Exploring French Polynesia 2 ways with Hilton
Editor's Note
A recent trip to French Polynesia was an all-Hilton affair for me, with my eyes set on the grand prize: Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
But there was a surprising star on the trip that I didn’t expect: the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, which I enjoyed for two nights at the start of my voyage. While I expected the hotel to be more of a place to shower, sleep and overcome jet lag, the property more than exceeded expectations with its delicious restaurant lineup, friendly service and encouragement of exploring the gorgeous surrounding rainforest with a day trip. Don't just sleep at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti if you're planning a trip to the area.
Here are my tips on exploring French Polynesia two ways as a Hilton Honors member.
Related: 8 best all-inclusive resorts and packages in Bora Bora
Hilton Hotel Tahiti
Visitors to French Polynesia might flock to the Hilton Hotel Tahiti for its convenience to Faaa International Airport (PPT), just a 10-minute drive away. But this property is far more than just a place to rest one's head en route to the overwater bungalows of Bora Bora.
Hilton Honors members (and nonmembers) have plenty to enjoy with this waterfront property. The open-air hotel includes 170 guest rooms and 30 suites, many of which provide waterfront views from private balconies. Housekeeping tended to my room twice a day, and my room was a comfortable way to settle into island life.
But the real star of the show at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti was the cuisine at all three on-site restaurants. Overflowing boats of sushi and nigiri at San arrived fresh and filled with plenty of sauces to enjoy, and I still dream of the tuna sashimi served at Taitea Brasserie. Surprisingly, even fresh pasta and pizzas at La Strada, the Hilton property’s Italian restaurant, were a delight (and even more delectable with the surrounding waterfront view).
On the wellness front, the Moearii Wellness Center at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti was the perfect way to work out any aches and pains from travel with a deep-tissue, tailor-made massage.
The spa is also connected to the hotel’s extensive fitness center, and guests have easy access to the sprawling pool area, too. The Hilton’s pool includes a swim-up bar and ample room to do laps, kick back with a cocktail or just enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean.
While the hotel itself has plenty of amenities to fill up one's stay, guests can work with the property to plan local experiences like a Jeep tour via Ia Ora Na Tahiti Expeditions, which takes adventure seekers to the East Coast of Tahiti and through Papenoo, the largest valley of Tahiti.
Rates at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti start at $309 or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
One of TPG’s favorite hotels certainly lives up to expectations, but it takes a little persistence to get there. After a night or two (or three) at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, guests can fly onward to Bora Bora. From there, you’ll take water transportation to the resort.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the stuff of vision boards, travel bucket lists, honeymoons, babymoons and even a treat-yourself-moon. (I don’t know if the last one is a thing, but it should be.) Its secluded location in one of the most buzz-worthy travel destinations in the world is enhanced by a mix of suites and villas, including many overwater villas with private pools.
Sunrise and sunset are worth being awake for, as these golden hours pop even more in the clear, uninterrupted waters of this stretch of French Polynesia.
Guests can enjoy private pools or the larger main pool at the Conrad. If you want to be more immersive in the ocean, you can arrange a day trip to snorkel and swim with manta rays.
On the food front, guests can enjoy a mix of high-end French fare at Iriatai (which is also home to the daily breakfast buffet), Chinese at Banyan or more casual beach fare (fish burgers and tacos are a must) at Tamure Beach Grill. Of course, don’t miss out on the Toopua Nui Shores & Grill Polynesian show for a little bit of local culture and dinner theater.
But make time to truly pamper yourself beyond “just” being in paradise. Hina Spa, Conrad Bora Bora Nui's wellness oasis, is the resort’s ultimate indulgence from its hilltop perch. Enjoy a facial, massage or variety of spa treatments to unwind and soak in the uninterrupted views of Mount Otemanu and surrounding Bora Bora.
Sometime during your massage, you might start thinking about how hard it would be to postpone checkout by a day or two.
Rates at Conrad Bora Bora Nui start at $890 or 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
A bonus option
Conrad Bora Bora Nui isn't the only option for a Hilton-affiliated overwater villa. While I didn't make it during my recent French Polynesia getaway, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is a closer journey from Papeete than the Conrad — and is another TPG favorite. Overwater bungalows and even an overwater restaurant make this a popular destination, and the hotel can make similar arrangements as its siblings for local experiences.
Rates at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa start at $508 or 201,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Related reading:
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.