Our expert picks for where to stay in Tahiti
Tahiti is a true paradise on Earth. White sands, lush greenery, volcanic mountains, fresh seafood, and lots of cocktails — what more can a person want?
If you’re interested in finding out a bit more about this oasis in the Pacific, read on to learn where to stay in Tahiti. We’ll show you the best areas, why we love each one, and things to do — let us be your guide!
The Best Places to Stay in Tahiti
To make sure you make the most of your trip to Tahiti, we recommend visiting the following part of the island.
- Papeete: The perfect place for people who want a taste of tropical nature and city life.
- West Tahiti Nui: Best for families and people who are looking for a bit of peace of mind.
- Moorea: Perfect for adventurers, as this island has some exciting natural spots to explore.
The Best Areas & Hotels in Tahiti
Let’s take a deeper look into these three wonderful spots in Tahiti and its surrounding island Moorea. We’ll share the best restaurants where you can munch on great food, the best hotels, the best adventure options, and the must-see beaches.
But, most importantly, you’ll learn which place you’re bound to love and which area you should pass on and move over to something that suits your interests and desires more.
1. Best Area for Nature: Papeete
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Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. It has a characteristic circular shape and is divided into two parts. There’s the larger part, which is in the northwest, called Tahiti Nui, and the southwest part, called Tahiti Iti.
Here we’ll talk about Tahiti Nui and the capital city of Tahiti located in this part of the island — Papeete.
Tahiti’s Papeete stands in stark contrast to the other, quieter, and more secluded areas of the island. It seems to blend well two very different worlds — the one with the perfect tropical paradise and the one with the city museums, busy streets, cafes, and nightlife.
That’s why Papeete and the whole northwest Tahiti Nui area are an excellent choice for travelers looking for both — a tropical vacation and a dynamic city experience.
Tourists who want more options for a luxurious or more romantic stay should instead opt for a place like Bora Bora, another of the Society Islands, or Moorea, which we’ll cover in section three of this guide.
Papeete is a terrific spot to stay in for those who are visiting Tahiti for the first time. It has everything you need, from supermarkets and stores to great restaurants and vibrant city life.
Papeete is a port city, which also makes it a good spot for easily getting to other areas of the island or other nearby islands.
Tahiti Nui – Papeete Budget Hotels
- TEA TAHITI Holidays is a one-star hotel with nice clean rooms and a private bathroom. The rooms also have air conditioning, a TV, a coffee machine, and a microwave. If you’re a bigger family, you can also rent family rooms. There’s free Wi-Fi on the premises, a garden with BBQ facilities, and free parking. You can have continental breakfast every day for an additional cost.
- Mahana Lodge Hostel & Backpacker is a budget hostel with dormitory-style rooms and shared bathrooms. The hostel has a shared kitchen where you can cook and a lounge where you can hang out with other visitors. Rooms are non-smoking and have free Wi-Fi. There’s also breakfast included in the price.
Tahiti Nui – Papeete Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Tahiti Nui is a three-star hotel in the heart of Papeete, just a five-minute walk from the waterfront. It has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a Turkish bath and offers massages and body treatments. Each room has air conditioning, a TV, a minibar, and a private bathroom. The hotel also has a restaurant called Le Velvet and a lounge bar where you can sip cocktails and enjoy your stay in Tahiti.
- Royal Tahitien is a three-star hotel in Papeete, alongside the lagoon facing Moorea Island. It has a private volcanic beach with otherworldly black sand, as well as an outdoor pool with a hot tub. Rooms are spacious and have a private bathroom, a safe, a work desk, and a TV. The restaurant has some amazing views of the seaside and serves tasty European cuisine.
- Hotel Sarah Nui is a three-star hotel five minutes from Papeete Ferry Termina. Rooms are cozy and have private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a TV. Some room types also have a kitchenette. As a hotel guest, you can sign up for a fishing or helicopter tour to explore the island better.
Tahiti Nui – Papeete Luxury Hotels
- Hilton Hotel Tahiti is a five-star hotel from the famous Hilton brand. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated, with private bathrooms, a safety box, and some even have a kitchenette. You can also have breakfast in the hotel — or in bed by calling the hotel’s room service. The hotel also has a superb restaurant serving French and local dishes.
- Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts is a fantastic five-star resort hotel in Tahiti. It’s just a ten-minute drive from Papeete. The hotel has a free shuttle bus that can take you there six days a week. The spacious rooms have a private patio deck, private bathrooms, and breathtaking views of Matavai Bay. Want to do Tahitian dancing? Yoga or aqua aerobics, anyone? The hotel organizes classes for free, alongside other activities. You can also use the hotel’s spa, massage, sauna services, and fitness center. Visit their restaurant for a mix of Tahitian, South-East Asian, and Mediterranean food.
2. Best Area for Families: West Tahiti Nui
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The west coast of Tahiti Nui is another great spot on Tahiti’s map, where you can find lots of accommodation options, great beaches, and places for exploration.
Faa’a, Punaauaia, and Paea are some of the larger towns and areas of Tahiti Nui’s west coast. But you can find accommodation along the entire stretch of the west coast — there are plenty of options — most of them guest houses, even in the smaller towns and villages.
One of the best things about the west coast is that it’s not as crowded as Papeete. We know this might be a relief to you because — let’s face it, traveling with kids in a crowded place may be challenging and nerve-wracking.
There are also many attractions on this side of the island, from sea parks to spectacular beaches and aquamarine lagoons. Our advice is to rent a car so you can easily go around the coast and the island.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for less movement and more relaxation, you can simply spend as much time as you can basking in the sun, swimming, reading a book, and soaking in that fresh tropical air!
The west coast of Tahiti is perfect for families and people who want to go hiking, visit waterfalls and caves, or look for hidden beaches. Those who want extra luxurious spots should stick to the capital.
West Tahiti Nui Budget Hotels
- Tahiti Airport Motel is a three-star motel very close to the Faa’a International Airport. Rooms are budget-friendly, comfy, clean, and bright, all decorated in the Polynesian tropical style. There are rent-a-car options next to the hotel if you want to explore the island by car.
- Rava Lodge is a guest house in Punaauia. It’s a nice affordable place to stay on Tahiti Nui’s west coast. It’s located in an area that’s great for hiking and offers stunning mountain views. The guest house has homestays with private bathrooms and kitchenettes.
West Tahiti Nui Mid-Range Hotels
- Bungalow APETAHI is a guest house located in Faa’a. It offers a free airport shuttle and has free private parking. You can also rent free bikes from the 24-hour open desk. The rooms have private bathrooms, a TV, and a kitchen. As a guest, you can also use the guest house’s barbecue equipment and chill in the shared lounge in the afternoon.
- Ninamu Pearl Guest House is a lovely place to stay in Tahiti’s west Punaauia part. It has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and an amazing breakfast you cannot miss! All rooms have private bathrooms, and some are even equipped with kitchen appliances. The guest house also rents family rooms.
West Tahiti Nui Luxury Hotels
- InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is a five-star hotel, just a ten-minute drive from Papeete and only a five-minute drive from the airport. The resort offers bungalows over water with sun terraces and direct access to the lagoon. As a guest, you can access the resort’s diving center, visit the open-air aquarium, and play tennis on the courts. You can also relax in the Deep Nature Spa or dine in Le Lotus, a wonderful French-Polynesian restaurant that is part of the hotel.
- Te Moana Tahiti Resort is a four-star luxury hotel, just a ten-minute drive from Faa’a airport. For a luxury resort, though, the prices are pretty decent. It has an outdoor pool, a spa, and a fitness center available for its guests. All rooms have private bathrooms, and most even have a kitchenette.
3. Best Area for Outdoor Activities: Moorea
MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA -30 NOV 2018- Landscape view of the Intercontinental Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa Moorea, a luxury hotel with overwater bungalows on the lagoon in Moorea, French Polynesia./EQRoy/Shutterstock
Moorea is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands of the Pacific, and it’s certainly one of the most scenic islands from the Society group. Even though Moorea might seem unapproachable at first, it’s anything but.
This island offers plenty of adventure spots for those with restless spirits, but it also has a peaceful and relaxing vibe that’s hard to resist once you’re there. Moorea is not far from Tahiti — only ten nautical miles away, and it’s easy to get to by plane or ferry.
This makes it an attractive destination for all kinds of trips — whether you’re coming with your spouse, family, your friends, or just by yourself.
While Moorea has beautiful and expensive resorts where you can truly feel like you’re on top of the world, it also has a small island feel that gives off a modest and unpretentious vibe. In terms of geography, the island is similar to the others surrounding it.
Its volcanic peaks rise from the center of the island, surrounded by an aquamarine lagoon. Moorea is a place that families and couples would absolutely love since it perfectly reflects the Polynesian way of life, with its welcoming character, warmth, and love for life.
But this is a more peaceful island, so people who would like a more urban area should maybe look somewhere else — Tahiti would definitely be a better choice for that.
Moorea Budget Hotels
- Pension Motu Iti is a two-star hotel that rents shared rooms and bathrooms, as well as separate rooms with private bathrooms. One of the best things about this place is that you can get free kayaks to go and explore Moorea’s fantastic tropical waters. There’s also a hotel restaurant where you can munch on local and international food paired with some fresh tropical cocktails.
- Moorea Vaiare Lodge is a very affordable two-star hotel that is great value for your money as it offers all the basic comforts for a superb price. It has a nice garden and terrace guests can use, as well as free parking. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, as well as a fridge and a microwave, and a coffee machine for that fresh early-morning shot of caffeine.
- PainaPaopao Backpacker is a dormitory-style hostel with shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen. There’s also a garden and a terrace where guests can hang out. The beach is very near to the hostel and easily accessible by foot.
Moorea Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Kaveka is a two-star hotel that offers traditional bungalows for rent, each one equipped with a private bathroom, TV, minibar, and patio. There’s also an overwater restaurant that serves Tahitian, Asian, and French cuisine, where you can find the most exotic French wines and cocktails. As a guest, you can try various water sports, like snorkeling and canoeing.
- Hotel Hibiscus is a three-star hotel with an outdoor pool and a beachfront restaurant that serves Polynesian, French, and Italian dishes and lots of amazing cocktails. The hotel offers bungalows and studios for rent, all of which have a private bathroom, a private terrace, and a kitchenette. There’s also a leisure room with a library and a TV room you can use as a guest.
- Linareva Moorea Beach Resort is a charming three-star upper-mid-range hotel in Moorea. It has spacious, clean rooms, a private bathroom, and a small kitchen. As a guest, you can also rent bicycles, canoes, as well as equipment for snorkeling from the hotel.
Moorea Luxury Hotels
- Hôtel Fenua Mata’i’oa is a four-star hotel located within a tropical garden and a lagoon. Its luxurious suites have Wi-Fi, a TV, a minibar, and a private patio. The hotel offers all kinds of fun activities like snorkeling, windsurfing, and canoeing. There’s also a great restaurant within the hotel and a cocktail bar. This place is particularly convenient for people who want to get married soon – you can even do it on the spot and have the hotel arrange a Polynesian wedding ceremony!
- Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa is a five-star hotel from the famous Hilton brand. You can rent overwater bungalow suites with a balcony or a terrace and wake up every day above an aquamarine lagoon. This hotel has it all — a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa, and even a tennis court for the tennis aficionados among you! Through the hotel, you can also sign up for a bunch of fun sports activities like water skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, and many more.
- Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is a five-star beachfront resort with amazing lagoon views. You can rent entire bungalows and can choose between rooms with beach views and garden views. The resort has two restaurants whose specialties are French and Polynesian food. There’s also a beach bar where you can try out all the cocktails you can think of.
So, Where Should You Stay in Tahiti?
Tahiti is certainly a jewel of the Pacific. It is the most versatile of all of the Pacific islands. It offers stunning beaches, amazing hiking spots, but also great places within the cities on the island where you can feel the best of both worlds – the tropical and the urban.
Let’s recap the best places to stay when visiting this tropical paradise:
| 🌳 Best for Nature | Papeete |
| 👪 Best for Families | West Tahiti Nui |
| ⛰️ Best for Outdoor Experience | Moorea |
So, with so much to see and do, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Tahiti has to offer. Happy travels!