Outrigger Hotel

Tahiti opens

Over the past few years we’ve seen the birth of a new brand focussed on deluxe resort properties in island destinations

AMIDST popping fire crackers, a Chinese lion dance and colour ful Tahitian fanfare, the Outrigger hotel Tahiti opened its doors to the public.

The deluxe, oceanfront resort is the first of three to six Outrigger Hotel proper ties planned for the islands of French Poly nesia.

Situated on a picturesque oceanfront location with panoramic views of Papeete Harbour and the island of Moorea, the 200-room Outrigger Hotel Tahiti features many unique and luxurious touches.

These include a grand staircase, pan danus-decorated vaulted ceiling with mother-of-pearl chandelier, custom-made Tahitian quilts, and beautiful murals evok ing a Polynesian ambiance and decor rem iniscent of a romantic bygone era.

The Outrigger Hotel Tahiti is built on the 6.2 acre site of the former hotel Tahiti - the 1960 s gathering place originally owned by the late Hawaiian restaurateur and businessman Spencer F. Weaver, Jr.

The property was acquired in 1996 by Tahiti businessman Louis Wane. The hotel’s location makes it uniquely conve nient for vacationers, cruise passengers and international business travellers.

According to Perry Sorenson, chief operating officer for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, the company is considering fur

ther expansion in French Poly nesia.

“These are exciting times

for Outrigger,”

Sorenson said.

“The Outrigger

Hotel Tahiti is now open. The Outrigger Moo r e a Lagoon will open in mid -2000. The Out rigger Bora Bora is in the design stage.

And we’re considering

another three possible resorts in French Polynesia.” Sorenson added that full-ser vice island resorts like the Outrigger Hotel Tahiti represents the future face of Outrig ger Hotels & Resorts.

“Over the past few years we’ve seen the birth of a new brand focussed on deluxe resort properties in island destinations.

“With its exceptional architecture and amenities, the Outrigger Hotel Tahiti exem plifies the new direction for Outrigger.”

Wayne Sterling, general manager for the Outrigger Hotel Tahiti, said that Outrigger placed a very high importance on creating a hotel that would be true to its special loca tion.

“We’re very proud of the Tahitian sense of design that is reflected in the rooms and public areas of the property,” Sterling said.

Traditional Tahitian colours were used in the guest rooms and richly appointed exotic woods were utilised for the furnishings. Hie resort’s buildings are also surrounded by a tropical garden displaying native plants and flowers.

Sterling credits the resort’s special ambiance to the involvement of the hotel’s Tahiti-based owners, Louis and Lulu Wane, in the design and construction of the hotel.

“Our employees are overwhelmed by the dedication displayed by the owners,” he said.

Complementing the Tahitian theme in the guest rooms are modem amenities such

as air-conditioning, refrigerator, in-room

safe, coffee maker, cable TV, data port, 110 volt a/c power and Janai.

An exclusive Voyagers Club concierge level of accommodations is also available, offering a private hospitality room, exten sive library and club lounge where daily continental breakfast and evening snacks are served.

Other resort amenities include a busi ness centre, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, complete water sports activities pro gramme and shops.

The health and fitness centre is sched uled to open in 2000.

Dining options include Moevai, an “over-water” restaurant, and two cocktail lounges - TeAma Bar and Quinn’s. Meet ing and banquet facilities can accommo date up to 500 persons.

To celebrate the resort’s opening, a 35 per cent discount off regular rates is avail able until December 18, 1999.

Located five minutes from Faa’a Inter national Airport (PPT), the Outrigger Hotel Tahiti is one of the most conve niently situated properties on the island. It is also just minutes from the capital of Papeete.

Tahiti has an average temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Tahitian and French are the official languages but Eng lish is commonly understood.

The French Pacific Franc is the local currency but major credit cards are accepted. A valid passport is required for all non-French citizens. Most visitors are required to have a visa and all must have an outbound ticket.

The Outrigger Hotel Tahiti is owned by Louis Wane of Tahiti and managed by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, a division of Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., the largest lodging company in Hawaii and one of the fastest growing lodging companies in the Pacific.

Outrigger currently operates or has under development 45 hotels and resort condominium units in Hawaii, Microne sia, Australia and the South Pacific.

Outrigger’s affiliate, Outrigger Lodg

ing Services, manages nearly two dozen hotels and resorts throughout the US mainland. ■