Room check: Manava Suite Resort

Manava Suite Resort, Tahiti. Photo / Supplied

Elisabeth Easther checks in to the Manava Suite Resort, in Papeete, Tahiti.

Where is it: In Tahiti, on the main island of the same name, just 10 minutes from the capital of Papeete.

A taxi from the airport costs: A taxi will cost about $32, although the hotel runs shuttles which cost about $10 per person one way. And if you come by car, you'll be pleased to know there's free parking.

Check-in experience: Having disembarked from a cruise ship rather early in the morning we weren't able to check right in, of course this was moderately frustrating, but when we saw the infinity pool on the seafront, all our cares melted away.

Price: Rates come in at about $300 a night and worth every cent.

The room: Amazing and well worth the wait. Two super comfortable double beds, the best linen, a well-equipped kitchen and views right from our room out across the pool and the ocean.

What's in the neighbourhood: With such a great kitchen, you'll want to go to Carrefour (the local supermarket) where you'll find French wine, amazing cheeses and all sorts of fine food. Not cheap but fun to splash out if you're feeling flush - it's five minutes by car or 30 minutes on foot. You'll find the small marina for the local Va'a Club where the roulottes (food trucks) open for business each night two minutes away. Room service: Pleasantly affordable, the burger and bolognaise didn't take long to arrive and were totally tasty, served with big hunks of bread. Plus the spag bol was so generous, it worked for two meals.

Drinks: The virgin cocktails we knocked back at the swim up bar, particularly the pina colada, are still being reminisced about to this day.

The bathroom: It was wild, such a huge bath, separate shower, and the loo had a phone by it.

Toiletries: Hotel brand Manawa shower gel and conditioning shampoo, only good for bubble bath.

Food and drink: One excellent restaurant and two bars - you wont go hungry.
What's more: There's a spa, and free wi-fi.

Exercise facilities: A really shiny gym with brand new machines and a very pleasant outlook.

What's so good about this place: The pool and the lush, manicured grounds blew our minds, but it was the snorkelling that stole our hearts. There's a little coral reef right on the doorstep teeming with fish. The best thing was watching two octopuses have a tiff, until one inked up and jetted away like an angry torpedo. And sea cucumbers extrude a vermicelli-like substance that was very sticky when poked. Who knew?

And the not so good: Regular exercise classes took place in the pool on underwater stationary bikes - apparently it's called aqua spinning - watching this phenomenon was quite amusing but the tinny techno music was a bit grating on the ears.

Perfect for: Families, romantic jaunts or just plain running away.

Contact: For bookings and information, go to manava-suite-resort-tahiti.com

The verdict: If we could've changed our flights, we would have, because this place is pretty divine and we'd have happily stayed forever.