For a short stay in Papeete, Fare Suisse represents an excellent alternative to the expensive resort type hotels which are a long way out of town.

We stayed in the room with a kitchen and studio for a night prior to a Paul Gauguin cruise and for two nights post cruise. This room is on the ground floor and we were able to park our little rent-a-car just outside. This room also has a small outside patio with table and chairs where you enjoy an evening shandy.

The plusses are:

1. You can walk into town.
2. Price is reasonable for expensive Tahiti.
3. Friendly host who will pick you up and drop you off at the airport (he also dropped us off and picked us up from the cruise).
4. Supermarket just down the road if you wish to prepare your own breakfast or picnic lunch.
5. Very clean and well run.
6. Security gate for the small community that live in that area.

The minuses are:

1. Not air conditioned (but has ceiling fans).
2. Need windows open and there is some local noise such as cockerels crowing. However I slept soundly both nights (third night had to leave at 2300 hrs to catch plane so did not need to sleep).
3. Locality is not plush beach resort but is more local community just out of town. The short side road off the main road to the B and B is also a bit rough looking and full of pot holes. If you are driving yourself beware the drain as you leave the main road as you will bottom out the suspension on the car. However once in the B and B you have somewhat of a view and you could not call the area unpleasant.

The roulottes down at the dockside are an excellent place to eat (10 – 15 minutes walk). Also v good Pizza restaurant close by - go down to promenade and turn right (5 minutes). Overall excellent value and would stay there again.

This is a fine stopover spot. The airport pick-up and delivery by Beni is a tremendously valuable service. He is a very pleasant and accommodating young man and an excellent host. We had a very late arrival followed two mornings later by a very early departure and, while just a little tardy, Beni was available at these very odd hours.

Coming from northern climes in January, however, we had a horrible time adjusting to the hot, humid, no air conditioning and no window screens environment. With windows open trying to grab a breath of air we discovered that there were indeed flying insects to share our room, and just when dozing off we were greeted by the roosters.

It was an easy walk into Papeete center and we enjoyed exploring the early markets (since we were up) and we took Le Truck out to the Sofitel for lunch. We had to try the Roulottes for dinner and made the mistake of lingering until after dark. While we did not feel especially unsafe walking back, the streets were poorly lit and the last five minutes we were literally feeling our way through the unlit back streets.

It is with mixed emotions that we remember the stay. Our two room suite was pleasant, our host very welcoming, and services above average. It was the outside influences that made us uncomfortable.

Free transfers, excellent owner, lovely room (though a bit stuffy) with ensuite in a lovely house. Owner allowed us to stay around while waiting for our midnight flight. Highly recommended.

This is the perfect guest house to stay and use as your base to tour Tahiti from. It is only a few minutes walking distance to downtown. The owner Beni knows and Islands well, and will pick you up an drop you off at the airport. Accomadations are very comfortable and reasonably priced.

Laurence and Jane London Ontario