La Perle de Tahaa - Luxury Guest House

This was my favorite place during two weeks in Polynesia, and I’d happily return. The owners and managers changed about a year ago, so the current team is Karine and Damien. They were incredibly nice and helpful, and it’s worth contacting them before your visit because they can help arrange some great experiences. My room was lovely and well maintained, with free A/C and a gorgeous garden around it. Breakfast and dinner at the restaurant were delicious, and they gladly adapted the menu for me as a vegetarian.

We loved the simple, local, family feel here. The food was wonderful and local, and we were welcomed and looked after so warmly. There’s sea access right in front, with canoes and a lovely snorkeling spot. I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the real French Polynesian vibe. It’s run by a French couple who moved to Taha’a about a year ago, so older online comments may describe the property as it used to be. Thank you ❤️

Tahaa itself is beautiful and feels authentic. The sunset looking toward Bora Bora was breathtaking, and there were plenty of fish and huge Manta Rays to see while snorkeling. But our stay at La Perle de Tahaa was far from what the online photos and other reviews led us to expect. The pension seemed extremely neglected, with years of poor maintenance. The pontoon was coming apart, the concrete was cracked, the wood was moldy and might have had termites, and grey water drained directly beneath the bungalows. Our bungalow was dark, felt dirty, and had lots of small problems. It wasn’t cleaned during our three nights, and the towels were worn through with holes. The newly arrived French hosts seemed tired and uninvolved, doing only the bare minimum. Customer service felt poor: the hosts looked sloppy and tired, and they smoked in the restaurant, leaving ashtrays full of cigarette butts on the tables. The food was just acceptable and basic, with few fruits alongside bread and jam at breakfast, and no dinner choices. It was expensive for what you got, and there was no entertainment. Cats and dogs were everywhere, so keep that in mind if you have allergies. If you’re looking for an authentic Polynesian experience, I don’t think you’ll find it here. Polynesians are wonderful, but this pension didn’t reflect the local spirit. Also, without a car you’ll be stuck, since there’s nothing nearby and no other food options.

We stayed two nights at Roberto's La Perle de Tahaa and slept really well. For French Polynesia, it was great value. We chose a room with shared bathrooms to keep costs down, rather than one of the private bungalows. There’s a small kitchen guests can use, and the two shared bathrooms were both good, with hot showers. From the property there’s ocean access, a small beach, and a pier. You can snorkel there, freedive to around 27m near shore, or take one of the free kayaks over to the coral garden by the motus. The paddle takes about 20-45 minutes each way depending on your pace and the wind. Other visitors reportedly saw three manta rays there. Nearby, you can visit a vanilla or pearl farm, and Roberto can provide a set lunch or dinner menu at his beachfront restaurant if you ask. We had a great time in Taha'a and had very few mosquitoes even though it rained. On the way from the port to the hostel, stop at Pari Pari Rum to taste local Taha'a rum. Owner Laurent is lovely and also sells vanilla, creams, and oils.