Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort

We spent a week in a combination of a Luxury and then a Superior Overwater Bungalow at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort and it was paradise on earth. I read a lot of reviews about the property before I came and it turned out better than expected. The tropical setting and vibe of the resort is heaven. I loved the lay out, the lush gardens, the palapas and the overall feeling of the resort. And then you get to the beach and overwater bungalow area and wowza. The whitest sand beach, the bluest water and the best (and easiest) snorkeling right off your deck. The restoration of the coral has brought in an amazing abundance of colorful fish and we loved every moment we spent both above and in the water. The overwater bungalows are well appointed, the inside seems refreshed but still has a nice Polynesian flare. The outside decking is a bit worn but we noticed several were being refinished during our stay so I imagine with the sea air its a constant project. Nothing about the maintenance of the place negatively impacted our stay. The luxury bungalows are slightly larger than the superior, with an indoor seating area and loungers on the deck. But I preferred the sunrise view from the Superior bungalow. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with either. Its a splurge well worth doing! We enjoyed the morning buffet breakfast at the Pure Restaurant, casual dinners and drinks at the Vue bar and loved our 5-course tasting dinner with toes in the sand at K Restaurant. We had read mixed reviews about the dining options at the resort before we came, but we had no complaints about the food. It was generally fresh and well presented. The dining experience at K Restaurant was magical. The service was first rate and the taste and presentation of the food of a high caliber. Yes, food and drinks are expensive, but that is the same through out French Polynesia. We loved our treatments at the ocean front spa - give yourself some extra time to enjoy the plunge pool and lounging post-massage. First rate staff and service all around. All the staff at the resort are excellent. Special shout out to Pedro at Pure Restaurant for wonderful attention during brunch each day and to the Front Desk Manager Hinatea for helping resolve a billing error. Moorea is a stunning island and Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is the stuff of dreams. You won't regret your stay.

Our stay was nothing short of perfect here. We absolutely loved the location of the resort being amongst some of the best corral in the area and on a beautiful lagoon. We enjoyed being able to see Tahiti island and the lights of Papeete in the distance while being able to still see vast endless seas and night sky with the southern hemisphere constellations! The overwater bungalows were great and comfortable. A few beers, juices, and waters were included daily. This was a nice touch. We enjoyed looking through the glass section of the floor and seeing the fish. The air conditioning worked well. Being just five minutes from the airport and the ferry station were huge bonuses, too! The staff were so lovely. While we worked with a number of staff, some that stood out include: Maihere, Tama, Poerani, Hainzi (the egg chef), Aeta, Torea. We had an especially nice visit with Maihere. She took such good care of us with our concierge support needs and also sharing about the culture and history of the islands and her family. This was really special to learn as we are visiting someone else’s country and culture. Learning about these and getting to understand more about it shaped so much of our positive experience at the resort and French Polynesia in general!

The Sofitel in Moorea was wonderful. Jack was a fantastic concierge, Charlotte was a great front desk manager. Everything was pristine. The dive center was superb . Eaude was my guide on my first ever dive . She was amazing . This was all a great experience .

Other than the expense, it is difficult to find fault with this resort. We stayed in the bucket list over-the-water bungalows and do not regret it. The snorkeling from our room was very good as there are coral right there, you could even just watch fish from the veranda. I had thought to watch the Polynesian dance show from the bar (no extra charge) but am glad our group opted to sit at a table around the dance floor to really enjoy the show. Very close to lovely ladies with hips swaying, how do they do that? The only complaint about the food would be that if you came within an hour of the end of the breakfast buffet, they may not refill items. The location and views were stellar. Service was also excellent. We had thought to dine off property one evening but found that it would have been necessary to reserve in advance so one is rather isolated at this location, which may be the point for some people.

Staying in an overwater bungalow with a window in the floor was a bucket list item for me and the Sofitel delivered! We stayed in a superior overwater horizon room 218 which was right at the end. The horizon bungalows have unobstructed views and we’re worth the extra cost to me. The room was lovely and comfortable, outdoor furniture both in the shade and in the sun, you could walk down a set of steps from the porch and swim or experience some decent snorkeling. The resort offered use of snorkel equipment, stand up paddleboard and kayak included as well as a fabulous breakfast. Grounds were lovely. Paradise!