12 hours stopover in papeete

Hello everyone, I'm planning to go to the atoll of Fakarava for some great diving (I hope) in january, and unfortunately I have to arrive at Papeete at 01.15 a.m., and my onward flight is only at 1.30 p.m. the same day. I really don't know where to stay during those 12 hours, I would like to have some sleep but I'm reluctant to book an expensive hotel for such a short time. Has anyone had the same problem? Is the Papeete airport hospitable at night? Or is there a cheap place to stay which will be open late at night?
Thank you, Andrea

You can stay at the airport I have and many people do, but since most flights get in in the middle of the night hotels are open. Check the forum on [http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/index.html] for hotel options. Have a great trip.

Have stayed at the Airport however it is easy to get to a hotel whatever time you arrive we have used both the travel inn near the airport entrance and the garden view rooms at the intercontinental hotel, the later is a bit more expensive but great if you want some quiet and a relaxed breakfast and good view before you fly onwards.

There is a new place right across the street from the airport, Some people have reviewed it elsewhere and found it well worth the money. I walked to the Sofitel Maeva Beach, took about half an hour but was a great place. Much more high end than a crash space though!

Fakarava is as perfect a dive spot as I've ever seen or ever hope to. I spent a week at south pass and wished I'd had another life to stay there with! Do the run into the lagoon with the tide, its an experience like nothing else on earth.

Ed