Between Lagoon and Sky: French Polynesia's Most Sublime Escapes Stories > Hotels > Between Lagoon and Sky: French Polynesia's Most Sublime Escapes Curation by Yasmina Rodríguez, words by Bastiaan EllenA gentle dawn awakens over your private sanctuary at The Brando, where the boundary between dream and reality softly blurs. The morning light, filtered through indigenous pandanus leaves, dapples across your villa’s sleek wooden deck as gentle waves lap at the stilts below. This is French Polynesia—not merely a collection of islands scattered like pearls across the South Pacific, but rather an invitation to experience luxury in its most pure and elemental form.Exceptional StaysTransform each sojourn into an extraordinary experience. Through Mr Hudson, unlock a world of privileges at the world’s most prestigious properties—including gourmet breakfasts, priority suite upgrades, and generous resort credits. MEET OUR PARTNERS From private motu picnics to twilight lagoon tours, each moment is designed to create memories that linger long after your tan fadesWhere paradise feels personally curatedThe art of French Polynesian luxury lies not in ostentatious displays, but in the thoughtful curation of moments that take your breath away. Here, in this corner of the Pacific where nature’s grand gestures meet intimate human touches, every experience feels personally orchestrated for the discerning traveller. From private motu picnics to twilight lagoon tours, each moment is designed to create memories that linger long after your tan fades. Photo: Vincent GerbouinSanctuaries of sublime sophisticationThe resorts of French Polynesia are more than mere accommodations—they are gateways to experiencing these islands at their most magnificent. The Brando, nestled on the private island of Tetiaroa—once Marlon Brando’s personal paradise—sets the standard for sustainable luxury. Each of the 35 villas tells a story of thoughtful design, where traditional Polynesian aesthetics meet contemporary comfort. The resort’s commitment to conservation is seamlessly woven into the guest experience, from the seawater air-conditioning system to guided tours with on-site naturalists who reveal the island’s rich biodiversity.At The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, overwater villas stretch across 44 acres of pristine lagoon, each one a masterclass in elegant design. The Royal Estate Villa, at 13,000 square feet, stands as the largest overwater villa in the South Pacific—a favourite among celebrities and those seeking ultimate privacy. Here, personal butlers anticipate desires before they fully form, appearing with a perfectly chilled bottle of rosé just as you contemplate sundowners, or arranging a surprise couples’ massage when they notice you’ve been particularly engrossed in your novel on the deck. The Brando The BrandoThe Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora commands views so magnificent of Mount Otemanu that you might find yourself spending entire mornings simply gazing from your private pool, coffee in hand, contemplating the ancient volcano’s moods as clouds paint shadows across its face. The resort’s overwater suites, recently enhanced with modern Polynesian touches, feature deep soaking tubs and expansive decks perfect for stargazing. Their Kahaia Spa Suite, suspended over the lagoon, offers couples’ treatments that incorporate traditional Polynesian healing practices.Le Taha’a captures the essence of Polynesian charm while delivering world-class luxury. Located on a private motu facing the vanilla island of Taha’a, the resort is renowned for its coral gardens—a natural aquarium accessible directly from your overwater suite. The resort’s partnership with local vanilla farmers provides guests with unique insights into this precious orchid’s cultivation, including private tours and cooking classes featuring the prized spice. Four Seasons Bora Bora Four Seasons Bora Bora offers stunning Mount Otemanu views, perfect for mornings by your private pool with coffee in hand, contemplating the ancient volcano’s moodsAt the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, innovation meets tradition. The resort’s Deep Ocean Spa—the first thalassotherapy centre in the South Pacific—harnesses mineral-rich water from the ocean’s depths for treatments that seem to wash away not just tension, but time itself. Their overwater villas feature floor windows that illuminate at night, creating private aquariums beneath your feet.Le Bora Bora brings fresh energy to the luxury scene, where traditional thatched roofs shelter interiors worthy of the most discerning design magazines. The resort’s careful balance of authenticity and modern luxury is evident in details like hand-carved wooden panels and custom-made furniture that references traditional Polynesian motifs. Le Taha'a by Pearl Resorts Le Bora Bora by Pearl ResortsVoyages of distinctionExperiencing these islands by sea reveals French Polynesia’s true majesty. Paul Gauguin Cruises, with their intimate m/s Paul Gauguin ship, orchestrates journeys that feel less like typical cruises and more like floating boutique hotels. Their Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines—local hosts who share their culture through music, dance, and storytelling—add an authentic dimension to every voyage. The ship’s shallow draft allows access to smaller ports and hidden lagoons larger vessels can’t reach.Lindblad Expeditions charts courses to lesser-known atolls where the only footprints in the sand might be your own. Their partnership with National Geographic brings aboard expert photographers and naturalists who help capture the islands’ beauty and understand their delicate ecosystems. Their zodiac excursions to remote motus offer adventures worthy of a modern-day Gauguin.Silversea elevates the experience further still, with butler-serviced suites and a crew-to-guest ratio that ensures your champagne glass will never run dry as you sail between Moorea’s dramatic peaks. Their Silver Cloud expedition ship combines luxury with adventure, featuring expert guides who reveal the islands’ hidden treasures, from secret snorkelling spots to ancient marae (sacred sites).Regent‘s voyages offer perhaps the most comprehensive immersion, with included excursions ranging from private pearl farm visits to sunset outrigger canoe journeys. Their Seven Seas Navigator provides an intimate setting for exploring these waters, with all-suite accommodations and a programme of lectures that deepens understanding of Polynesian culture and history. Paul Gauguin CruisesCultural canvasFrench Polynesia’s cultural landscape is as rich and layered as its natural beauty. The islands have a long tradition of accepting diverse expressions of gender and sexuality, embodied in the respected role of the Mahu—individuals who historically held special spiritual and social positions in Polynesian society. This cultural heritage creates a naturally welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ travellers.The islands’ artistic legacy, from Gauguin’s vivid canvases to contemporary Polynesian artists, offers another lens through which to experience this paradise. The Maison de la Culture in Papeete hosts exhibitions of local artists who blend traditional motifs with modern expressions. Traditional tattoo artists, working with ancient designs that tell stories of lineage and identity, practice their art using both contemporary and traditional methods.For lovers and dreamersAs one of the world’s premier honeymoon destinations, French Polynesia excels at romance. Same-sex couples will find a warm welcome, with resorts experienced in celebrating love in all its forms. Traditional Polynesian blessing ceremonies can be arranged on private beaches, while intimate dinners for two can be set up anywhere from a candlelit marina to a private motu under the stars. The Brando Four Seasons Bora BoraBeneath the surfaceFrench Polynesia’s underwater realm is as sophisticated as its terrestrial luxuries. The lagoons here aren’t merely blue—they shimmer through an artist’s palette of cerulean, turquoise, and azure, each shade revealing different depths and coral formations. At the Bora Bora liquid gardens, as locals poetically call their lagoon, you’ll find yourself floating above coral gardens where parrotfish dart between staghorn coral formations and elegant eagle rays soar past like underwater birds of prey.For those seeking closer encounters, guided snorkelling sessions with marine biologists reveal the complex ecosystem of these waters. Drift over gardens of giant clams, their iridescent mantles displaying patterns as unique as fingerprints. In the deeper passages, curious napoleon wrasses—some the size of small cars—may approach to investigate their reflection in your mask, while schools of butterfly fish flutter past like confetti in the current.The diving here transcends the ordinary. Sites like Tupitipiti in Bora Bora offer theatrical wall dives where grey reef sharks patrol the deep blue. At Tapu, in Taha’a, enjoy what locals call ‘the cleaning station’—a natural phenomenon where large fish pause to be groomed by smaller ones, creating an underwater spa that proves nature’s capacity for elegant sophistication. Advanced divers might venture to Rangiroa’s Tiputa Pass, where the currents attract dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and, in the right season, graceful manta rays that dance through the waters with balletic precision. Lindblad Expeditions | Photo: Andrew PeacockExperiences that awaitBeyond the expected pleasures of overwater bungalows, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life, French Polynesia offers sophisticated travellers a wealth of unique experiences. Join a master pearl cultivator for a private dive to select your own Tahitian black pearl. Helicopter to a remote valley on Tahiti for a gourmet picnic beside a waterfall. Spend an evening with local astronomers learning about traditional Polynesian celestial navigation.Culinary adventures abound, from learning to prepare poisson cru with a local chef to private tastings of locally made rhum agricole. Markets like Papeete’s Le Marché offer glimpses into daily life and opportunities to discover local delicacies, while high-end restaurants like La Villa Mahana on Bora Bora serve French-Polynesian fusion in intimate settings. Photo: Vincent GerbouinThe Mr Hudson differenceWhile French Polynesia’s natural beauty is available to all, experiencing it at its most sublime requires insider knowledge and connections. This is where Mr Hudson’s expertise proves invaluable. Our relationships with these prestigious properties and cruise lines translate into tangible benefits: priority upgrades, generous resort and onboard credits, and those small but significant touches that transform a good holiday into an extraordinary journey.Our team crafts each itinerary with the precision of a master jeweler setting a Tahitian pearl, ensuring every element reflects your personal style and preferences. Whether it’s arranging private transfers by yacht between islands, securing impossible-to-get dinner reservations, or ensuring your suite faces exactly the right direction for optimal sunset viewing, we transform the exceptional into the extraordinary.Your paradise awaits—not just any paradise, but one perfectly attuned to your desires. Let Mr Hudson orchestrate an escape to French Polynesia that speaks to your soul, challenges your senses, and exceeds your every expectation.share The Brando The Brando Four Seasons Bora Bora The Brando InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa The Brando Photo: Vincent Gerbouin Paul Gauguin Cruises Lindblad Expeditions | Photo: Andrew Peacock Le Taha'a by Pearl Resorts Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts St. Regis Bora Bora Resort Four Seasons Bora Bora | Photo: John Ko Paul Gauguin CruisesDid you enjoy this article? Then sign up for our newsletterDid you enjoy this article? The same team that curates our content designs your perfect trip Explore more Exploring the north coast of the Dominican RepublicA place of sweeping beaches, rolling hills, a rich culture, and friendly locals, we share the highlights of the Dominican Republic’s North Coast – arguably one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the country. 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