Hilton Moorea Stay

Belvedere

On leaving the Legends Resort we drove up to the Belvedere - the iconic Moorea photo stop. Unfortunately there were a few other people there and it seems I took a photo of someone taking a photo...

Next stop was our home for the night, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. Formerly the Sheraton this is the most American resort in terms of bedding and bathroom comfort - big comfy beds and claw foot bathtub and walk in shower.

Welcome to the Hilton

the pool

The resort offers 104 bungalows in six categories- garden pool to panoramic over water. There are two restaurants, two bars, pool, tennis courts, fitness centre and spa and aquatic activities. The hotel offers various cultural activities and Polynesian evenings - like other resorts in the islands.
We were treated to a sunset cocktail at the Toatea Bar by the over water bungalows and later a lovely dinner at the Rotui grill restaurant.
Next day we went off to the Sofitel for a site inspection. The Sofitel has the best beach and clearest water on Moorea, but it lacks the sunset view. It does however look back toward Tahiti and offers views of the sunrise. It is also close to both the airport and the ferry.

The resort has garden, beach and over water bungalows. The rooms are a good size with cool, contemporary styling; a nice blend of Polynesian and European style with splashes of colour. The over water bungalows have glass inserts in the living room floor which open to view and feed the fish. There are two restaurants - I like the Restaurant K for romantic dinners in the sand.

Moorea continued

After lunch we had a quick visit of the beautiful Legends Villa Resort which sits on the hill behind the Intercontinental; it offers the most amazing views in Moorea.

View from the top

When you enter the lobby you are graced with the most stunning view over the infinity pool to the beautiful waters of the lagoon below.

Legends Resort Pool and view

There are a number of villas spread across the hillside each with commanding views from a wrap around deck complete with jacuzzi, lounge chairs and a sheltered dining area. Indoors there is a modern kitchen/ dining bath and bedrooms and comfortable sitting area - with fresh comfortable decor. A great place for a wedding or a gathering of friends and family.

Jacuzzi, loungers and dining area

second bedroom

Living area of larger villa

Tahiti to Moorea - Fam day 2

After touring Tahiti hotels and some island sights, we boarded the Aremiti ferry for the 30 minute trip to Moorea. We were met at the ferry by Moorea Explorer - the yellow bus -and taken to the Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa. I checked into my garden pool bungalow, had a rest and dip in my private plunge pool prior to cocktails and a lovely dinner hosted by our charming host.

garden pool bungalow - Moorea Pearl

Next day we had breakfast and a tour of the property. The Pearl is a lovely resort with many on site amenities - bar, restaurant, pool, spa, shops, water sports and activities - but it is also walking distance to shopping and local restaurants. There are a number of different room categories to suit all needs.
They have a beautiful open air lobby where you are received with a cold towel, drink and sit down check in service.

poolside - Moorea Pearl

Next stop was the Intercontinental Resort and Spa - still one of my favourite hotels on Moorea. As with the Pearl you are met with a cold towel and refreshing drink with sit down lobby check in service. It is a larger property set a little further away from other amenities, but it is a beautiful property. There are lagoon and garden view rooms in the main building; garden bungalows with recently added plunge pools, beach and over water bungalows. The over water bungalows here are different - you enter from land and enter the water from the balcony. They have two restaurants, bars, two beautiful new pools with a swim up bar, expanded beach, a  turtle rehabilitation centre and a dolphin centre.

Intercontinental Moorea - looking toward Legends Resort

Both hotels have local artisans displaying their wares for sale in the lobby. I was pleased to see Nathalie of L'atelier du Chat at the Intercontinental. We bought a beautiful Tiki carved by her husband on our first visit to Moorea in 2004. We were treated to a nice lunch in the poolside restaurant and were then off to see the Legends Villa resort - on the mountain behind the Intercontinental.