Îles Tuamotu et Gambier Hotels

• jorgejuansanchez
• Reviews: 512

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• TemperatureWuss
• Reviews: 24

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Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort: Tikehau

The bungalows are airy and light and the bathroom large and clean. The overwater bungalows have an upper and lower deck, the upper deck to sunbathe and the lower for direct access to the water. The lower deck also has a freshwater shower and tap. They also have a glass section in the floor that allows you to look at the fish!

The one bad thing about most of their bungalows is a lack of air conditioning, it does get incredibly hot in Tikehau and a fan sometimes is not enough. Not only that, at night, the mosquitos are voracious. Without AC and no mosquito net, you are forced to either wear repellant to bed, or to shut down all the windows before dusk and sweat out the night. We met people in the garden bungalows that have open air bathrooms. There is NO way for them to keep the mosquitos out. It is amazing to me, that an over $300 a night resort would not at least provide moquito nets. They do smoke the motu at might, but it doesn't really help.

Food – There is not a lot of choice a there is only one restaurant! Meals are expensive, and there are no "cheaper alternatives" in the town. The only alternative is to take a boat ride over to the TINY grocery store and buy fruit and snacks, of which there is not much of a selection. Take snacks with you from Papeete, if you can.

Breakfast: about $25 per person –
Lunch: about $25 per person
Dinner: about $60 per person. The fish was always dry, which is not what one would expect.

Bar – There is a small bar that serves every drink you could pretty much want along with snacks in the afternoon.

Activities

Scuba Diving – The diving is fantastic, the resident dive master is knowledgeable, although not very social. The clarity of the water is incredible and the marine life highly diverse. The dive gear is a little worn. My regulator failed on my. After this trip, I bought my own!

Snorkeling – Is fantastic all around the little island that the hotel sits on, lots of marine life.

Kayaking– The hotel has sea kayaks you can borrow for free, it is fun to go and explore some of the next door motus, but take lots of sunscreen, it gets very hot on the water.

Motu-Walking - Try walking between the motus. The water rarley gets above chest deep, and is so warm and wonderful.

Village Visit – A must do, the village is small but it is interesting to see how the people of Tikehau survive and go about their business on this remote atoll. You will also want to go to the one and only grocery store and buy lots of water and soda as the hotel is incredibly expensive, the store manager will run your purchases to the pier to save you lugging them the half mile! If you want fresh baguets, you have to order them a day ahead at the bakery. The lovely woman there only bakes what she has orders for each day.

Nightlife – There is none

Service - The staff are friendly and allow you privacy. The local Tahitians are so sweet and have beautiful, warm souls. It feels like a family operation, rather than a large resort chain.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Spa and Resort, Diving and Snorkeling, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
• Written November 8, 2005

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• Geisha_Girl
• Reviews: 765

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Havaiki Pearl Guest House: La Perle des Pensions

This charming guest house was a gem of a find! Located just 2 km from the airport, it is situated on one of the oldest pearl farms in Fakarava.

The owners, Joachim and Havaiki, are gracious hosts who maintain the property with lots of attention and care.

Our stay there was very comfortable and was the epitome of what "living local style" in Paradise should feel like.

With only 5 bungalows on the property.....all beach-front.......you have the feeling of privacy of a place not obnoxiously overrun by lots of tourists.

Further down a few miles is the Hotel Maitai Dream. The island's only ultra deluxe hotel. We took a bike ride down to the property to compare, and based on the difference in prices for the rooms, the Havaiki Guest House was by far the better deal.

Each cozy bungalow was decorated with the local flora equipped with mosquito nets and full view of the spectacular lagoon right on your doorstep.

Some of the free activities offered here are a visit to the Pearl Farm, kayaks, and fish feeding in their own little enclosed "playground" housing many exotic fish (and 1 turtle!)

Falling asleep to the sounds of the lapping waves outside our door was heaven.........

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Written July 3, 2004

Not just your ordinary Pearl Farm Bungalow

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