We stayed at the Tahiti Airport Hotel before our TP cruise in August 2006. It had only been opened for 1 week. Yes it is right across the street from the airport BUT it is up a STEEP hill. We did walk up to it with our luggage. There is some confusion about what street to go up but since it was dark, 8:30 pm, we chose one and started the trek up. I would not suggest walking there, take a cab! It is a gravel private driveway that wasn't user friendly with luggage and we were greeted by a pack of dogs Luckily there was an employee of the motel watching us crazy travelers and he came unlocked a gate and helped us The hotel itself was brand-new, clean, reasonably priced $120 a night but was sparsly furnished. It was just fine for the night and the next morning we took a cab into Papeete, $20.

The only reason one should stay at this hotel is for an overnight stay before catching a plane out the next day. We did not expect anything other than a bed and in that regard, we were not disappointed. It's not exactly a charming spot (and it is not in a basement as mentioned in an earlier post) but it is the most reasonable place to stay close to the airport if you're not picky and want to save some money. Charles is hard to reach by phone, but you can fax him as I did, and he called me right back to confirm our pick-up from the airport. He was prompt and was equally prompt in getting us to the airport the following morning. By the way, the breakfast that is included is a typical French continental breakfast: a baguette (and it was very fresh) with butter and jam, coffee or tea.

If you go with reasonable expectations you will not be disappointed and can save your money for more desirable accommodations. In fact, staying here will actually make you appreciate other choices you make!

My fiancee and I planned a trip to Tahiti for three weeks to get away from the stress of planning our wedding. We decided to go this route of staying at family pensions and some hotels to make our trip affordable. Unfortunately our hotel on Moorea, our first stop on a 5 island tour would not be ready until the 13th of March so we had to stay at the Airport Lodge for 2 nights. All we can say that it was probably one of the most affordable places on Papeete, however it was the worst experience of our whole trip. Again, Charles was not there, he was not at church, it was Saturday night at 7:30p.m. He just forgot. We know that as travelers there is such a thing as "island time" however watching all the other weary travelers being greeted with smiles and flower leis made us feel a little unwelcomed. My fiancee had to purchase a $15 phone card to call Charles and ask him to pick us up. It was about 2 minutes away. Our transfers were $22 each. We could have taken a cab for a 1/4 of that. Lets put it this way our transfers to the Novatel Bora Bora were $10 each. We were so bummed out when we saw this locked prison gate across the lodge it just didn't give us a feeling of island hospitality. Our room was adequate, however, We had an air conditioner that didn't work, an obnoxious poster of a monkey going to bathroom , and a menacing looking ceiling fan that threatened to come off the ceiling. We were so tired that we decided to go to bed and make the most of spending some time in Papeete. In the morning we asked Charles how to get into downtown Papeete. It was Sunday, a definite day of rest and reflection for most Tahitians. Therefore, nothing was open except the Supermarket. Thank goodness because the Lodges idea of breakfast was instant coffee and bread with peanut butter and jelly. Still we were remaing positve. We got some wonderful pates, cheese and bread and decided to back back to the lodge, have some drinks (we brought a bottle with us) and make the most of it. As we were sitting outside our depressing room in the courtyard I noticed a pool with a gate reading "Private Keep Out" well it was hot and I thought we would go for a swim. Little did I know that Private meant no admittance for paying guests. We asked permission and Charles's wife just looked at my fiancee and in broken English said "Pool no for you" . I just got so mad. We had had enough at this point . I am in the hospitatlity business and have never felt so insulted. I realize that this forum can sometimes have petty reviews and you can take it for what it is. I will say that when we return because our trip was amazing, we will never, ever return to the Airport Lodge. I would rather spend a little more money and even be in downtown Papeete than stay at this Lodge. This place does great business because its cheap at $105 a night but when I tell you that $100 a night will give you waterfront views on Moorea with the most wonderful people there is no comparison. All in all we paid $277 for 2 nights including Tranfers and for that you could be on Moorea or anywhere else and your experience would be a 100% BETTER.

We stayed at Tahiti Airport Lodge for just one night as a stopover before heading to Club Med in Bora Bora (great place). We made reservations via fax with TAL 3 months prior to our stay. This was our HONEYMOON. Upon arrival to the Papeete, Tahiti Airport, our shuttle was not there. No big deal, we had the information/courtesy desk phone them. But no answer on either the main line or the mobile number. We waited....and waited. We had them call back again.....and again. Left messages...no reply. After an hour we gave up & called another hotel. At the exact time the other hotel shuttle arrived, the TAL shuttle arrived. A lady exited the truck, seeming almost hysterical, speaking in French and we couldn't understand. A good samaritan from Tahiti Tours Travel Agency informed us that she was Marguerite from TAL and she was explaining that she & her husband had been at church. We felt bad - we felt that we should have given a follow-up phone call a few days prior to "remind" them. But with all the wedding planning it slipped our minds. We decided to get in the truck with Marguerite & Charles of Tahiti Airport Lodge. They had been at church after all. It was a Sunday and we, as Christians, understood. So we get into the truck and there's just silence. Charles & Marguerite were not friendly and not apologetic. We wondered if it was their "culture." We were tired. It was dark outside. We went up a steep hill directly across from the airport and went through a gate and pulled into a driveway...of a house. Charles assisted a little with our bags and showed us to our room. It was the basement of their house. At least each room had its own outside entrance, but we were not expecting to stay in someone's basement. Not too major - it was just one night after all. Well, he opens the door for us, mumbles something about the shower, then turns around and leaves. After we get all our bags inside the room we realize that we are tired, hungry and thirsty. After a very long flight and a very long wait on our ride from the airport we felt miserable. Our "hosts" at the TAL had abandoned us in our rooms with no food, no water and way to get any. There were no refrigerators, vending machines, and nothing within walking distance. I suppose we could have gone upstairs inside their home and raided their fridge, but we decided just to make ourselves go to sleep instead. There appeared to be an air conditioner in the room, but the knobs were removed and even though one of us is an Air Conditioning Technician, we couldn't get the AC on. It simply didn't work without those knobs or the remote, which was also missing. The one good thing we can say about this place is that Charles was prompt in taking us to the airport the next morning. But this place was supposed to provide breakfast. Guess what Charles told us? You can get breakfast at the airport. Tahiti Airport Lodge is NOT a "hotel" we'd recommend or EVER even consider returning to. Nevertheless, our 2 week stay at Club Med in Bora Bora was magical. We just regret giving our $100 to TAL.