Fantasy Islands - Bora Bora Resorts

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Fantasy Islands
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French Polynesia
is a bona fide
-
paradise found.
by Polina Steier
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NO'IIIING QUITEPREPARES
YOU FORTHE UNRIVALEDBEAUTYOF
FRENCHPOLYNESIA:warm Pacific waters, colorful sea creatures,
and l(')Surely resorts.
The islandsare best experiencedby stay-
ing in ocean bungalows-called
fales-that
give house boat
new mcaning. So go on and dive in. The water's quite divine.
WINTER '°10
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Fine wines are offered at Le Taha'a
Private Island & Spa's Vanifle.
BoraBoraPearlBeach
Resort& Spa
The Leeward Islands have long inspired
writers and painters such as Matisse,
who is said to have dubbed Bora Bora's
LeTaha'a
PrivateIsland& Spa
the private fales built with local bamboo
A helicopter swoopsover
glistening turquoise waters
towards the islet of Le Taha'a, a
coral-enclosed slice of paradise.
The destination is the private
heliport of Le Taha'a Private
Island & Spa (letahaa.com),
a young Relais & Chateaux
property that has been highly
lauded by in-the-know voyagers. Pampering begins upon
arrival with vanilla-scented
and palm wood. No detail has been
towels and a wreath of fresh,
unspoiled coral reefs and protected
lagoons as the seventh wonder of the
world. Decadent accommodations are
abundant, and the beautiful Bora Bora
Pearl Resort
(pearlresorts.com)
is a must-
stay. Stretched out over 17 waterfront
acres on Motu Tevairoa, the resort's
bungalows, tucked away Zen garden,
and beach suites offer seductive seclusion. Reclusive romantics seek refuge in
overlooked in creating these hideaway
local flowers. With a delicious
havens, where guests enjoy sunsets over
tropical drink in hand, you're
escorted to a fale over an ele-
turquoise water
from their private
sundecks. In the
vated walkway. The unpretentious resort's 48 fales and ten beach
bungalows are made of bamboo siding and furnished with rose- .
wood carvings, unique to each dwelling. The vaulted ceiling is as
morning, breakfast
is delivered
by out-
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much a part of the decor as the stone pillarsholding up the walls.
Sophisricated minimalism is the anchor throughout the auburn and
honey interiors. Guests can tune out or tune in as much as they
want to with the IDD phones, TVs, and CD and DVD players.
view? The thatchroofed Manea
The fale's impressive boat-shaped double tub is a sensual soak, only
Spa is set in a trato be outdone by a wraparound deck with a private dining room overditional Tahitian
looking the lagoon's waters. Although each of the beach bungalows
pavilion on stilts
are equipped with a private plunge pool, you might not need it-you
canjump into a lagoonstraight from the deck.You also might want to
over a tranquil lake
explore the resort's serene grounds, uninterrupted stretches of white
surrounded by lush
gardens. Soothing
sand, and gardens. Even at full capacity, you'll rarely see anyone.
treatments such
For active pursuits, play tennis, snorkel to meet a rainbow of
as a traditional
fish, or rake a canoe, jet ski, or kayak around Le Taha'a's coral garPolynesian masdens. The resort's dive center, Taha'a Blue Nui, offers lessons for
sage and tensionbeginning and certified divers to help them discover shipwrecks
Bora
Bora
Pearl
Beach
Resort
&
Spa's
and swim among reef sharks. Le Taha'a also arranges excursions
relieving barefoot
tr"lJjlc<11
g<1rdf> suite
bodywork are
to family-owned vanilla plantations and black pearl farms.
The Manea Spa indulges guests with an array of world-class
worthy distractreatments that incorporate local ingredients such as vanilla oil and tiare flower
tions. Stroll to dinner through the
sweetly fragrant grounds to the main rl'Sscrubs. For gourmands, Ohiri, nestled among the treetops, serves continental flataurant Tevairoa, perched 20 fCl't ahovl
vors with distinctive island influences. (Youcan also take French cooking lessons
the glistening Bora Bora lagoon and ovn
from Le Taha'a's classically trained executive chef.)The open-airmainrestaurant,
looking Mount Otemanu. On spn lal eve
Vanille, creates dishes with locally farmed vanilla, and if you feel like dining by the
rigger canoe.
a break from
Need..
the
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nings, a Polynesian dance perform;mu'
dazzles diners on the starlit tcrran
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freshwaterpool or beachside, La Plage is a wonderful choice. Pampering in this
paradise continues with Polynesian buffets, beach barht,cucs, and private picnics.
ee
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rikehau~)earlBeachResort
C')
I he roral reef island of Tikehau was discovered in 1815 hy RUSSI,III
11.1v.l1ofhu'r Otto
von Kotzebue. Today, it's home to thousands
I '.IS7, Jacques Cousteau's
lrntr;nion
of nesting hirds- "and CXldknt
diving. In
research group declared that the island has thr greatl'st con-
of fish species in French Polynesia. The pink sandy headICs of Ilkehau
dotted with gentJy swaying coconut
are
tTees, hut
the island's crown jewel is the Tikdwu
atolls, the resort has pampered
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r:n
Po)
Pearl
Beach Resort (bora-bura-resnr1.011!:). Perched
on one of the most beautiful of the Tuamotu
and diving enthusiasts
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£0
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romantics
from aU corners of the
The
main
carrier to Tahiti,
AirTahitiNui,
globe. Once inside the fall', the first thing most
offersa number
guests usually want to do is to slide open the
of flights
from
tops of the glass coffee tables in the grand
Europe and
living area to observe the feeding the fish
North America.
below. Next, jump in the warm translucent
Visitors
land
turquoise
Tahiti's
capital,
waters, and swim among the abun-
in
dant coral reef. Fales are private, spacious,
Papeete and
and include every modern amenity imaginable:
travel
Soaring ceilings, private verandas
end point via
with direct
to their
access to the lagoon, deep oval baths, and
regularly
terrific in-room dining. Active and adventur-
Tahiti's
ous guests can play badminton
hopping
or beach vol-
run
Air
island-
flights.
leyball, explore by kayak and canoe, or sneak
away from the secluded comforts of Tikehau
Pearl Beach Resort to visit the Isle of Birds or
the charming island village of Tuherahera.
But nothing beats a good dive.
ManavaSuiteResortTahiti
Tahitian architect Bruno Hervochon
designed Papeete's newest hotel, Manava
Suite Resort Tahiti, with a blend of
traditional Polynesian decor and contemporary design (bora-bora-resort.
org). The resort, located between Faa'a
International Airport and the city center, is an ideal stop before going on to
explore French Polynesia's other islands.
The modern Punavai lounge bar expertly
serves fresh tropical cocktails. There
are a state-of-the-art fitness center and
stunning infinity pool overlooking the
island. The formal restaurant, Vaitohi,
offers up traditional PoJynesian dishes
and contemporary continental cuisine.
WI~"'E"LO"I CAVIAI!AFFAIR
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