35 Best Hotels in The Other Islands, French Polynesia

Celine Fournier has three rooms in a house located in the valley just below the peak of the volcano. She is happy to offer lessons in drag fishing—a local method that involves throwing a net—or to organize picnics.

Located on the mountainside at the base of Mt. Duff, this pension has panoramic views of Aukena Bay and is about a half mile from the dock. The three rooms are located in a two-story house and share a communal bathroom with hot water and have access to a lounge room with TV and telephone. All meals are available and are taken around a communal table. Tours of Mangareva, as well as the three other main islands can be arranged together with fishing and motu picnics. If your stay is less than three nights, full board is compulsory. Half board costs 18,040 CFP and full board is 24,400 CFP per person.

Jocelyne Mamatui has two bungalows and one room located right on the lagoon with wonderful views of Aukena and Akamaru islands. The pension is a 15-minute drive from Rikitea. Bungalows have private bathrooms; the room has a shared bathroom. There is daily housekeeping and meals are taken in the dining room of the host's house and will often include vegetables from her garden. There's also a bar selling wine and beer only. Island tours (from 25,000 CFP) and fishing trips can be arranged.

Lionel Cantois's place is about a mile from Omoa's harbor. It's surrounded by lush vegetation and is close to a river where swimming is possible.

Mrs. Marie-Antoinette runs this homey pension located towards the end of the island. Full board is 7,000 CFP per person.

This pension is located on the mountainside with splendid views of the bay. Excursions such as horse riding, a visit to the archaeological sites and a tour around the island by speedboat can be arranged. They will also rent out a car with driver. Guests can be initiated into wood carving free of charge.

Mrs. Norma Ropati's pension has six rooms available. Her private home is in the village of Omoa, close by the dock. She also runs a small restaurant from the same address offering the chance to taste a kaikai enana, a traditional Marquesas meal that includes poe (pudding-like), fri (plantains), goat meat, coconut milk, and fish.

Sam and Yolande Tahuhuterani offer a real family experience for their guests as they can share their days with a Polynesian family. Located right by the beach, Sam will organize lagoon tours and Yolande cooks great food.

This small property on the northern tip of the island features Tahitian-style bungalows on a private beach. The bungalows are backed by a tropical garden and have stunning views across the lagoon from the terraces. All meals can be provided on request.

Leo and Lolita Ariitu-Morou, who also run the property's sea turtle protection center, are the proprietors at this beautifully located hotel, which also doubles as a small yacht marina with seven moorings. Each of the seven bungalows overlook the water and can accommodate from two to 10 people, and also have two living rooms. The restaurant serves Tahitian and French fare daily and is open to the public. Grab a drink at the bar and listen to the yachties who come ashore here.

On the north coast, two hours by car from Taiohae, Chez Yvonne, as it's also known, stands on a hillside in a well-maintained garden only 164 feet (50 meters) from the sea. There's one family bungalow and four standard bungalows all equipped with private bathroom. Hinako Nui Restaurant is a two-minute walk away and all guests take their meals there. There are rates for half and full board.

The lodge's 14 bungalows sit on a hillside facing majestic Mount Temetui among luxuriant vegetation. Each has amazing views over Traitors Bay and the distant island of Tahuata and feature works of local artists. Half- and full-board meal packages are offered at 7,800 and 10,000 CFP per person respectively.

Set in a lush tropical garden, this superior lodge overlooks the bay and village of Taiohae; jagged mountains covered in thick vegetation form the backdrop. The restaurant serves French and local food with the accent on seafood, with meals averaging 2,200 CFP. The bar opens onto the swimming pool and a terrace, which is just 50 steps above a deserted, black sand beach.

Though it's on a private island north of Tahaa, the hotel is still only about an hour from the Raiatea Airport. The bungalows are situated either on the beach or set among beautiful green gardens and the restaurant overlooks the crystal clear lagoon. Various tours and excursions are on offer from the hotel.

Raymond Vaianui runs these five seaside bungalows nicely situated in Anaho Bay. One of the island's very few restaurants—the Hinako Nui at Chez Yvonne —is not far away. Tariffs are quoted in room only, half board and full board, with the full board being 6,500 CFP per person.

Marie-France Aunoa keeps this pension situated on the mountainside overlooking the valley.

This Relais & Châteaux property is built in the traditional Polynesian style and is only 35 minutes from the Raiatea airport by boat. The public areas are built into trees, giving you a very luxurious Swiss Family Robinson feel as well as unobstructed views of the sparkling blue water all around you and Bora Bora in the distance. Beach villas have private swimming pools and overwater bungalows have direct access to the lagoon. The resort's Manea Spa offers waterside massages among other amazing services.

Jean-Claude and Regina Tata have a house in the Taiohae Village with eight rooms, three of which have a balcony. There is a library/reading lounge where guests can relax and watch TV, excursions are available and there's an on-site car rental.

Justin and Julienne Mahiatapu run this pension situated right in the village of Taiohae. Each of the six bungalows has a ceiling fan and a private hot-water bathroom, while three of the four rooms have a shared bath. A fully equipped kitchen is at the client's disposal.

Situated near the southern tip of the island, this lodging has three bungalows offering clean no-frills accommodation. The owners also run a small lunch and take-away service.

This pension is located in the village of Omoa. You'll stay in one of two rooms in the home of Mrs. Albertine Tetuanui.

Kanahau Pension features wooden bungalows built on stilts that provide guests with magnificent views of Atuona. Each bungalow has its own private bathroom with hot water. Breakfast (extra) is served on the terrace, and a mini-bus is available to take guests to nearby restaurants.

Karen Taiaapu-Fournier has 3 bungalows located on the mountainside. She offers opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, picnics under moonlight and visits to the birds island and paces cave and free loan of snorkeling equipment.

Marie Teakarotu keeps this pension, which is located on the edge of the lagoon a few minutes from the village. The four bungalows each have a double bed, a single bed, a terrace, and a bathroom with hot water. There's also a shared kitchen and a communal dining room.

In the village of Taiohae, this pension has a bungalow and seven rooms. All accommodations have air-conditioning and private bathrooms with hot water. Breakfast is included in the price, and half- and full-board options are also available.

These two bungalows are situated in a beautiful garden set on a hillside with a stunning, panoramic view over the lagoon. A small swimming pool is on the property, along with a camping area.

This pleasant family pension is located on the hillside overlooking the road and is just ten minutes from the Mataura village. The rooms are in a modern building with a private bathroom. Meals can be taken on-site, though you have to order in advance.Breakfast is 1,100 CFP, half board is 4,115 CFP, and full board 6,415 CFP per person.

The most luxurious and largest hotel on the island, the units have all modern conveniences and the overwater units even have a fish-viewing panel. Regular feeding sessions from the pier bring in shoals of tropical fish and there is an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean and the pool. The restaurant has a very good name with seafood a popular choice and a friendly staff and music in the bar can bring in the locals on a Friday and Saturday night.

This is a charming colonial-style building with teak furnishings that stands in more than 2 acres of grounds. A large swimming pool is surrounded by gardens with an abundance of rare plants. All rooms have air-conditioning, television, safe, and private terrace. The hotel also has a fine restaurant (noted not just for its food but also for beautiful sunsets), with French and Tahitian cuisine served nightly and a good selection of wine.

Georges and Tahu Gramont have eight spacious rooms in their lovely house situated in Atuona village with terraces overlooking the Bay of Traitors and Mount Temetui. The rate includes breakfast, while the restaurant serves French, Marquesan, Tahitian, and Italian cuisine, including pizza.