Hotels
The best hotels in French Polynesia: eight places to stay on Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti
From the deck of your overwater bungalow, a ladder drops straight into the lagoon. The water is so clear that you can watch rays glide past beneath you, and behind the lagoon Mount Otemanu rises green and steep. French Polynesia is a long way from anywhere, and the hotel is a big part of the reason to go.
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French Polynesia is 118 islands in the middle of the Pacific, spread across an area of ocean as large as Europe. Every international flight lands in Papeete on Tahiti. From there you take a ferry or a short flight to Moorea, and a 50-minute domestic flight to Bora Bora, where the best-known resorts sit on small islets, called motus, around the lagoon.
We have chosen eight hotels on three islands and say who each one suits. Every hotel has a guest rating of at least 8.8 out of 10 and more than 50 reviews on Expedia. The links go there, and we always pick the hotel before we look for a link. Most people come here on honeymoon, but several of these hotels work for families too.
In short: where should you stay in French Polynesia?
Spend most nights in an overwater bungalow on Bora Bora, and add two or three nights on Moorea, which is greener and cheaper. Stay one night on Tahiti near the airport before the flight home.
Best for a honeymoon: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Best for big villas: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Best on the main island: InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana
Best on Moorea: Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort
Best before the flight home: InterContinental Resort Tahiti
How to choose the right hotel in French Polynesia
Motu or main island: resorts on the motus are quiet and have the best views of Otemanu, but you rely on the hotel boat. On the main island you can walk to the beach and the shops.
Overwater bungalow: ask for one facing the mountain. Those closest to shore often have shallower water beneath the deck.
Food and drink: everything is expensive, and there are few restaurants outside the hotels on the motus. Half board can be worth it.
Travel time: from the UK the journey takes around 24 hours, via Los Angeles, San Francisco or Paris. Plan for at least ten nights.
Currency: the Pacific franc (XPF), pegged to the euro. Cards work in the hotels.
The bungalows from above
The overwater bungalows at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, seen from the air.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is the island with the famous lagoon and Mount Otemanu at its centre. Most resorts are on the motus around the lagoon, and you reach them by hotel boat from the airport.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora: the view of Otemanu
Four Seasons sits on a motu on the eastern side of the lagoon, with overwater bungalows that look straight at Otemanu. The resort has its own coral lagoon full of fish, a marine biology centre and a large pool facing the sea.
This is our honeymoon pick, for the view and the service. It is among the most expensive hotels in the Pacific. Book a bungalow facing the mountain, and snorkel in the hotel's lagoon early in the morning.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The villas and Otemanu
The overwater villas at The St. Regis Bora Bora with Mount Otemanu behind.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort: big villas over the water
The St. Regis sits on a motu in the south-east and has some of the largest overwater villas in French Polynesia, several with a private pool. Every villa comes with butler service, and the resort has its own lagoon for snorkelling.
It suits you if you want space and privacy. The style is traditional luxury rather than contemporary. Take a kayak out on the lagoon at sunset, when the mountain turns pink.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
The villas over the lagoon
The overwater villas at Conrad Bora Bora Nui in the turquoise water.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui: villas on the hillside and over the lagoon
Conrad sits on Motu To'opua in the south-west of the lagoon, with villas both up on the hillside and over the water. It has its own beach in a small cove, several pools and a spa at the top of the hill.
It suits couples and families who want a choice of rooms and a proper beach. It is some way from Otemanu, so the view is out to sea and the sunset. Follow the path up to the spa for the view across the lagoon.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Conrad Bora Bora Nui
The bungalows and the mountain
The overwater bungalows at The Westin Bora Bora with Otemanu behind.
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa: freshly renovated bungalows
The Westin reopened after a major renovation in 2024 and has overwater bungalows facing Otemanu, a beach, a pool with a swim-up bar and a spa. It is not far from Matira Point in the south.
It suits you if you want a modern hotel at slightly lower prices than the best-known names. It is a large resort, so ask for a bungalow at the far end. The hotel runs a free boat to the airport.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
The pool above the lagoon
The pool looking out over the lagoon at InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana.
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana: by Matira beach
Le Moana is on the main island at Matira Point, right next to Bora Bora's finest public beach. The resort has overwater bungalows, a pool looking out over the lagoon and beach bungalows in the garden.
This is our main island pick, if you want to walk to the beach, restaurants and shops without a boat. The view of Otemanu is not as good as from the motus. Hire a bike and cycle around the island in a day.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort
The pool by the lagoon
The pool and thatched roofs by the lagoon at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort.
Moorea
Moorea is half an hour by ferry from Tahiti. The island is green and mountainous, with two deep bays on the north side and lower prices than Bora Bora.
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort: bungalows between the bays
Hilton sits on the north coast between Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, with overwater bungalows, a pool and a beach. The mountains rise right behind the resort.
This is our Moorea pick, if you want an overwater bungalow for less than on Bora Bora. It is a long way from the ferry, so plan on a hire car or taxi. Drive up to the Belvédère lookout for the view over both bays.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa
The bungalows from above
The overwater bungalows at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, seen from the air.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea: the beach facing Tahiti
Sofitel stands at Temae on the east side of Moorea, on one of the island's best beaches and with views across the channel to Tahiti. The resort has overwater and beach bungalows and a restaurant by the lagoon.
It suits you if you want to be close to the ferry and the airport, with a good beach. The bungalows are simpler than on Bora Bora. Snorkel in the lagoon in front of the hotel, where rays and small reef sharks are common.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
The lagoon from above
The lagoon and pools at InterContinental Resort Tahiti, seen from the air.
Tahiti
Tahiti is the main island, with the capital Papeete and the international airport. Most visitors only use it as a stop on the way to or from the other islands.
InterContinental Resort Tahiti: the first and last night
The InterContinental is a few minutes from the airport at Faa'a, with a pool looking out towards Moorea and its own lagoon full of fish. It also has overwater bungalows.
This is our pick for the first or last night, as most flights land and leave in the middle of the night. It is a large hotel with lots of guests. Watch the sunset over Moorea from the pool bar.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at InterContinental Resort Tahiti
When should you book?
May to October: the dry season, with less humidity and trade winds. High season, especially July and August.
November to April: warmer and more humid, with showers. Lower prices.
Honeymoons: book overwater bungalows six months ahead in high season.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in French Polynesia
How many nights do I need in French Polynesia?
At least ten nights, as the journey takes a full day each way. One night on Tahiti, three on Moorea and five or six on Bora Bora give a good balance of activity and rest.
Why is The Brando not on the list?
The exclusive resort on Marlon Brando's former private island of Tetiaroa did not come up in our search on Expedia and is booked direct. The same goes for the InterContinental Thalasso on Bora Bora.
Is an overwater bungalow worth the price?
For most people, yes, at least for a few nights. You swim straight off the deck and watch fish and rays through the glass floor. To save money, stay in a beach bungalow and switch to overwater for the last nights.
How do I get between the islands?
Air Tahiti flies between the islands, and Tahiti to Bora Bora takes 50 minutes. The ferry from Papeete to Moorea takes about half an hour. The Bora Bora resorts collect you by boat at the airport.
Is French Polynesia good for children?
Yes, but it is far and expensive. Choose resorts with a beach and pool, such as Conrad or Le Moana, and spend a few nights on Moorea, where there is more to do on land.