When you arrive on Tahiti by plane for a stopover measured better in hours than in days and you are just desperate to catch some sleep before you go on an early flight the next morning, there is no better place to stay. The bright and shiny logo of the Motel is already visible like a beacon above the airport building, when you fly in, and after passport control and picking up your baggage it is just a three minute walk beyond the car park. The friendly staff at the 24 hour reception can speak English and gives you all the information you need and you are soon on your way to the rooms in the upper levels. Unfortunately this Motel hasn't got an escalator and you are probably already sweating by hiking up the hill, but the rooms are air conditioned and have a warm shower to wash away the travel stress. We didn't feel like sleeping immediately after arrival, so we killed some time by watching television. There were only channels in French language, but travel documentaries are even nice without understanding everything. Our breakfast hamper from the reception at 5 am was consisting of baguette, cereals, croissant, butter and jam and at the beverage station we could refill our coffee, tea and juice as often as we wanted. We enjoyed the view over the airport and Moorea at sunrise for a moment and were back on the track in no time.

This is not the sort of hotel to stay for a luxurious start to a holiday or first night of a honeymoon, but if like us you are arriving late into Papeete and flying out early in the morning and are there just to sleep then this is the place for you! You can see the motel from the airport and although if your luggage is heavy you may require a taxi it is possible to walk to however it is up a hill and the temperature is hot. It is obvious they have made it as difficult as possible to walk to in order for you to get a 15 dollar taxi for a 3 min ride! The reception staff were pleasant and the rooms clean although basic. I would advise a flight to bora bora or other islands as early as possible in order to make the most of your day there -we flew at 0700 and were so glad to get there early. It is expensive for what it is however it is the most convenient and as it is the only hotel close to airport they can market themselves on this.

Modern spacious, clean with hot showers (2/3 in family room) and kettle. Prime location for Faa’a airport - very convenient if early/late flight as within walking (climbing) distance up blue steps from airport

Proximity to the airport is about the only thing to recommend this place. That and the reception staff. They were very friendly. Beyond that it is absolutely basic. The lights in the bathroom didn't work. The water pressure on the 3rd floor was barely enough to run the shower. The water was only lukewarm. The juice is so watered down it is basically flavored water. I would have rated it poor except it was clean and the AC worked.