Mr & Mrs Smith

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort

Tuamotus, French Polynesia

Cast yourself away to chilled-out Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort on Tikehau atoll in the Tuamotus achipelago, where beachside bungalows, overwater villas and seductive pink-sand shores promise lagoon lazing. Snorkelling and diving beckon for adventure hounds, or hole up in the intimate spa. This is French Polynesia's secret side, ideal if you fancy crowd-free coral islands, barefoot luxury and just-remote-enough romance.

Need to know

• Rooms 37, including nine suites.
• Rates Double rooms from $677.64 (XPF62,700), excluding tax at 10 per cent. Please note the hotel charges an additional service charge of 4% per room per night on check-out and an additional local city tax of XPF150.00 per person per night on check-out.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (XPF62,700) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include breakfast and select activities (snorkelling gear, kayaks, badminton, bocce, beach volleyball, table tennis and billiards).
• Facilities Spa, scuba diving, boutique, WiFi throughout (from XPF500/AU$5 an hour), ice machines. In rooms: satellite TV, minibar, own-label toiletries, sun-deck with loungers, CD players (top two room tiers only). All Overwater rooms offer glass-topped tables for gazing down into the lagoon, but for direct access to the water book a Premium Overwater Bungalow or Overwater Suite. Suites are also the only rooms with a bath.
• Poolside A small round outdoor pool fringed with coconut palms sits near the open-air restaurant. It's hard to beat the adjacent pink-sand beach and languid lagoon for dreamy dips though.
• Check-out 11am, flexible subject to availability in low season (for 50 per cent of the room rate before 6pm; after 6pm you'll need to pay for a full extra night); in high season, late check-outs attract an extra night's charge. Check-in, 2pm.
• Children Kids up to 14 stay for free if sharing your room, with free transfers and kids' meals. Day-beds in all rooms can be converted for children or add a rollaway bed (at extra cost), and kids are welcome in the restaurant. Babysitting available for a fee. More...
• Also Pets are not allowed. Mobile phone reception is usually alright on Tikehau, but internet access is slow and unpredictable.

Food and drink at Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort

• Hotel restaurant

  Open-air Poreho Restaurant looks out over the lagoon and pool, encircled by an airy terrace. The vibe is laid-back island-rustic, with a thatched roof, stone pillars and a tiled floor in neutral, sandy hues. Swing by for a buffet breakfast, set-menu lunch or romantic dinner, with half-pension and full-board deals. Fish and seafood star, from grilled mahi-mahi teamed with vanilla and rice to lobster with lime-butter sauce and wahoo fillet with mashed pumpkin. Choose between French favourites such as duck foie gras or Polynesian specialties; try the triology of tuna tartare, sashimi and poisson cru (Tahitian ceviche). Tropical desserts team coconut, banana and rum to delicious effect, or sample the signature chocolate cake.

• Dress code Barefoot luxe, from super-casual by day to chic-as-you-like at night.
• Top table Request a private table for two on the pool deck near Poreho. Romantics can also enjoy a starlit supper on the pontoon, with a private chef and waiter, or a host of other dreamily designed dining experiences.
• Last orders Dinner at Poreho runs from 7pm until 9pm; Tianoa Bar pours from dawn until 10.30pm.
• Room service Room service is available during restaurant hours (for around AU$10), although only Overwater Suites feature dining tables for feasting alfresco. Minibar refills are by request during bar opening hours.
• Hotel bar

  Set beside Poreho near the pool, Tianoa Bar is a relaxed affair, with inviting wicker chairs for lagoon-side lounging. The music may be a tad cheesy, but the cocktails deliver, with seriously moreish pina coladas and mai tais, decked out with pretty flowers (at Tikehau this feels so right!). Regular spirits are up for grabs at the circular bar, with tasty herbed olives and chunks of raw coconut for snacking.

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort BP 20, Tuherahera, 98 778 Tikehau, French Polynesia, Tikehau