Hotel Hibiscus

The entrance of Hotel Hibiscus isn’t a showstopper, and neither is its lobby. But the thatched-roof exterior gives way to a long, narrow room that can be sort of charming if you’re in the right mood. A simple folding table, with an ever classy table skirt, serves as the hotel’s front desk. Behind it, a wooden hutch holds room keys and sheets of paper containing hotel information. The lobby always seems to be crowded, and there’s usually a wait for check-in. Guests at Hibiscus are a mixed bag. During our visit we saw plenty of couples (old and young), families with children, and even a few friend groups — but the clientele is almost exclusively European. Travelers best suited for Hibiscus are those looking for simple accommodations and a few on-site amenities.  

Hotel Hibiscus is located on Moorea’s northwestern coast. It’s far from the ferry terminal and the airport, both of which are about a 45-minute drive, and it isn’t very close to Cooks Bay or Opunohu Bay either. However, there are a few restaurants and convenience stores within walking distance, a perk that very few Moorea hotels can claim. 

Moorea is a mountainous island located 10 nautical miles off the coast of Tahiti. The beautiful, quiet island is popular with honeymooners and families, and has a relaxed, laid-back feel. Travelers headed to Moorea will first need to fly to Papeete, Tahiti, where they can then take a quick 10-minute local flight, or a 45-minute ferry to Moorea.

There are two main categories of rooms at Hotel Hibiscus — bungalows or air-conditioned rooms. Bungalows are the more rustic option, and are ideal for anyone looking for an authentic Polynesian feel. Bungalows are located on the property’s main lawn and most offer garden views, but a few are oceanfront. Each bungalow has a thatched roof and an outdoor porch with a plastic table and chair set. Inside, rooms have simple furnishings and decor — tapa cloth bedding, mosquito nets, a hanging picture here or there. Bungalows are equipped with small kitchenettes that have mini-fridges, microwaves, electric kettles, and flatware. White tiled bathrooms are nothing to write home about, but are functional enough with a single sink, shower, and toilet. But bungalows’ authentic Polynesian feel doesn’t stem solely from their thatched roofs and tapa cloths. Bungalow guests often complain that rooms are particularly buggy due to their location on the main lawn. Bungalows are also subject to lots of noise in the mornings, when the free-range roosters and chickens that roam the property begin clucking. 

Guests looking to skip the Polynesian vibe can stay in one of Hibiscus’ air-conditioned rooms. While these rooms lack style, they’re secure from the elements (ahem, bugs and chickens) and are a bit more comfortable than their more rustic counterparts. The air-conditioned rooms are located in a two-story building next to the pool. The building is slightly reminiscent of a college dorm, with bland tile floors, taupe walls, and blue fire doors — and room decor doesn’t get much more exciting. The bland palette continues inside the rooms, where simple food furniture and white bedding don’t do much to liven things up. The air-conditioned rooms have kitchenettes, but don’t have TVs. Bathrooms feature floor-to-ceiling white tile, and single sinks and shower stalls. 

Hotel Hibiscus has three major amenities: a pool, a beach, and an on-site restaurant. The pool is located at the front of the property, next to the air-conditioned rooms building. It isn’t huge, but that doesn’t stop dozens of children from splashing around from dawn until dusk. It’s surrounded by lounge chairs and has several shallow ledges ideal for reading or sunbathing. The pool here is typically crowded, likely due to the fact that the beach in front of the hotel is difficult to access. A large concrete wall separates the property from the ocean. In order to access the sandy shore, guests must climb down or jump off the side of the wall (roughly two feet above the ground). The beach itself is small and rocky, and in our opinion, not really worth the effort it takes to get there. 

The on-site restaurant, Sunset, serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is free, and only for hotel guests. It’s typically set up as a small buffet, with yogurt, pastries, breads, and cereals. As its name suggests, the restaurant is a great place to catch the sunset in the evenings, but the food is only mediocre. Somehow, Sunset manages to get rave reviews from guests and outsiders alike. We’re not sure what all the hype is about; our pizza looked and tasted like something you might have at a movie theater.

Wi-Fi is free for all guests and works well across the property. Parking is also free for guests.