11 Best Hotels in Huahine, French Polynesia

If you yearn to stay on a tiny island and have it (almost) all to yourself—but don't mind character-building cold showers—head to Au Motu Mahare. Each bungalow can sleep up to three people, has a private bathroom and shared kitchens, a barbecue area, and a Fare Pote (a thatched-roof communal area). Each bungalow has a double and single bed and... a sand floor. Owners Kim and Walter also live on the island, which is just off the east coast. They will happily take you by the supermarket, on your way to the motu, to stock up on essentials.

This small complex is five minutes from the airport and five minutes from Fare by car. There are two pleasant little semidetached houses (each with its own entrance) in a nice garden, each with two bedrooms, a bathroom, terrace, and garage. Each house can sleep six people. There's also a separate two-story cottage (or mezzanine as they are called in French Polynesia) that can sleep up to 10 people. The accommodations are neat and clean with bright tropical curtains and bedcovers. There are half-board meal plans at approx 3,200 CFP per person.

The friendly Tahitian owner, Brian Tissot, is a world traveler and speaks perfect English, which is a bonus. The 10 bungalows (are 12,100 CFP for two people) clean and basic, with air-conditioning and a safe. There are also 10 rooms (7,000 CFP per night for two), which are very small, but have the benefit of private bathrooms with hot water. Each bungalow has a stove and small refrigerator. The pension has a very pleasant garden around a small pool and restaurant. Á la carte meals are available or you can opt for half-board (4,730 CFP) or full board (7,700 CFP), with a set dinner menu. Although it has a lagoon-side position, a better beach is located about half a mile away at Fare. You can also rent brand-new Fiat cars here (9,200 CFP per day and cheaper for longer rentals; includes air-conditioner).

Located on an island just off the southwest tip of Huahine Nui, this is the most luxurious resort in Huahine and the only one with overwater bungalows. Regular complimentary boat transfers run between the resort and Fare quay. Accommodation includes garden, beachside, and overwater bungalows with the latter being either "shallow-water" or "deep-water." All bungalows are spacious and furnished with large rattan sofa, oversize armchairs, marble-top coffee table, and desk; bathrooms have granite double vanities, while overwater bungalow bathrooms have Jacuzzis. Pearl Resorts, owned by SPM Hotels, took over the resort in 2008.

These two- and three-bedroom houses, just a stone's throw from the Bay of Maroe, represent the ultimate in freedom. The daily rate includes a small, five-person car and a small motor boat, which can fit six people. The three all-white houses are 100 or so yards away from each other and there's a fourth located high on the hill above the others. They have all the modern conveniences such as a microwave, stove, fridge, TV, iron, washing machine, and hair dryer and are furnished with comfortable sofa and chairs and have double and single beds. Prices are charged according to the number of guests. Fishing gear is also provided, the owner's wife will babysit for a fee, and free airport/port transfers are provided.

This basic backpackers' hostels has an ideal position about a minute's walk from Fare quay. Although each of its eight bedrooms has only minimal amenities (double and/or single beds and hanging space), there's a very pleasant living area for mixing and mingling. The restaurant, with a coral floor and decorated with seafaring artifacts, is a great place to be at sunset. It's just a few feet away from the bay. Half-board is included and dinner will almost always feature fish or seafood. There's a two-night minimum stay. The owners also operate guided island tours.

These tents will redefine camping for the most outdoor-challenged soul. Two permanent safari-style tents, complete with hardwood floors, timber furniture, funky bedcovers, and indoor bathrooms, sit right on the beach just north of Fare. They can sleep two to four people and the price includes use of bikes, kayaks, snorkeling gear, and free transfers. There's a shared kitchen for whipping up meals, although breakfast can be delivered to your tent for an extra charge. The company, Tahiti Safari, recently opened a bigger all-tent complex on Huahine Iti.

This is a new sister property to the Fare ie on Huahine Nui with four split-level tents (two garden and two sea view) are similar to those you'd find in African safari camps. Each has two double beds; the beach tents are larger with sofas and a downstairs bathroom. Furnishings are bright and funky, i.e., varnished timber sofas with bright red cushions, ceilings of billowing material, bright patterned bedspreads, and each tent has hardwood floors, fan, chest of drawers, and chairs. The two beachfront tents each have their own outdoor kitchen; the garden tents share a kitchen. The rate includes breakfast, canoe, and bikes. There's even a little marae right on the beach.

This pension has an imaginative array of accommodations, including garden bungalows with coral floor bathrooms and big stepping stones; a three-bedroom bungalow for families; and a large bungalow divided into three separate rooms, each with their own toilet but sharing a shower and sink. Garden bungalows have lovely little covered terraces, big tables hewn from enormous tree trunks, and four-poster beds held up with varnished tree branches. The Mauarii company also owns a boutique in Fare, car rental and tour excursions companies, and the airport snack bar. The elevated spa, Divine & Sens, has a Jacuzzi on the terrace with great views, but only offers massages. Several activities such as pareo (sarong) tying and Polynesian handicraft demonstrations are held in the early evening and are complimentary.

This is the island's second-swankiest accommodation, and its new beachfront bungalows, which opened in late 2007, are lovely. They have king beds and daybeds and lots of huge cushions for lounging around on. They have high-pitched ceilings, rattan walls, and cool ceramic tiled floors; furniture includes a stylish long desk with a flat-screen TV at one end. There's a cane table and chairs on the small terrace, just steps away from the lagoon. There are also lagoon-view bungalows (you have to walk down a slight incline to get to the beach) and garden rooms that interconnect and are ideal for families. Each Saturday night there's a Polynesian buffet and dance show (5,804 CFP per person). The hotel has free kayaks and snorkel gear and Jet Skis for hire, and recently opened the Poevai Spa, which offers facials, massages, and two-person Jacuzzi indulgences, all with that Tahitian twist.

This is an identical operation to Huahine Vacances and these villas, only a little distance from each other, compete head to head. There's a boat and car for guests to use, and a choice of fan-cooled or air-conditioned villa, with air-conditioned villas costing around 3,500 CFP per night for a couple. Villas have TVs with satellite reception, DVD players, fully equipped kitchens, washing machines, and choice of two or three bedrooms. Minimum stay is three nights and there are discounts for longer stays. Airport/quay transfers are free, while babysitting can be arranged for a fee.