Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts

One of the most wonderful places in French Polynesia. The marine life is outstanding, with some of the greatest fish diversity we experienced anywhere in the islands. The hotel is beautifully maintained and thoughtfully designed, and the atmosphere is much more peaceful and less crowded than Bora Bora and some of the more popular destinations, giving it a very intimate feel. The standard rooms are simple but elegant and very well kept, while the suites are stunning and offer considerably more privacy. We initially stayed in a Premium Overwater Bungalow with direct lagoon access (the standard overwater bungalows do not have direct water access). However, because of the strong winds, we actually chose to move to a standard overwater bungalow, which was much better protected. Snorkelling directly from the hotel is incredible. There are healthy coral gardens between the overwater bungalows, attracting an impressive variety of fish. The quality of the reef is very good and, in calm conditions, the visibility is excellent. However, both snorkelling and visibility are highly dependent on the wind and currents. In the canal, when strong south-easterly winds create powerful currents, swimming can become difficult and is often not enjoyable. In calmer conditions, however, it is absolutely fantastic. We had a few issues with the service. Every member of staff was genuinely kind, welcoming and respectful, but many speak limited English, which occasionally made communication difficult and led to delays or misunderstandings. The food is of a very high standard, although at times it feels a little too sophisticated. There are two restaurants. The beachfront restaurant is the more expensive of the two and focuses on grilled fish of the day and lobster. The menu is simple, but everything we tried was excellent. The main restaurant offers a much broader selection, with dishes inspired by refined French cuisine, which is understandable given that the property is part of Relais & Châteaux. However, we would have appreciated a few simpler and more affordable options, especially for longer stays. Finally, this is not the hotel’s fault, but it is worth mentioning for future guests. The overwater bungalows along the canal are highly exposed to the wind. If you are visiting in July or August, when the trade winds can be quite strong, it is worth checking the prevailing wind direction before choosing your room. During our stay we had south-easterly winds of around 30 km/h, which funnelled directly through the canal. As a result, the terraces of the bungalows facing into the wind were difficult to enjoy because of the constant strong breeze. If similar conditions are forecast, I would recommend choosing one of the suites on the northern side of the motu or a beach bungalow instead. Overall, this is a truly spectacular and unique destination. The incredible marine life, peaceful atmosphere and beautifully maintained resort make it one of the highlights of French Polynesia. The hotel offers good value for money, although the dining experience would benefit from a few simpler and more affordable options. The only other downside was the occasional communication issue due to the language barrier.

Elegant and fun in every way. Fabulous food, wonderful hospitality. Truly memorable. Overwater bungalows are great. Snorkeling is outstanding.

Having stayed in Fiji, Maldives, Philippines, and Dubai we’ve learned a lot about luxury resorts and this is probably our favorite. The staff do an amazing job of making sure every detail is seen to. Justine was great at arranging excisions for us, even when we wanted to make last minute changes

Beachfront surrounded by lagoon and ocean in every direction. A once in lifetime atoll experience.

We would rate our Overwater Suite 5 star! Room is amazing and we had a relaxing time in our Villa enjoying peace quiet, and snorkeling. Tikehau is so beautiful and of all of the islands in French Polynesia , I believe this is the best one. The food however is simply horrible. We really couldn’t much. We tried the chicken and it tasted terrible, old and rubbery. They did make me pasta with vegetables or Bolognese. If we didn’t have the amazing Melanie to help us with our food selection, we would not have been able to eat. Most of the staff didn’t know how to handle our dietary needs. Thank God for the bread. Melanie was a God send. The food was terrible last year too. They didn’t even know how to make Croque Monsieur or different types of sandwiches. The salads were ok. The Ice cream for dessert was a tablespoon size. We are not big eaters but it was quite disappointing. They are supposedly getting a new chef and maybe then they could have a better menu like Le Taha’a .