Le Maitai Rangiroa

The few bright spots were the nice snorkeling in front of the hotel and the sunset view. Beyond that, the experience was a real letdown, especially for the price. The food wasn't great and was expensive, so after trying it once we ate elsewhere. Service was terrible: no smiles, staff seemed annoyed by questions, and prices weren't explained clearly. The room had broken pieces all over and holes in the floor. It badly needs maintenance. This isn't a three-star hotel.

The staff were warm and welcoming, and my dad and I had a blast during our multi-island scuba trip. Hotel Maitai Rangiroa was one of the highlights. The rooms were comfortable and beautiful, and we saw a cockroach, but that's not unusual even in the nicest hotels in French Polynesia and didn't spoil the experience. Food was consistently lovely, with tasty buffet breakfasts and good variety and quality at lunch and dinner. Every evening, we watched the little shark show from the dock that stretches out over the water. Highly recommended for a visit to Rangiroa.

The lagoon access is convenient, with both stairs and a ladder, and it's full of beautiful fish. We saw at least one turtle. The restaurant has a great view, and the location is fantastic. At arrival we got fragrant leis, then cool shell necklaces when we left. The front desk was super responsive in person, and staff were accommodating before and after our stay, but I sent four emails across two platforms beforehand and got no reply. The room is nicely built, though, like other reviewers, we had a gecko roommate. Breakfast is included and is the main meal to get excited about: eggs, bacon, hash browns, fresh fruit, jams, breads, yogurt, cereal, coffee, juice, and sandwich meats. Lunch and dinner were okay. The shuttle was a bit of a miss. I'm used to hotel shuttles being free, and there's even what looks like a hotel stand at the airport, but the fine print at the hotel says it's 1500 cfp each way, paid to the driver. That's expensive by comparison, nearly what I paid for an eight-minute drive in Papeete, and this route is a straight shot on one two-lane road. You could walk from here to the airport, but not with large luggage or rolling carry-ons, the wheels would die. I had to make an international call to arrange pickup after getting no email response. Also, tours are handled by a separate provider, even though their cost gets added to your room. I'd likely stay here again.

Snorkeling was a highlight: the hotel is in a great spot for getting into clear water and exploring fish and coral reefs. The views were stunning from my room and around the outdoor areas, and the grounds were lush and peaceful, a nice place to unwind. My room was spotless and well kept. From arrival, the friendly staff made me feel at home and took real care to make the stay go well. Between the scenery, service, and amenities, it was an unforgettable visit. Highly recommended.