#74626 - 07/09/08 09:04 PM
Questions about Huahine.... ??
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hannah14
Junior Member
Registered: 10/07/07
Posts: 8
Loc: United States
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I know the Heiva Sofitel on Huahine was for sale some time ago; does anyone know if it has been purchased? We stayed there MANY times, in the rooms on the beach. Some people thought it was too run-down, but we loved it the way it was. So quiet, and low-key. Not too fancy. I am sure if a large chain purchases it, they will make it much to fancy for our tastes. Does anyone know?
Also, is Georges still living there and doing tattoos? His home was right by the airport turnoff. Wonderful artist; free-hands everything.
We have been to FP 12 times, and have been to all the islands including some in the Tuamotus. So far, Huahine gets our vote. Thanks for the update...
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#74628 - 07/09/08 09:48 PM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: hannah14]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 1774
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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Haven't been there since January, but the Sofitel was not sold then. It is falling apart. The rain is coming in through the roof even though there are some blue tarp coverings. One can walk along the water from the parking area , but it is too depressing to see how the areas by the OWB's and past are fairing. I just can't do it. I think even the furniture was left in the buildings to rot. However, word is that Bobby's paintings were removed to a safe location. Don't know anything about tattoos. I know that there is a tattoo artist on the way to the airport. It's a sign that I think is wood with brown writing. Our favorite was our beach bungalow there also. We had a stand alone bungalow. I had accumulated enough points for an over water and then it closed! There is a new pension listed on this site under Huahine on the coconut plantation across from the Sofitel-very inexpensive. We liked to take the kayaks and paddle over there and look at the rays. I loved it because it was so low key! The last year we stayed there, I felt like it was my own private place. We would eat the breakfast buffet every morning. One morning there was not enough people to eat the buffet ,so we were asked to order a breakfast. The regular waitress was off and the one we had did not speak English. My husband ordered sausage and eggs. He received what we refer to as "wiener mountain". There must have been 50 wieners on the plate and eggs enough for an army. The staff was laughing back in the corner. We had so much fun at the beloved Sofitel. I know I'm going on and on about the Sofitel, but I feel a kindred spirit with you.
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#74635 - 07/10/08 07:46 AM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: holte]
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hannah14
Junior Member
Registered: 10/07/07
Posts: 8
Loc: United States
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Awwww - thanks for sharing.
The Heiva Sofitel WAS special. When we first stayed there, we had an OWB, but didn't like it nearly as much as the beach bungalow. We stayed in the "stand alone" one once as well! And the snorkeling off the point was wonderful. Wake early, get a cup of coffee, sit on the beach and watch the sun come up, and all the little shells around you would get up and walk. Just enough "luxuries" without being stuffy and pretentious. A charming place.
If you remember the long mural/drawings (sort of brown pen & inks) on the wall of the dining room, they were painted by Georges, the tattoo artist down the street. Georges artwork could also be found on the back of "Holman Heady", one of the Tahitian men who worked at the Sofitel. We also became a client of Georges. Heady became a friend of ours after so many visits, and we kept in contact with him, but when the Sofitel closed, we lost contact.
I could go on about the place as well. Let's just hope someday it is a going concern again!
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#74640 - 07/10/08 08:40 AM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: hannah14]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 1774
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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I do not remember the drawings. I'm not sure if it is the same person (Holman Heady), but there was a person with absolutely fabulous tattoos on his back, maybe a turtle was one. I thought maybe in his 20's with longer hair, I think. But I can't tell ages. Very regal looking person, if it's the same. But the most magnificent tattoos. Since I never got the OWB, I'm happy to hear that you thought the beach bung was better. I'll have to find my pics of the interior of the reception and see if we got some of the drawings. I'll have to ask when we go in December this year if they were saved. I could never figure out why the Sofitel wasn't packed because it was the best. A little boutique hotel with the best service, I felt. The Sofitel in Moorea has been priced and upscaled out of my range and liking, so I hope if someone buys the Sofitel, it doesn't get too sky high and too upscale.
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#74641 - 07/10/08 08:54 AM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: holte]
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Pacific Andy
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 4276
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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The hotel is empty and falling apart. It was not sold yet. It was suppose to be bought by the guy doing the Huahine Beach Resort project to house the workers etc. The project has gone no where. Although I heard the US "developer" is selling plots. He does not have a land deal but selling the plots. Go figure.
Most of the stuff inside the old sofitel has been stolen or is broken down. The developer never paid the caretakers and last time I went by there where a few people living in the beach bungalows.
_________________________
Once You Go You Get It
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#74642 - 07/10/08 08:55 AM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: holte]
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Pacific Andy
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 4276
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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The hotel is empty and falling apart. It was not sold yet. It was suppose to be bought by the guy doing the Huahine Beach Resort project to house the workers etc. The project has gone no where. Although I heard the US "developer" is selling plots. He does not have a land deal but selling the plots. Go figure.
Most of the stuff inside the old sofitel has been stolen or is broken down. The developer never paid the caretakers and last time I went by there where a few people living in the beach bungalows.
_________________________
Once You Go You Get It
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#74647 - 07/10/08 10:00 AM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: Pacific Andy]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 1774
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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Maybe I can stay there when we go. I'd like an OWB, however. I can't believe that anyone is still falling for that con man's story especially with his track record there of money. How much is a plot? Maybe I can pay with some imaginary funds for the imaginary plots.
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#74648 - 07/10/08 10:18 AM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: holte]
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Pacific Andy
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 4276
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Its been called the virtual hotel by many in Huahine.
_________________________
Once You Go You Get It
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#74657 - 07/10/08 12:23 PM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: Pacific Andy]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 1774
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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That is funny. I hadn't heard that.
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#76120 - 09/04/08 03:05 PM
Re: Questions about Huahine.... ??
[Re: holte]
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bubbly toes
Junior Member
Registered: 09/04/08
Posts: 2
Loc: ca,usa
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I have to know what the talk is on the Island about the Sofitel- Is it completley a waste or salvagable. Who are these builders? I heard years ago something was to happen- should't it have been started/completed by now?
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