Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort 4 stars

The Sofitel on Moorea is a stunning property. Would I return? Most-definitely, it would be a dream to return to this hotel. I highly recommend staying on this property. The staff are very attentive and so very friendly. Our bungalow was fabulous, the AC worked great, the turndown service was wonderful, the breakfast buffet was delicious, and the snorkeling steps away in front of the bungalow was suburb! We enjoyed exploring the island by rental car and enjoyed our seven days of heaven at this beautiful resort. It's just a quick and easy 40 minute ferry from Tahiti. I would recommend to pre-arrange a transfer to the hotel, or securing a rental car near the ferry dock. As you explore the island, grab a coconut to sip at one of the roadside stands. Make sure to book an excursion to join in on some boating and snorkeling with the stingrays and blacktop sharks. On a clear day there is an overlook just up the road from the Sofitel that offers a fabulous overlook of the grounds, the crystal clear blue waters with Tahiti in the background. The Sofitel also offers a very entertaining Polynesian show twice a week. One of the best things to do is a morning snorkel and then simply relax on Sofitel's beautiful beach. The Sofitel will fill your mini-refrigerator daily with bottled waters, cans of sparkling water, juice boxes and a few beers. Our stay was divine!

We really loved this Sofitel. The location is exceptional. The food excellent and the breakfast buffet is unsurpassed for superb breads, patisserie, eggs done custom and even a daily changing choice of pancakes, crepes, waffles and so on. They do need a bran cereal but we did not find any on the islands even in Papeete so we can't fault them for that. The outside dining was lovely. So while our bungalow was worn in the heel which was sad since it was otherwise quite lovely with a nice covered porch from which to sip a drink, dry swim suits and just kick back and enjoy the view of the superb lagoon, watch the wild chickens cavort along with a marvelous array of local birds. It must be said that the whole resort is undergoing a total and really fabulous redo. It is still going on but the main dining room is superb, the new bar just off it opened the day we left and is a dream to look at as is what will probably be a wine bar of sorts. They were working on the bungalows out over the water when we were there in mid June 2026 but the land locked bungalows like ours had yet to be done. Some work on the bathrooms post date the rest of the room which to give them credit was all done in fine wood and varnish that would be hell to keep perfect. Other than the walk-in shower stalls that were dated and shabby even if I loved the glass doors that opened onto a private tiny garden, the rest of the bathroom with double sinks were fine. One thing I think we noticed on Moorea and Papeete was the lack of grab bars in the showers for us old wrinklies. My wife broke her pelvis in a fall a year ago and with the step down into a "well" in the shower with nothing to hold onto, she simply did not take a shower for the whole stay. Not good for a fine resort. And one other really bad thing was the mattress that was not only worn out but so soft I had to visit an osteopath several times. Every time I got fixed then slept on the mattress, I had to go again. So for those with back problems I cannot recommend this resort unless the mattresses in the remodeled bungalows over the water have good firm mattresses. Sad that since at the Hilton in Papeete the mattresses were excellent of also a bit soft, just not worn out. And last but very much not least, we loved the people who looked after us from the moment we arrived to the housekeeping to the wait staff in the restaurant even if the younger members who drove us in the golf carts thought they were at the Monaco Grand Prix. Still with a gentle "whoa" they always slowed down for us old farts. All in all, when the rest of the bungalows are refurbished, this will be a very special place indeed to have a wonderful vacation. If you are young without age and mattress problems, it already still is.