InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa

The lobby at the InterContinental Moorea doesn’t induce one of those “Wow, I just spent so much time and money trying to reach this resort, but I can tell it’s going to be worth it” kind of feelings. Instead the large entry space with dark vaulted ceilings feels cavernous and a bit bland, featuring table and chair sets that look like they were purchased at some generic backyard store. The front desk is mostly staffed by foreign interns, who aren’t always the best at handling large volumes of guests or managing customers’ requests. 

The hotel is situated on a sprawling property, which offers stunning views of the ocean and neighboring mountains. However, the grounds aren’t as meticulously kept as one might expect, and much of the property lies in disrepair. Decks and walkways have splintering wood, lounge chairs are old and dirty, and the man-made beach around the interior lagoon looks like is hasn’t been maintained in years. For travelers who can overlook this scruffiness, though (and many don't seem to mind it, if the number of glowing TripAdvisor reviews are any indication), the InterContinental offers solid value -- it's far less expensive than its sister resorts on Bora Bora, and reliably less expensive than the Sofitel Moorea and Hilton Moorea. Some may find that the truly phenomenal snorkeling, dolphin and turtle centers, and breathtaking setting help compensate for the lack of wow factor within the resort interiors. 

Honeymooners and anniversary celebrants are the majority of guests here, along with adult friend groups. However, the resort is also more family-friendly than many of its competitors, and families with young children are often seen around the property in the summer months. Families in particular may not mind that the Overwater Bungalows are only half over the water -- being partly on land means guests can avoid long walks on a jetty to reach their rooms. Most of the InterContinental’s guests come from the United States and China, along with a smattering from several European countries.  

Travelers who don’t mind giving up a resort atmosphere might prefer Green Lodge, a charming guesthouse that feels more like a trendy boutique hotel, though it has fewer amenities than the InterContinental.  

The InterContinental Moorea is located on Moorea’s northwest coast, just outside the village of Papetoai. There isn’t much to see or do within walking distance, so travelers looking to explore the island will want to rent a car. The InterContinental is about a 40-minute drive from Moorea’s ferry terminal and the airport.

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 four room types at the InterContinental Moorea, but all lack wow factor, especially when compared with rooms at pricier sister properties, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa and InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort. Don’t get us wrong, room decor here is lovely, but it doesn’t feel over-the-top luxurious. Simple Polynesian accents like hard-wood floors, braided wall coverings, and bamboo detailing add local character, but nothing makes them feel particularly special or memorable. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, fully stocked minibars (that you have to pay to use), and electric kettles. Noticeably absent are iPod docks, Nespresso machines, and Bose sound systems. Bathrooms, even in top-tier rooms, are underwhelming. Bland tile covers the floors and walls, and tubs and shower stalls are small (in many rooms, they are combined shower/tub combos with curtains rather than glass). The wet-room style layout in other rooms (no doors or curtains for the shower) also means that the wet floors can leak to other parts of the bathroom. 

Classic Rooms are the hotel’s entry-level category, and are housed in a two-story building across from the pool. These are the smallest and least impressive rooms on the property, but are suited for families traveling with young children because they are the most centrally located, and within easy walking distance of most hotel amenities (other rooms may be up to a 10-minute walk away). Beach and Garden Bungalows are more private and secluded, as well as slightly larger, and they have separate living spaces. Beach Bungalows are located on the hotel’s interior lagoon, and offer private lagoon access for guests. Garden Bungalows are close to the spa, and are completely surrounded by jungle-like foliage. Some Garden Bungalows have private outdoor plunge pools, which are popular with honeymooners. Overwater Bungalows are the hotel’s top-tier category, but they’re not truly over the water. Instead, guests access their Overwater Bungalows on land, and only the outdoor decks extend over the water. This will be a major downside for some, while others might find the layout more convenient (no long walks on a jetty). It's still possible to see lots of fish off of the decks, and feed swarms of them with pieces of baguette thrown into the water. 

The InterContinental’s two pools are property highlights. Both pools have sleek infinity edges that overlook the beach. One is finished with textured slate tiles, while the other has a zero-entry sunbathing ledge and a swim up bar. The pool area is where the majority of guests spend their days, but it never feels overcrowded or busy. Both pools are surrounded by umbrellas and lounge chairs, as well as wooden pergolas that block the intense afternoon sun. From the pool deck, guests can walk directly onto the beach, which is set up with lounge chairs, paddleboards, and kayaks for guests to use (for free!). Adjacent to the beach is a water sports center, which has jet skis and a selection of boats available to rent. Snorkeling at the resort is excellent, and there is natural coral offshore; it is possible to use the free kayaks to head to area with sharks and stingrays (and avoid paying for a tour). The tranquil inner lagoon is well-suited to those who aren't experienced snorkelers. 

Another property highlight is the dolphin and sea turtle rehabilitation center, where marine life specialists rescue and rehabilitate local wildlife. Guests can sit in on classes or feedings to learn about the animals and the hotel’s rehab process. The dolphin center offers multiple interactive experiences, including underwater dolphin swims. Dolphin swims have been criticized by animal welfare activists, but the InterContinental is at least part of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, as well as the International Marine Animal Trainers Association, both dedicated to humane treatment of animals. 

The InterContinental has a small spa and fitness center, which we were not able to visit due to renovations. The spa’s signature treatments include the use of Tahitian products, such as local vanilla, wild miri, and fresh coconut. Couples treatments are also available. 

The InterCotninental has three on-site restaurants and two bars. It also hosts several weekly theme nights that include buffet dinners. Fare Nui is the hotel’s signature restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is served buffet style and includes numerous hot and cold options, as well an an omelet station. Some guests complain that the buffet is overpriced for the quality and variety of foods offered, and we’d have to agree —the food isn’t particularly memorable. Fare Hana is the hotel’s casual poolside restaurant, which is open daily for lunch and a few times per week for dinner. Fare Hana’s menu features sandwiches, salads, and lots of fresh fish. We sampled a particularly tasty mahi mahi here, but some guests complain that the menu can seem repetitive after a few days. The Shell is the hotel’s fine-dining dinner restaurant, but it’s only open a few nights per week. The hotel hosts several weekly theme nights, including a traditional Polynesian dinner buffet and show. There’s also a barbecue night, and a Soiree Blanche — a Cirque de Soleil meets Miami white party, with live cooking stations and a free glass of Champagne.