Pension Au Phil du Temps is a charming three-room guesthouse on Taha’a, a tiny, quiet island that shares a bay with neighboring Raiatea. Owners Muriel and Franck welcome guests like members of their family, and treat them as such by personally escorting them on private excursions and preparing fantastic daily meals. The majority of guests here are families, but Pension Au Phil du Temps is also suited for couples and solo travelers. Rooms have an authentic Polynesian feel, and are a bit on the rustic side (with no air-conditioning or TVs). But with bright local artwork, fresh smelling linens, and spotlessly clean bathrooms, rooms here are a far cry from many of the old, run-down pensions in Polynesia. You won’t find a better bang-for-your-buck spot in Taha’a, but travelers looking for similar accommodations in world-famous Bora Bora might like Pension Alice et Raphael.
Pension Au Phil du Temps is a charming three-room guesthouse on Taha’a, a tiny, quiet island that shares a bay with neighboring Raiatea. Owners Muriel and Franck welcome guests like members of their family, and treat them as such by personally escorting them on private excursions and preparing fantastic daily meals. The majority of guests here are families, but Pension Au Phil du Temps is also suited for couples and solo travelers. Rooms have an authentic Polynesian feel, and are a bit on the rustic side (with no air-conditioning or TVs). But with bright local artwork, fresh smelling linens, and spotlessly clean bathrooms, rooms here are a far cry from many of the old, run-down pensions in Polynesia. You won’t find a better bang-for-your-buck spot in Taha’a, but travelers looking for similar accommodations in world-famous Bora Bora might like Pension Alice et Raphael.
A member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection of hotels, Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa is a five-pearl luxury property with 57 overwater and beach bungalows. Built with local materials around preexisting vegetation, the resort has a subdued elegance that doesn’t feel as over the top as some of its neighbors in Bora Bora. Guests spend their days lounging around the freeform pool, snorkeling in the shallow waters off-shore, or relaxing at the on-site spa. The resort’s three restaurants and bars make great use of local ingredients, especially famed Taha’a vanilla. Besides a weekly Polynesian show, there isn’t much to do here in terms of nightlife. And though the resort offers a free shuttle to the main island of Taha’a, there isn’t much to do there either. Guests looking for a similar property with a slightly more happening scene (emphasis on slightly) might prefer the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, but rates are significantly higher.
A member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection of hotels, Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa is a five-pearl luxury property with 57 overwater and beach bungalows. Built with local materials around preexisting vegetation, the resort has a subdued elegance that doesn’t feel as over the top as some of its neighbors in Bora Bora. Guests spend their days lounging around the freeform pool, snorkeling in the shallow waters off-shore, or relaxing at the on-site spa. The resort’s three restaurants and bars make great use of local ingredients, especially famed Taha’a vanilla. Besides a weekly Polynesian show, there isn’t much to do here in terms of nightlife. And though the resort offers a free shuttle to the main island of Taha’a, there isn’t much to do there either. Guests looking for a similar property with a slightly more happening scene (emphasis on slightly) might prefer the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, but rates are significantly higher.
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.
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.