The Royal Huahine (formally the Te Tiare Beach resort), is one of Huahine's newer hotels, having opened in February '99' as The Pearl Hotel. The hotel is the dream of an American dentist and his wife, who spent three years in planning and overseeing the building of the resort. The hotel recently changed ownership again, and changed the hotels' name, but still keeps the facilities and amenities of the original hotel.

 

The resort is set in lush tropical gardens edged by a palm fringed white sand beach on the shore of its own private lagoon. Located on the western side of Huahine-Nui,  it can only be accessed by boat from the island's main town of Fare. Fare is reached after a 35-minute flight from Tahiti. On arrival you will be met by a representative of the hotel, who will transfer you to the dock to catch the Resorts' private motor launch for the 15-minute water ride to the resort. The ride is a great introdution to Huahine as you pass by some truly magnificent scenery.

 

The Royal Huahine offers 41 spacious bungalows, divided between 16 Overwater bungalows, 6 Beach bungalows and 19 Garden bungalows. All the bungalows have the same basic design and are spacious and airy.  Every bungalow is 590sqft and the sundeck is over 300sqft, so there is plenty of space to spread out!  They are equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, colour television, refrigerator, walk-in closet area and luxuriously appointed bathrooms with glass-block shower, hairdryer and separate WC. Each bungalow, although they are square, they have a layout as a diamond, with the bathroom in one corner, bedroom area to one side and a comfortable living area that overlooks large corner glass doors that open out to a very large sundeck, which wraps around the front corner. The bungalow is covered by a pandanus-leaf roof offering shade from the hot tropical sun. The Overwater bungalow bathrooms have a special feature of a seperate shower and Jacuzzi-tub, and slightly larger sundeck to give access to the lagoon, not found in the other accommodation grades.

 

A unique feature of the hotel is their reception area, which has been built out onto the lagoon to facilitate the fact that all the guests arrive and depart by boat. The area is shared with the resort restaurant, bar, lounge and a small boutique.

 

The Ari'i Restaurant has an eclectic menu, offering fresh fish, shrimp, tuna and lobster, caught in lagoon, fresh meats, and fresh local fruit and vegetables, all prepared with a touch of French flair.  Sample a varied breakfast buffet, a light lunch at the beach bar or a starlight dinner on the overwater deck.  Additionally, the Resort offers a traditional Polynesian Barbecue Buffet and Dance Show with Tahitian delicacies, barbecued meats and fish, a variety of salads and a selection of freshly made desserts, followed by traditional music, singing and dancing.

 

For those looking for more activity than just lying on the beach or sitting around the pool, you can choose to either take the island circle tour by canoe, try out horseback riding, scuba diving, deepsea fishing, snorkelling, jetskiing, sailboat excursions and much more.  And when you want to relax, the Spa can offer a selection of massages and treatments to oblige.  Some of the Society Islands oldest history and culture are to be found on Huahine, so a visit to the village of Maeva, the ancient capital of the island is a must. Built on the shores of Lake Fauna Nui, Maeva was the island's seat of royal power and it is a rich and exciting archaeological site. Many ancient stone temples or "marae" have been restored. The remains of prehistoric villages and stone fish traps, which are still used today, lend clues to a civilisation that existed at least 1000 years ago.

 

If you are looking for your French Polynesian experience to give you both a sun tan and an education then a stay at the Royal Huahine is a must.

 

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website

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