#91280 - 08/24/11 11:51 PM
Just returned from Huahine today
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svenseas44
Member
Registered: 10/26/08
Posts: 82
Loc: Lincoln, CA
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Just got back from Huahine today. We had a wonderful time. The weather was rather cool (almost chilly some days--hardly our typical FP experience!). Ran into bargains all along the way that felt pretty good. ($800 rt from LA but added an upgrade to business class for only $600 each--flight was almost full). We spent one nite in Papeete on Tahiti at the Tahiti Nui Hotel when we arrived (quite nice if a bit noisy on the street side from traffic and from dogs and roosters on the other!). Price is not too high either. Took a flight to Huahine the following morning (no cost break there -- maybe we should have gone by ferry? Oh well).
We spent 6 nites at the Relais Mahana and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We found the staff to be helpful and friendly (one of their office people spent 3 hours trying to get my computer on line). The food was fresh (nice salads came with most lunches and dinners) and was well prepared. We had read some reports to the contrary but it just wasn't so while we were there. They do have some refurbishment issues that they need to addressed (roofs need to rethatched, matresses had become a bit lumpy since we stayed there two years ago--an ice maker in the resort would be nice as we had to beg from the bar every time). We had booked a standard beach bungalow but weren't very happy with it (room needed updating and plumbing repair). We upgraded to their delux beach bungalow (cost went from 205/nite to 265/nite--this was $40/nite cheaper than we paid 2 years ago) and were pleased with that. The resort was mostly full the entire time.
We transferred to the Te Tiare and found their resort to be incredibly beautiful. You arrive by boat (boat also makes scheduled runs to Fare and back) and are greeted with the sounds of a conch shell, fresh drinks, and a personal tour of the resort (very nice parklike grounds). The manager of the resort took time out to greet us on a regular basis and was there waving upon our departure. The reception area is nicely designed with pleasant areas for a bar, common area, and restaurant (good food but expensive). There's also a separate snack bar that is somewhat less expensive than the main dining room. As an interesting note, food is not prepared in the snack bar. Instead, they prepare your order in the main restaurant's kitchen and bring via a tricycle with a tiny "doghouse" on the back (kept the food out of the rain and sun and we didn't get chased away by bbq smoke).
We had an over deep water bungalow ($565/nite with tax). These rooms are quite large as hotels go and came with a separate dressing area in addition to a large bathroom, living area and bed area. One unexpected touch was the invite to use the room fridge to stock our own treats and drinks (rather than the usual minibar). We made good use of their wet bar. Outside the room was a large private deck with a small dock and a ladder into the lagoon. The more than 180 degree view of the reef and other islands was impressive. There were a few (very few) minor issues but I would just be picky to bring these up.
The only real issue I had was with Europcar. We reserved a car for 9AM. I came for the car on time and they'd rented it to someone else. I rescheduled for the next day and a new person on their desk tried to chew me out for failing to appear the previous day! You might say we had a disagreement (it ended when one of the hotel staff said she saw me there and I had been on time). Their employee lied to protect himself from admitting his mistake. However, there was no apology. Still, one unpleasant incident can never be allowed to ruin a trip!
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#91282 - 08/25/11 07:05 AM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: svenseas44]
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trip1
Member
Registered: 08/05/07
Posts: 94
Loc: Alexandria, VA, 22304
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Great review!!! It is a very beautiful island. We went back last year on a cruise.
Your review brought back wonderful memories... We used to go there when the Hotel Bali Hai was open near Fare... In Huahine we saw the most beautiful hotel in French Polynesia; it was called Hana Iti, unfortunately destroyed by a hurricane many years ago
Thank you!!!!!
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#91285 - 08/25/11 08:37 AM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: trip1]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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I am so glad things worked out.
Did you see the new resort at all?
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#91286 - 08/25/11 09:20 AM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: holte]
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YosemiteGirl2
Member
Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 373
Loc: California
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We're leaving for our trip in just over a week, and we'll be at the Te Tiare for the last few days. Your review got me even more psyched than I already am. So glad you had a great time!!
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#91287 - 08/25/11 09:57 AM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: YosemiteGirl2]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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I forgot to ask. How did you get $800 R/T LA?
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#91288 - 08/25/11 12:37 PM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: holte]
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svenseas44
Member
Registered: 10/26/08
Posts: 82
Loc: Lincoln, CA
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Hello Holte,
1) I was going to look for the new hotel but stayed so busy we never got to it. Shoulda as we may want to stay there some day. Guess I'll have to go back to Huahine so I can look again. Darn.
2) The $800 rt between LA and Tahiti was the ATN deal from July. It was actually like $698 pp but then came the taxes--so I just rounded it to $800. We also got a little bit of insight into their pricing for upgrades to business class. The guy helping us at the desk said that the charges range from $600/pp to $800/pp each way depending on your ticket class (and availability). We got the $600/pp rate as he said we paid full fare. We didn't but ATN happily gave us the best deal anyway. We decided not to argue to strenuously. As our flight home was a night flight, we opted to keep our "regular" fare. The flight on the way back was about 75% full.
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#91293 - 08/25/11 07:38 PM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: svenseas44]
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Wannago
Member
Registered: 08/21/08
Posts: 70
Loc: California
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Your post is so timely. We are planning a trip to FP in February to include at least 4 days on Huahine, and am trying to decide between Te Tiare and Relais Mahana. Our primary activity is snorkeling. Could you critique the two places as to available snorkeling.
Did you feel "captive" at the Te Tiare? Were you able to get some meals in town?
We would also be renting a car for at least a day to see other parts of the island. When you rented the car for a day, where did you go?
But snorkeling opportunities would be our main concern. Any comments you may have on that would be appreciated.
Thank you very much.
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#91294 - 08/25/11 07:53 PM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: Wannago]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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both have great snorkeling. Te Tiare is more upscale.
Te Tiare is less confining because you can take the boat into town.
With Relais, you need a car.
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#91295 - 08/26/11 12:29 AM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: holte]
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svenseas44
Member
Registered: 10/26/08
Posts: 82
Loc: Lincoln, CA
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Holte sums it up very well. I would add that the boat schedule from Te Tiare is a bit uneven making transfers for meals awkward. Seemed like there was either too much time (couple of hours or more) or not enough (1/2 hour). The resort does provide you with a handy printed schedule showing the departure/arrival times each day. There are a number of small restaurants in Fare. Some provide pretty tasty food at a reasonable price. Be sure to try the roulottes! Good food and you get to meet local people too.
The Te Tiare has a very nice restaurant but is expensive. Part of our hotel deal with them included a full breakfast (meaning American style breakfast items in addition to the continental buffet). That was a great deal. Of course, you can go to the super market in town and buy prepared food and snacks. This no problem to the hotel and some guests really loaded up. There are no preparation facilities in your bungalow other than a teapot, fridge and wetbar. The only utensils consist of a wine opener, spoons, glasses and cups. You might want to consider bringing a knife and fork. FP also allows you to bring up to 2 lites of alcohol (you'll get sticker shock if you buy hard liquor in town!).
On the other hand, the Relais Mahana has its own restaurant and bar as well as two restaurants in walking distance (Chez Tara next door and a "snack" with odd hours just down the road). There's also the Restuarant Mauarii about 4K the other way from the resort. You really need a car to get to the Mauarii at night (no street lights on Huahine!). There is no convenient market nearby (used to be a small one about 2K down the road but this seems to have been replaced with another small market about 4K away (we never figured out the hours for either one).
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#91300 - 08/27/11 10:45 AM
Re: Just returned from Huahine today
[Re: svenseas44]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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here are some ideas for when you rent a car
1. Snorkeling.
If you did not stay at the Relais, go there for lunch and snorkel
If you did not stay at the Te Tiare, take the boat and go there for lunch and snorkel
Go to the place in Faie where you can catch the boat to the Pearl Farm. It is free, but there is a place to give a little money to the driver. You can snorkel there. I have not done it, but the owner says that you can.
Go to the Sofitel. It looks like no one can go there, but everyone does. There may be quite a current, so plan on drift snorkeling. There are Coral Gardens there.
I hate to say this because people might assume there is a crime wave. But when you park your car, do not have anything in it that anyone may want.
I heard last year (not at the Sofitel) but someone had the car broken into by having a window broken. Is it best to leave the car unlocked? I do not know.
2. Marae.
The Fare Potee at Maeva. There is info printed that describes what is there.
Marae are on the way to the Sofitel on a little road (watch out for coconuts) and on Huahine Iti.
3. Purchasing items. Pacific Arts in Fare has tee shirts printed in Huahine and Pareos made in Huahine.
Pension Maurii on Huahine Iti has pareos that are hand painted that are really lovely.
Vanilla-there is a vanilla farm on Huahine Iti that you can go to on the mountain side of the road.
4. Feeding the eels. There is a little store there where you can buy fish in a can to feed them. I do not care to do it, but there are kids there usually that will do it for you.
5. Lookouts-La Belvedere and an exquisite lookout on Huahine Iti.
6. Eating--Snack Temarara in Fare. Hamburger and fries- $10 (this is not the real amount as there is the exchange and who knows what that is) Fresh tuna dinner--potatoes, veggies and always bread-$18
Chez Guynette-lunch only for the best poisson brochettes. $10
Lawana's fish sandwiches at the roulette. It's white with the pizza sign on the top of the roulotte. $4. She is not there everyday and opens about 11 AM and is done early.
The pizza in the evening is delicious and another person does it.
There is also the pizza in the evening -Hamane(sp?) that is great as well.
I love the hibiscus salad at the Te Tiare.
The Super Fare Nui grocery has lots of things. I like the Neme (sp?) egg rolls that are in the case. They do go quickly.
And always, there are the fresh fruits and veggies and sometimes baked goods out in the street market.
They do not refrigerate their meat/fish dishes out in the market. I have no idea why no one gets ill.
There is also mape which I have never had which is some kind of chestnut soup.
Maybe someone will try it and give a report.
Edited by holte (08/27/11 10:47 AM)
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