Tahiti Fam Report

I was corresponding with a travel agent from Australia (isn't the internet great!) when I was booking some honeymooners to Tahiti and she was kind enough to send me the Fam Report she put together after her trip.

Hope you find it helpful.



As part of Tahiti Tourism Tiare Program I was selected to attend the Tahiti Famil in February 2007. This famil was four nights to Papeete and Moorea.

This was a fantastic experience for me as I had never been to French Polynesia before, and I am very interested in French culture due to my family back ground.


AIR NEW ZEALAND
We flew Air New Zealand in both directions, via Rarotonga. This was actually quite enjoyable as it gave you an hour to stretch your legs, use the bathroom and do a quick bit of Duty Free shopping. The meal going up was very standard and served in a cardboard box. The meal on our return flight was of an extremely high standard – a croissant and for lunch, a grilled focacia sandwich. The staff were also much friendlier and helpful on the return flight – especially Margi. There was no in seat entertainment, just the standard main screen TV. The movies chosen were more catered towards the male market and did not interest me.


ACCOMMODATION - LE MERIDIEN TAHITI
We spent the first two night’s accommodation at this hotel. I was lucky enough to have a room to myself also, so it was very spacious and enjoyable. The property is located 15 kilometres from downtown Papeete and Faa International Airport.

Rooms were spacious and overlooked a fantastic pool area. They also had a small balcony with table and chairs. Junior Suites had a larger deck, which also had couches and a TV on it to make the most of the indoor/outdoor flow.

I really liked the pool at this resort; it had a sand base and made you feel as though you were swimming in a lagoon. The pool was huge and catered well to all ages.


SITE INSPECTION – SOFITEL TAHITI RESORT
Rooms are brightly coloured with bright tropical duvets and bright yellow curtains. Would strongly recommend clients upgrade from Mountain View Rooms to Lagoon View Rooms as the Mountain rooms over look the busy main road and residential houses. The property was refurbished in 2005 and has 216 rooms including 2 suites, some rooms are interconnecting. It also has the only Japanese Teppan Yaki restaurant in Tahiti.


ACCOMMODATION / SITE INSPECTION – INTERCONTINENTAL RESORT TAHITI
This hotel is located next to Sofitel Tahiti Resort. It was built in 1974 and is the biggest hotel in Tahiti with 270 rooms.

The décor of the rooms is quite traditional and did not appeal to me. It has patterned wallpaper and older style quilt duvets. Rooms are spacious. I would recommend Lagoon View Rooms over Garden View, as the position of the room has a better view. Overwater Bungalows are stunning, and for clients who can afford it, this is pure luxury. The rooms are not sound proof, and I woke up during the night when planes flew over. Also the beds were rock hard.

This property also offers Transit Rooms for clients who have stayed at Intercontinental Resort Moorea and are waiting for their international flight.


SITE INSPECTION – SHERATON TAHITI RESORT
This hotel has the WOW factor. The lobby, entrance way and common areas are very spacious and have touches of Tahitian décor including a shell chandelier.

Rooms are neutral colours, with granite bathrooms. They all have balconies which have views of the Papeete harbour. They also offer the second room at 50% for children, which is great for families wanting more space. Deluxe rooms also have internet connections.

The Sheraton also has a stunning man made white beach, one of the best in Tahiti.


SITE INSPECTION – HOTEL LE MANDARIN
This hotel is located behind the shops in Papeete, so it is very central for clients who are wanting a city stay, or about to join a cruise. It is within walking distance to lots of shops and also the markets.

Rooms are spacious, and have wooden floors which makes the room appear large and modern. The mini suites are also very spacious, and for the minimal price difference I would probably put clients in this room category.

The hotel also has Le Plazza on site, which is a Chinese Restaurant. The food here was delicious, and people from all over Tahiti come here. Fridays are popular with a local band playing during lunch.


SITE INSPECTION – RADISSON PLAZA RESORT
Another hotel with the WOW factor. Radisson Plaza is situated overlooking Matavai Bay, on the black sand of Lafayette Beach. This resort is further out than the rest (approx 10 minutes from Papeete); on the opposite side of the island but this is truly a stunning resort. The resort does offer two daily shuttles into Papeete.

This hotel has 165 rooms and is only 2 ½ years old. Rooms are beautiful, with wooden floors and neutral modern décor. All rooms are very spacious and I would not hesitate in putting clients here.

The pool area here is stunning. This resort would cater to clients wanting to sit back and relax and enjoy this resort style atmosphere.


ACCOMMODATION – MOOREA PEARL RESORT & SPA
We spent our third night at this property and were absolutely spoiled! We were lucky enough to be given a Beach Bungalow and this made our trip. The room was huge, with spacious bathroom and a huge deck which was on beautiful white sand, and only a few footsteps away from a stunning beach.

This hotel offers a good range of accommodation, including a family room which also has a loft for more space. Garden Bungalows have private plunge pools. The overwater bungalows are lovely, and the premium ones offer unrestricted views of the horizon.

The hotel has a distinctive “Tiki” theme and this is followed throughout the property. All Pearl Resorts are themed.

There are shops within a 5 minute walk, including a mini supermarket, restaurants and clothes/tourist stores.

I loved this resort and would not hesitate in putting clients here.


SITE INSPECTION – SHERATON MOOREA LAGOON RESORT
The Sheraton is located on Moorea’s northern coast between the famous Baie de Cook and Baie d’Opunohu and is only a 15 minute drive from the ferry terminal.

This is a stunning resort, with azure blue water which looked so inviting. The resort has 106 bungalows ranging from Garden to Overwater.

All bungalows were extremely spacious and nicely decorated with wooden flooring and neutral colours.

The resort has a very large Hair Salon and Spa which is very popular with guests, and also offers a 24 hour gym which is located across the road.


SITE INSPECTION – INTERCONTINENTAL RESORT & SPA
This is a huge resort located on the northwestern side of Moorea on a white sandy beach.

The resort has a huge lobby and rooms are very spacious. This hotel caters well for clients who arrive on an early morning ferry by providing them with a complimentary cell phone so they can enjoy the resort and surrounding facilities while waiting for the room to be ready. Once it is ready a member of the staff will phone.

All rooms have Tahitian Décor which is a nice touch. Overwater bungalows do not have a glass floor, as they are located more over land, than water so it is important to advise clients of this to avoid disappointment.

The resort offers wonderful Spa treatments at Helene Spa including a bath full of local flowers which was to die for.


SITE INSPECTION – HOTEL LES TIPANIERS
I really liked this property and thought it had a lovely, cozy feel to it due to its size. It is located approximately 20 minutes from the ferry terminal on a stunning white sandy beach.

The property only has 22 bungalows so it is very intimate, but still offers clients the peace and privacy that they want. Garden, Beach & Vanilla bungalows offer kitchen facilities so this property is well suited to families. There are also local shops 1km away.


SITE INSPECTION – HOTEL HIBISCUS
This hotel is also located on the western side of Moorea, approx 25 minutes from the ferry terminal.

It has a lovely white sandy beach and is within a 2 minute walk from local shops.

The air conditioned room really did not appeal to me; it felt like a drab hotel room, which opened onto an overgrown patio so I would recommend a bungalow for a more traditional feeling.

The hotel also has a restaurant on site, which has a lovely relaxed beachy atmosphere to it. This is a basic resort, but would be suitable for families or budget conscious travellers.


EXCURSION – PAPEETE MARKETS
These markets are in the heart of downtown Papeete and are open daily from 7.30am till 6.00pm (Sundays only until 9am).

The markets offer a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, monoi oil, scented soaps, vanilla pods, pastries, handicrafts and souvenirs. I would recommend clients visit the market to experience the culture of Papeete. English is very limited, but that is all part of the experience!


EXCURSION – TIKI VILLAGE
Visitors experience the traditions and life-style of an old Tahitian village through demonstrations of weaving, stone carving, tattooing and painting, plus music from traditional musical instruments including a nose flute.

This was a great evening out as it was great to experience the Tahitian culture. We also enjoyed a huge buffet of traditional food, including meats which were cooked underground.

The evening concluded with traditional dance, songs and fire dancing. This was a fantastic night, and I would strongly recommend clients do this while they are in Moorea.


EXCURSION – MOTU VISIT WITH STING RAY FEEDING
We were picked up in a speedboat and taken out to a private motu to enjoy the day swimming, snorkelling and lying in the sun.

On the way out we were lucky enough to have a pod of dolphins swimming by which provided a fantastic photo opportunity.

The water around the motu was crystal clear and great to go snorkelling in. Sting rays swam in the water, and guests were able to touch and kiss them while having their photo taken.

Lunch was a huge BBQ with chicken, sausages, fish and traditional raw fish dishes and salads. Drinks were provided throughout the day including beer. A very enjoyable day out.


EXCURSION – LE ROULETTES


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Overall this was a fantastic famil and I thoroughly enjoyed my four days away. I would not hesitate to send clients to this destination and know they would have the experience of a life time in this beautiful destination.