InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort

The Le Moana experience begins at the airport, where lei-bearing staff members greet arriving guests as they deplane. After a quick check-in process at the airport, guests are whisked away by boat to the property. Depending on weather conditions, the boat ride is about 30 to 40 minutes long. Guests are greeted again at the hotel’s arrivals dock, where staff members take their bags and escort them to their rooms. There is a formal lobby, with arched ceilings and intricate wood-carved walls, but this space is mostly used at check-out, rather than check-in. The atmosphere around Le Moana is quiet and relaxing. The majority of guests here are couples, so you won’t find many screaming kids by the pool or rowdy spring-breakers hogging the jet-skis. Many guests choose to spend their days lounging on the beach, or on their private overwater balconies. Even at full capacity, the hotel never feels crowded or congested.Most properties in Bora Bora are either super luxurious resorts or budget pensions; the InterContinental is one of the only four-pearl options, where guests can experience a special, romantic stay without handing over an entire savings account for a hotel room. Considering guests can also use the facilities at more luxurious sister property InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, this resort is a great value. 

Bora Bora, perhaps French Polynesia’s most famous island, is known for its incredible beauty, the highlight of which is its crystalline lagoon. Bora Bora’s main island is surrounded by dozens of tiny islands, known as motus. Guests traveling to Bora Bora have two options: stay on the main island, or stay on a motu. Most of Bora Bora’s most exclusive resorts are located on private motus, while more budget-friendly options are located on the main island. The InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort is an exception — it's one of the main island's only upscale resorts (the other notable one is the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach).Le Moana’s location certainly has its pros and cons. On the plus side, it’s within walking distance of a few local shops and restaurants, as well as Matira Beach, one of Bora Bora’s most beautiful stretches of sand. But the main island doesn’t provide the same feeling of exclusivity that the motus do. Instead, it’s a rather scrappy island (in terms of infrastructure, not scenery) that doesn’t seem to posses the allure and romanticism of a motu.  All travelers going to Bora Bora must first fly to Papeete, Tahiti. From Tahiti, Bora Bora is about a 45-minute flight. From the airport (located on Moto Mute), Le Moana is about a 30- to 40-minute boat ride. Guests can also take the free, public water taxi from the airport to the main island, and then take a taxi to the hotel. 

There are two types of rooms at Le Moana, overwater bungalows and beachfront bungalows. Overwater bungalows are far and away the most popular option here, and luckily for guests, they’re located fairly close to the resort’s amenities. Unlike many of the luxury hotels in the area, where overwater bungalows are far from the resort’s communal areas, Le Moana is a compact property, where all rooms are within easy walking distance of its central spaces. All of the overwater bungalows are the same size and feature the same decor and amenities. The only upgrade available in this category comes in the form of views. Obviously, all overwater bungalows have ocean views, but the ones located on the tips of the pontoons have unobstructed water and mountain views (and also offer more privacy). Room decor at Le Moana is casually elegant and Polynesian inspired. Walls are covered in textured, woven paper and ceilings are traditionally thatched. Wood floors and bamboo accents create a warm tone throughout, while tangerine colored pillows and bed runners give the space a pop of color. Overwater bungalows have glass viewing panels on the floor, so guests can watch as reef sharks and sting rays swim beneath their bungalow. In-room amenities include flat screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Nespresso machines, but guests must pay for the Nespresso pods in order to use the machine. The warm tones continue in the bathroom, where polished wood countertops and paneled walls give the space a natural feel. Bathrooms are equipped with double sinks, separate showers and tubs, and a private water closet. They’re nice, but don’t feel as decadently luxurious as some of Le Moana’s (pricier) competitors. Of course, balconies here are the star of the show. From the overwater bungalows, guests can climb into the lagoon beneath by using a ladder on their balcony. Balconies also have cushioned lounge chairs and a custom table and chair set. Beach bungalows have the same decor and amenities as their overwater counterparts, save for the overwater balconies; instead the beach bungalows have big decks with loungers. Families or large groups tend to prefer the beach bungalows for their larger size and location steps from the sand (where they get their own loungers). Some guests choose to split their stay between the beachfront and overwater options to experience both. 

While it doesn’t have a spa or fitness center, or bells and whistles like a romance concierge or turtle sanctuary, the InterContinental Le Moana has its fair share of nice features. Standouts include a beautiful pool, a large beach, two on-site restaurants, and loads of freebies. The pool at the InterContinental Le Moana is small, but it has a sleek infinity edge with ocean views. It’s surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs and tangerine-colored umbrellas. A few steps away, the hotel’s large beach has soft white sand and calm waters that are perfect for snorkeling or kayaking. Luckily for guests, snorkel gear, kayaks, and other non-motorized water sports equipment like paddleboards and canoes are free to use. There are two on-site restaurants at Le Moana: Noa Noa, the signature restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner, and the casual unnamed beach restaurant, which serves lunch. Noa Noa serves an American-style breakfast buffet each morning, but has an a la carte dinner menu in the evenings. The dinner menu features regionally inspired cuisine created with local ingredients. The best options here are the fresh local catches. The beach restaurant is only open for lunch, and is located on the hotel’s beachfront terrace. Bar Vini Vini, the hotel’s on-site bar, is located indoors, behind the beach restaurant. Guests can also arrange private, romantic dinners on the beach through the concierge, or visit the restaurants at sister property, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa.  As far as freebies are concerned, the InterContinental Le Moana offers quite a few: free Wi-Fi throughout the property, free shuttle boat service between the two InterContinental resorts, a free weekly Polynesian show, and the aforementioned free non-motorized water sports.