InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa in Tahiti

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Updated: January 19, 2021

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Review of InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa in Tahiti

(Note: The hotel is temporarily closed.)

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – Sublime setting, fabulous facilities, and so family-friendly.

The most luxurious resort on Moorea Island is also one of the most extraordinary anywhere in the Pacific. Among immense gardens scattered with Polynesian statues, bungalows face the sea or manmade inlets, or are perched above the shallow turquoise water. Others with private plunge pools are hidden behind high fences and surrounded by such dense foliage that they’re permanently dark inside. Adding to the appeal are the numerous beaches facing the ocean and inlets, twin infinity pools, abundant activities, and a wonderful kids club. Perhaps not surprisingly, the resort is isolated – three kilometers from Hauru village and its modest facilities.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – The Basics

  • Location: In Tiahura, at the tip of the northwest coast of Moorea Island. About 2.5 km from the shops and cafés at Le Petite Village in the center of Hauru, 25 km from the airport, and 30 km from the ferry terminal for services to Tahiti.
  • Guests: Caters primarily for packaged tours, with most guests being older. But also ideal for families and those on honeymoon.
  • Beach: Remarkably, there are beaches in all directions. The one facing the ocean is comparatively small, but several others are along the manmade inlets. The sand is shimmering white and clean – perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
  • Views: The above-water bungalows provide broad views of the ocean, often 180 degrees. Views from bungalows on the sand are just as good, and certainly more varied. And a few secluded bungalows are deliberately hidden behind high fences.
  • Wi-Fi: Not provided for free. Substantial charges for use by guests.
  • Parking: Plenty of free and secure places in the carpark meters from the main entrance.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (689) 40 86 51 78
  • Email: intercontinental.moorea@ihg.com
  • Website: moorea.intercontinental.com

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – Amenities

  • Pool: 2 lovely pools, both with infinity edges and one with a swim-up bar. However, they could get busy and noisy.
  • Spa: Hélène Spa is apparently the first of its type in French Polynesia. Award-winning and intimate, with numerous sumptuous treatments. It’s set within a garden and is ideal for couples.
  • Fitness Center: Huge room with state-of-the-art equipment. Open 24/7.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Junior Suite Garden Pool Bungalows feature lovely private plunge pools.
  • Activities: Turtle Care Centre and Moorea Dolphin Centre onsite. Also dive agency and water sports kiosk. Free use of tennis courts, petanque, ping pong table, volleyball court, and bicycles.
  • For families: The Planet Trekkers Kids Club is set up for those aged 4 to 12. Open daily (except Sunday), for engaging activities with a focus on Polynesian culture and local ecology at the onsite turtle and dolphin centers.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants: The Shell Restaurant – Romantic fine-dining (but dinner only). Intimate setting with some sea views, and a menu offering Polynesian flavors • Fare Nui Restaurant – Al fresco for only buffet breakfast (which is also available to the public) • Fare Hana Restaurant – More casual and family-friendly for lunch and dinner. Terrace setting for grills, seafood, and light meals. Plenty of vegetarian options and a dessert menu to delight those with a sweet tooth.
  • Lounge/Bars: Beach Bar – Exquisite setting between the sand and pool. Open early and closed late for happy hours, cocktails, snacks, and light meals • Motu Iti Bar – Cozy, for intimate drinks, including imported wine and signature cocktails. Al fresco by the sea and in the gardens (so likely to be closed if raining).
  • Breakfast: Generally not included in the hotel rates, but does depend on the type of booking.
  • Room Service: Available 24 hours.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – Rooms

  • Room Types: Lanai Room • Junior Suite Beach Bungalow (standard & premium versions) • Junior Suite Garden Pool Bungalow • Junior Suite Overwater Bungalow (standard & premium versions)
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed in the rooms, but okay on the beaches and in the gardens.
  • Best Room: It’s hard to go past the Junior Suite Overwater Bungalows, with a sundeck and terrace offering unbeatable ocean views, and a ladder to the shallow turquoise water below.
  • For families: Rooms in the block can squeeze in extra single beds, while all bungalows can comfortably accommodate families of 4.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

    Being so isolated, there is little choice within walking distance. Some places in Hauru village (3 km) offer free transfers.

  • Holy Steak House – Open all day, directly opposite the resort entrance. Also great for seafood and pizzas. Hearty serves, happy hours, views, and takeaways.
  • Taoahere Beach House – Quaint with seaside setting in a suburban area 1 km east. (Look for signs from the main road.) For seafood, grills, salads, burgers, and lots of desserts.
  • Beach Bar & Restaurant – At Hôtel Les Tipaniers, about 1.5 km towards Hauru. Seaside and garden settings for seafood, pizza, homemade pasta, and ice cream. Live music on weekends and free transfers.
  • Restaurant Tiahura – Claims to be the ‘best seafood restaurant on Moorea’. Offering regional specialties such as parrotfish and octopus. About 2 km along the road towards the village.
  • Le Motu – Laidback and eclectic menu: pizzas, tacos, crêpes, sandwiches, burgers, and Chinese food. More affordable than rivals, with daily specials. On the northern edge of Hauru village, 2 km away.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • Decent general store right opposite the entrance to the resort along the main road.

Local Transport

    There is no public transport around Moorea Island. 4 or 5 buses run daily between Hauru village and the ferry terminal (but not the airport) to tie in with the arrivals/departures. Ask the reception for details. To the village, walk, hitch a ride, or organize an unmetered taxi. For elsewhere, rent a car or motorbike.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – The Hotel

The resort has a stunning setting with beaches, palms and jetties.

The setting of the resort is absolutely stunning, with beaches, palms, and jetties linking the bungalows.

The resort is sandwiched between the sea and mountains.

Most of the resort faces the sea and manmade inlets with a dramatic mountainous backdrop.

The resort exudes a tropical vibe.

The InterContinental provides a tropical ambience with thatched huts, beaches, and inlets.

The resort offers gorgeous views from everywhere.

There are gorgeous views around the resort in every direction.

The beaches are filled with lounge chairs.

Plenty of lounge chairs are placed on the beaches within the resort.

The water sports centre offers several activities.

The water sports center at the InterContinental offers all sorts of activities, including kayaking.

The small resort beach has a tropical vibe.

The beach facing the ocean at the resort is a little smaller than the others, but quintessentially tropical.

The dolphin rehabilitation program allows guests to get close to dolphins.

The InterContinental is keenly involved in the rehabilitation and care of turtles and dolphins, and guests can even get up close and personal with dolphins.

An islet is used for turtle rehabilitation.

One of the inlets around the resort is dedicated to the conservation of turtles.

The resort features vast tropical gardens and lawns.

The InterContinental is based among vast tropical gardens with abundant lawns and trees.

Both pools are appealing with infinity edges and shade.

The two pools are lovely – with infinity edges and plenty of shade.

The beach-facing main pool can get busy.

The main pool facing the beach could become crowded if occupancy is high.

The main pool has a swim-up bar.

The main pool features a swim-up bar.

Fare Hana Restaurant offers grills, seafood and light meals.

The Fare Hana Restaurant at the resort offers grills, seafood, and other light meals.

The Motu Iti Bar is popular for its cocktail menu.

The Motu Iti Bar at the InterContinental offers all sorts of cocktails.

Motu Iti Bar has outdoor seating on sand.

Motu Iti Bar also provides armchairs on the sand.

Fare Hana Restaurant has outdoor sea-facing seating.

The Fare Hana Restaurant extends towards the sea.

The overwater bungalows are secluded.

Most bungalows above the water are secluded, with some distance between each.

Overwater Bungalows feature a traditional design.

The design of the Overwater Bungalows is partially traditional, with thatched roofs.

The Beach Bungalow sundecks lead to tranquil waters.

The Beach Bungalows face the inlets, with the tranquil turquoise water accessible from the sundeck.

Secluded and spacious Beach Bungalows have a devine setting.

Beach Bungalows are secluded and spacious, and within a divine setting.

Overwater Bungalows have fantastic ocean views.

The Overwater Bungalows feature full-length windows to maximize ocean views.

The Garden Bungalows have a private plunge pool.

The Garden Bungalows offer no views of the sea, but feature private plunge pools.

Beachfront Bungalows have a spacious lounge area.

Beachfront Bungalows feature separate lounge areas, large enough for beds for 2 children.

All bungalows have a likeable traditional decor.

The décor in all bungalows is likable, with parquet floors and rattan walls.

Beachfront Bungalows have an almost private stretch of beach.

Although the beaches within the resort are available to all guests, the sand in front of each Beachfront Bungalow is almost private.

The Lanai Rooms are at the back of the resort.

The Lanai Rooms at the back of the resort are comfortable but not as appealing as the bungalows.

Taohere Beach House cafe is within walking distance.

One of few places within walking distance of the resort is the casual café at the Taohere Beach House, about 1 km east along the road.

Restaurant Tiahura supposedly serves the best seafood on Moorea.

About 2 km towards the village, Restaurant Tiahura claims to be the ‘best seafood restaurant on Moorea’.

Le Motu offers an extraordinary eclectic menu.

On the northern edge of the village, about 2 km from the resort, Le Motu offers an extraordinary eclectic menu.

The Hauru park is a lovely place to relax.

A lovely park in the center of Hauru village, nearly 3 km from the resort, provides views and shade.

Sunsets on the west coast are better than at the resort.

The resort faces north, so the sunsets at Hauru further down the west coast are better.

Hauru village is pleasingly underdeveloped.

The village of Hauru is pleasingly underdeveloped.

Le Petit Village is about 2.5km from the resort.

The cluster of likable shops and cafés at Le Petit Village is about 2.5 km from the resort.

Le Petit Village has decent shops and cafes.

Le Petit Village offers a few nice shops and cafés.

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