There is a mystique surrounding Tahiti that is hard to beat when it comes to destination marketing. Images of lazy days spent on sun-drenched lounges on white sandy beaches metres from azure water is promoted the world over. But few destinations really live up to the hype. Tahiti, however, is one that cuts through the clutter and continues to deliver an image of unspoilt, island serenity.
As an incentive destination it offers so much. And, if for taxation purposes you have to do a little bit of conferencing while your group is there, then Tahiti can certainly accommodate that too.
Tahiti as a whole is composed of 118 islands and coral atolls. Tahiti is in fact one of these island – indeed the largest. The other large islands are Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha ‘a, each offering something special for visitors.
These islands are home to majestic mountains rising out of crystal clear blue waters, providing a backdrop for what can only be described as inspirational meeting places.
The country’s heritage is a blend of Polynesian culture and French sophistication. Together with the ancient volcanic landscape they create a hard to match mystique and innocence rarely found in other island destinations.
Planners considering Tahiti for an extraordinary event are spoilt for choice with more than 50 first-class hotels providing luxurious accommodation and first-rate conference rooms. State-of-the-art technology keeps business travellers in touch with the rest of the world while the quality of local produce, usually prepared with French influences, and the variety of seafood, guarantees every meal is a memorable affair.
One of the most popular resorts for the convention and incentive market is the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti, located right on the stunning Lafayette Beach.
The property provides flexible, well-appointed meeting and banquet space for up to 380 people, the largest in Tahiti.
Set in lush gardens and exotic black sands of Lafayette Beach, the 165-room resort is the idyllic retreat only seven kilometres from town (Papeete City), and features four categories of deluxe accommodation with large covered balconies and stunning views of Matavai Bay.
Guests can soak up the warmth of the Tahitian sun, laze around the lagoon pool and outdoor jacuzzi, sip fresh tropical juices at the pool bar, or simply graze on contemporary cuisine infused with French Polynesian fare at the alfresco Hiti Mahana restaurant, which hosts a Tahitian dance show each evening.
The chic open-air Lafayette Bar is the perfect spot for cocktails and canapés overlooking the water and the spectacular colours of a Tahitian sunset on the horizon.
The resort’s 520-square-metre pillarless Grand Ballroom seats up to 380 people banquet-style, and is divisible by two to cater for smaller functions and conferences. The pre-function area overlooks tropical gardens and the ocean, perfect for pre-dinner drinks or small tradeshows.
Complementing the Grand Ballroom are three smaller meeting rooms, all with natural light, which are ideal for break-out sessions or boardroom-style meetings.
In-between meetings, guests can revitalise and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul at the resort’s “Le Spa” day spa and health club. Indulge in traditional treatments using natural local products while taking in the stunning beach and garden views.
Whether you want to relax by the pool, or explore one of the many options at the activities desk, Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti has the choice of facilities for you, including windsurfing, water skiing, snorkelling, paddleboards and kayaks and sailing. Or for something a little more adventurous, take a diving trip, a 4x4 island excursion, hike in the local mountain areas with majestic waterfalls, or simply visit the colourful local markets in Papeete.
The resort is a convenient 15 minute drive from Tahiti Faa’a International Airport.
A new kid on the Tahiti block is the Legends Resort Moorea which opened on July 1. Described as the archipelago’s first hillside resort, it is set on seven hectares on the north western edge of the island, and offers amazing sunsets across its own lagoon and private motu (island).
Forty-six luxury two and three-bedroom villas will be aimed primarily at groups and families. Each stylish stone and timber villa offers spacious rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and laundry, flat-screen TV, amazing views and expansive deck with jacuzzi spa.
Special resort features include free shuttle transfers to the private white-sand motu, a well-equipped delicatessen, private catering service with French chef, in-villa massage service, tennis court, gymnasium, scenic walking track, centrally located fare poté’e (traditional Tahitian meeting house) with an infinity swimming pool and bar, and from September a fine dining restaurant.
General manager Jeannine Bishop said the resort’s hillside location and self-contained villas made it different to anything else in Tahiti.
“Tahiti does overwater bungalows better than any other destination,” she said.
“But overwater bungalows are aimed almost exclusively at the romance set while we wanted something affordable and suitable for families and even small meetings and incentive groups.
“Our rates are extremely competitive, children under the age of 14 stay free, and we offer and a wide range of activities to introduce our guests and their children to Tahiti’s rich culture, or what we like to term the ‘Tahitian Experience’.
“Activities include lei making using Tahiti’s beautiful and fragrant Tiare national flower, pandanus weaving, Tahitian dance lessons, jewellery making and beach activities on our own white-sand motu a short drive away. Nothing is too far on Moorea, and guests can take advantage of everything from 4WD tours to in-season whale watching, swimming with dolphins, stylish French-inspired restaurants, art galleries, stunning panoramas and 18 holes on our new international-standard golf course.”
For more information on Legends Resort Moorea go to
www.legendsresort.fr.
If getting into the great outdoors is on the agenda then you can’t go wrong in Tahiti. While the mountains provide a dramatic setting for eco walks, four-wheel drive safaris and waterfall swims, the protected beaches, with their inviting lagoons, play host to relaxed barbecues, snorkelling tours and sunset cruises. Delegates wanting a bit more adventure can get right out of their comfort zone by swimming with reef sharks and stingrays.
Golf enthusiasts are in for a treat now, with Tahiti recently opening its first resort golf course on the island of Moorea.
Designed by golfing great Jack Nicklaus’s design company, the Moorea Green Pearl Golf Resort runs along a white sandy beach in the north-east of the island within easy reach of the airport, ferry port and several over-water resorts.
On offer are slender fairways, challenging water features and sand traps, lushly-grassed islands and magnificent views of Moorea’s legendary mountains on one side and azure waters on the other.
Work is already underway on an integrated luxury resort to be managed by US-based Warwick International Hotels, which operates 40 prestigious hotels and resorts in the US, Europe, Asia and Africa and is expanding into the Pacific.
To be known as the Warwick Moorea Golf and Spa Resort when completed, it will feature 154 stylish villas and rooms as well as a pool, fine dining restaurant, horse riding facilities, spa and fitness centre in a picturesque hillside setting behind the golf course.
The island of Moorea itself, thought to be the inspiration for the mythical Bali Hai in the hit musical South Pacific, is only an eight-minute flight or 30-minute ferry ride from Tahiti, the stunning main island.
The 18-hole, par-70 championship Moorea Green Pearl Golf Resort is only the second course to be built in Tahiti. It joins the par-72 Olivier Breaud International Golf Course, built on the neighbouring main island in 1968 and home to the annual Tahiti Open on the South Pacific circuit.
For more information on Tahiti and her islands contact Tahiti Tourisme on 1300 655 563 or visit www.tahitinow.com.au.
Top
|