Tahiti is a great place to break up travel across the Pacific but don't stay in Papeete any more than overnight (get to one of the other islands asap), as it is over-rated, expensive ( a 5km taxi from the airport to the hotel on a sunday cost $70.00), and a bit dirty. The Mandarin downtown Papeete was rundown, hot ( aircon in room noisy and inefficient), and poor value. On the way back, we stayed at the Sofitel. We recommend overnight at the Sofitel, but don't eat there, as expensive 'international' food. There is a good french supermarket (Carrefours)about a block away by walking, and this has good cheap food and wine, for you to have picnic on your balcony with great views. After overnight in Papeete, we went to Manihi and had a great time- snorkeling eating fish, catching fish and just plain vegging out. more