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Guest Houses (Pensions de Famille):  "Pensions de famille" are family owned hospitality units with less than 10 untits. These guest houses are generally held by Polynesians who have equipped some rooms inside their own house, or small bungalows in their yard, or sometimes in some family owned lot on the beach. This type of housing is very popular as it makes it possible to discover the islands throught their people, in unformal, but very authentic conditions while often taking advantage of very affordable prices.

Guest Houses (Pensions de Famille):
BEWARE: Actually under the current "pensions de famille" name, there are the 3 following categories  (established in collaboration with the Federation of Pensions de Famille and lodging with the inhabitants): 

Categories	Type of lodging	Bathroom	Meals	Services
CH: Guest Rooms (Chambre d'Hotes) or "bed and breakfast"	Rooms (Maximum 4 units)	Shared bathroom, reserved for the guests	Breakfast served in common area, often the family dining room	No regular house cleaning service
PF: Guest Houses (Pensions de Famille) as such	Rooms or Bungalows (Maximum 9 units)	individual or shared bathroom, reserved for the guests	American plan served in a common area, often the family dining room	No regular house cleaning service
FH:  Guest Fare (Fare d'Hotes) or "family residence" Note : a Fare is a bungalow.	Bungalows (Maximum 9units)	Individual bathrooms	Individual facilities  to   cook and eat meals	Reception area. Space reserved for the guests. House cleaning on request

Small Family-Owned Hotels:
With more services available, they can be compared to one-star hotels. 

Categories	Type of lodging	Bathroom	Meals	Services
PHF: Small Family Owned Hotels (Petit Hotel Familial)	Furnished rooms or bungalows (Maximum 12 units)	Individual bathrooms	European plan available. A la carte meals	Reception area. Bar and dining area. Daily house cleaning included

 

Our Advice

My vacation A free service to plan your vacation "a la carte"...

 
 

 Good to know when staying in
Guest Houses and  Small Family-owned Hotels:

Rooms

• Rooms or bungalows are often decorated modestly and not always locked (Traditionally, Polynesians do not lock their houses).
• Bathroom and toilet facilities are either shared or individual and do not always have a lot of hot water, even if this tends to become more common.
• Be aware that towels, soap and shampoo are seldom supplied. It is better to bring some with you.
• House cleaning is sometimes done every 2 or 3 days, do not hesitate to handle the broom.

Meals

• Family cooking is generally very good. It is prepared from local products and, most of the time, includes fish and rice. In the Tuamotu atolls, fruit and vegatables are rare as they are imported from Tahiti.
• Meals are eaten with other guests and the family and these are privileged moments to get acquainted with your hosts and the other tourists.

• Alcoholic beverages are not always available. You can buy them at the village's grocery store.   

• Although the "Pensions de Famille and Lodging with the Inhabitants" Federation provides a lot of training, many owners had no experience in the hotel business before opening their "pension". They have, however, a genuine sense of hospitality and will do their best to make you feel at home, in a warm and unformal atmosphere.
• Plan on bringing enough cash as "Pensions" are seldom equipped to handle credit cards payments.
• Most "Pensions" and small family-owned hotels sometimes organize excursions and activities, either directly, or through recommendation of one of the specialists of the requested activity. Please check our CartaZoom to discover all the activities available in the island considered.

 FIND all SMALL HOTELS and GUEST HOUSES in:

As soon as you're back home:

• Tell us about all new activities on the island, good deals and eventual errors and omissions at modifications@tahitiguide.com

• Thanks in advance!

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