Tahiti/Moorea Help
 

We have a five night stopover in Tahiti on the way home from NZ. Thinking of taking the ferry to Moorea. We arrive in late at night and leave early in the morning (going home) so I assume this means two nights in Papeete?
Would appreciate some advice on where to stay while in transit to Moorea - close to airport or ferry? On Moorea we are thinking of LesTipaniers or any other suggestions in the price range woule be welcome.
Cheers,
Lin

There are some nice hotels near Fa'aa Airport (InterContinental Beachcomber, Sheraton Tahiti, and Sofitel Maeva). None of them are inexpensive, so if you are on a budget, you can stay at a comparatively cheap place in Papeete, then catch a late night/early morning cab from/to the airport. There isn't much in the way of accomodations right near the ferry quay, but on the edge of 'downtown', heading for the airport, there are a few places (sorry, I can't remember the names).

You should definitely go to Moorea, it is so much nicer than Tahiti, and it is a short ferry ride away. Les Tipaniers is a great spot (actually two different locations, Les Tipaniers and Les Tipaniers Iti). Similar hotels in the same area would be Hibiscus, Fare Vaimoana, and Moorea Village.

Thanks Alf!
I have been surfing for an inexpensive hotel near the airport without much luck. Guess there's nothing cheap in FP! Since we are basically just sleeping I hate to spend big bucks! Of the accommos you mention on Moorea is Les Tipanniers comparable to Fare Vaimoana? It has good reviews too.
Cheers! Lin

Everyone gets in the same jam of late night or early morning flights into/out of Fa'aa. We are comparatively low-budget travelers; on our last trip, we napped on the outdoor benches at the front of the terminal until the Le Trucks started up; and stayed in a cheapo (for FP!) hotel near downtown, then a cab to the airport. If you don't want to spend the money for one of those fancy places, you can wait until you arrive, then catch a cab to a downtown hotel. If you don't like that uncertainty, then you could book a hotel on the way in, then pick a downtown hotel for your way out when you get there.

We had a friend who calculated the cost of staying in Tahiti hotels, plus cab fare, and decided that it was cost-effective to fly from Fa'aa to Moorea, via Moorea Air (http://www.airmoorea.com/horaires.php?cat=2). I'm not sure I agree, but that is another option.

We have stayed at Les Tipaniers Iti, which I think is really nice. It is much newer (Duh! Iti = 'New') than Fare Vaimoana, which is quite a bit more, 'weathered'. Both places are great, and smaller than Moorea Village (which is also nice, but substantially larger).

Thanks for the info! We try to travel on a resonable (read low!!) budget and the thought of spending $200+ for an overnighter seems wasteful. I found the Tahiti Airport motel which looks like your run of the mill N. American motel for CAD135 - which is better but still pricey for our purpose. I found links (on Thorn Tree) to a couple of pensions by the ferry docks but the websites were in French only and I'm not sure about the area.
Les Tipaniers Iti doesn't have a beach from what I can see, is it a short walk to the beach?

I would highly recommend going on the ferry "Armenti" to Moorea..it takes about an hour+ and reasonable..
I always stay at the Sofitel Ia Ora right around the bend from the ferry dock and the beach is the best on the whole island..I got married in the chapel on the beach..I love the place!
I go to Alfredo's for dinner and the Blue Pineapple for breakfast and lunch at Cook's bay..
Papeete is a place you only want to hang for a short time..do go to the famous market..
I have stayed at the Sofitel Maeva in Tahiti and it was pretty cheap and decent..
Have a wonderful time!