Le Passage : BP 150, Tahaa, French Polynesia | (888) 989-6591
Across the street from a small man-made beach
Small pool
Lush property with beautiful, well-manicured gardens
On Taha’a’s secluded eastern coast (con for some)
Rental cars available on-site
Massages available upon request
Free Wi-Fi that works well across the property
Nothing within walking distance, and property can feel isolated (pro for some)
Eccentric French owner who only begrudgingly speaks English
Beach is small and can be very windy
No restaurant or even breakfast
Rooms are dated, furnishings are worn, and many rooms smell like mildew
On-site rental cars only have manual transmissions
Though it’s one of Taha’a’s most budget-friendly accommodations, Residence d’Hotes Le Passage isn’t a place we’d go running back to. The secluded property, on Taha’a’s quiet east side, is aging and in need of a major overhaul. Most rooms are dark and smell of mildew, the linens are pilling, and the furniture looks worn. There’s also nothing to see or do within walking distance, and the man-made beach across the street looks more like a half-hearted attempt than the real deal. The owner of Le Passage, an eccentric French man, isn’t the most accommodating host we’ve ever met, and only begrudgingly speaks English when necessary. On a positive note, he has a fleet of rental cars that he solely rents to his guests, who can use them to explore the island. An all around better pick is Pension Au Phil du Temps, which has charming owners and nicer rooms, but pricier nightly rates.
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Scene
A worn budget-friendly hotel with an eccentric owner
The entrance of Residence d’Hotes Le Passage is simple, and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. A coral-colored fence and a white gate mark the entryway, which looks a lot like a residential driveway. Several buildings are scattered across the hillside, and the lush, well-manicured gardens make the property feel private and secluded. When we arrived at Le Pasage, we were greeted by Bruno, the hotel’s eccentric French owner — who was wearing a speedo. For guests who arrive and can’t find him, a few hearty shouts of his name should do the trick. Bruno can be a bit abrasive, especially if you don’t speak French. He thought we were only kidding when we offered a few “je ne parle pas Francais,” but finally got the hint when it was obvious we couldn’t respond to any of his questions. And just like that, almost magically, he was able to speak English. So even if he insists that he does not speak anything other than French, he can speak English when pressed. Le Passage doesn’t have a lobby per se, but there is a somewhat confusing room with a few couches and plastic tables just a few steps from the entrance. The majority of guests at Le Passage are budget travelers. We’d recommend this place for independent travelers who plan on spending their days exploring the island, and who just need a place to crash at night. Anyone looking for much more will likely be disappointed.
Location
On Taha'a's isolated eastern coast
Residence d’Hotes Le Passage is located on Taha’a, a small, quiet island that shares a bay with neighboring Raiatea. It doesn’t have the glitz and glam of Bora Bora, the mountain peaks of Moorea, or the nightlife and dining options of Tahiti, but Taha’a has a special charm all its own. Travelers to Taha’a can visit pearl farms and vanilla plantations, snorkel in protected lagoons, or tour the island by car. It’s a place where people come to relax and slow down. In order to get to Taha’a, travelers must first fly to Papeete, Tahiti and then take a 45-minute local flight to Raiatea. From Raiatea, guests can take a 30-minute water taxi to Taha’a. Travelers should arrange some sort of transportation option with Bruno prior to arrival, because there are no cabs or public transit on Taha’a. Le Passage is located on Taha’a’s eastern side. The property is far from the island’s few grocery stores and restaurants, and guests will need a car if they intended on exploring the island. Le Passage feels isolated and completely secluded, which some travelers will find relaxing, and others will find terribly boring.
Rooms
Bring your own linens.
There are a few different room types at Le Passage, including some with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. Petit Bungalows are the entry-level category. They’re small, with about enough room for a queen-size bed, a wall-mounted TV, and a skinny little bathroom. The two-bedroom bungalow we saw has a full (if basic) outdoor kitchen, a large deck, and even a small pool. Le Grand Bungalow is Le Passage’s answer to the presidential suite, but it comes up short. The gigantic room doesn’t offer any privacy, and beds are crammed into any available corner. The hodgepodge decor throughout Le Passage is worn, and interiors are in major need of an overhaul. Rooms are dark and dreary, despite their once bright paint colors and Polynesian tapa-cloth bedding. Plus the bedding, and all of the other linens throughout the rooms, have funky odors and look well past their prime. In-room amenities include small wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and a few utensils. For the most part, bathrooms are small and unexciting, with tiny shower stalls, pedestal sinks, and toilets that need some coaxing to flush properly.
Features
A small pool, man-made beach, a fleet of rental cars, and great free Wi-Fi
Residence d’Hotes Le Passage has a small pool, which was unfortunately undergoing maintenance during our visit. The pool is surrounded by a deck with a few lounge chairs and tables. Not many people hang out here during the day, but some stop by for a quick dip after day trips and excursions. The hotel’s man-made beach is across the street from the property. It’s a tiny plot of sand that has rock-like steps leading into the ocean. It’s not the prettiest beach we’ve ever seen, and it isn’t exactly ideal for swimming, thanks to strong currents just off shore. The beach can also be quite windy, as the eastern side of the island tends to receive more wind than others. Bruno keeps a fleet of rental cars at the hotel that he solely rents to guests. This is ultra-convenient for travelers looking to rent a car, but ultra-inconvenient for anyone who doesn’t know how to drive a stick shift, as he only has cars with manual transmissions. Although there’s no full spa, guests can request massages in the hotel’s spa room. Bruno works with a local masseuse who will come to the hotel upon request. Wi-Fi is free for all guests and works incredibly well throughout the property. It was actually some of the best Wi-Fi connectivity we experienced while in Polynesia. Unfortunately the hotel doesn’t have any kind of on-site restaurant or dining room. Unlike many comparable hotels in the area, Le Passage does not offer free breakfast or any kind of meals or snacks for guests.
