Best Boutique Hotels in French Polynesia

Opoa Beach Hotel

Escape to the serene, boutique charm of Opoa Beach Hotel, a secluded haven perfectly nestled on the south coast of Raiatea. Each surrounded by palm trees and tropical flowers. You can choose between beachfront or garden views, both designed with whitewashed wood, airy interiors, and a soft island aesthetic that feels timeless.

Every bungalow comes with air-conditioning, a private bathroom, balcony, and thoughtful touches like free WiFi, a minibar, and flat-screen TV. Families love the interconnected rooms, while couples enjoy the peaceful privacy and sea breeze at night.

While fishing and spa treatments offer slower moments of pleasure. The property also includes a pool, bar, and tour desk, everything you need, without excess. Dinner and breakfast are often included, and both the quality and service receive glowing reviews.

Good to know: Free bikes, canoes, and snorkeling gear are available for exploring the lagoon.

What about the Location?

Located on the southern coast of Raiatea, about 40 minutes from the airport, Opoa Beach Hotel feels secluded yet connected to local life.

Raiatea Lodge Hotel

Raiatea Lodge Hotel gives you colonial elegance on the edge of a legendary lagoon. The hotel feels like a classic plantation house. Spacious rooms, intimate, exclusive atmosphere, and authentic Polynesian style. Guests love the small touches: high-quality bedding, locally inspired decor, and personalized service.

The pool terrace is definitely the social hub. The open-air restaurant and bar face the pool and serve a refined mix of Tahitian and international cuisine. Breakfast with island fruits and pastries, cocktails at sunset, and dinners that easily rival top restaurants in Bora Bora.

The hotel offers free bicycles, kayaks, and snorkeling gear, that lets you explore at your own pace, while board games and books keep the slower afternoons charmingly analog. Though there’s no beach, the swimming and snorkeling right off the dock are excellent.

Good to know: This position guarantees you epic sunset views across the lagoon. A ten-minute paddle takes you to Motu Miri Miri. This small island boasts a beautiful white sand beach.

What about the Location?

Located on the west coast of Raiatea, facing Bora Bora, the hotel sits just a 5-minute drive from the airport and 10 minutes from Uturoa town center. This position guarantees you epic sunset views across the lagoon.

Maitai Lapita Village Huahine

Maitai Lapita Village Huahine captures what travelers love about boutique hotels in French Polynesia; authenticity, charm, and a deep connection to the island’s culture. It’s literally a garden of eden on the lagoon. Bungalows are scattered across sprawling, charming gardens and along the water’s edge, between a tranquil freshwater lake dotted with water lilies and a spectacular, pristine white-sand beach on the blue lagoon. It feels like a peaceful village rather than a resort.

Expect polished wood interiors, air-conditioning, private terraces, and all the essentials like WiFi, mini-bars, and flat-screen TVs. The on-site restaurant is a local favorite, serving French, Polynesian, and international dishes with a focus on freshness and flavor. Don’t skip dinner, many visitors call it one of the best dining experiences on the island.

Good to know: The hotel sits on ancient archaeological grounds where the Lapita people —the first settlers of Polynesia— once lived. The design of the resort pays tribute to their history.

What about the Location?

Located in Fare, just a short two-minute walk from the ferry terminal, the hotel couldn’t be more convenient. Shops, food trucks, and local markets are nearby, making it easy to explore on foot. Guests often highlight the excellent snorkeling right off the beach.

Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa

Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa masterfully combines the classic charm of Polynesian architecture with modern luxury. Though larger than most boutique stays, it still feels intimate thanks to its smart design. This stay is a true showpiece of Rangiroa, one of the world’s largest atolls and a dream for divers.

Guests can choose between beach villas, garden bungalows with private pools, and iconic overwater suites. Each offers a unique perspective of the lagoon. The rooms feature elegant island-inspired decor, open bathrooms, and shaded decks perfect for lazy afternoons.

This luxury boutique hotel boasts an infinity pool and beachfront bar. They set the stage for sunset views you won’t forget, while the heated outdoor jacuzzi is the perfect post-snorkeling reward. For those seeking more adventure, the resort arranges diving trips to Rangiroa’s famous Tiputa Pass, where dolphins are often spotted leaping in the wild.

Good to know: The resort is known for its underwater champagne experiences. A local partner offers lagoon dives where you can toast among fish and coral!

What about the Location?

Located in Avatoru on Rangiroa Atoll, the resort sits about a 5-minute drive from the airport, with free transfers available. It is easy to reach nearby shops and dive centers while still feeling secluded.

Fafapiti Lodge Fakarava

At Fafapiti Lodge Fakarava you wake up to the sound of waves, fresh tropical fruit, and a homemade breakfast that sets the tone for the day. There’s a sense of community here — shared dinners under the stars, local recipes prepared with care, and conversations that flow naturally. The lodge provides free kayaks and bicycles, so exploring the lagoon or the island’s quiet roads is effortless. Snorkeling right off the private beach is the best plan, since it has colorful coral gardens and tropical fish.

Every bungalow includes a private bathroom, outdoor seating, and thoughtful touches like local wood furnishings and garden views. The hosting family strikes the perfect balance between warmth and privacy.

Good to know: Fafapiti Lodge runs almost entirely on solar energy and supports reef preservation projects.

What about the Location?

Located on Fakarava Atoll, this intimate eco-lodge sits just a short drive from the airport (transfers are included). Its position on the lagoon side makes it ideal for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. There are no big resorts nearby — which is exactly the point. Guests consistently rate its location and tranquility as outstanding, calling it “a hidden gem.

Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts

Barefoot luxury starts here! Although part of the Pearl Resorts family, this property feels truly boutique: small-scale, design-conscious, and deeply connected to its surroundings. With its overwater and beach bungalows, it offers privacy, serenity, and postcard-perfect lagoon views.

Each bungalow is built using natural materials like wood and pandanus leaves, blending with the pink-sand landscape. There’s a calm atmosphere to the place even when it’s full. Exceptional snorkeling just steps from their deck, and the warm, personalized service that gives the property its charm.

The on-site restaurant serves fresh local ingredients, earning praise for its fish dishes, curated wine list, and sunset cocktails at the bar.

For relaxation, the Tavai Spa offers traditional Polynesian taurumi treatments using local oils and techniques passed down through generations. You can also visit the nearby diving center. It caters to both beginners and advanced divers if you want to explore Tikehau’s vibrant marine life.

Good to know: Tikehau is home to one of the highest concentrations of fish in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Even Jacques Cousteau once described it as “the fishiest lagoon in the world.”

What about the Location?

Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts is located on a secluded islet, accessible by a short boat transfer from Tikehau Airport. Its remote setting guarantees privacy, but still provides access to local excursions like picnics on uninhabited motus and visits to pearl farms.

Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts

Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is a must-stay for design lovers seeking exclusivity and authentic luxury. Set on a private motu, this boutique-style resort combines high-end design with a strong sense of Polynesian authenticity.

Each villa features open-air showers, elegant wooden interiors, and large decks overlooking the lagoon or the gardens. Here you have direct lagoon access, calm water for paddle boarding, and the famous coral gardens are only a few meters away — a top snorkeling spot in French Polynesia.

Breakfast is a highlight, with fresh pastries, tropical fruits, and eggs cooked to order. The place also boasts three restaurants serving refined Polynesian and international cuisine. For relaxation, you can unwind at the spa, enjoy traditional live entertainment, or simply spend an afternoon in the lagoon-facing infinity pool.

Good to know: Complimentary kayaks, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards are available for exploring the lagoon.

What about the Location?

Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is located on Motu Tautau, across from Taha’a Island and about a 7-minute boat ride from Tapuamu Village. Raiatea Uturoa Airport is a 30-minute transfer away by boat. The location gives guests easy access to vanilla plantations and pearl farms. Taha’a is known as the “Vanilla Island.”

FARE VAVAE

Intimate, charming and with personalized service, that’s the best way to describe Fare Vavae. This one is tucked away on the serene island of Raiatea. With only four bungalows, it offers a quiet and private atmosphere ideal for travelers looking for comfort and local hospitality. Each unit includes air conditioning, a private bathroom, a TV, a minibar, and views of the garden or pool.

The continental breakfast is served in-room and includes fresh juice, local pastries, and seasonal fruit. Dinner service is also available on-site and well-rated for quality and presentation.

There’s an outdoor pool and a large deck, they provide comfortable spaces to relax. Free bikes are available, and the nearest beach is about 800 meters away, making it easy to explore the area independently.

Good to know: There's no much signal inside the bungalows.

What about the Location?

Fare Vavae is located in Tumaraa, a peaceful area on the island of Raiatea. The property sits just 800 meters from the nearest beach and a short drive from Uturoa, the island’s main town and ferry terminal. Its position makes it a convenient base for exploring Raiatea’s lagoons, archaeological sites, and nearby islands like Tahaa. The area is quiet yet accessible, offering a true local feel without being far from shops, restaurants, or the marina.