Several shades of paradise

LAIDBACK luxury or heartbreak hotel? Brian Johnston gives us the low-down on the best and the worst of the French Polynesian resorts.

FROM a plane, the islands of French Polynesia reveal themselves like rugged, uncut jewels on a sea of turquoise velvet.

As you come into land, emerald lagoons and frothing palm trees unfold.

The physical beauty of Polynesia comes close to the "paradise" touted by tourist brochures, but its resorts aren't always as satisfying.

Pictures: the best and worst resorts

Study resort websites and they all seem to offer the same swimming pools, water sports and cocktail moments.

Yet, they can vary significantly. One resort's lagoon-style pool is another's pocket-size puddle; a spa can be a basement room or a pavilion in a coconut grove.

Then there's that intangible atmosphere no resort brochure can reveal: it may be laid-back or luxury, romantic or rowdy.

I've seen a fair few resorts in French Polynesia: here's the low-down on what to expect from some of the most prominent