Hilton Tahiti Reopening 2021

Hilton’s partner in Tahiti plans to reopen the original Hilton Tahiti that has now been closed for 10 or so years.

The hotel is very convenient to the airport (few kilometers north) and not that far away from Papeete city center either (seven or so).

You can access Hilton Tahiti here.

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The Tahiti hotel has recently started to appear on rate searches for French Polynesia.

Here’s the location:

The only good hotel in Tahiti has been the InterContinental.
Now Sofitel, the former Le Meridien, may have gone through some renovations from my most recent stay, however. It is pretty far away from the airport and the city.
The former Radisson, Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts, is in front of a black sand beach and reachable by public transport.
The reopening of the Hilton Tahiti probably shakes things up a bit. I like the location in between the city and the airport.

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Press release from Hilton (released in 2020)

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with the Wane family – owners of Conrad Bora Bora – to launch this property as Hilton Tahiti to the market,” said Guy Phillips, senior vice president, development, Asia and Australasia, Hilton.

“It adds to Hilton’s robust pipeline of more than 95 Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific. The signing highlights how the company continues to capture development opportunities across Asia Pacific, leveraging its resilient business model, powerful commercial engines, and industry-leading brands such as its flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts.”

Hilton Tahiti is in a prime location for both leisure and corporate travellers. Situated on the waterfront and three kilometres from Faa’a International Airport, Hilton Tahiti will be the closest hotel to the airport, the gateway for all international arrivals to the territory. The hotel is also just seven kilometres from Pape’ete Ferry Terminal, with its connections to the beautiful outer islands, and near the capital city’s vibrant CBD.

Hilton Tahiti will offer 171 new guest rooms of 33 to 57 square metres, and 29 suites ranging in size from 72 square metres up to two spectacular Royal Suites, one of which is a grand 183 square metres. Guests will be able to unwind after a day in Pape’ete at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, signature brasserie, Asian cuisine restaurant or relaxed terrace bar.

Hilton Tahiti will also have a casual market place for guests to stock up on supplies and snacks, as well as a spa with treatment rooms, a fitness centre, an executive floor and lounge, and the largest outdoor pool in French Polynesia spectacularly overlooking the Moorea Island. Hilton Tahiti will host events in 743 square metres of flexible event space, which comprises a ballroom that can be partitioned into four sections.

“The signing of Hilton Tahiti heralds our third Hilton in French Polynesia, joining Hilton Moorea and Conrad Bora Bora,” said Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, brand management, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “Our properties are located in the world’s most sought-after locations and we look forward to providing our guests at the Hilton Tahiti with our renowned Hilton hospitality. This addition to our footprint will ensure Hilton is top of mind for leisure and business travellers to the territory.”

“We are very happy to re-open the hotel Hilton Tahiti, totally refurbished keeping the Polynesian feeling with a modern twist,” said Melinda Wane, Wane family. “We have partnered with Hilton for many years, and we are very delighted that this collaboration continues successfully and contributes to the development of our hotels and the destination.”

Conclusion

Tahiti is a tough hotel market after the Japanese, which used to be the primary market for French Polynesia, stopped coming. It is also a costly place to operate a hotel from employment and material; all must be imported, perspective, based on the discussions I have had with hotel managers.

Many hotels closed, including Hyatt and one Sofitel (both abandoned). The former Le Meridien is now Sofitel, and Le Tahiti by Pearl Resort is the former Radisson. The InterContinental has long been the hotel where most guests spending an overnight to/from the islands have tended to spend their time.

I have driven by this former Hilton many times, and it didn’t look abandoned. I believe that it was used as apartments or offices, but good to know that it is returning to its root as a hotel and under the original Hilton brand.

Tahiti, in my opinion, and Papeete, the city, are underrated destinations. If you are going to Bora Bora or Moorea or one of the smaller, more exclusive islands, stay few nights in Tahiti, rent a car, and explore the island.

I often end up at the Pink Coconut at the Thaiti harbor around the sunset, eating some local food and consuming beverages.