Moorea

Moorea

MOOREA ~ Moorea is often thought to be the subject of James Michener's "Bali Hai". It is just a quick 7 minute flight from Tahiti. It can also be accessed by a 35 minute ferry.

We stayed two nights at the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort. This resort has a beautiful view of the island of Tahiti. There are 49 Deluxe garden bungalows, 8 Superior beach bungalows, 15 Deluxe beach bungalows, 20 Overwater bungalows and 19 Deluxe overwater bungalows. Each bungalow is air-conditioned, has a plasma TV, safe, minibar, rain-shower bathroom, separate toilets and an extremely comfortable Sofitel ‘MyBed’. We stayed in overwater bungalow #111 which was a beautiful room.

Activities include tennis and volleyball, safari tours, swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest Park, deep sea fishing, ray and fish feeding excursions, island tours, an outdoor freshwater pool, sea kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, pedal boats, catamaran, Tahitian canoe picnic excursions, outriggers, petanque and 4 themed evenings per week followed by Polynesian shows. Le Spa is also on site so you can enjoy all that the spa has to offer.

The resort offers various meal plans and there is a specialty restaurant called "K" which is an open air, sand floor restaurant overlooking the lagoon. If you are on the meal plan this restaurant is not included, but it you only pay an extra surcharge to dine here.

I highly recommend this resort.

We also visited the Moorea Pearl Resort, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, and Legends Resort Moorea.

Moorea Pearl Resort ~ There are 28 overwater bungalows, 9 beach bungalows, 28 garden bungalows and 30 garden rooms & family rooms. All rooms except the overwater bungalows are air-conditioned. Overwater bungalows have ceiling fans and gentle sea breezes and have bathtubs rather than showers. The garden bungalows have plunge pools, some with a low and deep end. Activities include snorkeling and diving, jeep safaris, helicopter rides, motu picnics, island tours by canoe with shark and ray feeding, and more. All non-motorized water sports are free of charge.

There are two restaurants, one located poolside. Wednesday evenings there is a traditional Polynesian show and fire dances and on Saturdays there is also a Polynesian show. The resort is lovely. The spa was wonderful as well.

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa ~ We had a wonderful cocktail party followed by dinner at the water's edge here at the Hilton Moorea. They couldn't have been more hospitable!

There is a 4 star Michelin rated restaurant on site, called Arii Vahine. The Rotui Bar and Grill is by the pool and beach and along the pontoon leading to the overwater bungalows there is Toata Bar which offers happy hour each afternoon. They also make fresh crepes for the guests. At the end of the pontoon are seats where guests can relax and enjoy the view. The Eimeo Bar serves cocktails, wines and champagnes nightly from 5:30 until 11:30.

The resort offers 24-hour room service and a boutique. The Mandara Spa provides spa treatments unique to Polynesia. You can schedule a sunset massage in your own bungalow, or a moonlight massage in the lagoon. Spa staff uses indigenous ingredients like monoï oil, grapefruit, vanilla, sea salt, coconut and plumeria to create a beautiful and healthful experience. There is a pretty Koi pond on site as well.

The Hilton has 57 overwater and 49 garden and beachfront air-conditioned bungalows. The location of the resort allows for both sunrise and sunset views. The garden bungalows have plunge pools with a privacy screen. There are some that have been connected which makes it nice for families traveling together. There are one bedroom garden suites available. Suites have butler service. Disabled access rooms are available in the Garden and Beachfront categories. Room service is offered, including canoe breakfasts for overwater bungalow guests.

The water was the cleanest of all that we saw because the resort is located between two lagoons. The beach is very clean and large, probably the nicest beach area in Moorea. Free activities include snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boats, tennis & volleyball. A wide range of island activities can be organized through the activities desk.


***Hilton Moorea ~ Best beach in Moorea


Legends Resort Moorea ~ We had a nice lunch at Legends Resort, a member of Preferred Hotels, which opened in December 2008. After our lunch, we were offered to go for a swim in the infinity pool. What a welcome relief to the heat!

Although not located directly on the beach, this resort has the most beautiful view because it is set up in the mountainside. There are 46 private 2 or 3 bedroom villas featuring a spacious deck with spa tub, fully equipped kitchen, living room with satellite TV and DVD player, air conditioned bedrooms, fully-equipped laundry facilities, and WiFi internet access. The 2 bedroom villa sleeps 4 and the 3 bedroom villa, which has a washer/dryer, sleeps 6. Although only the bedrooms are air conditioned, the design of the villas is such that there is a perfect flow of air throughout the villa. If you call ahead, they will stock your kitchen with food that you request. Guests have the feeling of being right at home. The resort has an International deli food & wine market, catering services, a pool restaurant, a boutique,and in-villa spa services.

There is an infinity pool suspended above the lagoon. The resort provides a complimentary shuttle to the beach throughout the day. It is just a 6 minute private boat ride to the resort's private beach, located on a Motu (islet). Hiking is available with a private guide up the mountainside. Bring your trail shoes! This is not an easy climb. The on-site restaurant, La Villa Des Sens, serves a gourmet fusion with an extensive selection of wines in the wine cellar; room service is also available. Complimentary activities also include a tennis court and a fitness center. The Moorea Dolphin Center is nearby and the center offers a variety of dolphin interaction programs including special honeymoon packages and family programs.

This was a lovely resort and the manager, Jean Pierre, was most accommodating.

***Legends ~ Best view of any resort