SD › Bora Bora Hotels › InterContinental Le Moana Review
Updated: November 26, 2020
By Santorini Dave
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InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – Sumptuous facilities, romantic bungalows, gorgeous beach, and yet oh-so convenient.
Located along a cove of snow-white sand and sapphire-green waters, the InterContinental offers bungalows on the sand or perched above the water, and the eye-catching setting is enhanced further by the mountainous backdrop. All bungalows are distant from neighbors and Polynesian in design, with thatched roofs and full-length windows, but also modern inside. Steps from the private sundeck of the overwater bungalows lead directly into the lagoon. The double-layered communal pool faces the beach and offers a splash area with sandy edges for children. There’s also a modest games room and plenty of activities on offer. And it’s conveniently in a village on the main island.
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – The Basics
- Location: Along the main road in 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: Since it offers nothing but above-water bungalows, many guests are couples – particularly those on romantic getaways or honeymoons – although families are also encouraged.
- Beach: A superb stretch of beach, with white sand, sloping palms, and calm blue-green water.
- Views: Jaw-dropping views from all bungalows above the water. Those further out offer broader views, often 180 degrees and not obstructed by other bungalows.
- WiFi: Expensive.
- Nice Perks: Use of some facilities (for a fee), such as the spa at the sister resort on Motu Piti Aau atoll, with transfers included.
- Parking: A few spots at the main entrance, but very few guests will bother renting a car.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: (689) 40 60 49 00
- Email: intercontinental.borabora.lemoana@ihg.com
- Website: lemoana.intercontinental.com
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – Amenities
- Pool: The pool is really lovely, with 2 layers and facing the beach. It might get crowded, but most guests probably lounge about and swim at the beach, or access the water via the steps in their bungalows.
- Spa: The Deep Ocean Spa is impressive. Using ‘Algotherm marine cosmetics’, it offers an expensive array of massages, scrubs, and beauty treatments. At the sister resort on Motu Piti Aau atoll, with transfers included.
- Fitness Center: Surprisingly, there isn’t one here, but guests can use the gym at the sister resort.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: None.
- Activities: Free use of equipment for snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. Several interesting cultural activities such as cooking demonstrations are also offered for free.
- For Families: Modest room with ping pong, snooker tables, and video games.
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – Food and Drink
- Restaurants & Bars: Noa Noa Restaurant – Intimate setting on a terrace alongside the sea. With Polynesian décor and haute cuisine. Also, traditional dances and buffets some nights. Breakfast and dinner only. • Vini Vini Bar and Restaurant – Shady and beachside, for light meals all day, and happy hours at sunset. Great for trying local delicacies.
- Breakfast: Some rates include a buffet breakfast. Otherwise, it’s worth paying extra for.
- Room Service: Available 24 hours.
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – Rooms
- Room Types: Beach Bungalow • Lagoon Overwater Bungalow • Horizon Overwater Bungalow • End of Pontoon Horizon Overwater Bungalow • 1 Poevai Overwater Suite
- Smoking Rooms: Strictly no smoking in the rooms or public areas, but no-one can stop anyone from smoking on the beach.
- Best Room: The End of Pontoon Horizon Overwater Bungalows may have a longwinded name, but they do boast a perfect position, with more seclusion and virtually unobstructed sea views.
- For Families: Bungalows can accommodate 1 or 2 extra children, but the best for families is the single Poevai Overwater Suite. It features adjoining bungalows with a lounge room connecting both and space for 6.
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – What’s Nearby?
Restaurants & Bars
- The Lucky House (40 67 68 08) – alongside a pool for bistro-style meals, including wood-fired pizzas. Children’s menu available. Virtually alongside the main entrance.
- Roulotte Matira – quaint setting with a few tables for burgers, crêpes, fish, and steaks. Mostly for takeaway, with fairly random opening hours. Opposite the hotel entrance.
- Restaurant Matira Beach (87 79 47 04) – Classy French cuisine with Polynesian and Japanese influences. Also, a special kids’ room and free transfers. Reservations recommended. About 600m northwest.
- Snack Matira (40 67 77 32) – simple meals and plastic tables, but beachfront position where guests stay all day. About 1km to the northwest.
Nearby Market or Grocery
- On the other side of the road from the hotel entrance is a small shop sells basic supplies.
Local Transport
- There is no public transport anywhere on Bora Bora. Taxis (unmetered) can be organized through the resort 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.
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort – The Hotel
The traditional design of the resort entrance sets the tone.
The resort is superbly located, facing a sloping and shady beach.
Hammocks on the beach add to the tropical ambience.
The beach is extensive, so there’s always plenty of room for guests.
The resort faces a lagoon of shallow, calm, and emerald-colored water.
The beach is lovingly raked and spotlessly clean.
The pool has two layers, one with a waterfall and more popular with adults.
Another section of the pool features sandy edges and is more suitable for children.
The Noa Noa Restaurant at the resort flows down the terraces towards the beach.
The Vini Vini Bar & Restaurant at the resort offers plenty of comfortable seating.
The Vini Vini offers light meals and happy hours at sunset.
The Noa Noa serves a substantial buffet breakfast – included in the rates or paid for as an extra.
Bungalows above the water are only accessible along walkways jutting out from the beach.
With more distance between each, the overwater bungalows are more secluded than at most other resorts.
The resort is so vast that staff often ride bicycles to get around.
Steps from the private sundeck at the bungalows lead to the shallow lagoon.
The sundeck is large enough for some outdoor furniture.
Bungalows are reasonably spacious and feature a small glass floor for peering at the coral and marine life below.
The décor is modern with touches of Polynesia.
With a lofty ceiling, modern gadgets, and abundant windows, the bungalows lack nothing.
The bathrooms in the overwater bungalows are especially appealing.
Bathrooms include full-length windows, twin sinks, and a bath.
The Beach Bungalows are also nice and feature an appealing traditional design.
Some of the views of the Beach Bungalows are blocked by trees and/or affected by distance.
Almost opposite the main entrance to the resort, Roulotte Matira offers simple meals in a casual setting.
The setting of Snack Matira is the main reason why it is so popular.
Lucky House provides a lovely poolside setting, with pizzas a specialty.
The resort is about 7 km from Vaitape, the only town in Bora Bora.
Bora Bora is about 45 minutes by air from Pape’ete, the capital of Tahiti.
The resort offers a paid private speedboat transfer to the airport, but all airline passengers are able to reach the main island on the large catamaran ferry for free.
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