While hotels in the Maldives may be world-famous for overwater villas, the concept actually originated in French Polynesia. As the story goes, a group of American expats at a hotel on the small Tahitian island of Ra'iātea came up with the idea to build rooms above a reef in the 1960s. The promise of sleeping just above the sea was a winner, and still today this idyllic room type prevails in the region. Since then, tourism has continued to expand and evolve. Cruise ships came and went, with the French Polynesia specifically holding strict mid-sized ship restrictions. Likewise, the hotels here remain on the smaller side, with tourism limited to those committed to the long-haul journey – most Northern Hemisphere visitors have to travel via Los Angeles. Fewer travellers and smaller hotels mean this remote tropical island region has plenty of bucket list and honeymoon appeal, with an abundance of wild untouched spots to explore and some of the world's best names in luxury hotels dotting the archipelago.
Editor's picks of the best hotels in the South Pacific
- For luxury: The Brando, French Polynesia
- For couples: Conrad Bora Bora Nui, French Polynesia
- For families: Kokomo Private Island Resort, Fiji
Courtesy Kokomo Private Island Resort
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Kokomo Private Island Resort, Fiji
With only 25 rooms and a family-run feel, Kokomo is in a set of islands in Fiji’s south, a rarefied stretch that isn't touristy. We flew in by seaplane manned by a barefoot pilot, and there was soulful singing on arrival and departure. (The island adjacent is known for its Pacific Gospel Choirs and many members of the staff are singers.) The resort was originally built as an Aman but changed to an independent (family-owned by Australian property developers) before design plans were finalised; an Aman sense of discovery remains. There's lots of elegant stonework throughout, contemporary abstract oil paintings on canvases by the island’s resident artist in bright, poppy Pacific tones. High stone walls create privacy, and banana plants and hibiscus dot the private garden. The food across the board is good: steak, coral trout sashimi, Fijian beef, lobster kokoda (a welcome upgrade on the usual kokoda of marinated raw fish in coconut milk with chiles, onions, and tomatoes). There's free yoga every day in the morning and evening by a dedicated yoga instructor plus tennis courts, a basketball court, kids' club and tween club. The real highlight lie beyond the hotel though: you can see turtles, parrotfish, whales, and rays from your villa’s infinity pool, steps from swimmable and thriving coral reef. Adam H Graham
Courtesy The St Regis Bora Bora Resort
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The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Bora Bora
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This resort occupies its own private motu (islet) just 20 minutes by speedboat from Bora Bora’s airport. Almost all of the people you’ll bump into onsite are guests – and almost all clad in designer sunglasses and sundresses or dressed down in board shorts and bikinis, inevitably celebrating being newlywed or some kind of milestone anniversary or moment (that moment may also be just finally making it to Bora Bora). At every turn, smiling staff members greet you with a friendly “Iorana!” Every villa comes with a pair of beach cruiser-style bicycles with baskets for exploring the sprawling grounds. Boardwalks over the water linking villas are a particularly fun place to bike while spotting passing sea turtles and eagle rays below. Guests can stay active at the resort’s tennis courts, adjacent to a well-equipped Technogym fitness center that’s open around the clock. Terry Ward
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The Brando, French Polynesia
For centuries the atoll had been owned by Tahitian royalty. They would come and spend time in what is known as the Queen’s Bath – a magnificent part of the sheltered lagoon with waters so bright they appear luminescent. In 1963, actor Marlon Brando came across the atoll when scouting for locations for his movie Mutiny on the Bounty, putting up a shack as his residence (which now stands as Bob’s Bar, a central component of the hotel), and in 2009 construction of The Brando Resort began. Among the flora and fauna that make up Tetiaroa are 35 private one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas. The villas, like everything else here, celebrate Polynesian traditions and nature; the wooden walls and woven roofs encapsulate the barefoot feel of the place, with all the finishes you’d expect from a five-star hotel. The villas are considerably spaced apart to allow for privacy, and you can move from bed to beach in under a minute. For dining, The Brando operates on an all-inclusive basis, and no detail goes overlooked, from the interactive map-like menu documentary of your culinary journey to the imposing chandelier shaped like a ship that fills the space to the puddings served in an elaborate treasure chest. Billie Bhatia
Courtesy Hilton
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Conrad Bora Bora Nui, French Polynesia
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Isolated on Motu To’opua, an atoll opposite the main island of Bora Bora, Conrad Bora Bora Nui has that castaway feeling in the most luxurious way possible. It’s also the only property in Bora Bora built with a hill behind the hotel so the views are unique and expansive, especially from the hilltop spa. People love the overwater villas with private pools on decks, while the garden villas are equally beautiful, and seem to grow out of the hillside amid all of the vegetation like something out of Swiss Family Robinson. The poisson cru is great at each of the restaurants – even at breakfast. Desserts at the Iriatai are worth it – I loved the macarons – and unsurprisingly, the tropical drinks are amazing. What I loved most about the resort though is the way that Polynesian culture is all around – in the greetings and traditional tattoos of the local staff, the food, even the names of hotel landmarks: Hina spa is named for the moon goddess, the Tamure grill pays homage to the hip-shaking local dance moves, the Upa Upa means "music" (and is the name of the sunset bar and lounge) and the Iriatai restaurant comes from the word for "horizon." Eleni N. Gage
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Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji
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With just 25 thatched-roof bures (traditional Fijian wood huts), easy access to arguably some of Fiji’s best snorkelling and diving sites, and a stellar kids' club, you’ll want to return to Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort again and again. Set on 17 acres overlooking Savusavu Bay, the resort is located on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Divers from around the world are plentiful – the place was discovered by a Cousteau, after all. But you don’t have to be a scuba diver to appreciate the magic here. Grab a mask and snorkel and go for a swim, hunt for a rainbow after an afternoon shower, watch the sun set, or take a moment to stare up at the star-filled skies. The Fijian warmth is genuine, and the staff’s joy is infectious. It’s impossible to go anywhere on the property without being greeted with a joyous bula (pronounced boo-lah), the Fijian equivalent of hello. Dana Rebmann
Courtesy IHG
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InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
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The strikingly contemporary InterContinental consists of 80 identical overwater villas, which extend into the warm lagoon like two claws, with the only differences being the views – of the lagoon, the beach, or beyond toward the mythic profile of Bora Bora. Floor-to-ceiling windows, Lucite ceiling fans, large tubs overlooking the water, and bathrooms with black slate floors reflect the clean modern aesthetic throughout, culminating with the Philippe Starck-inspired, all-white Bubbles bar. The atmosphere, too, is more South Beach than South Pacific, down to the stylishly clad reception staff and shirtless tattooed cabana attendants by the infinity pool. At the one-of-a-kind Deep Ocean Spa, the first thalassotherapy centre in French Polynesia, you’re given a pareu and sandals as an alternative to the staid robe and slippers. In a savvy environmental move, the resort pumps in cold seawater to feed the air-conditioning system and for use at the spa.
Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
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The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, French Polynesia
The ocean is your playground here, and snorkellers and divers will find plenty of reasons to explore the teeming coral reefs below. Previously known as Le Méridien Bora Bora, the Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa underwent an extensive renovation and rebranding before reopening in 2024. The property sets itself apart from its nearby neighbours with a focus on Six Pillars of wellness: sleep well, eat well, move well, feel well, work well, and play well. Room decor is contemporary, with an emphasis on clean lines and natural materials that include wood and stone. Not to be outdone, the turquoise ocean takes centre stage against more intentionally muted tones of cream and light grey. When you’re ready to see another side of Bora Bora, the concierge team can plan catamaran, ATV, or helicopter tours, as well as an excursion to the main island of Vaitape for shopping and a glimpse into local life. Kristin Braswell
How we choose the best hotels in the South Pacific
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve. Find out more about our editorial standards and how we review hotels.