The spas of Tahiti are known to serve up the kind of deep pampering that leaves you almost comatose with bliss. The trademark Polynesian massage was born here, facials use organic ingredients, and the usual spa amenities (steam, sauna, jacuzzis) are completely immersed in nature. From mind-blowing, bi-level sanctuaries to lagoon-side havens, these are the spas that are truly worth splurging on during your honeymoon in Tahiti.
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Deep Ocean Spa at Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia
Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa happens to be one of the best resorts in Bora Bora, so you know the spa is going to be something special. This is the only spa in the entire country that pumps fresh seawater from 3,000 feet below the surface to use as healing waters (“thalassotherapy”) for treatments like hydro-massage baths, pearl rain massages and a “water journey” (which includes deep-relaxing Jacuzzis and cold seawater pools with jets massaging your legs as you walk through). Most of the water journey is outside, with Mount Otemanu as the backdrop. The treatment rooms are in overwater villas with glass floors, so while you’re getting rubbed down with Tahitian oils, you can see the fish swimming below. It doesn’t get any more relaxing than that.
thalassotherapy | Mt Otemanu backdrop | overwater villas
The Spa at Four Seasons Bora Bora
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia
The spa at Four Seasons Bora Bora is in its own tucked-away oasis, basically floating on the edge of the lagoon. You’ll forget modern civilization exists as you sit, surrounded by lush landscapes, tropical groves, thatch-roof huts and the soundtrack of nature. The spa has one of the most extensive treatment menus in Bora Bora, with a full range of natural ingredients for massage oils, facials, body wraps and other holistic treatments. The Kahaia Spa Suite is totally built for honeymooners: an open-air bungalow with views of the lagoon, a petal-filled Jacuzzi that opens out to a huge deck, and two massage tables hovering above glass panels so you can watch the marine life below.
tucked-away | extensive menu | Kahaia Spa Suite
Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort
Hotel Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort, Maharepa, French Polynesia
The four-star Sofitel is known for having the best spa on the island of Moorea. It’s not lavish, or over the top, just “old school” Polynesian, which means exotic looking and fragrant with the scent of the native gardenia flower, the tiare. There are seven treatment rooms, in thatched-roof pavilions on the lagoon, so you can enjoy the soundtrack of nature while you’re fully submitting to a hot stone massage. There’s also an outdoor Jacuzzi and solarium, so you can make a full day out of it.
old school Polynesian | exotic looking | outdoor Jacuzzi
Le Spa at Le Taha’a Island Resort
Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa, Pātio, French Polynesia
The private island of Taha’a is known for its vanilla beans, so you’ll definitely notice the scent of vanilla at Le Tahaa’a Island Resort, the only resort on the entire motu. The setting here is rustic: Le Spa is totally immersed in its own exotic garden, surrounded by leafy palms, bamboo trees and the lagoon. Because most of the treatment rooms face west, the best time to book your couple’s massage is later in the day, so the two of you can enjoy the sunset together. The highlight of Le Spa is the locally made oils. Most of the treatments use monoi, which is a sacred Polynesian oil infused from coconuts and flowers that helps detoxify and relax. There’s also tamanu, another oil derived from the sacred tamanu tree (native to Tahiti) that nourishes skin while reducing sunburn and muscle pain. You’ll leave this place oiled up and feeling like a god.
vanilla scent | rustic | locally made oils
Varua te Ora at The Brando
The Brando Resort, French Polynesia
Marlon Brando was a visionary, and so was the team of his family and friends that built The Brando, a five-star resort on his former private Polynesian island. The spa here is no joke, taking traditional Polynesian elements and modernizing them for an experience you can’t get anywhere else. There are several suites that harbor commanding views of the lush landscape, all floating in their own over-lagoon pavilion. But the one that honeymooners freak out over is Fare Manu, the main spa suite, nestled 20-feet high up in the trees. There’s a steam and sauna area, waterfall Jacuzzi and massive outdoor relaxation areas, so not much chance that you’ll get bored here.
five-star resort | lush landscape | Fare Manu
