Manihi Pearl Beach Resort

"A pearl among Polynesian atolls."

Passionate, romantic and secluded, a handful of traditional bungalows are strung like pearls along the edge of a coral atoll. This is Manihi Pearl Beach Resort, a tiny treasure luxuriating in the tropical waters of French Polynesia.

As you arise to greet the day, harmonious schools of fish draw swathes of brilliant colour around your overwater bungalow. Slip directly into the warm waters for a swim before relaxing on your private sundeck, drawing nourishment from the early morning sun.

If this sounds impossibly poetic, it truly is. Manihi is one of those rare indulgences that will leave you marvelling at the thoughtfulness of the world’s creators.

Days are filled with sublime nothing or heightened adventure. Dive these exceptional waters in search of schools of gentle manta rays, or ply them in an outrigger canoe. Better still, opt for the famed Motu picnic on your own deserted islet and luxuriate with the company you bring. If you prefer, simply wander the beach by the resort, allowing silken sand to slip between your toes, before plunging into the infinity pool.

Under an impossibly blue sky, the turquoise waters deliver up a bounty of delicacies for guests’ dining pleasure. And if all you dream of is to dine privately by candlelight as the sun sinks below a blushing horizon, this too is a pleasure awaiting.

"Superb local seafood."

The open-air Poe Rava restaurant, with its terrace overlooking the lagoon, serves International and Polynesian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, particularly the succulent local lagoon and ocean fish that are caught daily from these aquamarine Tuamotu waters.

The restaurant is open from 7am to 9am for breakfast, noon to 2.30pm for lunch, and 7pm to 9.30pm for dinner. Room service is available on request, and visitors can also arrange private picnics and other special dining options.

In addition to the resort’s dining facilities, the romantic beachside Miki Miki Bar is the ideal spot for drinks or cocktails.