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).
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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.
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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.
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