My expectations were only set very high because of comments from posters like yourself on these boards.

I'm just trying to bring others expectations down just a little who are headed there soon...so they won't be as let down/unimpressed as we were. If you expect less - you will probably love the place!

And as for the service...I knew not to expect the greatest or fastest in FP and I was completely fine with that....I can get used to "island time". But when I order coffee at breakfast at Le Taha'a it would be nice to have it in time to drink it while I eat my breakfast - not when I am ready to get up and leave. Same goes for dinner with my wine. I don't expect it to be brought to me in 5 minutes but it would be nice to have it in time for my appetizer - not half way thru my entree. These are all things I stated. So my expectations on the service end were not very high at all but I wasn't pleased with how slow and how poor it was at Le Taha'a for the high prices you pay to stay/eat there....that is all.

Hi NYCchic
as I stated in my earlier post, I usually follow posts on TA. I am not a LeTaha'a employee,neither am I a guy that posts on TA. You stated your opinion and I my thoughts on your post.
Nothing more then that. I am sorry if anybody gets suspected of pretending to be somebody else or wrong doing.That is definitley not the case here. Just another person that thought she was entitled to her opinion reading a post..........nothing more.
I hope that clears up.

I have been to Le Tahaa three times and the service there, as in all of FP, is not the best. Late coffee, slow wine, bad mixed drinks is what you get and if this bothers you than Tahiti is not for you. The tourism industry in Tahiti and in the US are very familiar with the poor service issue and have tried to fix it. Its true you expect a certain level of service when it the first time your paying over $500 per night for a room but poor service at high end resorts is not unique to Tahiti. I have had awful service and accomodations at some of the the quote best places in NYC. The Pennisula, the Four Season's and the Palace, have fallen short of my expectations. But you need to stop look around and see that your in one of the most amazing places on earth so a little slow coffee or wine should'nt be such a bother.

PA, that is the greatest answer and observation.

Bad mixed drinks is right! I only tried two (I figured it was a tropical setting so they must know how to make a great fruit/rum type of drink, right? Wrong). But the view is absolutely incredible (what an understatement) and the liquor kicks in and all's right with the world! And my beer-drinking husband is dying to go back & have more Hinanos. Gosh, I sound like a lush (I'm really not).

Any other drink or food recommendations or un-recommendations? We're going in July and, usually, I would do a mixed drink thingie :) Have you tried the gourmet restaurant Ohiri?

I should point out my "mixed drink" comment was for French Polynesia in general, not Le Taha'a (I haven't been there). I found bars in the Caribbean are masters at mixed drinks and assumed those in French Polynesia would be similar, but the two places I tried didn't "get it" (and others here have mentioned the same problem at other resorts). On the other hand, the pure liquor we sampled (many samples) on the 4x4 tour of Moorea (at the Distillery) had a few great samples. Tahiti Drink is Quite drinkable (it's premixed) as is that creamy stuff (Vahine? something?). We took our own liquor & bought fruit juice and mixed our own (which was also incredibly cheaper than buying mixed drinks in FP).

If you like "fruity umbrella drinks" make your own! I bring my own liquor and buy the fruit juice there. The drinks end up being much cheaper and better than any drink you can buy there. If you have your heart set on an "umbrella drink" then bring some little umbrellas too. :-) Hell, I imagine you could pack a small jar of cherries and buy some pineapple there if you want to go all out on presentation! I even bring a cool plastic tropical design cups to drink them in.

Because my hubby mostly drinks beer and it's only me drinking the fruity drink, I just bring an assortment of minis instead of a larger bottle. That way I can have a nice selection of rums, vodkas, Bailys, etc....whatever I'm in the mood for. The minis pack really well too. Not so much chance of them breaking in your checked luggage.

And, as Old Wife said above, if you're going to be on Moorea, go to the distillery, they make some great stuff there!

Definitely mix your own- the bartenders do leave something to be desired. Tahiti Drink is always tasty.

The fruit juice selection in general was really nice & local so we tried to try them all out and often mixed them with Tahiti Drink. We thought it was better 'watered down' and/or more fruity. Not that Tahiti Drink is stiff or anything or needs a mixer, but it was nice to sip on something fruity & light :)