Manava Suites
28/02/2013
by Gary Dickson
Convenience personified…Located in the northwest region of Punaauia on the main island of Tahiti, Manava Suite Resort Tahiti is a very handy five minutes from Faa’a International Resort and a cruisy ten minutes from the city centre.
On a recent trip to the States, I only had a one night stopover in Tahiti and chose to rest my head here.
The lobby has a distinctly Polynesian flavour, immediately welcoming and setting the tone for the duration of your stay. The friendly staff checked me through in no time at all. My room was furnished with a tasteful blend of ontemporary furnishings and South Seas artifacts.
A quick shower and I set off to grab a bite to eat and explore the rest of the property. In the Punavai Lounge bar, one of two at the resort, I stopped for a drink and discovered that the resort is popular with business travellers to Tahiti.
Its location affords easy access to the city; apartment suites can cater for small on-site meetings, while the property’s various meeting rooms ensure privacy. I popped out to the Taapuna Pool Bar where I chatted to a few families. While some will spend a few days here, many use the property as a stopping point enroute to or from the outer islands.
I perched poolside with my feet dangling in the water and watched as the sun set over nearby island of Moorea. It was time to eat, so I headed for Vaitohi Restaurant – a very elegant setting with that warm, Tahitian hospitality and a fabulous menu that offered the best of both Polynesian and international flavours. Children were kept entertained during dinner with crayons and paper.
Accommodation at Manava Suites comes in a range of options, catering to just about every need. There are one, two and three bedroom apartments, eight 1 or 2 bedroom duplex suites, 22 lagoon and 20 garden suites, 52 studio suites and 12 basic rooms. These are spread over two levels and four accommodation blocks.
Designed by Tahitian architect/designer, Bruno Hervochon, all guest rooms reflect authentic Polynesian décor while still offering contemporary amenities and the comforts of home. Each comes complete with state-of-the-art technology as well as kitchen facilities.
The resort also boasts the island’s largest infinity swimming pool which faces the lagoon, affording beautiful vistas, and a fitness centre ensures you can rid yourself of cobwebs after a long flight or perhaps work off a few of those business lunches.
There’s also a Manea Spa on hand to ensure Tahitian style relaxation. There’s a shopping centre and marina nearby and the location is a handy two minutes from Taapuna’s surf spot.
Overall, I found this to be a charming property, very convenient and offering a warmth and hospitality so often lacking in hotels in such close proximity to an international airport.