SD › Bora Bora Hotels › Chez Nono Review
Updated: November 26, 2020
By Santorini Dave
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Village Temanuata – Congenial and convenient beachside guesthouse.
Seemingly stuck in the 1970s, this friendly family-run guesthouse offers a bundle of low-key rooms optimistically called ‘bungalows’. Some can accommodate up to five guests and are equipped with kitchens, so it’s an affordable family option in the island’s most upmarket area. All are tightly packed along a lane to the beach, so would probably suffer from neighborly noise, and only two at the front offer partial sea views and breeze. And with rattan walls, simple furniture, and no TV or air-conditioning (ceiling fan only), they all serve a purpose. Bonuses are the pool, free WiFi, cute beach, and rental of bikes and kayaks.
Village Temanuata – The Basics
- Location: Along the main road in the middle of Matira at the southern end of the main island. About 7 km from the only town, Vaitape, and 30 minutes by boat and taxi from the airport.
- Guests: Given the more affordable rates, most guests seem to be younger and budget-minded.
- Beach: Big enough and alongside the InterContinental, so it’s well looked after.
- Views: Only 2 rooms at the front offer direct sea views. Others face the access lane and are hidden by some foliage.
- WiFi: Free for all guests throughout.
- Parking: No off-street parking. Contact management about secure parking options.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: (689) 4067 7561
- Email: village.temanuata@mail.pf
- Website: temanuata.com
Village Temanuata – Amenities
- Pool: At the back of The Lucky House restaurant next door, it’s small and without shade, but better than expected at such a low-key place.
- Spa & Fitness Center: Not expected or provided in a guesthouse like this.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not expected or provided.
- Activities: Rental of bicycles and kayaks for a small charge.
Village Temanuata – Food and Drink
- Restaurant & Bar: The Lucky House restaurant (see below) is separately owned but attached to the hotel.
- Breakfast: A continental breakfast can be included, depending on the booking.
- Room Service: Not expected or provided at this type of guesthouse.
Village Temanuata – Rooms
- Room Types: Beach Bungalow • Seaview Bungalow • Garden Bungalow • Family Bungalow
- Smoking Rooms: Not allowed in or near the rooms, but OK on the beach.
- Best Room: The Seaview Bungalows are almost within touching distance of the beach, offering far better privacy, serenity, and views than the other rooms.
- For Families: Two special bungalows for families, each with a kitchen and space for a family of 5.
Village Temanuata – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars
- The Lucky House (40 67 68 08) – Attached to the hotel and alongside the pool. Bistro-style meals, including wood-fired pizzas and a children’s menu.
- Roulotte Matira – Quaint setting with a few tables for burgers, crêpes, fish, and steaks. Mostly for takeaway, but fairly random opening hours. Virtually opposite the Temanuata.
- InterContinental – Virtually next door to the hotel, this massive 5-star resort offers the intimate Noa Noa for breakfast and dinner, and the more casual Vini Vini for light meals and happy hours.
- Restaurant Matira Beach (87 79 47 04) – Classy French cuisine with Polynesian and Japanese influences. Family-friendly and free transfers. Reservations recommended. About 500m to the northwest.
- Snack Matira (40 67 77 32) – Simple meals and plastic tables, but heavenly beachfront position where some stay all day. About 900m to the northwest.
Nearby Market or Grocery
- On the other side of the road from the hotel, a small shop sells basic supplies.
Local Transport
- There is no public transport anywhere on Bora Bora. Taxis (unmetered) can be organized through the hotel but rates are extortionate, which is why many visitors hire a car, scooter, or bicycle – and the road (7km) is flat all the way to the only town, Vaitape.
Village Temanuata – What’s Nearby?
The Temanuata is a long-standing hotel in the middle of the Matira beach area.
The hotel is welcoming, friendly, and family-run.
Bicycles can be rented from the reception by guests and the public, and are a great way to explore the island.
A noticeboard at the reception provides useful information to all.
A sandy path from the reception to the beach passes through the shady gardens.
The lovely beach is small but certainly adequate for the number of guests.
The beach adjoins the one in front of the InterContinental Resort, which is spotlessly clean and also open to the public.
The gardens, beach, and lounge chairs all add to the likable tropical vibe.
The beach also offers more shade than most.
The pool is nice and a surprise at a hotel of this size and standard.
Each bungalow features a private patio, but offers little privacy because it directly faces the path.
Bungalows feature thatched roofs and face the path.
It’s fair to say that the bungalows need some updating.
Although in need of renovations, the bungalows are still reasonably spacious.
The hotel is right alongside a great restaurant which is called The Lucky House (despite the large sign).
The Lucky House serves tasty meals in a casual setting overlooking the hotel pool.
The restaurant offers free transfers for diners from around the island.
Almost next to the hotel, the InterContinental Resort has 2 classy restaurants/bars.
Breakfast at the Temanuata is often not included, but is available (for a cost, of course) at the InterContinental.
More casual, and also in the middle of the village almost opposite the hotel, is Roulotte Matira.
About 900m north of the hotel, Snack Matira is more popular for its beachside setting than its simple meals.
The beach at Matira is particularly pleasant in front of Hotel Matira and InterContinental Resort.
About 7 km from the hotel, the only town in Bora Bora, Vaitape, offers a few places to shop.
Vaitape provides some modest facilities for tourists and amenities for locals such as this quaint church.
Bora Bora is about 45 minutes by air from the Tahitian capital, Pape’ete.
The airport is on an atoll and linked to the main island by free boat transfers.
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