The 8 Best Resorts in French Polynesia | Hand-Picked for 2025

We looked through every paradise properties and identified the best resorts in French Polynesia that are the ultimate retreats in one of the most beautiful places in the entire world.

best resorts in french Polynesia

This stretch of island beauty, located in the heart of the South Pacific, is actually one of the most visually unreal destinations on the planet.

With its vivid lagoons that are practically glowing, lush volcanic mountains in the background, and luxury-level hospitality that feels both high-end and relaxed, it’s a no-brainer for folks seeking an unforgettable island experience.

The French Polynesia resorts options offer a mix of water villas, peaceful garden suites, and high-quality food in a setting where you can basically forget what day it is.

Methodology

To compile this ranking of the best resorts French Polynesia has to offer, we went through thousands of reviews on sites like Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.

Our editorial team uses a proprietary rating formula that weighs factors such as location quality, beachfront and water access, uniqueness of room types, amenities like pools and spas, service consistency, and guest satisfaction levels over time.

The 8 Best French Polynesia Resorts – 2025 Full Guide

8. InterContinental Resort Tahiti

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Faaa, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • Located just 2 miles from Faa’a International Airport
  • 2 infinity-edge pools with waterfall features
  • Facing Moorea Island with over 25 ocean-view bungalows

The overall vibe at InterContinental Resort Tahiti is classic tropical chic with a lively energy thanks to its proximity to the airport and capital.

It’s actually one of the French Polynesia resorts that many travelers choose for either the beginning or end of their island-hopping trip. The beachfront here isn’t the largest, yet the lagoon access is pretty good for snorkeling and paddleboarding, especially at sunrise or late afternoon.

You’ve got two freshwater pools, a lagoonarium for marine life viewing, and a Deep Nature Spa tucked away in a more peaceful corner of the property.

Room types range from standard garden-view hotel rooms to overwater bungalows with private decks. Dining here includes the Lotus Restaurant, which sits on stilts over the water and serves a bit of a French-Polynesian hybrid menu that’s actually well-reviewed by locals too.

Families will appreciate the safe swimming areas and kids’ activities, but it’s also a strong option for couples just spending a night or two on the way to Moorea or Bora Bora.


7. Ninamu Resort – Most Affordable

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Tikehau, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • Eco-resort with just 10 handcrafted bungalows
  • Private beach with kayaks, SUPs, and snorkeling gear included
  • Closest airport is about 15 minutes by boat and Jeep
  • One of the most budget-friendly resorts French Polynesia offers

Ninamu Resort is the one you go to when you want something that feels incredibly remote but still very thoughtful in design and service.

It’s a smaller-scale retreat that’s actually situated on a private motu, which is a tiny coral islet in the lagoon. So, yeah, you won’t find infinity pools and personal butlers, but what you do get is that off-the-grid, wildly authentic experience.

The beach here is, in a way, natural and untouched, and the shallow lagoon waters are basically perfect for wading, snorkeling, or just zoning out on a kayak with zero background noise.

Accommodations are rustic-chic, mostly made with local wood, and they’re all a bit different in layout. Don’t expect air conditioning, though the sea breeze usually keeps things comfortable.

Food is actually pretty surprising, with fresh-caught seafood and locally sourced ingredients forming the base of each meal.

This is definitely one of the best French Polynesia resorts if you’re after a chill, affordable eco-vibe without 200 other guests around, all for a good price.


6. Le Taha’a By Pearl Resorts – Best-Seller

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Motu Tautau, Taha’a, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • Over 45 overwater bungalows and beachfront villas
  • Private access to the Coral Garden snorkel site
  • 24/7 butler service and gourmet French dining on-site

Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is quite possibly the definition of low-key elegance with a side of natural immersion.

Located just across the water from the main island of Taha’a, this property offers postcard views of nearby Bora Bora in the distance, plus a kind of serene isolation that’s incredibly rare these days.

The water villas here are extremely spacious, with wide verandas, glass-floor panels, and direct access to the lagoon, which is often described as one of the clearest in the region.

The Coral Garden, just a short swim away, is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in all of French Polynesia.

Food-wise, they’ve got two main restaurants and a bar that serves up cocktails with local spirits, plus room service that includes island delicacies and French desserts.

Kids are allowed but there’s not a ton of stuff for them to do, so it’s more of a couples’ or honeymooner pick.

It’s a little bit of an effort to get here, but once you do, you’ll see why it’s always ranked among the best resorts in French Polynesia.


5. Le Nuku Hiva By Pearl Resorts

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Taioha’e Bay, Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • 20 wooden bungalows with panoramic views
  • Overlooks a volcanic bay rather than a lagoon
  • Best base for exploring Marquesas Islands

This is one of the best French Polynesia resorts that feels worlds away from the usual Bora Bora or Tahiti.

Set on the dramatic, mountainous island of Nuku Hiva, the resort overlooks Taioha’e Bay with a front-row seat to some of the most striking natural scenery in the region.

The overall feel here is more adventurous and a bit raw, in the best way possible. You’ve got thick forest cliffs, winding trails, and cultural villages all within reach.

The bungalows are slightly rustic but cozy, featuring wood interiors, tiled bathrooms, and terraces facing the water.

Dining options include a main restaurant and a bar, where local Marquesan ingredients often star in the menu, like breadfruit dishes or grilled red tuna.

There’s a pool and massage room on-site, and while this isn’t your typical beachfront retreat, it offers a one-of-a-kind immersion into the wild north of French Polynesia.

It’s, frankly, one of the best resorts in French Polynesia for travelers who want something culturally grounded and off the usual luxury circuit.


4. Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa – Top Value Pick

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • 104 rooms, including overwater bungalows and garden pool suites
  • Lagoon filled with coral and marine life, great for snorkeling
  • Two restaurants and full-service spa with ocean views

The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa offers what could be the best balance of luxury, location, and price among all resorts in French Polynesia.

Moorea is known for its mountainous ridges and lush backdrop, and this resort makes the most of it with its prime location between two bays.

The overwater bungalows here come with glass panels in the floors and direct stairway access to the lagoon, while garden suites offer more privacy thanks to plunge pools surrounded by tropical foliage.

There’s a tennis court, a fitness center, two restaurants, one of which sits over the water, and a beachside bar with sunset views that are downright cinematic.

Kids are welcome and there’s plenty of sand for them to play in, plus a few non-motorized water toys available for free use.

The spa menu is solid, and treatments are offered in open-air pavilions with soundscapes of ocean water lapping just a few feet away.

All in all, it’s a fairly complete experience with strong value compared to the flashier options in Bora Bora, which makes it one of the best resorts French Polynesia offers in terms of overall value and amenities.


3. Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • 80 stunning rooms including overwater bungalows and garden villas
  • Private beach and coral garden snorkeling area
  • Traditional Polynesian spa set in tropical gardens

Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts is easily one of the best French Polynesia resorts if you’re seeking the classic Bora Bora feel, with turquoise lagoons, Mount Otemanu views, and overwater suites with thatched roofs.

The water here is incredibly clear and warm, and snorkeling around the reef just offshore is practically effortless.

The overwater bungalows are decked out with glass floor panels, outdoor showers, and lounging decks that allow you to hop right into the lagoon.

The garden pool villas offer extra privacy with their own small plunge pools tucked into tropical foliage, which is great for honeymooners or those not keen on being over the water.

The on-site spa is charming, with thatched-roof treatment huts surrounded by lush plants and lily ponds.

Three restaurants offer a mix of French, Polynesian, and international food with themed dinners and live entertainment some evenings.

It’s family-friendly but still relaxed, so there’s space for both couples and small groups who want something beautiful without being over-the-top.

This retreat gives you high-end comforts while still feeling connected to the natural side of Bora Bora, which makes it truly one of the best French Polynesia resorts to consider.


2. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • 44-acre resort with the largest overwater villas in the South Pacific
  • Exclusive Lagoon by Jean-Georges restaurant
  • Private beach and full-service spa over the lagoon

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is almost ridiculously luxurious and absolutely one of the best French Polynesia resorts for those seeking the ultimate luxury experience.

This expansive retreat offers villas that range in size from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet, some with their own pools, hot tubs, and personal butler service.

Every single room is either over the water or steps from the sand, and many have Mount Otemanu in perfect view, which makes for postcard-worthy mornings.

The private lagoonarium on-site offers a safe and stunning spot to snorkel with reef fish, and kayaks and paddleboards are free for guest use.

The spa is located on its own private island within the resort, with glass-floor treatment rooms and traditional Polynesian therapies on the menu.

Dining here is next-level, with Lagoon by Jean-Georges offering upscale international dishes in an incredibly dramatic setting overlooking the lagoon.

There are also casual beachside options and in-room dining, all delivered with precision and friendliness that’s totally on-brand for the St. Regis experience.

It’s not cheap, but the level of detail, space, and natural setting justify the price for travelers seeking the very best.

Plus, it’s also said to be the best resort French Polynesia offers for honeymooners and couples seeking the ultimate romantic retreat.


1. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Top Overall

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Key Highlights:

  • Over 100 villas including beachfront suites and overwater bungalows
  • Multiple dining venues including sunset bars and sushi lounges
  • Full-service spa, fitness center, and dedicated kids’ club

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is, without a doubt, the most complete and refined choice out there. That’s why we think it is the best resort in French Polynesia.

It manages to feel incredibly high-end without ever being too formal or stuffy, which is a hard balance to strike.

The resort features overwater villas with spacious decks, plunge pools, and direct access to that iconic, almost impossibly blue lagoon.

Beachfront suites are available too, offering a private sand area and lush garden space ideal for families or travelers who prefer staying on land.

The food program is diverse and consistently excellent, with options ranging from Polynesian flavors to Asian fusion and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

There are several bars including one that offers sunset cocktails with Mount Otemanu in full view, so it’s very popular around 5:30pm daily.

The spa incorporates Tahitian ingredients like monoi oil and black pearl powder into their treatments, and there’s also a hammam, an outdoor vitality pool, and ocean-view yoga sessions.

What sets Four Seasons apart, though, is the balance: couples can find privacy, families are well catered to, and service is quietly excellent across the board.

If you want the top-tier experience, this one is absolutely it.

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