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When In Tahiti, Do As the Le Méridien Does

Where: Tamanu, Tahiti, French Polynesia, 97718

It's sad, but it's true: if you're in the midst of a dream vacation week on Tahiti, there is a point at which you will get antsy to do something other than slather yourself in tanning oil and kick back with John Grisham. This is exactly what the Le Méridien Tahiti discovered last year after it launched L’Atelier du Chef, a series of intimate cooking classes with hands-on instruction from Executive Chef Sebastien Philizot. The program ended up being so popular as an addition to the all-inclusive escape that Le Méridien is back in 2009 with an entire series of "culture offerings" at L'Atelier, the resort's artist space.

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Time to Brush Up on Your Fifth Grade Geography

Where: Tamanu, P.O. Box 380595, Tahiti, French Polynesia, 97718

You might want to brush up on your knowledge of French Polynesia.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Air Tahiti Nui has launched a quiz contest centered on trivia of the collection of isles. Correctly answer the questions, and be entered to win a free trip to Tahiti on the airline, departing from New York or Los Angeles, as well as one night at the Le Méridien Tahiti (pictured), which sits on the white sandy beaches of the Punaauia region. (Sounds good, oui?)

Two winners will be announced each week through November 30, and with 10 trips up for grabs, your chance of winning ain’t too shabby.

It’s just cultivating that little bit of French Polynesian smarts you have to worry about, because really, what else do you know about it except that you want to go there. Now. For free.

Tags: Tahiti Hotels / Overwater Bungalows / Hotel Renovations / → All Tags

Making Overwater Bungalows Even More Luxurious

Where: BP 28, Moorea, Maharepa, French Polynesia, 98728

If you're in for exotic Tahitian luxury, the stakes may just have been raised a bar higher. The Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort (formerly known as the Sofitel I Ora Moorea, obviously much harder to pronounce) has just reopened after some $40 million worth of renovation and expansion.

Nineteen brand new overwater bungalows have been added, and the old ones "completely upgraded", they say. Another drawcard is the restaurant rebranding, and now the simply titled "K" restaurant is the "intimate dining option" for guests who want to:

enjoy the freshest local produce in elegant and refined settings that allows guests a unique opportunity to feel the sand of the beach beneath their feet while enjoying the ambiance of chandeliers overhead

We don't have the budget yet to test it for ourselves, but the location map rather makes it sounds like it'll be the airplanes as well as the chandeliers right overhead: the Sofitel Moorea is definitely one of the closer resorts to the (admittedly very small) airport, although their website claims it's five minutes away by car. Check in with us if you get any first hand experience of the new Moorea (or send us your donations so we can get their ourselves).

Related stories:
· Searching For The Perfect Overwater Bungalows [HotelChatter]
· Sofite Moorea reviews [TripAdvisor]

Tags: Overwater Bungalows / Tahiti Hotels / Honeymoon Hotels / → All Tags

Make Your Own Electricity at this 'Honeymoon Hotel'

Where: PO Box 4607, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

You can't really go wrong if you honeymoon in Tahiti. Ridiculously gorgeous beaches, French food, and island cocktails what more you want? The choice to make is to stay in pure luxury or to rough it a bit, in the old school bungalow style.

The Wedding Channel recommends Hotel Kia Oral for both choices: luxury or bungalow exotique:

The Hotel Kia Ora is nestled here on a white sand beach shaded by swaying palms, within earshot of the atoll's crashing ocean waves. The hotel's 63 air-conditioned bungalows are scattered in the garden, along the beach, and over the water. The overwater bungalows feature a glass coffee table where the lagoon becomes your private aquarium. A 1hr cruise from the Hotel Kia Ora, takes you to the Kia Ora Sauvage - an unspoiled paradise. With only 5 traditional bungalows and no electric power or telephones, this remote Polynesian hideaway is ideal for couples seeking the Robinson Crusoe experience.

The powerless bungalow is perfect for honeymooners who are okay going without WiFi or satellite TV (we obviously aren't.)

The only question now is, how close are each of the bungalows to each other?

Related Stories:
· Hotel Kia Ora [Wedding Channel]
· Hotle Kia Ora Reviews [TripAdvisor]