different travel styles and generations, whether you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/family-friendly.holiday-packages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travelling with children<\/a>, bringing multigenerational groups together or looking for adventure between long lunches and lagoon swims. Romance is certainly part of the picture, but it\u2019s only one way to experience French Polynesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"lux_UI lux_offer_carousel\">\n\t\n\t<h3>Discover French Polynesia<\/h3>\t\n\t<section class=\"splide lux_offer_carousel_feed\" aria-label=\"Discover French Polynesia\">\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"splide__arrows\">\n\t\t<button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--prev\"><\/button>\n\t\t<button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--next\"><\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\t\t<div class=\"splide__list\">\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"offer_c9861a83-fe38-4f39-a521-c285d7994ac5\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_2defd39c16d756d898749ed8b17860c6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/partner\/hotel-reva-tahiti\/c9861a83-fe38-4f39-a521-c285d7994ac5\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer partner LPP carousel  \" data-name=\"Hotel Reva Tahiti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/zfn3f6bf9mbwizu2b7kv.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/zfn3f6bf9mbwizu2b7kv.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/zfn3f6bf9mbwizu2b7kv.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/zfn3f6bf9mbwizu2b7kv.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/zfn3f6bf9mbwizu2b7kv.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/zfn3f6bf9mbwizu2b7kv.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Hotel Reva Tahiti, Papeete, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Papeete, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Hotel Reva Tahiti<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">This smoke-free hotel offers offsite parking.<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">Total of 5 nights, 2 adults from<\/div><div class=\"range\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$1,055<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y00000Bdt5rAAB\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_da9139594d65f93a78887b259a2b8836\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/intercontinental-bora-bora-le-moana-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Bdt5rAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, an IHG Hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/q9oh3ndllzmq73uixaq.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/q9oh3ndllzmq73uixaq.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/q9oh3ndllzmq73uixaq.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/q9oh3ndllzmq73uixaq.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/q9oh3ndllzmq73uixaq.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/q9oh3ndllzmq73uixaq.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, an IHG Hotel, Bora Bora, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Bora Bora, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, an IHG Hotel<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Exquisite Bora Bora Escape near Matira Beach<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$826<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$681<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y00000Bdt5sAAB\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_ee5e9465e5c9b7b5dd1365293e61aebb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/intercontinental-tahiti-resort-ihg-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Bdt5sAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &#038; Spa, an IHG Hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/lxhnpvacoe5isu32y8q.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel, Fa&#039;a&#039;\u0101, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Fa&#8217;a&#8217;\u0101, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">InterContinental Tahiti Resort &amp; Spa, an IHG Hotel<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Tahiti Oceanfront Paradise overlooking Moorea Island&#8217;s Volcanic Peaks<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$402<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$352<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y00000Ee5ogAAB\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_40ee918a23363dd4c1516036abf17f81\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/manava-beach-resort-and-spa-moorea-french-polynesia\/0062y00000Ee5ogAAB\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Manava Beach Resort &#038; Spa Moorea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/fbz71ce15ldjggbjgiyg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea, Moorea, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Moorea, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Manava Beach Resort &amp; Spa Moorea<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Serene French Polynesia Beachfront Hideaway on Idyllic Moorea Island<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$490<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$428<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_006RF00000GRfHCYA1\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_646715dcb71578fe4433c4228d23dda2\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/sofitel-kia-ora-moorea-beach-resort-french-polynesia\/006RF00000GRfHCYA1\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/9q1a1c6sejd4ic2ncyi.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">French Polynesian Paradise in Mo&#8217;orea with Fine-Dining &#038; Spa <\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$597<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$614<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_019ffc5a-6874-4285-a5c1-b4469a7bcc3f\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_f24c5cc213418a21f44bb20616b34adc\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/partner\/paea-lodge\/019ffc5a-6874-4285-a5c1-b4469a7bcc3f\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer partner LPP carousel  \" data-name=\"Paea Lodge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/a40zafthn3bgrrpov4.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/a40zafthn3bgrrpov4.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/a40zafthn3bgrrpov4.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/a40zafthn3bgrrpov4.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/a40zafthn3bgrrpov4.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/a40zafthn3bgrrpov4.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Paea Lodge, Tahiti, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Tahiti, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Paea Lodge<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"no_price\">Select dates<\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_01a2ffa6-804c-4491-90f1-8f1354c84583\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_5d195b542f4b17a5d0d8d91893f04c3d\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/partner\/boutique-hotel-kon-tiki-tahiti\/01a2ffa6-804c-4491-90f1-8f1354c84583\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer partner LPP carousel  \" data-name=\"Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/pb9wi5zwyh1xmhr1mcde.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/pb9wi5zwyh1xmhr1mcde.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/pb9wi5zwyh1xmhr1mcde.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/pb9wi5zwyh1xmhr1mcde.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/pb9wi5zwyh1xmhr1mcde.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/pb9wi5zwyh1xmhr1mcde.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti, Papeete, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Papeete, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, shopping on site, and a communal living room.<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">Total of 5 nights, 2 adults from<\/div><div class=\"range\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$1,319<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0216bcd6-24c1-4f97-a17d-77acc9a68c86\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_1b4ce6fcdde9034f9a863f3cea695404\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/partner\/happy-t-beach-house\/0216bcd6-24c1-4f97-a17d-77acc9a68c86\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer partner LPP carousel  \" data-name=\"Happy T Beach House\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/8al45mpgdqjl45im1l.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/8al45mpgdqjl45im1l.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/8al45mpgdqjl45im1l.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/8al45mpgdqjl45im1l.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/8al45mpgdqjl45im1l.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/8al45mpgdqjl45im1l.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Happy T Beach House, Moorea Island, French Polynesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Moorea Island, French Polynesia<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Happy T Beach House<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"no_price\">Select dates<\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"offer_x\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/search?query=French+Polynesia&#038;destinationId=le_7f39f8317fbdb1988ef4c628eba02591&#038;typeaheadId=3ca3f81c-faf3-4903-b04a-80c0e2674e67&#038;adults=2&#038;children=none&#038;pages=2\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"carousel\" data-name=\"See all escapes\">\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"slide_cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_tag\">Looking for something else?<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"btn_view_offer\">View all<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"cta\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/search?query=French+Polynesia&#038;destinationId=le_7f39f8317fbdb1988ef4c628eba02591&#038;typeaheadId=3ca3f81c-faf3-4903-b04a-80c0e2674e67&#038;adults=2&#038;children=none&#038;pages=2\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"carousel\" data-name=\"See all escapes\">See all escapes<\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Feature image: Bora Bora Source: supplied \/ St\u00e9phane Mailion Photography<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From mountain adventures and local guides to boat transfers that become part of the magic, these are the unexpected details that make French Polynesia so much more than just a honeymoon destination. When I got the opportunity to travel to French Polynesia, I was immediately thrilled. It had been on my bucket list for years, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":65805,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[80,4],"tags":[33,12,28,26,13,89,42,115],"location":[],"customertype":[],"class_list":["post-65126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-pacific","category-destinations","tag-accommodation","tag-bucket-list","tag-honeymoon","tag-islands","tag-outdoor-adventure","tag-romantic","tag-sun-beach","tag-ultra-lux"],"acf":{"enable_partner_branding":false,"brand_name":"","brand_logo_top":"","brand_logo_footer":"","brand_snippet":"","brand_website":"","brand_sidebar_banner":""},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":65126,"fr":65965,"de":65968},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/BORA-BORA-2-\u00a9-Stephane-Mailion-Photography-1.jpg","pll_sync_post":{},"lux_id":65126,"lux_link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/french-polynesia-surprises\/","lux_title":"7 Things That Surprised Me About French Polynesia","lux_excerpt":"From mountain adventures and local guides to boat transfers that become part of the magic, these are the unexpected details that make French Polynesia so much more than just a honeymoon destination. When I got the opportunity to travel to French Polynesia, I was immediately thrilled. It had been on my bucket list for years, [\u2026]","lux_excerpt_trimmed":"From mountain adventures and local guides to boat transfers that become part of the magic, these are the unexpected details that make French Polynesia so much more than just a","lux_image_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/BORA-BORA-2-\u00a9-Stephane-Mailion-Photography-1.jpg","lux_image_url_medium":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/BORA-BORA-2-\u00a9-Stephane-Mailion-Photography-1-350x233.jpg","lux_image_url_large":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/BORA-BORA-2-\u00a9-Stephane-Mailion-Photography-1-1024x683.jpg","lux_image_url_square":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/BORA-BORA-2-\u00a9-Stephane-Mailion-Photography-1-500x500.jpg","lux_categories":[{"label":"South Pacific","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/south-pacific\/"},{"label":"Destinations","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/"}],"lux_tags":[{"label":"Accommodation","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/accommodation\/"},{"label":"Bucket List","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/bucket-list\/"},{"label":"Honeymoon","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/honeymoon\/"},{"label":"Islands","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/islands\/"},{"label":"Outdoor &amp; Adventure","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/outdoor-adventure\/"},{"label":"Romantic","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/romantic\/"},{"label":"Sun &amp; Beach","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/sun-beach\/"},{"label":"Ultra Lux","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/ultra-lux\/"}],"lux_locations":[],"lux_customer_types":[],"lux_read_time":"6 min read","lux_read_time_minutes":6,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65126"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65926,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65126\/revisions\/65926"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65126"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=65126"},{"taxonomy":"customertype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/customertype?post=65126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}