My husband and I have been to many islands in French Polynesia over the last ten years and we really enjoy the hospitality and friendliness we receive where ever we may go. This was our first trip to Vahine Island. The reviews were very positive and we thought it would be nice to try a small quiet resort that featured gourmet dining and beach front bungalows. We have never been "Glamping" but I think this may qualify. Every one was so courteous, professional and spoke or understood English. The cabins were clean and comfortable with a nice view of Bora Bora in the background. During the day we had a very large Herron that would walk past many times and at night sting rays would swim by. There is an amazing coral garden for experienced snorkelers because of a strong current and no fins are allowed. The grounds are immaculate, manicured, and feeling like your own private estate. The food. Wow! it was impressive. We were a little concerned when we booked. Fish only is new but were very happy we did. After leaving Vahine and going to an additional four resorts on three islands we were always comparing the food to our meals at Vahine. Did I mention the breakfast? Anyway, find out for yourselves. We are planning to return next year. Maloolu Loa…
Warning: terrible experience. We were very excited to visit this resort and very disappointed with the level of professionalism of their team. We booked an overwater bunglow after discussing both live and via email with the Vahine reservations + manager who subsequently sent us email confirmation for our stay over the upcoming holiday period. This email clearly stated they would keep the room for us until 24 December. After very slow and unclear communications, when it came time to process and complete payment they then informed us of extra mandatory expenses (an extra $850 USD for F&B and no a la carte options for pay by go food expenses even though we are also vegetarian and do not drink alcohol). When we asked to share some more info about the cost breakdown, they replied very rudely "We are just a small island and too busy to answer your questions so read about it online". Whilst awaiting clarifications, we received another email saying they had cancelled our booking and had the audacity to share it was in favour of another booking for someone else who was booking more room nights. The minimum room night shared with us via email was 3 nights which was our booking duration. Given this is a busy time of year, we are now totally stranded with nowhere to stay during this time after having already made our travel arrangements to the island. This team was very unpleasant to deal with - very poorly managed property with sales/bookings and general communication which is in itself a huge deterrent from wanting to spend any time in this bad energy. Very unethical business practices. Doesn't take much to be friendly and welcoming! Felt called to warn others!…
When they say “island paradise” this is what they mean: idyllic setting, incredible bungalows and fine cuisine. Attentive staff, capable in both French and English. Grounds maintained impeccably. The only regret you’ll have is leaving
Adding our positive comments about this paradise island. The stunning location alongside the privacy and quiet coupled with excellent food, comfortable rooms ( withbig, fluffy towels) and great staff make this a perfect destination. A place to relax and enjoy being away from it all.
We spent several wonderful days at Vahine in November. We were picked up at the airport and whisked away by boat (albeit a bit of a bumpy ride) to this beautiful island. We were greeted with welcome drinks and shown to our beach bungalow which was nice and what I would call rustic chic. Even though we didn’t get much sunshine (and survived some large tropical storms, two power outages, part of our roof coming off, and a subsequent leak) we still had a fantastic time. The beauty of the island is just astounding, rain or shine. (Although, to be honest, next time I would come back during a drier season.) Everyone working here is very nice. We chose the full board meal option, but next time I would probably choose to pay for lunch a la carte. The food is fine, but they really excel in their delicious desserts and fun cocktails. After the aforementioned storm and roof mishap, we were moved to a beach suite which was also nice. Although I have to say I did like the coziness of our previous bungalow since we don’t need an extra couch. There is some great snorkeling in the ocean in front of the beach bungalows. One tip we learned from others at the hotel is to walk to tip of the island where you’ll find a path that leads out into the ocean. You can start your snorkeling here and let the current bring you back towards the bungalows. Trying to swim against the current was really difficult unless you used your fins. I’d definitely recommend wearing a full rash guard and water shoes given the sheer quantity of coral. We also attempted to kayak but got tossed over pretty quickly. Again, this would probably be smoother in a drier season. There are a couple excursions you can do for an extra fee. We only did the half day tour of Le Taha’a which was ok. It mainly seemed like an excuse to shop for vanilla, pearls, and rum rather than a more cultural tour. All in all, you can’t beat the beauty and isolation of this small island. We bookended our trip with stays at larger resorts on other islands and I wish they all could have been as quiet and peaceful as Vahine.…
Simply the best place we have ever stayed. Full stop. The welcome was warm and friendly, the room was wonderful, the food delicious, the staff brilliant and the snorkelling excellent. I even managed to go round the two-hole golf course under par (though gimmes are essential). My wife described Vahine Island as a little piece of heaven surrounded by a coconut grove and I think that is just about the perfect way to look at it. Quite frankly, if you can’t relax here then you can’t relax anywhere. No, it’s not cheap – but take it from me, you won’t regret a single penny.
Very few places in the world manage to accomplish the level of experience that you will enjoy at Vahine Island. This resort is simply sublime. Perfect in every way. The location is a bit hard to get to, but worth every second of effort once there as the relatively remote location allows you to see French Polynesia in a more natural and unspoiled manner. After four days at Hilton Moorea (wonderful in its own right but different), we were looking forward to a more intimate and relaxed environment. Having researched this resort, and having it on my bucket list of destinations for over ten years, my expectations were very high. They were exceeded on a daily basis. We stayed in an over water bungalow for one week in mid-July. The weather was perfect with only an occasional afternoon squall that was short lived. There were no bugs anywhere on island. The bungalow at the end of the pontoon was nicely furnished with a strong bent towards local style. I would highly recommend the over water bungalow here although the beach front bungalows have an excellent view and direct access to the lagoon with the best snorkeling. From the bungalow, you can see some lagoon fish and watch the sharks (harmless reef sharks) and rays swim by. You will have a great sunset view from all units on island. The staff was simply spectacular. Every single person we met was friendly and helpful. Every meal was spectacular. Do not hesitate to choose this resort for fear of limited dining options. Special mention must be made of possibly the simplest item - the vanilla yogurt!!! Evenings offered a very detailed wine list at surprisingly reasonable prices ($50-$80 USD per bottle - about what we pay in Denver). We did the half day Tahaa island tour, a two hour fishing trip (we had our paltry catch for lunch) and the half day snorkeling trip. Every excursion was wonderful. Interestingly, as we were approaching the snorkeling location off a neighboring motu, we were concerned about a big sign saying tourists were not allowed to land on the island. I asked our boat captain about this and he said "Don't worry, it is my island." Unreal. On the Taaha island tour, my wife purchased a pearl bracelet from the farm we visited. They have some very nice selections at reasonable prices as compared to the stores on Moorea. Overall, this is a wonderful option for a couple seeking a special place to be together. We stayed here thinking that it would be a once in a lifetime experience. After actually staying here, we have decided that this is not the case. We will return.…
Vahine Island is quite possibly the most beautiful and picturesque spot on earth - yes it is that pretty! The staff was both professional and welcoming always greeting us with a smile. We wanted to disconnect and just do nothing for our first of 3 islands so we chose Vahine based on the excellent reviews. It is absolutely serene and very beautiful whether you stay on the beach or as we did in an OWB. The deck was large and beautiful we enjoyed the changing skies and swimming in gorgeous water. I give 5 stars because it is exactly what it is supposed to be very simple, quiet, and serene with good food and excellent service. That being said you have to literally want to do absolutely nothing. Yes there os an excursion with the other guests if it is your thing but after a few days of not being able to go explore further ( you can not go on half the property which felt weird) or do something different, we felt a bit trapped albeit in paradise (: As for the food we felt like it was very high-quality and well prepared. The service was absolutely excellent! To say it is in the category of a Michelin star rated restaurant is absurd if you actually follow Michelin chefs but excellent none the less. We do enjoy smaller resorts and we do not do too much in French Polynesia but the inability to explore at all made this a one time visit for us.…
Having just returned from 12 days in French Polynesia, I can report that it is really truly paradise on earth. My husband and I have lived abroad and have travelled extensively, and we agree that this is the most beautiful place we've ever been. My husband selected Vahine to kick off his 60th birthday celebration. (We used travel group Pacific for Less to coordinate the details of the trip, and I recommend them highly!) When we arrived at the airport on Raitea, we were promptly whisked away on a boat to Vahine. As we approached the island (motu), I could already see that it would be a very special place. It immediately felt relaxed and peaceful as if we had just landed on Swiss Family Robinson's private islet. We were met by the lovely Jessica and seated in the bar area, which is a picture perfect island retreat. After a quick check-in, we were shown to our beach suite (Fare Hoe) which just accelerated the Robinson Carusoe experience. Gorgeous hand-woven rattan covers every inch of the walls and ceiling. The mirrors in the bathroom, as well as the shower and toilet room, are adorned with local shell accents. The bed is huge and comfortable, and the extra sitting area was a welcome addition, especially as my husband adjusted to the time difference and woke at 4 and 5 am. Having a place for him to go and read was essential. But as beautiful as the suite is, nothing can compare to the unforgettable view from the deck, a direct west-facing position across the turquoise water with the unmistakable peak of Bora Bora in the near distance. We were soon to see some of the most amazing sunsets of our lives. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. For those who may be undecided between Vahine's three accommodation types, let me share my thoughts, if it can be of help to you. On the west side of the motu, you will find three beach suites and three beach bungalows. All have amazing views and and steps to the water. (In fact, while lying in bed, you feel as if you're on a boat.) The difference between the suites and the bungalows is basically size. The bungalows are quite a bit smaller both inside and out and have smaller decks. The best units are the first and the sixth, as they do not have neighbors on both sides, allowing for my privacy and open space. When we return, we will be requesting suite #1 again (Fare Hoe) for it's perfect location. We did not stay in the over-water bungalow at Vahine, but I can say that from paddle boarding past them, I noticed two things: 1) they are all situated on the same plane, side-by-side, not offset from one another as they are at other resorts; and 2) they do not enjoy the west-facing position and the views os the sunset and Bora Bora. Vahine consists of three small motus, but the majority of the resort sits on just one. That's where you will find the 6 beach suites/bungalows, the three over-water bungalows, the dining area, the bar, the office/gift shop and the various activities (kayaks, paddleboards, ping pong, bocce, etc.). You can literally walk from one end of the motu to the other in a matter of 5 minutes, which is amazing in that it allows you to experience both the insane beauty of the peaceful lagoon, as well as the natural angst of the ocean side. (We enjoyed walking to the back of the island after dinner where we could enjoy the stars without interference from any lights.)…
We stayed 5 nights at Vahine Island for our anniversary in June, 2022. Staff is wonderful, as is the food. We got the 1/2 board (which meant we paid for lunch if we ate it). The dinner menu is fixed (different each night) and they show you the menu at breakfast for that evening. If you don't want something on the menu, they will do their best to accommodate you by making something else. The resort it tiny.....just 9 rooms (3 overwater bungalows and 6 beachfront). The only complaint that we had was that on arrival, we learned that our overwater bungalow was out of service due to a plumbing issue. In fact, 2/3 overwater units were out of service. However, they put us in one of the two master suites in the owners home, which is also on the island. It is lovely, overlooking the beach and very private (other than the other couple who was in there for the same reason, but they were great). One thing to be aware is that the snorkeling on the island is not simple. It is extremely shallow, and if you want to snorkel you need to take a bit of a circuitous route to get to deep enough water. Only other complaint was a bit of an odd response: our room had a Nespresso maker, and there were only 2 pods in the room. We asked for a few extras and were met with "I'm not sure what we can do". They did get us more pods, but this struck as a rather strange for a high end resort. Overall, highly recommend if you want Tahitian beauty, privacy and good food and service. If you are looking for a lot of activity, this probably isn't the spot for you.…
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