Editor Pick
Te Tiare (Papeete)
- January 25, 2006
- Rated 3 of 5 by
SarahQSpano from Dundas, Ontario
The Tiare is the InterContinental Resort Tahiti's main hotel restaurant and is open from 5:30am to 10pm every day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unless you choose the 24-hour room service option or the pricey Le Lotus gourmet restaurant, the Tiare is your only on-site dining option at the resort.
We had a number of meals at the Tiare (including breakfast, lunch, and dinner in various combinations) and found it to be adequate both in quality and service; however, I didn't feel that it met my expectations for an IC resort.
The Tiare (with an open "show" kitchen) is on the ground floor level of the hotel, open to and overlooking the main pool, Lagoonarium, and neighbouring island of Moorea. The decor is essentially Tahitian/Polynesian and the ambience is very casual and comfortable--it's not uncommon to see guests come in from sunbathing and have lunch in their bathing suits.
The menu is quite varied, attempting to cater to the tastes of the American and European guests while still providing a bit of Polynesian flavour. There are a number of healthy choices, and we generally did not find the food to be overly heavy or rich. The meals themselves were of good quality, and we certainly had no complaints about the food itself, but it was average at best and not much different from what you might find in a typical cafe/bistro. Considering the high price, it would certainly not represent good value for your money, at least not in the North American sense.
The prices are inflated to some degree; however, it must be said that prices are high everywhere in French Polynesia, as due to its remote location, almost everything must be imported. The Continental breakfast is about $25 and the Full American breakfast will run you $30. Similarly, the fixed-price set menu is $45 and $65 for lunch and dinner respectively.
As elsewhere in French Polynesia, the service is quite slow, especially if you are dining at non-peak time (breakfast at 11am or lunch at 3pm). The servers and staff are generally very friendly, attentive, and accommodating, and the dining experience was pleasant overall.
The Tiare is also where the buffet dinner shows take place on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, theme nights that include Tahitian dance shows (the weekend evenings by the famous "Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti"). Due to scheduling, we were unable to enjoy one of these evening; however, we were told that they are quite enjoyable. One tip given to us by a fellow guest: there is no need to actually pay for the buffet. Simply grab a seat at the nearby Tiki Bar, have a couple of drinks, and enjoy a great view of the dance show.
Overall, we found the Tiare to be good; however, we would advise that if you are staying for any more than a few days, make sure you venture outside the resort for more authentic (and slightly less expensive) cuisine.
From journal Paradise Found--French Polynesia
Te Tiare
- March 21, 2005
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Ro123 from Hillsdale, New Jersey
The Te Tiare is located inside the heart of the Intercontinental Resort Hotel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily. American, French, Japanese, and Polynesian foods are offered. Most meals are a buffet, but menu service is available. Seating is open-air and tiered, with tables looking out over the stage, swimming pool, and lagoon. Three times a week, a Polynesian dinner and dance show is given.
From journal Tahitian Adventures