Best resorts in Moorea

Although we have left French Polynesia as I write, thanks to your many comments and emails, we noticed that some articles were missing. Even though you can find more than fifty articles about Polynesia on our blog, we still need to go into more depth on some of the points that come up very often. This article is part of that process, as it offers you our complete guide to the best hotels on the island of Moorea.

Having lived there for over 6 years, we know the island very well. This article will therefore be based on our experiences on the island, as well as the opinions of friends, colleagues and readers about the various hotels in Moorea that will be mentioned below. Our aim is to help you choose your accommodation if you are looking for a hotel in Moorea for your stay in French Polynesia. In our complete guide to accommodation in French Polynesia, we have already mentioned some hotels. If you’re looking for other places to stay on other islands, we invite you to read on and see what we think.

There are many places to stay in Moorea, but few would qualify as Hotels, at least as I like to think of them. In this article, I will describe the three largest hotels on the island that offer overwater bungalows, which I briefly mentioned in my overview of overwater bungalows in French Polynesia. I will also introduce you to some of the mid-range hotels. These are worth considering, especially if you are on a budget.

Like Bora Bora, the island of Moorea is a popular honeymoon destination in French Polynesia. We have decided to provide you with this in-depth guide as we have found that many travellers are looking for advice on choosing their accommodation in Moorea. As you prepare for your stay in Moorea, we hope you will find it useful.

Thanks to our special Polynesian Facebook group and our 6 years of living there, we have noticed that there are very few tourists who miss the island of Moorea. We’re not going to try and convince you to go to Moorea or tell you what to do (we’ve already got an article for that), but we would like to say a few words about it anyway. Moorea gives you the impression of being at the end of the world and yet being very close to Tahiti. You will love this island for many reasons: its turquoise waters, its luxuriant vegetation, the discovery of its lagoon by catamaran or by snorkelling and scuba diving for the diving enthusiasts, its typical “roulottes” in some places and, in general, its peaceful atmosphere which contrasts with Tahiti.

You are now in the top category, representing the best luxury resorts in Moorea. The three hotels below offer 4-star service (5-star for the Hilton) and if you are looking for a high-end service including luxury accommodation (especially overwater bungalows) and associated services, then you should consider these accommodations. I would like to point out that these are the only three establishments in Moorea that offer over-water bungalows.

Here are the details of the three hotels in Moorea that offer high-end accommodation. You can go directly to the description of each hotel by clicking on the links below.

• Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa
• Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
• Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea

The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is Moorea’s most luxurious five-star hotel, nestled between the famous Opunohu and Cook Bays in the north of the island. With a crystal clear lagoon right in front of you, the location of the hotel is simply beautiful and peaceful! If you are looking for peace and tranquillity in a dreamlike environment, then you have come to the right place. I am very familiar with the place and the surroundings, and the colour of the lagoon here is nothing short of sublime.

It goes without saying that the hotel has all the necessary comforts to ensure the well-being of its guests. It has 106 rooms, more than half of which are overwater bungalows where you can enjoy the sunrise and sunset. All rooms are nicely decorated in a modern Polynesian style. You can also take advantage of the hotel’s excellent facilities, including a beautiful central pool, fitness centre, high quality spa and the renowned Arii Vahine Restaurant. There are also three other bar/restaurants. The hotel also offers services for visiting the island of Moorea, such as scuba diving, snorkelling, guided boat tours and helicopter tours.

All in all, you will definitely appreciate the Hilton property, the incredible views from the bungalows, the quality of the services, the attentive staff and the excellent food served at the hotel in general. The breakfast served in a “pirogue” is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I would recommend it as a little extra! In conclusion, if you are looking for quality service and a relaxing atmosphere, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is an excellent choice!

Book my stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa

Although slightly less expensive than the Hilton, the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is a magnificent luxury hotel. Situated on one of the most beautiful lagoons on the island, the hotel is located on the east coast of Moorea, facing the sunrise. The seabed in front of the hotel is also very beautiful. Another positive point in my opinion is its location, close to the airfield and the pier!

The hotel is known for its high quality services and facilities. The Sofitel has 110 bungalows, about 38 of which are overwater, facing the island of Tahiti. The view in the morning is magnificent. The bungalows are beautifully decorated in a Polynesian style with all the necessary amenities. You can enjoy the hotel’s outdoor infinity pool, the locally renowned spa and the excellent meals served at the “K” Restaurant. Diving, island tours and lagoon cruises are among the many activities offered by the hotel.

Finally, you will definitely enjoy the beautiful private beach (Temae Beach), the great massages at the spa, the excellent food at the various bars and restaurants on the island, and especially the breakfast! The services are very good for a price that I think remains interesting if you are looking for a dream setting of luxury in Moorea.

Book my stay at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort

We had the opportunity to stay and test the Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea for three full days and we loved the experience. You can click on this link to our dedicated article if you would like to read our full review of the Manava. The hotel is on the north side of the island of Moorea, which is very convenient for exploration of the rest of the island. I would say that this hotel is the least paradisiacal of the three mentioned, although it is still in the high end category. Don’t get me wrong, this is a 4-star hotel, and although the lagoon is a little less pretty (understand deeper) in this location, it is still beautiful.

The hotel has 90 bungalows and suites, which are either garden side, beach side or over water (28). We stayed in a beautiful Polynesian-style bungalow on the garden side. We also had the chance to stay in an overwater bungalow, which is always a dream for us! The views from the bungalow on the left are simply magical, overlooking Cook’s Bay and the surrounding mountains. The facilities at the hotel are first class. This includes the restaurants and the beautiful infinity pool in the middle of the hotel. We highly recommend that you take a stroll through the gardens of the hotel, which are very pleasant. The hotel offers a variety of activities for its guests. These include jet skiing, taking part in a cutting workshop (which we tried on Sunday and found very interesting), touring the island by 4×4 or on horseback, golf and scuba diving.

In conclusion, if you are looking for luxury, beautiful surroundings and good service at a much more affordable price than the other two, this is an excellent choice. This is an important point to stress, as I believe the value for money is still excellent.

Book my nights at Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea

Here you will find the descriptions of the mid-range hotels that are located on the island of Moorea. I have selected five, but there are others. The prices range from 150 € to 400 €, which is much lower in terms of the budget than the three hotels mentioned above. However, they are all very nice establishments, well known in the local area and well worth a visit. They vary in style and location, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you choose to stay at any of these. Of course, everyone tastes and behaves differently…

Clicking on the links below will take you directly to the descriptions of these hotels.

• Fenua Mata’i’oa Hotel
• Moorea Island Beach Hotel
• Hibiscus Hotel
• Tipaniers Hotel
• Kaveka Hotel

It was my intention to put this very special hotel at the very top of the list. Let’s be clear, you are not in a classic hotel at all here, so be prepared to be amazed if you like this style of hotel! The hotel is located not far from the beautiful beach of Tipaniers, which is also on the edge of a beautiful lagoon. But you come here for a unique experience, to enjoy a rare Polynesian welcome that you will not find elsewhere.

The hotel has only a few suites. They are all decorated in the old Polynesian style. This is something very different to what you’re likely to find when you’re holidaying elsewhere. Many of the suites have stunning views and direct access to the lagoon. Some have breathtaking terraces. Each suite has been carefully decorated in a very original, almost Polynesian fairytale style. For me, this place is reserved for dreamers who want to discover Polynesian culture, who love art and beauty in general! The hotel doesn’t have a swimming pool, but it does have a beautiful tropical garden to explore with the guests. Everyone is greeted with a beautiful lei!

Finally, I’ll leave it up to you to see if this accommodation is for you, but the opinions of the people who have stayed there are all the same: you’re in a place with a soul that makes you dream, all in a lagoon environment and with real interaction. So, are you tempted?

Book my stay at the Fenua Mata’i’oa Hotel

The Moorea Island Beach Hotel is located in the north-west of the island of Moorea, on the edge of a heavenly lagoon and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches on Moorea. This is a small establishment, much more personal than many others, offering quality facilities.

The hotel has only 12 wooden bungalows. They are divided into 3 categories depending on the view desired, and there is also a family bungalow. The bungalows are tastefully decorated. The wooden common rooms give the place a unique atmosphere. There is a kitchen available for cooking on site, but please note that the hotel does not offer catering services. However, an excellent continental breakfast is served in the hotel on a daily basis. As far as activities are concerned, the hotel provides kayaks and bicycles free of charge, which is a definite plus! The hotel also offers its own scooter and car hire, which is handy to get around. As always, other outdoor activities are available if you wish to enquire.

All in all, this small hotel is a great place to stay, away from the larger resorts or more famous hotels in the area. You find yourself in a much quieter, more authentic and intimate setting and you can really feel it. People love their reception, their location and their breakfast! You won’t be disappointed!

Spend a few nights at Moorea Island Beach Lodge

The Hibiscus Moorea Hotel is a local institution, you might say. Well known to locals who enjoy it, as well as tourists, this hotel is located on the far northwest tip of the island of Moorea, bordering a beautiful white sand beach and lagoon. If you’re looking for an authentic and tranquil atmosphere, this is the perfect place to relax. Situated between the two local motus off Tipaniers beach, the hotel is ideal for swimming with rays and sharks.

The Hibiscus Hotel offers approximately 40 accommodations ranging from Standard and Superior Bungalows (overlooking the lagoon or garden), spacious Family Bungalows and air-conditioned rooms or studios. For greater autonomy, all accommodations are equipped with a kitchenette. The accommodation is of a human size and the atmosphere is very pleasant. The hotel also has a beautiful swimming pool. The tropical garden is well maintained. Dining is available at the Sunset restaurant, which has a very good reputation and has a varied menu. The hotel also offers a wide range of activities both on land and in the water, which are generally very popular.

The friendliness of the hotel owners, the hospitality of the staff, the quality of the accommodation and the location of the hotel on a beautiful beach (I can confirm this 100%) make for a great stay. Ultimately, it is excellent value for money for the price and quality of service in an idyllic setting!

Book my few nights at the Hibiscus Moorea

Often regarded as one of the best value hotels on the island, this is another hotel with a good local reputation. The Hotel des Tipaniers is located in the north-west of the island. It borders the beautiful beach of the same name. Just a 10 minute swim from the hotel, this area is renowned for its famous stingrays and sharks. The resort is set in a beautiful coconut grove, overlooking the crystal waters of the lagoon.

Facilities include standard air-conditioned bungalows with garden or beach view, sleeping 1 to 4 persons depending on the type. The bungalows are spacious and comfortable, although in need of some refurbishment. You can enjoy the heavenly surroundings while tasting local dishes at the hotel’s garden restaurant or at the beach restaurant. Breakfast and lunch are served by the lagoon! There are free “pirogue” available. There is a volleyball court, table tennis and bicycles. The hotel also offers outdoor activities such as lagoon and inland excursions.

In short, you have come to the right place if you are looking for a place to relax in paradise at a reasonable price! If you want a simple, quiet place to enjoy beautiful sunsets, this is the place. In addition, most guests agree that the food is delicious and the breakfasts over the lagoon are a treat! You’ll feel right at home here as the staff are said to be welcoming and friendly!

Stay at Hotel Les Tipaniers

I am going to end this article on the hotels in Moorea with the Kaveka Hotel. Locally known, this hotel is situated in a paradisiacal setting at the entrance to Cook Bay, overlooking the surrounding mountains. The hotel has been in operation for 35 years. The family and Polynesian atmosphere is why people come here. The hotel is close to the beautiful public beaches of Opunohu Bay and has a small private beach.

As far as services are concerned, you can choose between different types of bungalows (garden, lagoon or beach) and some are family oriented. All bungalows are equipped with a safe, a mini-fridge and a view that will remind you of the charm of French Polynesia. The hotel offers a range of complimentary services, including snorkelling equipment, kayaks and a shuttle service to various locations in the area. External services such as scuba diving, car and bike rental are also available. Welcome cocktails are always enjoyed. There is also a restaurant with a good reputation and a bar with a varied selection.

All in all, Hotel Kaveka offers good service in a beautiful location The mountain and bay views are breathtaking! Prices remain reasonable and cheaper than other hotels. The services are not as good as in the other hotels, but you come for the familiar and local ambience.

That’s it, I’ve done the tour of Moorea hotels that I consider worthwhile and generally interesting. There are, of course, other hotels that I could include or describe in more detail if you wish. There are also many guesthouses on the island. As many of you have asked me which guesthouse to choose in Moorea, this will be the subject of another article. I will come back to you with a nice detailed article!

In the meantime, if you know of any of the hotels mentioned in this article, or any others that you would like to try, do not hesitate to leave a comment to share them with the rest of us!

See you soon,

Sylvain