By the time Monday morning light spilled across my desk back home, I was still mentally anchored in the South Pacific – drifting somewhere between the mist-shrouded peaks of Moorea and the turquoise glow of a Bora Bora lagoon.
Our recent luxury famil to The Islands of Tahiti wasn’t just another destination immersion. It was a sensory recalibration. A reminder that luxury isn’t about excess, but essence.
The journey started well before we landed. From the moment we boarded Air Tahiti Nui in Auckland, with its signature turquoise livery and fresh island feel, we felt the shift begin.
I thought I knew what to expect from French Polynesia: charming overwater bungalows, perfect sunsets and a fairly French, fairly expensive kind of luxury.
But what I discovered across Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora surprised me. This wasn’t cookie-cutter luxury. It was layered, soulful and at times, quietly profound.
Tahiti doesn’t rush you. Mornings unfold gently. Light spills over volcanic peaks and melts into luminous lagoons.
It’s a place where nature demands your attention – not just because it’s beautiful, but because it feels alive. Ancient. Sacred.
From the moment we arrived in Papeete, we were wrapped in contrasts: dramatic landscapes just minutes from the bustle of town, warm smiles and deep-rooted Polynesian culture infused with subtle French flair.
Our first night at Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts set the tone – a beachfront sanctuary of black volcanic sand and crashing waves that lulled us to sleep.
Moorea was next…and it surprised me most. Just 45 minutes from Tahiti by ferry, yet it felt worlds away. Wild, green and raw, it offered a softness and natural ease.
French Polynesia is often seen as a luxury, honeymoon-only destination, but Moorea showed us it’s much more inclusive. Alongside five-star resorts, there are self-contained villas, boutique hotels and family-run guesthouses, offering something for a wider range of travellers.
We snorkelled with stingrays, swam with turtles and savoured Poisson cru with our feet in the lagoon.
Our stays at Manava Beach Resort and Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea embodied barefoot luxury and warm hospitality.
It was here we also experienced the balance this island paradise offers, staying at a luxury resort, yet enjoying the opportunity to dine locally at a street-side restaurant – affordable and delicious.
Then came Bora Bora. Often hyped, it still managed to exceed expectations. The visual contrast of emerald mountains and a still, glassy lagoon is incredible.
But it’s the deep quiet, the peace, that stays with you. Whether it was the Four Seasons, St. Regis, Le Bora Bora, or The Westin, each resort offered a unique take on indulgence, yet all shared that timeless view of Mount Otemanu rising from the sea.
We each had our own overwater bungalow at The Westin and Le Bora Bora, which made the experience even more personal.
There was no pressure to gather, no need to share stories in the moment. Each of us sank into the experience in our own way. It was raw, intimate and personal. The kind of luxury that gives you space to simply be. And for a little while, the world goes quiet.
Returning to Tahiti, we spent two nights in the lively port district. We inspected the Hilton Hotel Tahiti – an elegant choice for transit stays – and stayed at the conveniently located Maitai Express.
Rooftop cocktails at Kon Tiki Bar were a hit and our farewell food truck dinner was a casual, delicious highlight.
A hiking tour of the Papenoo Valley was the perfect finale: waterfalls, sacred marae sites, wild valleys and fresh rockpool swims left us besotted with the diversity of this destination.
We’re so grateful to Tahiti Tourisme for such a beautifully curated journey and to share this first experience of Tahiti together made it even more unforgettable.
Some places linger in your memory. Tahiti touches your soul. And that, perhaps, is the true meaning of luxury.
