17 Best Hotels in Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

Located half way between the airport and Tiputa Pass about 4 miles from Avotouro township, Hotel Maitai Rangiroa is the new name for the former Novotel property that stood on the site. It is now managed by Pacific Beachcomber, which also manages the four Inter-Continental resorts in French Polynesia, the Le Maitai in Bora Bora and the Paul Gauguin cruise ship.

The new company took over the hotel in 2010 and by all reports service and food quality have improved. Refurbishments have included new soft furnishings in bungalows, including new blackout curtains, along with new light fittings and flat-screen TVs. The lobby, bar and restaurant have also been upgraded with new furniture. The resorts offers bicycle hire and can arrange excursions and scuba diving trips with operators. There is no onsite spa, but massages can be arranged with a local therapist on request.

This lovely pension on Tiputa Pass, is the place to watch acrobatic dolphins swimming against the current. French owner Denise Josephine Caroggio tells you the best time to keep a look out for them from her terrace. There are six bungalows decorated with Balinese furniture including a lovely four-poster bed, a daybed, and padded sun lounges on private decks. Each has a ceiling fan and a small portable air-conditioning unit. Meals are served on the terrace overlooking the pass, and half-board and airport transfers are included in the rate.

The biggest resort on the island is about half a mile from the airport, near the village of Paeua. It opened in 1985, but was rebuilt in 1996 when taken over by Pearl Resorts; its last renovation was in 2006 when air-conditioning was installed in five overwater bungalows. All the rooms are decorated with a blend of rattan, timber, and cane materials and white bedspreads and curtains. Free activities include mini-golf, beach volleyball, billiards, bicycles, and Polynesian dance classes (if there's a dozen people to make up a troupe). Shoppers will appreciate the two on-site boutiques.

This three-bungalow pension is on a private island 9.6 km (6 mi) north of the airport. The all-white bungalows are an A-frame western design; two are on the beach, while the other is over the water. Each has an equipped kitchen, refrigerator, and private bathroom with cold water. Owners Guy and Jeanne Herta will provide meals but need to be informed before arrival. They also provide a free visit to a pearl farm.

This three-bungalow lodging is situated on Motu Kamoka, not far from the Kamoka marae. There is one one-bedroom bungalow and two two-bedroom bungalows; the latter accommodating four and five people. They are constructed in western rather than a Polynesian style, hence the name "motel." Each has a kitchen and air-conditioning, along with a hot-water bathroom, mosquito netting, and linen. A full-board option is available for 16,700 per person per day.

Complete with personal chef and open bar, this villa is straight out of the pages of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Located on Motu Tetaraire, a two-hour boat ride from Avatoru, it has two separate residences, the largest of which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The other house (just a short distance away) has two bedrooms and one bathroom. Both villas have extensive living and dining areas and a chef prepares all the meals.This is a pricey place with rates at 2,600 Euros (approx. 310,260 CFP) for a couple per night.

This budget pension has an ideal position near Ohutu wharf and its restaurant and terrace have great views over the lagoon. Hostess Glorine To'i has a reputation for wonderful home-cooked meals; her specialties include tuna carpaccio and baked lagoon fish au gratin, which could make up for the lack of hot water in the bathrooms and the basic nature of the six rooms. Half-board rates are 8,000 CFP per person per day; while bungalow with breakfast rates are 5,000 CFP per person per day. There are bicycles for hire and excursions can be booked.

This all-in-one pension and pearl farm is a great place to stay. Owner Joachim Dariel conducts free visits of the farm and there are free bikes to explore the town of Rotoava. There are five beach bungalows and three two-bedroom garden bungalows with fans, bathrooms with cold water, and lovely Polynesian touches like shell wind chimes and oval bathroom mirrors set in shell frames.

Situated on the water near the Ohutu ferry wharf, this is a good choice for budget travelers who don't mind cold showers. There are four two-bedroom bungalows with share bathrooms and three beach bungalows and a family bungalow, all with private bathrooms. Prices, at 15,000 CFP for a couple, include taxes, half board, and airport transfers. Meals, including lobster twice a week, are served in a large communal dining room with adjoining living room with TV. There's also a terrace for alfresco dining.

This rustic pension, previously called Vainui Pearls is set on a pink-and-white-sand beach. Just a 30-minute boat ride from the airport, it's a very quiet place. Each bungalow has two bedrooms and a private bathroom with cold water; there's a TV in a communal living room, and public dial-up Internet. The rate includes all meals, which is good as there's not a restaurant for miles.

This is a Robinson Crusoe experience in name and nature. Five "Robinson" bungalows line the lagoon, sleep two people, and have cold-water showers; the Crusoe bungalow—on the ocean side—sleeps four and has hot water. If you love isolation, with a touch of style, this is the place for you. It's 90 minutes by boat from the airport, and about 16 km (10 mi) from Tetamanu village. Minimum stay is two nights and full board and transfers are provided.

This pension, less than a mile from the airport, also runs its own excursions to the Blue Lagoon. There are 10 small bungalows, each with private bathroom with hot water. The pension was recently renovated and has added air-conditioning. Meals, which often feature local lobster prepared with various sauces, are served in an open-sided thatched restaurant. At night it can get a bit lively—for Rangi—when local traditional entertainers sometimes perform and often invite guests up to dance as well.

This is the place to come if you want to dive. The two locations are right by the pass; Tetamanu Sauvage is on a motu a short distance from the main property. The "village" has six bungalows and the "sauvage" has five. There's a two-night minimum stay and dives start at 5,500 CFP.

This is the only resort on the island, and it's a lovely haven with a good variety of beach and overwater bungalows. Beach bungalows have great indoor-outdoor bathrooms that can be closed off from the bedroom at night. The overwater suites are sumptuous with soaring ceilings, stylish timber furniture, deep oval baths, and air-conditioning. There's a dive center on-site and a good variety of activities.

With nine bungalows, this is the largest of the small family-run pensions on the island. Each of the Polynesian-style thatched bungalows has a double bed and single bed, a terrace, and a bathroom with a cold-water shower. Half- and full-board plans are offered. There are free kayaks and free airport transfers.

About half a mile or so from White Sand Beach Resort, this pension has four bungalows set in a beautiful, well-maintained garden. Each bungalow has a double and single bed, fan, and mosquito net, as well as a private bathroom with cold-water shower.

This property is the most luxurious accommodation on the atoll. It's perfect for scuba divers, the big draw in this island, as dive operator Todaydive-Bathys is located onsite. There are 13 garden bungalows, six beach bungalows and nine premium beach bungalows, The indoor-outdoor restaurant has magnificent lagoon views, while the Kiri Kiri Bar provides an eclectic range of entertainment, from pareo tying to cooking lessons and live music. The coral is just off the beach, perfect for snorkelers.