French Polynesia Hotels

We went on this trip for my husbands 40th birthday in March. He wanted to lay on a beach away from everything and that is just what he got. We stayed in the overwater bungalow and both felt that we could live there. I packed a bunch of stuff that I read in reviews like corkscrews and snorkels and a knife for cutting fruit and cheese in the room and I didn't need any of it. This hotel has everything you need (Including free bottles of water, sunscreen by the pool and snorkel equipment in our room)The food was delicious at every restaurant (and we tried them all). The drinks were pricey. We ate in our room one night and watched DVD we brought(your choices in the room are CNN or a show in french) and drank a bottle of our favorite wine we brought from home. The staff was awesome. We had champagne and a cake in our room to welcome us for my husbands bday. One morning the coffee machine was acting funny so they brought a carafe to the room. If you are going to make this trip do it right..so happy we chose this hotel. We were in the turquoise part of the lagoon, the accommodations were awesome, the staff attended to our every need and went above and beyond and we couldn't wait for meal times. We didn't make reservations ahead of time so we couldn't get into the spa...we did use the fitness center which was free and very nice with scented towels to cool down with after a workout. We thought we would check this place off our bucket list but now we can't wait to go back.

Expedia was able to obtain an excellent package for a two-week dream vacation for my wife and me. We booked a bungalow that is half over the water and were able to obtain almost the same perks as the ones fully over the water at a significant discount. We ate a buffet breakfast and had dinner at the hotel's Latitude restaurant every day. The buffet breakfast was good. Dinner had a relatively small selection (after two weeks, we knew the menu by heart) but some of the dishes were cooked very well (the lamb chops and the parrot fish in particular). We were disappointed with the fact that there were few fish in the Sofitel Mara Mara Beach hotel, but we took the kayak to the private island several times, and there we ran into everything we were looking for. Back at the hotel, we did see two stingrays at night swim by our bungalow and a huge parrot fish! We spent most of our days in the deck of the bungalow, from which we would plunge into the warm, turquoise waters, swim, and otherwise read a lot. We had the pleasure of being there at a time with very little occupancy, and the private terrace was great in terms of privacy. The staff was very friendly. Karine (reception desk) was the best!

We had a wonderful time at the resort!! It was truly relaxing which was the whole point of our trip. Hotel staff was very nice and accommodating. The room was great with a picturesque view. Snorkeling right off the balcony was one of our favorite parts!!

Location in the center of downtown is the best available. Price is attractive compared to its Papeete competition, but overpriced for value-provided when compared to typical offerings in USA (be prepared for everything in French Polynesia to be more expensive than you are accustomed to). Room cleanliness and decor is OK. Liked the balcony. Air conditioner is too week. No wash cloths or little shampoos provided, so bring your own. If you forget, there is a L'Occitane en Provance store 1/2 block away. No in-room mini-fridge. Ice-maker machine is available on the mezzanine level. No on-site restaurant, but there are options close by (we patronized Cafe Retro in the Vaima Center 1 block away, and the rulottes at Place Vaiete which is about 3 blocks ... you can also self-cater from the supermarket called "Casino" about 2 blocks away).

We stayed in a suite with a double bed and fold out single bed. Good for a small family of 3. Very clean and the small kitchen was a definite help. Meals are expensive so getting your own groceries helps keep the cost down. Manava is close to the airport but just far enough away to get out of the hustle and bustle of Papeete. There are Roulette trucks, small grocery stores, and fruit stands close by. My son loved the pool. I preferred the walkways and beach chairs that are out over the water.

Hotel is conveniently located within easy walking distance from the harbor and market. The room was spacious and comfortable. The staff was very helpful.

great hotel, but like everything else in the south pocific way too expensive for the value.