The 7 Most Sustainable Hotels in French Polynesia (Tahiti)

A Sustainability Ranking in partnership with ETIC Hotels

You’re planning a trip to Tahiti, French Polynesia and you’re trying to be as ethical and sustainable as possible?
niood lists you the 7 most sustainable hotels in Tahiti, French Polynesia:

1. The Brando
Arue, French Polynesia

From $2,800 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes The Brando sustainable?
We consider ourselves stewards of Tetiaroa, and believe that we have the responsibility to treat it with the highest level of care and respect. Almost all of Tetiaroa is being protected and preserved forever in its natural state.  We have touched the motu on which the resort sits as lightly as possible.

The Brando and all the villas have been designed without beach obstructions to blend harmoniously into the trees. We have used local materials extensively in the design and construction. All building materials used are of local or certified origin, renewable, or incorporate recycled components.  We are using a pioneering deep seawater air-conditioning system to reduce energy demands and rely entirely on renewable energy sources including solar power and biofuel whenever it can be procured.

Setting a new world standard, the resort is close to reach its goal of being carbon neutral and self-sustainable. We have built and gifted an Ecostation to Tetiaroa Society, the nonprofit organization established to lead the scientific and cultural mission to protect the atoll and to inspire sustainable interdependence on Tetiaroa and around the world.

2. Ninamu Resort, Tikehau
Rangiroa, French Polynesia

From $600 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Ninamu Resort sustainable?
The resort prides itself as a luxury-minded, outdoor enthusiasts’ retreat, with accommodation that has been hand-crafted with only natural, locally sourced materials, with the intention to offer luxury with minimal impact on the environment.

Most of the bungalows were purposely built in a position to take advantage of the trade winds to keep them naturally ventilated as much as possible. The water Ninamu Resort uses is mostly collected rainwater, and when needed it uses its own desalination equipment to make up for any shortage. The resort’s electricity is also partly provided through solar power.

3. Te Ora Hau Ecolodge
Afareaitu, French Polynesia

From $200 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Te Ora Hau Ecolodge sustainable?
These are the steps this property has taken to provide more sustainable and environmentally friendly travel. The property offers bicycle rental.

4. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

From $1,700 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora sustainable?
Designed by BAMO, each of the one and two-bedroom overwater bungalow suites have been refreshed, reflecting a more contemporary Polynesian feel, complete with new furniture, fixtures, lighting and technology including 55 inch Chromecast-enabled televisions. Additionally, solar panels have been installed on each bungalow’s thatched roof, providing a natural and sustainable power source for heating water.

5. Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort
Tamanu Punaauia, French Polynesia

From $200 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort sustainable?
This property has signed the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge.

6. InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
Motu Piti Aau Bora Bora, French Polynesia

From $850 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes InterContinental Bora Bora sustainable?
• Landscaping throughout the property requires minimal irrigation and areas that require sprinklers only operate at night. The resort also collects and stores rainwater for garden irrigation, resulting in Recycled/captured water rating of Pool water is also reused for watering the gardens.
• The resort underwent the installation and daily monitoring of water meters. This action allowed them to evaluate their average water consumption and develop an action plan to reduce it. This initiative allows anomalies to be quickly detected and corrected.
• The InterContinental Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa was the first property in the world to successfully implement Sea Water Air Conditioning – or SWAC. Following on this accomplishment, The Brando also installed a SWAC system, reducing electrical demand for air-conditioning by more than 40%.

7. InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

From $600 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora sustainable?
Instilled with deep respect for our natural surroundings, the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa was the first property in the world to successfully implement a private air conditioning system using cold deep-sea water. Our revolutionary Sea Water Air Conditioning – or SWAC – uses sustainable technology free from harmful chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons that have been linked to global warming. This earth-friendly technology has since been replicated at The Brando, a Pacific Beachcomber owned and managed luxury resort located on Tetiaroa atoll. Other environmentally-friendly practices can be found throughout our resort.

• We encourage the ongoing development and integration of sustainable technologies, such as solar panels to provide energy, and rainwater collection tanks for landscape irrigation; we have also transitioned to digital newspapers and brochures to help decrease paper waste.
• We have strict recycling policies that ensure our waste is responsibly processed, including an on-site composting program for nourishing our tropical gardens.
• We continually measure our energy and water consumption with comprehensive benchmarking systems, using the information to monitor and reduce usage.