AccorHotels has this week assumed management control of the former Le Méridien Tahiti which has now been rebranded as the Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel.
The beachfront property offers 149 rooms, two restaurants and three spaces for meetings and functions. It is owned by Grey Investment Group, which has an extensive history with AccorHotels, having purchased its French Polynesia portfolio in late 2015 before leasing the properties back to continue under their existing brands. The ownership company is perhaps best known for founding iconic Aggie Grey’s Resort in Samoa, where the company is based.
Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel is the fourth resort in Tahiti to be managed by AccorHotels, joining a Sofitel resort on the island of Moorea and two others on Bora Bora including the ultra-exclusive Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island.
Grey Investment Group say they have big plans for Papeete’s new Sofitel and have scheduled in an upgrade plan which will see the reopening of renovated overwater bungalows and a refresh of the resort’s restaurants and ballroom.
Senior Vice President Operations, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, Gillian Millar, expressed her delight at the company being chosen to manage another resort in the idyllic destination.
“AccorHotels’ history with the country dates back to 1969 and shows our commitment to this amazing destination. The resort has tremendous potential – from its prime location at the edge of the Punaauia lagoon, to its sprawling grounds and large white sand pool. We plan to bring our know-how and strong service culture, mixing the Polynesian sense of welcome and the French art-de-vivre.”