Our stay at the Intercontinental Resort Tahiti (French Polynesia)
Our Airbnb in Tahiti being booked for a few days by someone else, we take the opportunity to go on vacation. Even though we now live in Tahiti, you can still “go on vacation” while staying on the same island, because according to a buddy we’re “already living on vacation” 😀 We chose Intercontinental Resort Tahiti because it’s the best hotel on the island.
Part 1: Travel Journal
Part 2: Practical Tips
Part 1: Travel Journal
We’ve been here several times before, once with a pool pass and other times for lunch, but this is the very first time we’ve booked a room. And frankly, in the low season, it’s more interesting to book a room than two pool passes. We get a residents’ special rate, now that we’re Tahitian residents. Plus, since we’re part of the IHGloyalty program, we were able to request an early check-in as early as 11:30 AM, a late check-out at 2 PM; as well as an upgrade!!! All of this is possible only if rooms are available, but it’s low season and we’re on weekdays. Also, to make up for the inconvenience of the ongoing construction in the main building, we get 3,000 XPF credit per person to spend at 3 restaurants and bars in the hotel.
Our scooter is, thankfully, fixed in time for the vacation. And we leave with a small suitcase strapped to the back. I even have a pool noodle (a floatie shaped like a french fry) for snorkeling 🙂 It looks very adventurous, and it’s hilarious to arrive at such a luxurious hotel like this. It reminds me of the times we’ve arrived at a fancy hotel in Doha with backpacks, and other hotels with just a backpack (because all our stuff was in an Airbnb in the same city). Anyway, with our scooter and small suitcase, no doubt, we’re true residents!
The “garden view” rooms aren’t just facing the garden; they actually face the ocean. Sure, the ocean is far away, we’re not right in front, but you can clearly see the shades of blue caused by different depths.
Our room is on the ground floor and right in front of the Lotus pool. It’s my favorite pool (the hotel has two) because it’s less crowded and the bottom is all sand, it feels like a real beach, but with fresh water, that’s all.
Let me show you around the room:
You’ll see lots of videos and photos marked “Insta360 X4 Air” because the day before we left, we received the X4 Air camera to test in exchange foran honest review of the product. So I did indeed do lots of tests during my trip. I’m telling you about this because this camera is proof that the law of attraction works. For a month now, I’ve been applying the methods described in my favorite book Get Rich, Lucky Bitch and since then, beautiful surprises are really showing up in my life. I was just thinking I needed to change cameras. The next day, exactly 24 hours later, I got an email from the brand inviting me to test a 360 camera!!! The brand didn’t know me at all.
Also, it had been rainy or cloudy for weeks in Tahiti and Moorea, but right when we go on vacation, the sun is out again. Because that’s what I was writing every day in my list of goals: “nice weather” with a little “sun” smiley ahahah So to practice the law of attraction, ask for something small, then bigger and bigger, and you’ll know how to get what you want.
As soon as we drop off our suitcase in the room, we rush to the restaurant in front of the main pool for lunch. We both opt for the flank steak, but it’s quite forgettable. And then, JB spots a table not far from us with the exact same camera on the table. After much hesitation, I introduce myself and ask practical questions about the camera, and these two very nice people gave me lots of tips on how to use it well.
It’s barely 1 PM and the UV index is at its highest, but I’m too eager to test my new snorkeling mask. It’s a super clever diving mask from Decathlon, I think you’ve seen it everywhere. It lets you see the fish really well without choking or accidentally swallowing water.
It’s been 2.5 months since we’ve been in Tahiti, and yet this is my very first snorkeling. In the lagoons, there’s often a current and that scares me, the depth scares me, the fish scare me. I was used to beaches with no waves and no current in Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. And the idea of unexpectedly running into a shark – I wouldn’t like that (JB already crossed paths with a small shark while snorkeling – sharks here are very shy and don’t attack people, but it’s still impressive to see such a big fish). I need to relearn snorkeling, and I’m just going to go gradually: that is, first in hotels.
The hotel is in an area where the ocean is quite deep, so they have a “lagoonarium” that connects to the ocean, but it’s ultra safe (it’s like a saltwater pool) with lots of fish for scaredy-cats like me. JB tells me it’s more varied and colorful here than in the real lagoons. But I think my mask has a zoom effect. I don’t know if the fish here are way too comfortable, or if it’s the mask that “zooms,” but they are really WAY TOO CLOSE to my face!! It made me jump several times 😀 I think there were even fish eating my skin 🙁 Anyway, between the pool water being a bit cold (we’re now in winter in the southern hemisphere) and the warm water of the lagoonarium with lots of fish, it’s cooler to be in the lagoonarium.
Through the grill (which separates us from the “conservation” area), you can even spy on the turtles as they pass close by. The turtles here are not in good shape; one is blind, another can’t dive and floats, and there’s a baby turtle in “survival” mode. They are cared for by staff who feed them daily.
A quick note on beach towels: the hotel must have lost a lot of them because they aren’t distributed in unlimited mode like in Asia. You can exchange them for dry towels, but everything is documented; each person is entitled to one towel, so remember to return them when you leave, or leave them in your room because they count them.
We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon reading on the loungers by the pool Lotus (my favorite, smaller), in incredible calm (with the laughter of kids playing in the water). I think if we come back next time, it’ll be on a weekday, because on weekends even locals get a pass or a room, and it’s way too crowded for us.
To watch the sunset over Moorea, we go to the restaurant Huriama, the best spot in the hotel to see the sunset clearly.
We grab a dessert at the lobby bar before settling back on the loungers to (briefly) gaze at the stars.
The next day, we wake up early to enjoy breakfast (buffet). Unfortunately, it’s not very well stocked; for example, there’s only one dish with tuna—whereas I expected a sushi/sashimi section (given the super low price of wild tuna on the island). Anyway, I’ve tried a few of this hotel’s restaurants and I’d rather recommend Huriama for lunch and the Lotus (Michelin-starred) for lunch or dinner.
Why do we go to hotel restaurants? Actually, there are very few restaurants near us with an incredible ocean view; they’re always super crowded, the dishes are a bit too simple, and their prices are barely cheaper than at the hotels. At hotels, we get better service, fewer people, and a much more luxurious environment—and it makes us feel like we’re on vacation.
Since we qualified for late check-out (we found out that day), JB spends another long stretch at the lagoonarium and the pool, while I do absolutely NOTHING on a lounger. It feels good to do nothing at all; it clears space in your head for good ideas to arrive.
Emptiness has a purpose. Because a glass is empty inside that you can fill with water and drink. Making space is about attracting fulfillment, and it’s also one of the secrets of the law of attraction. To attract abundance, you need to get rid of either preconceived ideas or objects that “don’t bring joy.” Making space is a central theme in Taoism. And thanks to the vacation, JB came back with lots of good ideas.
This is just the start of our vacation; right after check-out, we take the ferry toward Moorea, the little island across from Tahiti. The ferry is very flexible since you buy a round-trip ticket and can take it anytime.
Part 2: Practical Tips
- If you’re a Polynesian resident, feel free to contact the hotel in advance to book. They’ll then send you an email for payment, more info here
- I recommend bringing your own snorkeling mask and UV-protective clothing. The hotel provides sunscreen near the pools.
- For restaurants, budget about 3500XPF/person/meal
- Feel free to arrive earlier than check-in time (3 PM); if your room isn’t available, at least they’ll give you access to the pool upon arrival.
