Experience the "Real" Tahiti...

...AND CELEBRATE THE AUTHENTIC SPIRIT OF THE ISLANDS AT THE BELOVED SHERATON HOTEL TAHITI

“Ia ora na”…That’s Tahitian for Welcome…to the Queen of the Pacific, the fabled island of Tahiti…known as “the Gathering Place”, where legends of love and adventure seem to linger in every clear blue lagoon, dramatic coral reef, soaring volcanic peak and pristine white beach.

Long before Europeans ever set eyes on the Pacific, Maohi warriors raced canoes and rode the wild surf. Priests invoked the protection of the gods as they walked over fiery coals, chiefs bore tribal tattoos and villagers celebrated life’s passages with native dance. Later, European explorers told the tales of lustrous black pearls, fleshy mangoes, ruby red lychees, heady frangipani and a golden people who took great joy in life. Countless artists and writers surrendered to the island’s beauty, from the poet Robert Louis Stevenson to the painter, Paul Gauguin.

SHERATON HOTEL TAHITI: A TASTE OF TRADITION

Yes, for centuries, Tahiti has been the stuff of dreams. Travelers can easily turn that dream into reality at the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, where they will find the authentic arts and traditions of the island honored throughout the resort. This attention to local custom is evident from the moment you first step into the three-story lobby and gaze on the 20-foot black pearl shell chandelier that hangs above the winding staircase. The stunning chandelier required 8,885 different pieces and was handmade by the hotel’s co-owner and artist, Mrs. Wane.

Hotel Tahiti first charmed guests and locals alike in 1960, when it opened its doors as the first resort on the island whose design was inspired by Polynesian culture. Indeed, it was built on the very land where Princess Takau Pomare made her home a century before.

Since that time, the historic retreat has been reborn. Newly rebuilt from the ground up and opened in July 1999 under the management of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, the beloved resort now offers 200 guest rooms and suites, all with private balconies overlooking the turquoise blue lagoon and each decorated with authentic native materials.

As a local landmark, the Hotel Tahiti offers the natural advantages of history and tradition. But the popular resort also has a more modern feature: the convenience of an ideal location on the island. Situated just three miles from the international airport and within one mile of the capital city of Papeete, the cultural center of French Polynesia, the hotel is an ideal base for exploring the island’s interior, visiting other islands in the archipelago or enjoying cultural offerings like The Paul Gauguin Museum and the Pearl Museum.

The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti offers a warmly inviting atmosphere and guarantees exceptional comfort as well as an unforgettable experience of Polynesian life. The Polynesian style and the quality of Sheraton's service have turned the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti into a favorite destination for both the vacation and business traveler.

HEALING TRADITIONS, ROMANCE AND MUCH MORE

The new Mandara Spa at the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti embraces healing traditions of the islands to create exotic treatments using enchanting native ingredients such as coconut milk, ginger, fragrant tiare flowers and aromatic vanilla beans. Treatments can be experienced at the spa – including the popular couple’s massage – or in the privacy of your own bungalow.

Or perhaps you will be fortunate enough to shop for black pearls, one of the island’s greatest treasures, at Tahiti Perles. In Tahiti, pearls are cultivated in the manner of great wine, with ocean microclimates and varying nutrient conditions carefully considered much like the elements that affect vineyards. Robert Wan, founder of Tahiti Perles, has undertaken an exhaustive search of the atolls of the Tuamotu and Gambier archipelagos of French Polynesia, known to have ideal conditions for producing the most exquisite black pearls.

Numerous other activities can be enjoyed on the resort grounds including complimentary activities such as Tahitian dance class, aqua gym, tennis, painting a pareo or making your very own flower necklace. And each Friday night an authentic Polynesian show is performed for hotel guests.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Finally, what could be more romantic than exchanging vows on the Islands of Love? This Garden of Eden, caressed by trade winds rustling the palms to the rhythm of the crashing waves, is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life—so let the Sheraton’s Hotel Tahiti recreate a true island wedding or vow renewal for you and your beloved, following the traditions of a marital ceremony in an authentic Polynesian Village.

On the islands of Tahiti, love is in the air and the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti can enhance that love with special surprises for honeymoon guests: exotic flowers delivered to your bungalow, a bottle of her favorite Champagne, an exotic fruit basket, or even a Polynesian Massage for two.

DISCOVERING THE HEART OF TAHITI

The ideally located Sheraton Tahiti makes it easy to get to know this historic island of delights and surprises. Enjoy a full-day circle island tour, a four-wheel drive safari, shopping at the colorful market of Papeete or visiting the Museum of Paul Gauguin or the Pearl Museum. Experience the Tahitian "Marae" (Polynesian Sanctuary), the botanical garden or the historical churches. You can also scuba dive around old shipwrecks, surf, hike, ride horseback, take full or half-day fishing trips, enjoy a Sunset cruise, take a helicopter tour of the island or go on an excursion to Tetiaroa Island, the private atoll owned by actor Marlon Brando.

Or perhaps you simply want to savor the magical ocean breeze that carries the sweet scent of native flowers…the intriguing blend of French, Tahitian and Chinese languages…or the contagious percussion of traditional island dance music. Relax…enjoy…after all, this is Tahiti, the heart of the French Polynesian Islands…where vacation dreams really do come true.

The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, the Sheraton Moorea Resort & Spa and the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa are the three Starwood Resorts in French Polynesia. For more information, contact your preferred travel professional or 800 782-9488 or visit us on the Web at http://www.starwood.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit http://www.starwood.com/.

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Experience the "Real" Tahiti...