메종 타이나(Maison Taina)

This lovely guesthouse is run by the adorable Valérie, together with husband Laurent and son Tom, a talented cook (although I think that reviewers comparing his dishes to Michelin-starred quality are slightly exaggerating). The three of them are always available to give you great advice to make the most out of your trip to Tahiti. We stayed for two nights prior to a cruise and enjoyed the place so much that, after the cruise, we came back for a day-room as we had a very late flight. A smallish pool and a few deckchairs come in handy if you just want to relax after a long flight. The very nicely furnished rooms come with an efficient air conditioning, something most visitors will need as the weather in Tahiti is not only hot, but also very humid. The beds are excellent (isn’t that almost the most important thing in a hotel?) . The location in a somewhat remote, but fairly quiet neighbourhood (notwithstanding some night-active roosters used in Tahiti to get rid of the millipedes!) implies that you will either have to rent a car or to rely on a taxi. The latter is not a bad option. Especially if you want to do some sightseeing, Valérie will certainly recommend a guy who can tell more about Polynesia as many professional guides could!

We have traveled to 120 countries and stayed at hundreds of hotels, guest houses, and Airbnbs, and this was easily one of the best. The place is beautiful and just 15 minutes north of downtown Papeete, just far enough to be away from the morning traffic. Laurent and Valerie are amazing hosts, getting everyone to tell their wonderful stories. And the meal prepared by Tom, which costs about $50, is truly Michelin-star quality. The place has a beautiful view, and you should get one of the rooms that has a balcony if you can afford it. It's a little hard to find: When Google Maps says, "You have Arrived", back up a bit, and you'll see three driveways to the right. The middle driveway goes up to Maison Taina. Be sure to get a bit of a running start. I almost burned out the clutch of our Peugeot 108 trying to get up the last few feet of the driveway. The home has a beautiful pool and hot tub (which we never used as Valerie gave us many great suggestions on things to do during our 3-day stay). The room was beautiful, with a large bathroom, a strong shower, and great AC. Valerie and Laurent moved from France four years ago and finished remodeling their spotless guest house only a year ago, so everything is new. Breakfast has eggs cooked to order, and bread is as good as any patisserie in France. There is covered parking on-site, and a rental car (not expensive - we paid about $60/day, including gas and miles from Hertz right at the airport) is a good idea. Great AC was a plus as it was 84 degrees and 100% humidity every day in summer, but three are cool breezes, as you are 1/3 the way up the mountain at this place. There are almost no negatives. It would have been nice to have shampoo and conditioner, more hooks, more drawers, a desk, and some towel bars, but these are minor quibbles in this otherwise perfect hotel. 10/10. Not to be missed.

Our 2 day stay at Maison Taina was the last stop on a 2 and a half week trip to French Polynesia. It is well located, beyond the traffic of Papeete but still nearby. Our room was large, beautiful and clean. Valérie, Laurent and Tom were very accommodating hosts. We enjoyed visiting with them over dinner and wine. We always prefer authentic travel experiences over staying in resorts, so this was a perfect place for us. We were grateful to find that some English was spoken. Despite my attempt to learn some basic French it didn't buy us much on this trip. We enjoyed one of Tom's meals and would highly recommend dining in at least once. Heads up: if you're not much of a meat eater, let them know in advance. Highly recommended. You will like this place.

Maison Taina is the best. I cannot imagine a better place to stay on Tahiti. Valerie and Laurent are the best hosts and they're son Tom the best chef I have ever come across, truly Michelin standard. It is a small guest house with 3 or 4 suites and one is immediately invited to be one of the family. A car is necessary but Valerie was gracious enough to drive me into Papeete 5 miles away when I needed stuff. (but my advice is to rent a car - Valerie has contacts). The location is Arue, a chic residential area up in the hills. The James Norman Hall Museum is nearby and definitely worth a visit. I cannot thank Valerie enough. I was sad to leave.

I made an incredibly good choice when I selected to stay at this wonderful guesthouse. The room had all the amenities I could ask for and the owners were incredibly helpful. The dinner with the owners and other guests was an absolute treat. Their chef Tom has incredible talent. I highly recommend Maison Taina as a great way to experience Tahiti from a local’s viewpoint. The stay surpassed any of my expectations and I’ll be staying there again soon!

The uniqueness of this place comes from both owners, Valerie & Laurent. When you arrive from a long trip, you just feel at home. The view is marvelous, the breakfast is almost a brunch with fresh fruits and local bread, eggs & jams. The design of the bedrooms has been thought with taste and are spacious. Not too many guests so you really feel (and they make you feel!) part of their family! I highly recommend this hidden gem just a little bit further than Papeete but it worth it, really.

I had a really lovely stay at Maison Taina. It was a true guesthouse experience. The room was comfortable and the outdoor area was perfect for a little dip and relaxation. Felt great to return every night and have a wonderful meal cooked by Tom and conversation with the other guests. Hope to return soon.

Valerie and Laurent have transformed this home to a gem. The decor is tasteful, the rooms are spacious and bright, the fixtures and wallpaper makes you feel like you should when on an island vacation. The water is hot, the A/C is cold, and the wifi works mostly great. The hosts are truly like family, they open up themselves to their guests without hesitation. Tom is a hidden gem himself - young, mature, and extremely talented in the kitchen. He created dishes that I had never even heard of, and the result is phenomenal. The entire family is amazing, and a part of the Tahiti attraction! A few things to note when making your booking: the house is up in the hills and away from town, and you will not make it without a car; the house is up in higher elevation with great views of the ocean in the distance if you are on the second floor; this is a quiet residential neighborhood - that said, you will hear the roosters and cats (if they're in heat), so don't go unprepared: bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. I am generally a light sleeper, but honestly those roosters failed to bother me the second night onwards. I enjoyed my stay immensely as a solo traveler, and would highly recommend this booking.

Located in the hills of Arue, we had a stunning view of the ocean and mountains. The hosts were very kind and welcoming and had great insights about where to go and what to see.