EDEN (ANCIEN PIROGUE API)

Siamo arrivati in questa stupenda isola in circa mezz'ora di barca dall'aeroporto di Raiatea. Subito accolti da Max che ci attendeva al molo. L'isola è piccolissima, solo 6 bungalow, veramente un paradiso di relax e privacy. Il bungalow grande, spazioso, pulito con bellissima visto con ingresso privato in acqua. Possibilità di snorkeling intorno all'isola, mare non agitato anche con vento forte. Il cibo preparato secondo le nostre esigenze, veramente ci sono venuti incontro. Prezzo qualità, contestualizzato al luogo, buono. L'isola è eticamente sostenibile senza plastiche e con pannelli solari per ottenere energia.

Nous sommes venus pour notre lune de miel.
Un lieu magnifique. Mais une expérience un peu gâchée par des petits irritants, compte tenu du prix.
Plus de 40 minutes pour faire un check in à 17h
Lorsqu’on nous présente le bungalow, on nous dit d’ouvrir les fenêtres près du lit pour ne pas avoir chaud mais on s’est retrouvé avec du sable dans le lit tout au long de la nuit à cause du vent. Et quand on le signale, rien ne se passe.
Mais surtout, l’impression d’être une vache à lait tout le long du séjour. C’est simple tout est payant et tout est extrêmement cher. Les prix des transferts sur l’ile principale sont facturés plusieurs milliers de xpf pour 15 minutes de bateau alors que l’hôtel en a. Il faut même payer le transfert pour aller et partir de l’hôtel ! On a du annuler notre plongee prévue car l’hotel ne pouvait pas nous amener sur l’île principale (ponton d’en face à 10 minutes) pour moins de 40000
Xpf soit 360 euros !!! Bien plus cher que la plongée en elle-même.
Un repas bon mais extrêmement cher (100 euros par personne) qui ne mérite clairement pas ce prix (sur les deux diners nous avons eu du quinoa, du poulet, des nems, des lasagnes, 3 crevettes) sans parler du petit-déjeuner bon mais simple (quelques petits morceaux de fromage, du pain et des viennoiseries)… le verre de vin est au minimum 15 euros…
Je comprends que nous sommes sur un motu mais nous avons sejourné 15j sur diverses îles auparavant (dont des motus) et les prix n’étaient jamais de ce montant là. On s’attend donc à de la gastronomie mais ce n’est pas le cas, même si c’est bon. Cela reste des plats relativement simples.
Et enfin, alors que nous avons eu un problème de ferry qui a été annulé et que nous en avons pris un autre de Taha’a pour Bora, après avoir payé 100 euros le transfert (option la moins chère proposée par l’hotel) vers le port de Tahaa (15/20 min de speed boat), on se rend compte qu’ils nous amènent à Raietea (ile plus proche de l’hôtel). Quand on s’en aperçoit, notre capitaine appelle le gérant de l’hotel et on l’entend dire que c’est trop loin le port de Tahaa et qu’on doit prendre un taxi une fois sur l’île principale (alors qu’on vient de payer 100 euros). Personne ne nous a demandé où on prenait le bateau. Comme l’hotel s’appelle « Tahaa » ca parait evident de prendre le transfert de cette ile. Résultat on a du descendre à Raiatea et prendre un billet supplémentaire pr aller à Tahaa ! Sans aucune excuse de la part du gérant, juste s’entendre dire « que c’est écrit dans les messages qu’ils nous envoient lors de la réservation ». Réservation faite 8 mois auparavant, bref un sentiment que rien n’est de leur faute, l’impression de surpayer tout et tout cela avec un grand sourire du gérant (qui nous a aussi demandé nos numéros de Cb ET le cryptogramme à l’arrivée !) Nous ne l’avons évidemment pas donné. Bref une grande déception pour 2 nuit à pres de 2000 euros au total.

Une île grandiose , avec luxe , calme et volupté sont de rigueur . Un luxe à la polynesienne loin des grands hôtels sur pilotis . Un service irréprochable, un service impeccable , un petit déjeuner et dîner superbe. Nous reviendrons . Merci à Maxime et son équipe . Bravo

First, let me get this un-fun part out of the way before I get to the actual details of Eden Taha'a.  In several reviews I saw Eden Taha'a referred to as a "hotel."  If anything, Eden Taha'a is the "anti-hotel."  Eden Taha'a  is also not an all-inclusive resort where excursions, transportation, food and drinks are included.  To be clear, you will be paying for any excursion you choose to participate in -- and there are many.  Research this beforehand so you will know what's available on the "excursion menu."  If requested, Eden will provide what is offered in this regard.  I feel compelled to address some of these comments I read in various reviews. Unbelievably, one reviewer complained that there was "nothing to do" and that to combat boredom, a gym should be built.  Swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling? Really?? One complained that there should be air conditioning and an espresso machine installed in each room (SMH). Another complained that there was no WIFI in the bungalows but only in the main building which is categorically untrue. Yet another reviewer was outraged that the islet of Eden had ants and geckos that sometimes wandered into the bungalows. Not shocking given that it consists of bungalows designed to complement the primitive nature of the motu, not negatively impact it. Another complained because there was minimal contact from staff.  (Yes, this is as it should be and I appreciated this.) These reviewers left low star ratings for all of these ridiculous, asinine reasons and I wanted to highlight the idiocy of their expectations vacationing on an isolated motu in its mostly pristine condition; however, what I experienced while I was actually at Eden Taha'a caused me to write much more than I had originally intended. In short, the head of a family of five was verbally abusing staff because of his own lack of planning and research pertaining to what he was financially responsible for and what Eden wasn't.  This man's incorrect expectations cannot be laid at the feet of the staff of Eden. The lesson here is regardless of whether you use a travel agent and he or she doesn't explain this to you, it is incumbent* upon you, the guest, to understand that you are financially responsible for the ferry from Raiatea, your food/drinks and ALL excursions.  More importantly, it is absolutely inexcusable that Eden's staff should be treated in this manner.  Had it been me, I wouldn't have hesitated to have this man and his family immediately escorted off the motu, but the staff showed extraordinary patience and professionalism in dealing with this rude jackass.  It's up to you to manage your expectations before you arrive, not Eden Taha'a after your arrival.  I challenge you to find a crew of people more eager to assist you and make sure your visit is the very best possible.  These are extremely kind people and this man's mistreatment of them really pissed me off.As far as transportation to Eden, your flight has to arrive before 3:30 unless a private water taxi is arranged by yourself.  After 3:30, it starts to get dangerous due to imminent darkness, the condition of the water, etc.  Again, there is absolutely no scenario wherein the guest will not be paying for this transportation.  The easiest and least expensive mode is arranging this through Eden itself.  Be sure to email Eden with your flight information so they can work with you on the transport situation.  The cost is for each way, not round trip.  A self-arranged water taxi service will easily cost three to five times more.  I also noticed this transportation issue addressed in many reviews and there was clearly confusion about this process. Reviewers then incorporated their own lack of understanding unfairly into low star ratings. Again, this is the responsibility of the guest/travel agent to have a firm grasp on how this works. I know Eden works hard to make sure there is no misunderstanding regarding this, yet unbelievably, there still is.  If you have questions about anything you're concerned about or don't understand, ask them. Simply email Eden with questions should you have any; you will receive a response within hours.  Believe me, in the history of Eden's existence, I might have the record for questions asked and every single one was met with a very friendly answer despite the fact I probably asked the same question several times just to make sure I completely understood.  Just a tip:  I flew in a day early so that the ferry transportation would be a non-issue for me as far as making the transport time window.  I took the time to leisurely take the boat to Vaitupu to have a relaxed, unhurried shopping excursion. Chin Lee's is the local market that sells freshly baked French bread and other grocery items.  There are also shops selling black pearls, pareos, shirts and things of that sort.  Know that there is literally nothing available on Eden's motu, nor anywhere close by to get anything of this sort.  Eden has only five bungalows.  I stayed in one of the four "Sunset" bungalows that has a view of Bora Bora.  The larger "Sunrise" bungalow has a view of Huahine island and accommodates a large-ish family.  This one also has a little private beach; the others have private, direct access to the lagoon via a four-step staircase that ends directly in the water.  The electricity is mostly solar.  Also guests are requested to not take inordinately long showers due to the heating of water, for example.  I wish I could explain exactly the water system, but I never experienced an issue with either electricity nor hot water.  Yes, it gets hot. Yes, it can get humid.  This should be obvious since it's a motu in a tropical setting.  There are wonderful breezes, however, and then that beautiful lagoon to cool off in.  We made our own "watch party" for each night's sunset on our private deck complete with a happy hour and Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Bach as the sunset show's soundtrack.  It was glorious.  (You can bring your own alcohol for your stay and there is a very small fridge in the room with the usual small selection of alcohol that will be charged to your room should you use them.)Even with four years of French in high school and two in college, I'm nowhere close to being able to communicate effectively.  If you're in the same position, there are apps that translate French to English or whatever your first language is.  This was helpful for me since this is a mostly French-speaking environment.  There are varying degrees of English fluency there, but French is the first language of most of the staff.  Max was fluent in both French and English, but I used my phone app otherwise with no problem.  I've even seen a translation tool that looks like an earbud that simultaneously translates language.  I'll either learn more conversational French or cheat and buy one of these for next time although the translation app worked just fine.  The water is not deep: I'm 5'3" and it came up to my mid-thigh at its highest.  Make sure to bring a rash guard and water shoes for all water activities.  The coral is beautiful (see attached pics) but it can scrape your skin if you're not careful.  Snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards are available free of charge at Eden Taha'a.  I found that a full-face snorkel mask was best for viewing the breathtaking coral and marine life.  These are available online -- believe it or not, Temu even has them as well as flippers -- and commonly at larger stores with sporting goods departments.  I brought an underwater camera (again, Temu) and I can emphatically say that it was in the top three best things I brought along.  The coral and fish just steps outside of your bungalow will make your head explode.||FOOD:  I'm a pescatarian and was extremely worried about what the food situation looked like for me having read some of the reviews.  I was reassured that fish was abundant if I preferred to have that for each lunch and dinner rather than meat, in addition to the vegetables that would also be served.  Remember that everything has to be brought in from Raiatea so don't be critical if there isn't an endless supply of fresh vegetables but I was perfectly content with what was provided.  Fun fact: Max, the ferry pilots and some of the other staff catch a majority of the fish served to the guests.  Various methods are used but I was fascinated to learn that spearfishing is one of the main methods.  Breakfast is traditionally French with cheese, fresh fruit and juice, coffee.  In addition, Doriane creates her very own papaya jam and coconut jam served alongside a very generous offering of French bread, still warm, freshly baked croissants and French butter, pain au chocolat and more. Breakfast is the same everyday but I never got tired of it; I thought it was delicious.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered but not included. It's best to email Eden any questions regarding meals as I can't offer much more useful information in this regard.  Bottom line is that you'll absolutely love Eden Taha'a if you're seeking a zen-like, quiet, restorative experience and not an all-inclusive "peoply" resort adventure.  Do your research and know what you're signing on to because Eden Taha'a is unique and most likely unlike anything you've experienced.

The island is beautiful and immaculate. The few bungalows are sufficiently spread out that it feels secluded and private. The lagoon is beautiful. The staff is friendly and welcoming. They arranged a nice boat trip for us and were able to switch to a car tour of the island at the last minute because the conditions were very windy. Hard to ask for more.