That's the name of the game as far as this motel is concerned. The property is located literally within sight (up on a small hill) as one exits the international arrivals hall of Papeete Faa'a airport.
We arrived around 11:30 pm and ended up flying out to Bora Bora at 8:35am, so this place provided exactly as advertised: a no-frills, clean place to spend the night between our initial arrival at Papeete and flight out to the neighboring islands. Mrs. Aramic insisted on taking a cab, and although was looking at the place once out of the arrivals hall, I agreed. 17,000 XPF (!!) and 82 seconds later we were dropped off at the lobby. To Mrs. Aramic's credit, the walk uphill WOULD have been rather steep and somewhat of an annoyance with luggage, but just that.The walk back was all downhill and it was no big deal at all crossing the street and making our way back to the terminal in about 4-5 minutes.
Check in was quick and straight forward. I think their norm is to make you pre-pay for the night, and that is what we did at check in. As correctly noted previously, you are supposed to move your own luggage to your room up a few flights of stairs, but then again, this is a MOTEL after all (nobody expects their luggage to be delivered to the room when checking into a MOTEL in the states, so why should this be any different?).
The room was warm upon arrival but cooled down within half an hour of turning the A/C on, just as the check in clerk promised. They had wireless internet for free, which works OK but only S L O W L Y. In the morning they give you a tray with some cereal , a small baguette, some butter, jam, and a croissant. There is a free coffe machine and something labelled as orange juice.
Overall, a clean, comfortable, no frills but very convenient place to overnight between the flights. It is exactly how they advertise the place (Tahiti Airport Motel), and exactly what they deliver.
Recommended.
- Tahiti Airport Hotel
