Cheapest place to stay in Tahiti?

Accomodations in Papeete are of poor value but due to flight and boat schedules sometimes you have to overnight there. I had mentioned Pension Teamo previously. It has now become Hostel Teamo and has a web site.

teamohostel@mail.pf
teamohostel@caramail.com
kay@mail.pf
(689)42 47 26
(689)42 00 35
(689) 43 56 95 Fax

8, rue du Point Neuf

Dorm rooms are available at 2200 cfp, a private room is 5500 cfp.

A kitchen is accessible for guests.

On their Web site they provide a handy map showing you how to get there after you get off the Le Truck from the airport.

Their online reservation form seems to suggest that they want a deposit in travelers checks but I noticed that they accept Visa and Mastercard. Be safe and either fax or call in your credit card information. Don't email it.

Taxi Rates

Those vehicles displaying a white “Tiare” flower on their illuminated sign have drivers who speak English.

Prices are normally displayed within, and if you are unsure about the cost, ask the driver.

As posted on Tahiti-Tourisme, New Zealand.

Papeete Environs - Tahiti Airport Lodge

Tahiti Airport Lodge
no Web site
heiraurii@mail.pf
(689) 82 23 68
Pk 5.5 Faaa

Overlooking Papeete (Faaa) airport.

They have four rooms for one or two people with a private bath for 8000.
Two rooms with a single bed and shared bathroom for 5000.
Two rooms with either a double or two single beds, shared bath for 6000.

Free breakfast is offered from 7 - 8:30 am.

New this years is the availablity of cooking facilities for guests.

Round trip transfers are 1000 for one person and 1500 for two.

I've heard mentioned a couple of times that they have a swimming pool that is not available for guests.

I haven't seen any photos of their accomodations elsewhere so here are some (the couple pictured are the owners):

Papeete - Pension Puea

Pension Puea
pension.puea@mail.pf
(689) 85 43 43
87 rue Pasteur Octave Moreau

Pension Puea - Stayed there last spring. The room was a delight. Spotlessy clean, fresh pressed sheets, 2 clean fluffy white towels folded prettily with fragrant Tiare soaps.

The bathroom also was absolutely clean. Great water pressure, hot water 24/7. Only problem with the bathroom is that it has one of those showers where the water goes all over the floor.

The people who run the place stay up late and chat outside. I had the front left room (looking from the street) which has windows over the front sitting area plus their house on the side. Even with all the windows closed I could hear them. Thankfully it was in French which I don't understand so it was less annoying. I dozed off and then at 2 am I was awoken by more chatting. Roosters go all night. Had an early flight so I could not use ear plugs. The 4 rear bedrooms are next to the bathrooms so they could be noisy also. My room was fine on a very hot, humid night with the floor fan, even when I closed the windows.

The common room has only a microwave and fridge, I did not see any dishes or cutlery. No smoking inside but you can smoke at the garden tables.

I would have had a hard time finding it at night (got a lift from locals while waiting for the Le Truck). The street does not have a street sign, however there is a sign on Avenue Prince Hinoi on the near left corner saying Pension Puea on a post.

Walking to the bus stop the next day there is a block or two on Avenue Prince Hinoi that has heavy traffic where you have to walk in the street. During the day it's a pleasant walk to the market and ferry. At night the streets seemed very dark as the shops were closed.

Their 2007 rates are the same as they have been since 2003.

Room with shared bathroom: 6990 xpf per day all taxes included with breakfast served from 06:30 to 08:30 am.
Room with private bathroom (not ensuite): 9500 xpf per day.
Transfer from airport: 2500 xpf for 2 persons with luggage.

They also noted in their email to me yesterday that they have single rooms in their annex for 5500 xpf with breakfast. The transfer rate is the same. They said that they drive you to Puea and then transfer you to the annex (500 meters away).

Papeete - Hotel Tiare Tahiti

Hotel Tiare Tahiti
(689) 50 01 00
hotltiaretahiti@mail.pf (note the missing "e" in hotel)
417 Boulevard Pomare

Facing the waterfront, this is a few blocks away from the roulottes and further away from the Moorea ferries.

It's the most expensive of the downtown hotels. I was quoted 15,135 (taxes included) for a single. For that kind of money I strongly recommend checking Expedia and other hotel booking sites for deals on the Sofitel. (Of course, check the Sofitel site also.)

Papeete - Hôtel Prince Hinoï

NOW CLOSED

Hôtel Prince Hinoï
(689) 42 32 77
hotelprincehinoi@mail.pf
They no longer have a Web site.

This hotel is wonderfully situated on Boulevard Pomare (the street that runs along the waterfront) and Avenue du Prince Hinoi. It’s a couple of blocks from the Moorea ferries in one direction and the roulottes in the other. Le Truck stop nearby.

I emailed them on a Friday but did not receive a response back until the following Wednesday. Being impatient I had booked elsewhere.

Since I don’t speak French I translate my emails using babelfish or freetranslation.com and send them in both English and French. I’ve always received responses in English except for the Hotel Prince Hinoi.

Without asking I was offered a special rate of 10,000 xpf plus taxes for a single.

Their rate sheet was also attached. The prices quoted (last year) were:

12,800 xpf for a single
13,600 xpf for a double (2 beds or 1 queen size)
14, 500 xpf for a triple
Taxes were 11% plus a 150 xpf per person municipal occupancy tax.

They offer a continental breakfast for 1350 xpf and an American breakfast for 1500 xpf. (Head to the market area and you can get coffee for 250 and croissants, etc. for less than 200).

They also mentioned that they have day rooms (noon to 9 pm) for 8000 plus taxes.

Papeete - Le Mandarin Hotel

Hotel Le Mandarin
51 rue Colette
Tel: (689) 50 33 50
Fax: (689) 42 16 32
Web site: www.hotelmandarin.com but it is down at the time of posting.
Email: chris.beaumont@mail.pf

The Mandarin gets lots of points for being easy. Emails are responded to quickly and professionally. The hotel will arrange transfers for you from the airport in a shared van through Tahiti Nui Travel, an inbound travel agency. The transfer will be charged to your hotel bill. It cost me only 1000 xpf plus I was given the most beautiful lei.

The location is good, only a few blocks from both the market and ferry.

However, I was disappointed with my stay. Including tax it cost me around $130 per night. The receptionist was a sullen woman who did not want to be working. My room, which was spotlessly clean, technically looked like the photo but instead of feeling warm and inviting, came across as dark, dingy and shabby. The walls are painted in a trompe-l'oeil style to appear old. The effect works too well.

I read somewhere that all rooms have small balconies but mine didn’t. The windows opened up over a lower building, meaning someone could have easily climbed in. I locked the window and turned on the AC and was fine. It was just a surprising choice of room to be given to a woman traveling alone.

The room had a refrigerator but no coffee maker.

If you are booking I’d suggest asking for a balcony and the possibility of a view.

Papeete Environs - Tahiti Airport Motel

Tahiti Airport Motel

This hotel opened for business last July.
It looks like a great option.
9600 XPF for a double plus 11% tax and 150 XPF per person occupancy tax

Dorms rooms are available at approx. 3500 XPF
While it is across the street from the airport, it is a steep 10 minute uphill walk and difficult with luggage. A taxi will cost $15 - 20

Another option is to check your large piece of luggage at the airport luggage storage. Be aware of closing hours and prices.

All rooms are air-conditioned
WiFi DSL Internet connection
No meals are served
Coffee & tea making facilities in each room
TV, 3 French language channels
Safe deposit box
Refrigerator
Hot and cold drinks machines in the lobby (will need CFP coins)
All rooms are non-smoking
They accept Visa, Mastercard and Amercican Express.

The rooms are reported as being sparsely decorated (par for the course in Papeete).

There are no stores or restaurants nearby. The Le Truck stop to town is on the main road (which you cross from the airport to the Motel).

Future plans include hotel provided transfers and a swimming pool.

Contact:

resa_part@tahitiairportmotel.com
staff@tahitiairportmotel.com
j.arbus@tahitiairportmotel.com (the manager)

One Night in Papeete

Because of airline scheduling most travelers to French Polynesia have to spend a night in Papeete. The question of an inexpensive place to stay often comes up. This week I’m going to start listing them. Let me note that accommodations in Papeete and environs are no great shakes. Good is as good as it’s going to get, fair is a more realistic goal.

A new 3 star, 91 room hotel is set to open in July of next year.
Christophe Beaumont of the Mandarin Hotel is developing it.
The room rates have already been set at 11,000 XPF (not bad).

Tahitipresse reported “the hotel is using a special type of construction to make the walls between rooms more soundproof and less susceptible to noise vibrations from the city's busy rush hour traffic during the day.

There will be a gym, two swimming pools, a boutique.”