When you think of hotel lodgings on the island of Tahiti, chances are good blue water and towering palm trees come to mind. But when staying in the bustling capital of Papeete, a convenient location isn’t necessarily tied to a beach location.
Located a short walk from the waterfront, Hotel Tahiti Nui offers travelers a solid list of conveniences. The 91-room Hotel Tahiti Nui is an easy walk to Le Marche, the island’s popular public market. For those headed to the nearby island of Moorea, the property is also walking distance to the ferry terminal. Faa’a International Airport (also sometimes referred to as Tahiti International Airport) is less than a 15-minute drive.
I spent two nights at Hotel Tahiti Nui before sailing aboard the Aranui 5 to the Austral Islands. I also had access to a dayroom at the end of my cruise, so I was able to experience both a Junior Suite and a Twin Standard room.
In both instances, the accommodations were spacious and modern, with good Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The suite featured a separate living room with a kitchen area that included a full-size refrigerator, sink and electric tea kettle. Sliding glass doors opened to a balcony with mountain views.
The bedroom featured a king bed, desk, television and plenty of room for luggage. (I did have to move the bedside table to access an electric outlet and there are no USB ports, so be sure to bring your own.)
The bathroom looked sleek and stylish, but minutes after stepping into the doorless tub/shower combination, water spilled all over the floor.
I did everything I could think of: adjusting the shower head, holding the wand, but had no success in stopping the flooding. I had to wring out the shower mat afterward and call the front desk for a second towel.
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The dayroom I utilized after my cruise featured two beds, a balcony, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. Again, there was no shower door. The shower spray was less then what I experienced with the tub/shower combination in the suite, but still required more than just a single cloth mat to absorb and contain on the tile floors. With only one bath towel and one hand towel provided, it could lead to a slippery situation for a guest caught off guard.
Hotel guests simply looking to relax will enjoy the pool with mountain views. There’s also a fitness center, though I’d encourage travelers to get their exercise by getting out and exploring Papeete.
At night, hotel corridors are unusually dark, especially if you are headed to a corner room. No doubt part of a designer’s modern vision for the hotel, as a woman traveling solo, I found it uncomfortable.
Rates for a Twin Standard room start at $185; Junior Suites at $213. Wi-fi is included. Breakfast is available for an additional fee. Travelers looking for a property with beach access should consider La Tahiti by Pearl Resorts.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Tahiti Tourism, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
