AVOID. The rude host/on-site owner (Marco) is falsely advertising, price gouging guests, and the "villa" is atrocious at the rate (I will refer to it, more appropriately, as "shack" from here on, considering the asinine nightly price-tag) On arrival, major discrepancies in the listing's accuracy were immediately apparent, and we found ourselves to be objectively misled and scammed by the host over the next couple days - especially by comparison to the much lower prices of comparable stays in the area. Overall, it is described (in the listing description) as being a “private small island”/“private beach” - but it is most certainly not (as can easily be seen by Google Maps alone). This is so thoroughly misleading and deceptive, and is intentional false advertising by the host, with the photographs framed such that it does not show that you will actually be staying in the corner of the host’s small fenced-in backyard. The shack is directly against a fence (with a neighbor’s house and property immediately on the other side). The neighbors were able to see us through the bedroom and toilet window from less than 10 meters away at the fence, burned their garbage outside our window, and frequently walked the length of the fence and often just stood and seemed to stare into our windows and watch us. We also felt the need to talk in whispers so as to not disrupt the host (their home being in such close proximity to the shack), to not disrupt another immediately neighboring Airbnb and its guests, and to not disrupt the host’s neighbors on the third side of the shack. This is far from a “private island.” We also needed to close the blinds because the shack is in a trafficked area where the host and his workers go back and forth from his loud woodshop, and other structures that are immediately adjacent to the shack - including a loud diesel generator that runs the majority of the day to provide electricity (which you will be scolded to use sparingly, same with the water). To add to it, the host and his workers play their radio loudly on an outdoor speaker about 20 meters away, every day, throughout the day and into the evening. Loud neighbors, music, and a generator: How peaceful. Another false claim by the host is "private beach." There is no other way to get to the beach from the shack other than to walk directly through both the host’s yard and the yard of the host’s Airbnb (and disrupt the privacy of other guests, particularly as it is without walls). Each evening that we walked to the beach to see the sunset, the chairs were taken by loud guests who were staying in the host’s other Airbnb, in addition to there being multiple neighbors/guests along the beach through the day as well (who have their own Airbnbs), and neighbors’ boats loudly going back and forth throughout the day. This is far from a “private beach” and far from the price tag that suggested it was. Further evidence that the island is not a private island or private beach whatsoever: There are many families that own property and live on the island. The hosts property is only a very tiny slice of the island (maybe 2 or 3% of the island) - the rest is owned by multiple other neighbors/families, are fenced, with signs that say “PRIVATE” in French, barking dogs, etc. You are allowed to walk along a slim part of the coast of the island (per Tahiti laws apparently) but otherwise 95%+ of the island is inaccessible from the shoreline due to it being private property of the host’s many neighbors (and fenced, signs, guard dogs barking, etc) or there being terrain or foliage such that it is impossible. The overall descriptions of “secluded” and “private island” surroundings are highly inaccurate, and there is total inability to explore the island’s property in its entirety (all but the fraction surrounding your shack, between your entrance and the diesel generator). There are even tourist excursion bar locations on the island, with large groups of loud tourists dropped off at them to picnic and drink and play loud music. The aerial photos the host uses are significantly outdated, extremely misleading, and do not show all of the many homes beneath the trees, or homes newly constructed since the photo was taken many years ago, or the bar drop-off locations, or the fencing, etc. The host’s other photos of the shack are cleverly angled and cropped such that they do not show the close proximity to various neighbors/host houses/fencing/another Airbnb/woodshop/numerous other frequented structures/etc. Attaching some photos for needed transparency. Other notable discrepancies from the listing: “bathroom with shower” We did not have hot water during our stay, as Marco wanted to save himself money "hot water is expensive" (he had turned it off) “1 kitchen with gas stove” There was a stove, but there might as well have not been because the host disconnected it from the gas to save himself money. You will note a significant theme in the host seeing you only as a dollar sign, making every effort to extract every penny from you that he can, while also saving every penny of his that he can (without regard for your comfort as a guest and what you've paid). Regarding the kitchen - at night, when you turn the light on, the kitchen was absolutely infested with scattering cockroaches. It also smelled horrendous, as though there was a dead animal in the kitchen somewhere (the host was politely informed, and showed no care or concern). “peaceful sounds of nature” This is NOT true - again: host/workers/loud music throughout the day, sounds of the neighbors, sounds of the host’s other Airbnb guests just talking at normal volume or using bathroom, sounds of a loud diesel generator directly next to the shack, etc... “Right next to the cottage an outdoor grill amongst the palm trees wait you for delicious fish.” This is NOT true. This is something that I very much wanted to use, and had requested of the host before arrival, but he rudely did not accommodate or give usage of the grill (perhaps to save money on wood). Further, you cannot find raw fish to buy (on either island). There are two incredibly tiny markets across the water with an extremely limited selection of low quality frozen and packaged foods. “outrigger pirogue are provided for your leisure” This is NOT true. We were very excited to use one for the first time, but the host only allowed us to use an inferior plastic kayak. “Upon arrival in Moorea, you can reach us by taxi or by bus to our meeting point which is located facing our motu. There we will meet and welcome you and, with our boat” We were on time (early, even), but the host was over 20 minutes late picking us up at our scheduled time. He was rude, blunt, and immediately made us feel like we were a major inconvenience to give a 30-second boat ride to the island (the only other option is to swim with luggage). On subsequent boat rides, he was repeatedly late and only took us when it was convenient for his other chores (to take his workers back to the main island, or fill his water bottles, etc... which would mean we spent big chunks of our vacation waiting on him and waiting for him to finish his chores that he prioritized over his guests). You get one boat ride per day, then he will gouge you something outrageous like $35 USD for a literal 20 to 30 second boat-ride. Marco was extremely rude and inconsiderate, and treated us merely as a source of money - not as guests. This was over $250 USD per night, which is absolutely mind-boggling ridiculous now having stayed there. $100/night would be more ethically fair and appropriate (but still not worth it when you compare it to other options). Referencing available comparables that we were choosing between, had we been given full and accurate transparency of the listing we wouldn't have even considered it if it were $100/nt - and instead would have selected one of the alternate options. Such as "MOOREA BLUEBAY" or "Temae Bungalow" or one of the several others. Staying on the motu was not worth the hassle and hidden limitations either. Consider that you must kayak a distance, no matter the weather or how strong the current, roundtrip, during daylight hours to do activities or find food in Moorea (there is no food on the motu at all). This means you cannot rent a scooter for the 24-hour or multi-day rates (must-do!), you cannot have dinner in Moorea, you are overall very limited in what you can do in Moorea (must be back to motu before sunset)- and that you must plan logistics and contingencies impeccably and with little room for spontaneity (food/rain/no gas for the stove/getting back to motu before sunset/etc). Plus side: Marco has a kind wife, and a sweet dog. Neither made up for the horrendous experience. All things considered, evaluated, and experienced that were so very contrary to the description and photos, and relative to other options for much less ... I would just avoid this shack completely. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you: This is NOT the place to spend it.…
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.