Mahana Lodge Hostel & Backpacker

I had booked this accommodation three times for three different dates, as my travel plans changed, but by the beginning of May, the dates were set, but not the location. The Lodge has an attractive single room I was after and I got that with my first booking, but not the next two. As I made and re-made bookings, I cancelled the previous ones and had cancellation emails to confirm. Finally, I got a studio that suited me more for my type of visit, mainly for research. Nevertheless, the Lodge charged me for a booking that I had cancelled. Be careful when dealing with this establishment and recheck bookings and cancellations. Be

Lying in the heart of Papeete, lasted walking home is the best choice for cheap accommodation on a budget, which made it possible for you to explore the rest of what the beautiful city has to offer. This is definitely a great accommodation as it would be great for different types of families.

I stayed two nights at Mahana Lodge. It is very centrally located near the market and food trucks (5-minute walk to each). The staff were friendly and really helpful. My only complaint was that there is no sound proofing. I paid over double the price for a private room, and I could hear everything, including other guests snoring to people talking on the phone until 1 am. They really need to get some rugs or some sort of sound barriers and it would be a much more pleasant stay.

We stayed at this Hostel because of a delayed flight . We arrived late and needed a place to stay for the night. It is a good place, quite clean (d’ont look too close) but fair for the price. A simple breakfast was included. The staff was very friendly and very helpful. We needed someone to take us back to the airport next day and one of them offered to bring us. They charged the same as the taxi. Which we found a fair price.

The Mahana is a fairly typical hostel, located in a good location very near the ferry terminal in Papeete and close to lots of restaurants, etc. I had a single room but it was quite noisy because there was absolutely no sound proofing. My next-door neighbor's snoring kept me up most of the night (even though I used the white noise on my cell phone). The smell in the room was bad--like being in a basement full of old mould and mildew. I think they need to inspect for mould, which can actually be quite hazardous. The air conditioning system probably needs to be cleaned out and sanitized. That said, the staff were all very nice and the hostel was superficially clean and cozy. The kitchen, bathrooms and showers were spotless. I guess it would be okay to stay here for one night if you don't have any allergies but they really need to do something about the likely mould problem, especially in the most interior bedrooms.

Centrally located, a 5-minute walk away from the ferry terminal, great for an overnight stay. Very clean. However, the walls are really thin, so you can hear everything from the other rooms... not great if people there are not considerate.

This hostel is located in the heart of Papeete near the ferry terminal. It is only about 200-300 yards\meters from the ferry terminal. You are really getting your money's worth by its location. From the door of the hostel, you turn right and to the corner(about 100 feet away) and cross to the other side of the street and turn right. Keep going down along the side of the wide street until you see a tall two story building. On the bottom level is stupported by pillars that allows trucks/cars to go through to the ferry on the other side. There are stairs that go up to the second floor. You will find travel office here where you book tours, such as "Circle the island," etc.. You might also find people sitting at tables that arrange tours for people. I booked my "Circle the Island" tour here with no problem. The ferry officeis on the backside of the building on ground level. You can not miss it. The ferry passenger gangway to the ferry is right over head from the ticketing office. Back to the office, the only sign you will see is on the ceiling of the sidewalk overhang outside the short hallway to the door(10 feet). It is will say Mahana Lodge. The door is key coded for entry but their is a buzzer there you hit to have them open the door. Looks like one of those building intercome boxes. Just hit the button and they will let you in. I took a cab from the airport here to the lodge. This lodge is very well known to everyone in Papeete. Apparently it is very popular with the locals. Anyway, the cab fare is 2,200 CFF. That is about $22. They will accept US currency or local currency. It does not appear credit cards are accepted. This was also the same fare quoted me when I left the lodge for the airport. the airport is roughly 3-4 miles away. A bit high by US standards. After being buzzed in, you go up one floor to the main lobby. Before you get inside the main lobby there is a vestibule where everyone takes their shoes off in the hostel. You will see them on the floor in the vestible as well as up the stairs in the vestibule before entering the next floor space. You check in at the main desk. the current access code for the door and the current Wifi password is on the wall behind the receptionist and to the right. The laundry room I was told was right near the desk. There is also showers and toilets near the receptionists. I thinks people sleep on this floor but do not know for sure. The receptionist I was with have a limited amount of English knowledge but they are very nice and helpful. I do not fault them since this is French territory. In any case they were able to understand me and I was able to understand them after a short bit. When I stayed there for two nights. stayed on the third floor. Upon getting on the floor there is a dinning area to the right. I know there are microwaves in there since I heard people using them. I did not see any cooking area but I did not look for it. In the hallway to the left of the stairs is a sitting/reading area. There is a book case there with books. I did not look to see what books they had. They have showers on this floor in a hallway near the dinning area. The showers had floor mats and curtains in a enclosed area with a door. I saw no discernable lock on these doors. The toilets with sinks are in the same area in different locked doors. The sinks all have soaps to wash your hands. There is a cloth towel on a rack if you want to use it. The rom I was in had 6 double bunk beds. None of the top were in use while I was there but I think all tghe bottom were occupied. There was one French style electrical outlet next to my bunk. There was also a small adjustable reading lamp for my bunk. Each person has a small locker. Only a small bag would fit in them. I would say about a foot high, foot wide(maybe a little more), and it would be about close to two feet deep. There is a latch on it where you could put a lock on it to lock it up. Breakfast is provided by the hostel. They provide coffee/tea along with a bagette with jam. Same as in France when I stayed in hostel there. The receptionist will provide general info about Papeete. They do not organize tours for you. Hence, you need to go to the ferry building to reserve a tour if you want to do one. I highly recommend the "Circle the Island." You ride a bus around the island stopping a various places, such as waterfalls, gardens, and Venus point." Only takes 4 hours. It costed me 5.5K CFF or about $55 USD. The person arranging the tour took 1K for hereself and you pay the tour guide the rest. The pickup/dropoff for tours is on the street corner I mentioned earler before you cross the street and turn right to the ferry building. There is a pharmacy on that corner where you wait. The Wifi in the hosel is very good. There is one connection point on each floor. The hostel is very clean, esp. sicne they make everyone take their shoes off. The room I was in was very comfortable cool with the AC. There is a ATM or cash machine nearby. Turn right from the hostel. At the street corner turn left to cross the street. There is a bank machine about 100 feet or so. There is also a bank there as well. I did not use this one but noticed it while walking around . I think it called Polynesian Bank. Just for your info the ATM at the airport are located in the Departure area. Immediately after exiting the departure building turn right passing the reserved drivers. You will go about 50-80 yards/meters. You will pass a coffee stand. There will be two ATM/cash machine side by side on the right side. If you see a McDonald you just past them. I had no problem getting money from them. You can get as low as 2K to at least as high 30K but I think I saw 50K as an option. It was easy doing it. Make sure you get some since tour operator and taxi will only take cash. As I mentioned earlier taxis will take USD and they will ask you if you will do this or not. Euros I understand are not not as popular as USD. Overall, I was very pleased with this place for its location and atomsphere. Everyone I saw were French. Not sure if there were any Americans here though I was told Americans were the dominant tourist here in French Polynesia with Aussies and New Zealanders being the next group. I guess the time of the year I am here is why not many are here since it is coming to the end of the peak tourist season.

I was blown away by how clean everything was, including the shower where setting my things down in the shower wasn’t an issue. The rooms were equally clean and the quiet policy was respected by everyone. It’s right downtown near the ferry to Moorea, easy to find and secure. You need to get buzzed up and there is a code for the door after you check in. Great experience!

This was a great place. Right down town. 1 block from market. 1 block for information center and fairy . There is a pharmacy on the corner if you need. Go to the fairy across the street and ride the Train...$15.00 dollars or 1500 f.. well worth it ..good way to get around. The only problem is if you over 60 and you come in late you may have to climb to the top bunk but yes you can do it... the shower was lovely... the bathroom very clean.. Breakfast lacks a lot but look at the price. you can get tea, coffee ,bread, peanut butter ,jelly, and hot coco. not a English or American breakfast but good. very cool. You have to ring the bell to get in and at that time given the code an internet connection... very safe....loved it ..