Beverly Hills, California | Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced that it has entered into franchise license agreements with Louis Wane for three hotels on the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, in French Polynesia. Three existing hotels will be re-branded as the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa and the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, effective 16th January 2009.

In conjunction with the franchise agreements, the three hotels will be managed by South Pacific Management, one of Tahiti’s leading resort management companies. Headquartered in the Tahitian capital Papeete, South Pacific Management has a strong track record in managing resort properties in French Polynesia and currently manages a group of ten resorts located across the three main archipelagos.

Martin Rinck, President - Asia Pacific, Hilton Hotels Corporation, commented “Hilton Hotels is proud to have been selected to have branding rights for these three properties. Hilton Hotels will work closely with the owners and managers of these properties to further develop the international reputation of the hotels and location. We believe these hotels will quickly become favourites among our guests, and will further strengthen our Hilton Worldwide Resort presence in the South Pacific.”

Louis Wane, Chairman of Louis Wane Group of Companies commented, “We are delighted to have teamed up with Hilton Hotels Corporation to rename our stunning properties. It’s a win-win situation that will ensure that our properties deliver Hilton’s legendary service to our guests, and at the same time, our hotels will become part of a global network Hilton Family hotels, which can be booked 24/7.”

Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa

The island of Bora Bora is located one hour’s flight from the international airport in Papeete, Tahiti. Built around a sacred and legendary cove of white sand and majestic lava rock, the resort rises above what Pulitzer Prize-winning author, James Michener, called “the most beautiful lagoon in the world ”.

Access from the airport is by private motor launch with guests having the unique experience of arriving to the resort via the over water lobby. The resort has won many awards including the 2008 World Travel Awards for French Polynesia’s Best Spa Resort . The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa includes the following facilities:

  • 120 villas (84 over water villas);
  • 2 restaurants;
  • 2 bars;
  • Meeting facilities for up to 100 people;
  • 6 room health spa;
  • Pool and fitness centre.

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

The island of Moorea is a 10 minute flight or 30 minutes by catamaran from Tahiti. The Hilton Moorea Resort & Spa is set within the crystal waters of a 10 acre lagoon, with volcanic mountains as a backdrop. The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa includes the following facilities:
  • 106 villas (54 over water villas);
  • 2 restaurants;
  • 2 bars;
  • Meeting facilities for up to 120 people;
  • 4 room health spa;
  • Pool and fitness centre.

Hilton Hotel Tahiti

The Hilton Hotel Tahiti is conveniently located just three miles from the International Airport and three minutes from the heart of Papeete, Tahiti’s capital. The hotel is an ideal gateway to the outer islands for the leisure traveller and is well placed to meet the needs of the business traveller with extensive meeting facilities and ideal location close to Papeete’s business district. The Hilton Hotel Tahiti includes the following facilities:

  • 189 rooms;
  • 2 restaurants;
  • 1 bar;
  • Conference facilities including ballroom, with a total of 20,000sq ft of meeting space;
  • 4 room health spa, pools, and fitness centre

Laurent Bessou of South Pacific Management commented, “South Pacific Management has extensive management experience in French Polynesia and we are thrilled to be managing these three newly branded Hilton properties which will provide the best service and products in the upscale segment in the South Pacific. We are confident that French Polynesia’s charm and natural beauty will continue to attract guests from all over the world, and these hotels will contribute favourably to that experience.”

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts | With more than 500 Hilton branded hotels and resorts on six continents; the Hilton brand continues to be an innovative leader in the full-service hospitality segment and one of the most recognized global names in the industry. Hilton’s belief that Travel Should Take You Places® celebrates a commitment to the guest experience and to the idea that travel can and should be transformative. Hilton’s variety of services, amenities and programs are designed to give guests more choice and control over their stays so they can be at their best, 24/7 whether they travel for business or leisure. Each unique Hilton hotel and resort was designed to reflect the sense of place of its location; each team member chosen to reflect the local culture and community. Start your journey at www.hilton.com available in English, Spanish and French.

About Louis Wane | Entrepreneur Louis Wane has more than 40 years experience in French Polynesia. The Louis Wane Group in total includes over 30 companies comprising hotels, industrial, distribution and retail businesses including local representation in French Polynesia for Procter & Gamble, Carrefour and Champion.

About South Pacific Management | South Pacific Management is one of Tahiti’s leading resort management companies. Headquartered in the capital Papeete and under the direction of the company’s President Laurent Bessou, they currently manage a group of ten three to five star resorts under the Manava Hotels and Resorts, Pearl Resorts & Spa brands. These properties are located on the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, Manihi, Tikehau, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. In addition they manage the Le Taha’a Resort and Spa , a Relais et Chateaux on the island of Taha’a, the Te Tiare Beach Resort on the island of Huahine plus with five signature Manea Spas which offer authentic Polynesian treatments with Tahitian spa products.

About Hilton Worldwide Resorts | Hilton Worldwide Resorts is an upscale, resort network with a collection of 54 resorts located in exotic places, making up the world's largest global choice. Hilton Hotels operates 20 resorts in the US and 34 Resorts Internationally. The network spans 22 countries and 7 regions, including the Americas, Arabian Peninsula, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Egypt, Europe and the Indian Ocean. Resorts soon to open are planned in the USA, Argentina, Thailand, China and the Cook Islands.

  • 31 resorts are home to world-class spas
  • 48 resorts are ideal for romantic holidays
  • 26 resorts specialise in diving
  • 22 resorts feature championship golf courses
  • 48 resorts cater specifically for families
  • 7 resorts offer all-inclusive holidays
  • 2 resorts specialise in skiing
  • 35 resorts offer dream weddings
  1. Source LA Times online May 7, 2007 http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-bora1-pg,0,4164192.photogallery

Faith Thoms
Director PR & Communication - Asia Pacific
(65) 6833 9762
Hilton