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4.5
#1 of 1 small hotel in Tikehau
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ninamu is a French Polynesian island retreat, hidden away on a private motu in the southwest corner of Tikehau atoll. Our small slice of paradise serves as the perfect launch pad for luxury seeking outdoor enthusiasts; divers, fishermen, kite-boarders, surfers, paddlers, or anyone who simply loves relaxing in and around tropical waters that are bursting with life and energy. Ninamu is a unique resort with only 10 handcrafted bungalows which ensures all of our guests receive a personal, intimate experience. Living off the grid doesn’t mean going hungry or skimping on food. For many of our guests, the cuisine at Ninamu was one of their highlights during their stay in French Polynesia. We look forward to having you with us for a truly Polynesian experience.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Ninamu Resort is an Incredibly beautiful, tranquil, pristine, place of tropical splendor located on the Tuamotu Archipleago (Atoll) in French Polynesia. It offers calming respite, great food, fantastic service, hospitality and accommodation on a private island in Tikehau! Chris, the owner, has created a great ambience and space for those seeking a bit rustic, private but very beautiful and comfortable surroundings and accommodations in tropical beauty. Chris is a highly experienced professional, a great storyteller and a super nice guy who offers many excellent excursions and activities such as snorkeling, diving, exploring and swimming out on the Atoll (he even took us on a coconut crab safari one night to track and view these very beautiful, endangered crabs!).. His chef, an incredibly talented, gifted French cook named Jean-Francois who goes by the nickname “Cheffy” is a genius in the kitchen. His dishes are the creative outputs of his brilliant mind and heart and are incredibly tasty and well prepared, I would say Cheffy is a star and would be a 5 star award winner in any Michelin restaurant worldwide. Plus he, like Chris, is just the greatest guy, funny, kind and very real. He cooks food out of his passion for cooking, for learning new recipes and his consideration of guests tastes. Cheffy is a great gift to this planet!! I can’t say enough good things about him, Chris, Chris’s local staff and my stay on Ninamu. But I will say it was just an excellent visit all around. I highly recommend this beautiful place of peace, beauty and epicurean delight for anyone! It could be a bit rustic for some but the place is so beautiful, the resort and accommodations are so comfortable, so peaceful and beautiful that any minor inconveniences because of its remote location will quickly be overlooked by its great staff, great food, hospitality, and beauty!! Go to Ninamu! It will not/NOT disappoint!
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Date of stay: May 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Just go there! It’s soooo AWESOME!!!!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ninamu is paradise, it has to be the most relaxing and enjoyable place on earth. We were originally booked to stay for 4 nights, but when the lockdown on the Society Islands was extended, we extended our stay by 2 nights. Chris was very helpful and accommodating as we were trying to figure out what to do given the lockdown.
We did 3 nights in vini 1 and 3 nights in teahupoo. Both were fantastic and would make for great stays, though we were very happy with upgrading to teahupoo for the last 3 nights, the big day bed on the deck over looking the water and the roofdeck for amazing views of the stars at night make it worth it. My wife gets eaten alive by mosquitoes so we booked vini originally to help combat that, but the mosquitoes were not bad at all. We brought deet repellent, and had no issues.
There are so many incredible things about Ninamu it will be hard to capture them all, but here are a few… the food is absolutely fantastic. Breakfasts have a great mix of options (the best croissants we’ve had). Lunch and dinner was a great mix of fish, always prepared different and always incredibly delicious, and steaks one night. And of course the highlight for us, a pizza night. Cheffie made incredible pizzas in the wood pizza oven, pick your own toppings with a ton of options. It was a fun night to hang out and have some drinks as the oven heated up, watch cheffie make them all, and then enjoy some of the best pizza we’ve had. I have never eaten so well on vacation, but also felt so good. The portions were always plenty to fill you up, but not have you feeling gross after like in in the US.
The excursions were always so much fun, you can tell Chris really cares about making sure it’s a good time for all of the guests. We got to snorkel with the manta rays (saw a bunch of very big ones), at the coral gardens and the pass. All were awesome. We also got to do some fishing one day with these deep water electric rods that were super cool. Similar excursions on a lot of the other islands (moorea, bora bora, etc) would have cost a fortune, but it’s all super reasonable at Ninamu. On top of that, just snorkeling out front of the beach huts on Ninamu was some of the best we’ve ever done.
The beach huts were one of our favorite parts. They are all super shady and cool with a breeze, but just steps back from the water.
I’ve got to hit the bar too. Given the location we were expecting very high prices, but it was very reasonable. Chris has put together a great wine list, there a bunch of fun cocktails and of course hinanos always served in an ice cold mug.
We can’t thank Chris, Greta, Claire, Cheffie and everyone else at Ninamu enough for a wonderful stay. We are already trying to figure out our return trip!
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fabian Graf, General Manager at Ninamu Resort
Responded Mar 30, 2022
Thank you for taking the time sharing your experience, we are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay at Ninamu and your appreciation for the hard work our team puts in every single day. We hope to welcome you again soon. Mauruuru!
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We spent five nights here and had a great time. It was the perfect place to escape Covid because it truly feels like you're in the middle of nowhere. This is a very casual and relaxing hotel.
The staff treats you like family and they were great to talk to - I learned so much from Chris, Greta, Melanie, and Cheffy. There are two adorable dogs that are more than happy to show you around the island. We had so much fun following them around and watching them swim/hunt fish during our stay!
Food is great - we didn't have one disappointing meal. The croissants are some of the best I've had, so I ate three every morning. Lunch and dinner usually featured fish, which we loved. It's all-inclusive, and portions were perfect for me.
The bungalows are very unique and rustic. Do not come here with the expectation of luxury. This is definitely more of a glamping/upscale pension feel. Rooms have the bare minimum (towels, shampoo, soap). If you want anything else, you should bring it because they will try to accommodate but may not have it (for example: tissues). I stayed in a beach bungalow (Kahaia), all of which are open to the outside (and mosquitos, occasional coconut crabs, geckos, etc.). Wear bug repellant (preferably DEET) at all times! That was the only major downside of this motu. Otherwise, the room was comfortable and the bathroom was roomy and serviceable. I had no issues with water temperature, but my travel companion stayed in a different bungalow and said her shower didn't really get hot. Room lighting wasn't great and the island gets dark, but I knew that in advance and brought a powerful headlamp. I was worried about no AC, but the breeze and fan was actually quite sufficient.
We did excursions every day that the weather allowed it (we were there in the rainy season and had a couple bad days), and they were great! Snorkeling with the mantas was fun, and the trip to the Blue Lagoon was so relaxing. One day we went scuba diving with Dive Tikehau in The Pass. The dive shop was great and very professional, although the diving was only okay. Maybe it was an off day, but we preferred the snorkeling. When we weren't on excursions, we walked around the motu, lay in the beach huts, kayaked out to the reef, and fed the fish right off the shore. One day we went snail and urchin hunting with the staff on the reef, which was a very cool, authentic experience.
Overall a great stay, and I'm glad we added TIkehau and Ninamu to our French Polynesia itinerary. It was exactly what we were looking for and a perfect start to our 2 week trip.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I just returned from the most spectacular vacation to Ninamu resort in Tikehau, French Polynesia. The location is sublime, being a private island surrounded by crystalline clear turquoise water and abundant coral, it is a true snorkelers paradise. Although a bit off the beaten trail, it is well worth the trouble getting there. Personal attention and daily excursions were provided by the resorts Aussie owner Chris which included fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and my personal favorite, spearfishing. A truly incredible and memorable experience! Thank you so much Chris, Greta, Melanie, Cheffy, Ari, Ramana and the rest of the wonderful staff. Hope to see you again soon!
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fabian Graf, General Manager at Ninamu Resort
Responded Aug 31, 2020
Thank you for your kind words, great moral boost to the whole team. The excursions sure are a key component to experience this unique location. We sure hope to have you back with us soon, too! Mauruuru!
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Ninamu is definitely a unique place since it is on a motu and a 10 minute boat ride from the nearby village. A great place for some relaxing time. The surrounding water is beautiful but shallow with limited snorkeling. We did use the stand up paddle boards daily to venture to nearby sandbars and walk through the water. Took daily walks/run around the island. We took advantage of the two resort excursions to coral garden and stingrays which was awesome. My family stayed in two bungalows for 4 and 3 nights- Teahupoo for my husband and me and Oahu for our adult children. In the Teahupoo bungalow we had AC which was really nice to sleep at night. The Oahu did not have AC and ventilation was poor especially on the bottom floor. None of the ceiling fans work so management did bring in some floor fans. The resort is funky and in a beautiful location but bungalows need some maintenance. The WIFi was great in the Teahupoo bungalow and in common areas of the resort so no issues. Besides the location the second best part was the quality and taste of food. The food was usually fresh fish caught the day before and cooked by a French chef. One of my daughters did not eat fish and the chef made her delicious chicken and tofu dishes. My only complaint about the food was the portion size. We had two 20 year old men in our group and they were still hungry after lunch and dinner. Breakfast was a buffet so that provided more food. I did ask mid visit during our stay if the two young guys could have larger portions and they said yes but nothing changed. This was disappointing since you are charged a lot per person for food and no other available food source besides some snacks guests are encouraged to bring. My family did enjoy playing pool with the owners young grandson and meeting the resort dog. Gregory - the waiter/bartender was very attentive during our stay and made great cocktails. In regards to our staff there was limited communication unless we had a question. I have the longest conversation with the owner when I was checking out to pay our final bill.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Only 2 rooms have AC so if you don't have AC choose a room near water on windward sides so...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snorkeling in the surroundings of the MOTU to see corals and a diversity of marine fauna, sitting on the sand in absolute solitude, practicing water sports or enjoying the exquisite food in the dining room are some of the experiences that make Ninamu a unique place. It is not suitable for people looking for luxury resorts because this place is not. It brings you as close as possible to the timeless experience of feeling that you are completely alone in Polynesia with all its nature in splendor. That feeling alone is priceless. The cabins are built with autochthonous elements, they are sober, clean, comfortable and their design blends with nature in perfect harmony. Raimana is the one who takes you to observe manta rays, dolphins and corals. The level of professionalism and care for the entire group was outstanding. Vehai provided excellent service to make dining room guests satisfied. The portions of the food were adequate and every day we tasted exquisite meals. Chris and Greta, the owners, are permanently available to clarify doubts, solve problems and make your experience to the fullest. In my personal case, I forgot a very expensive camera in the room but they kindly sent it to my hotel in Rangiroa in less than 24 hours. Once again, it is not a purely luxury resort with those characteristics but it gave us the most personal, immersive, beautiful experience in all of Polynesia with its pink sands still in our heads. I would go back again and again.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The rooms, the food, the staff, the owner and of course the furry Director of Activities Mr. Colman were exactly what me and my family needed. This is the place to really relax and let go of your busy lives and take a moment to unplug everything and enjoy peace and quiet. My husband and I, along with my parents booked 2 cabins for 5 days 4 nights. We did choose the AirCon rooms as the others are all open air ventilated. The rooms were very clean, nicely decorated and had lots of space for us, our stuff and all our Dive Equipment. The staff takes so much pride in their work here and are attentive and kind. 3 meals a day are served, and their chef is amazing. There was not a single meal that disappointed any of us and even catered to some minor dietary restrictions we had. We even had one BBQ night with live music played by the staff which was so cool. The Owner Chris is an absolute joy and a breath of fresh air, as he tells it like it is. We utilized the cabana's daily, the paddleboards and brought our own snorkeling gear which we used every day. The resort had scheduled activities (for a fee) that they arrange to go snorkeling or see the lagoons or even see the Manta's. The help arrange for the Dive Club to come pick us up to go Scuba diving as well. My highlight was most days hanging out with the island dog Colmen who I have given title of Director of Activities on Ninamu. Most my days were spent walking, snorkeling, paddleboarding and napping with Colman in our cabana. I have to say this was the most relaxing vacation spot I have ever been and cannot wait to come back. My parents are considering a 4 week stay at this island and cannot wait to go back as well.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:This is not a corporate owned resort and is family ran. This is an island to relax, not think and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
While this remote location and its logistical limitations aren’t for everyone, a visit will reward those who seek unspoiled beauty and simple experiences of the highest quality.
We thoroughly enjoyed disconnecting at Ninamu with Chris, his son Thomas, Bashu and the rest of the staff. We specifically loved the beach bungalows, snorkeling in the clear water, watching the black tipped sharks near shore, catching a 10 lb (by “some” estimates 😅) Blue Trevally, excursions to the Manta Ray feeding station and Blue Lagoon. Lunch and dinner always had the freshest fish and good portions (we didn’t even eat snacks we brought). The drinks (Ti Punch and Mai Tai) from Mel and Thomas were delicious. There are some mosquitoes but the coils Ninamu provides keep them away.
The helpful staff allow guests space to unwind and is there for anything you need.
Thank you Cris, Thomas, Bashu, Mel, Noah, and the entire Ninamu for welcoming us and providing us with a magical escape (and lime to prevent infection from my reef mishap).
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Don’t miss Blue Lagoon!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from chris ocallaghan, Owner at Ninamu Resort
Responded Mar 22, 2024
Thanks for taking the time to write a review We are happy you enjoyed your stay and appreciate the effort of the team Safe travels and we hope to come across you guys again someday. Cheers
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The previous review says it all so I will just add some highlights.
PROS: secluded, quiet and private - you really feel like you can get away from it all here. So relaxing - we spent many happy hours in a private beach cabana, reading, sipping cocktails, watching the sunset. Fantastic snorkeling right off the beach! We got to see many beautiful tropical fish and running around the shore were tiny crabs! If you are an ocean lover this place is for you! There was also a shed full of the following that can be borrowed: kayaks, surf boards, boogie boards, inflatable tubes, fins, masks, snorkels, stand up paddleboards, wind surfing boards, bicycles for a village tour. It was so dark at night that we could see the Milky Way, stars and bioluminescent plankton in the water. Also food was delicious - cooked by Cheffy the French chef who is a wizard with fresh local fish and fruits. If you love fish then you will love the food!
CONS: There are some creatures you will find in your room as the rooms are open air. We had some geckos, bugs, and some other small animals that ate half a package of cookies one night (Best not to store food in your room). Some of the furniture in the main lounge area looked a bit worn, but as this is a tropical open air resort this did not bother us. Sometimes it can be quite windy and there can be a current at the beach so it is not ideal for small children. Again this may have just been the weather when we were there. Only other thing was that they were burning trash outside when we were there which effected the air quality on one side of the resort.
Other recommendations: Bring water shoes as some of the corals can be rough in the water. Bring insect repellent. Be prepared to disconnect virtually as internet access varies throughout the resort. Make sure to book your tours early as it tends to fill up!
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Date of stay: August 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Beachside is best
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our recent stay at this hotel, set in a breathtaking natural paradise, unfortunately fell short of our expectations. While the surrounding nature and location on the motu were undeniably beautiful, our experience within the family bungalow was significantly less impressive. The primary concern was the inadequate ventilation in the bungalow. The absence of air conditioning was keenly felt, and the provided fan, necessary for any semblance of airflow, had to run all night, which was less than ideal. This issue was particularly problematic given the high seasonal prices we paid. Additionally, the mosquito netting on the first floor was insufficient, resulting in our children suffering from mosquito bites. This added an uncomfortable element to our stay, which could have been easily avoided with better facilities. The food and service also left much to be desired. The menu was not particularly child-friendly, and the staff's inflexibility regarding meal modifications was disappointing. Each request for a change seemed to be an inconvenience, which did not contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. We thank the staff who tried to make it easier for us. While the staff members were not unfriendly, the overall ambiance and setup appeared to cater more to adults than to families with children. This discrepancy further detracted from our experience. Considering the cost of over 1000 euros for one bungalow, our expectations were understandably high. Unfortunately, these expectations were not met, resulting in a feeling of dissatisfaction. The price-quality ratio was not justified, leaving us with a lingering sense of regret despite the gorgeous surroundings. In conclusion, while the natural beauty of the location is indisputable, the shortcomings in accommodation, food, and service make it difficult to recommend this hotel for families, especially considering the high cost.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from chris ocallaghan, Owner at Ninamu Resort
Responded Jan 11, 2024
Hello thanks for the review I believe you and family would be more suited to a luxury hotel maybe in Bora etc Thanks again and good luck with the voyage back to Europe
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Hi there yes it takes anout 10 mins to walk around
3/4 soft sand and 1/4 sand and shells so bring appropriate running shoes
Either way impossible barefoot as sometimes coral is 4 inches under soft sand and you dont wanna cut yourself in tropics on holiday
But ling story short we get heaps of runners and walkers and we have dog that usually goes with you as well Regards chris
Yes. The Generator ist at the back. So you will not have any problems when you book a cabin closer to the jetty. I personally would not book a cabin at the back. You book them by names, so you have a choice.
Hi
We dont have a dress clothes except you must wear something
Also we-appreciate nothing wet inside and sand is also preferred left outside
Sandles are fine bare feet as well
Most folks wear something casual smart at cocktail hour prior to dinner
We have a 5 star exclusive chef so the plates look worthy of fancy dress however once you see the environment you will make up your own mind and thats totally fine
We have had the worlds most famous and wealthy people and they wear shorts and a tshirt we have others that use hairdryers for 1 hour before appearing Its all good
Hi Jesal,
Not a problem, our chef we can accommodate any dietary needs as long as we know of it upfront. Due to the remote location we do need to plan the meals ahead and order accordingly.
Mauruuru,
Fabian
Redwood City, California369 contributions691 helpful votes
"It's a tropical place, expect bugs. Get a mosquito swatter and bug spray if you get bitten easily. Don't blame the owners, they don't control nature ;)"
There are more places to choose from in the Tikehau area.
PRICE RANGE
$542 - $822 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
tikehau ninamu hotel tikehau
LOCATION
French PolynesiaTuamotu ArchipelagoTikehau
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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