A French Polynesia Honeymoon Including a Private Island Stay

Destination: Motu Tautau & Bora Bora

Having always wanted to visit French Polynesia, Brittany and Michael’s choice was easy when selecting their honeymoon destination. With rave reviews from friends, they were encouraged to begin their trip at Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts, a five-star property on its own islet, Motu Tautau, with island views of Taha’a on one side and Bora Bora on the other. “We took a boat from the airport to the resort, and the bright blue ocean was just breathtaking,” muses Brittany. The couple checked into an overwater suite featuring a glass-bottom floor for three nights of pure bliss. “Each morning, we would wake up and walk down the stairs of our room directly into the ocean,” she shares of the experience.

The honeymooners spent the following week soaking in the lush vegetation, turquoise waters, and gorgeous views of Mount Otemanu at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. “On our first date, we both mentioned that we had always wanted to go to Bora Bora,” remembers Brittany, so when it came time to book their itinerary, they knew exactly where to travel. Besides taking a Cultural Island Tour with Natura Discovery, they kayaked and snorkeled, floated in the ocean, and relished their time off the grid. “We took the time to disconnect from the world at home, rarely looked at Instagram and Facebook, and truly enjoyed our time together as newlyweds,” affirms Michael.

HIGHLIGHTS

Resting and rejuvenating. “Once we arrived, we were officially on ‘island time’ for the entire honeymoon. We ate, drank, laid out by the pool, and spent all day in the ocean.”

Sipping cocktails poolside. “I highly recommend the Coconut Mojito from the poolside bar at Le Taha’a – I still crave it to this day!”

Exploring Bora Bora. “We stopped at various lookout points and visited local artisans, which truly gave us a taste of island life.”

Destination: Tetiaroa

The honeymooners spent the final four nights of their romantic getaway at The Brando, a luxury all-inclusive property on the private island of Tetiaroa. The atoll has been loved by Tahitian royalty for centuries, and it became actor Marlon Brando’s own secluded sanctuary in the late 1960s. Though completed after his passing, his namesake resort showcases the environmental purity and Polynesian charm he fell in love with while filming. With 35 villas featuring thatched roofs, personal pools and terraces, and soothing aesthetics that blend seamlessly into the natural splendor, the luxurious destination was the perfect last stop for Brittany and Michael.

As soon as they arrived on the island via private plane, they were greeted with impeccable hospitality as well as a traditional French Polynesian dance show. “We were so excited to experience a private island and dubbed this to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” confirms Brittany. The couple spent their days riding bikes around the resort, enjoying their private pool, and soaking up the sun on the white-sand beach that’s often home to sea turtles. “My most memorable memory was waking up every day to the beautiful, bright blue ocean and being called ‘Mrs. Sugarman’ everywhere we went,” she smiles. “It never gets old!”

After two weeks of being on island time, Brittany and Michael were filled with incredible memories as they traveled back to California. When they arrived home, the newlyweds learned they were expecting! “Once we had our son in February 2020, the pandemic hit,” shares Brittany. “Knowing that our honeymoon was the last trip we took makes it even more memorable... We can’t wait to take our son Cameron back to Bora Bora one day!”

HIGHLIGHTS

Luxurious all-inclusive amenities. “We ordered room service all day long, walked to the bar for drinks and snacks throughout the day, and enjoyed fine dining each night.”

Savoring an intimate dinner. “We loved the Nami teppanyaki restaurant at The Brando – it only seats five people, so make sure to book well in advance!”

Waking up to the ocean. “Each morning, we ordered breakfast and ate outside with the sand between our toes.”

Travel Tips from Brittany & Michael:

“The properties are very big, so be prepared to walk a lot! It rained a good amount while on our trip, so we were often drenched while walking to and from our room.”

“Bring lots and lots of snacks! The room service and gift shop availability was limited. We stocked up on familiar snacks at the airport in Bora Bora – I had never been so happy to see potato chips and gummy bears!”

“Don’t overpack. I’m known for overpacking and my suitcase is always over the weight limit on all the trips we take. The planes between the islands are tiny, so save space by packing light!”

“Make sure to look up the restaurant hours at the hotels – some closed a lot earlier than we expected, so we ended up having to order room service a few times for dinner.”