HILTON MOOREA LAGOON RESORT & SPA
Water, wood and wonder on Moorea's north coast: overwater bungalows on the reef between two bays, garden bungalows with their own pools, and the best overwater crêpe bar in the country.
- Atoll
- Moorea
- Villa categories
- 7
- Private pools
- Selected villas
- Getting there
- Car from Vaiare ferry pier, Moorea (catamaran ferry from Papeete) (or domestic flight)
- Babysitting
- Available
There is absolutely nothing we didn't love about this resort. Moorea is the easy island — a ferry ride from Tahiti — and the Hilton sits on its most beautiful stretch of coast, between Opunohu Bay and Cook's Bay, over a ridiculously clear lagoon. The bungalows are thoughtfully done and there are no second-rate ones: even the garden bungalows have private pools, so it is simply a question of how much water you want around you. And then there is Toatea, the open-air crêperie on the pontoon, with blacktip sharks and rays circling under your feet and a flambéed Crêpe Suzette on the table. We went back for seconds the next night.
Who it suits
Couples pairing Moorea with Bora Bora, honeymooners who want an overwater bungalow without a second flight, and families who need a pool bungalow and easy logistics.
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa from the air, overwater bungalows on the reef with Moorea's mountains behind
7 villa categories, island and overwater
Seven categories on the resort's rooms page: a garden guestroom, garden bungalows and a suite with private pools on land, and four overwater bungalow grades that differ mainly by position and view.
- — In the gardens
- — Marble bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub
- — The entry category
- Occupancy: Sleeps 3
A short stay or a budget-conscious start to a Polynesian trip.
4 ways to eat, from lagoon to beach
Arii Vahine Restaurant
International · Island-inspired · On the lagoon front, with the view across the water
The main restaurant: a generous breakfast and island-inspired dinners by the lagoon. Breakfast buffet 6:30–10 am. Dinner 6:30–9:30 pm.
Toatea Crêperie & Bar
Crêpes · Cocktails · On an overwater pontoon, with blacktip reef sharks and rays circling beneath
Crêpes and sharks: the overwater crêperie that made us go back two nights running. The only overwater restaurant on Moorea, by the resort's account. Open for dinner; the Crêpe Suzette is the one to order.
Book a table; it is small, popular and dinner-only.
- Rotui Grill & Bar · Grill · Salads · Seafood
- Barefoot lunches and drinks on the beach. Directly on the beach between the pool and the lagoon.
- Eimeo Bar · Cocktails · Light bites
- Sunset cocktails and the daily happy hour. Facing the sunset.
Days that fill themselves
Canoe breakfast
Breakfast paddled to your overwater deck in a traditional outrigger canoe.
Polynesian evening
A dinner of Polynesian cooking with traditional music, dance and fire performances on the beach.
Moorea by land
Guided hikes, 4×4 safaris into the interior and scenic tours between the two bays, all arranged by the tour desk.
- In the water
- Snorkelling straight off the overwater decks and the beach in a lagoon full of colour · Blacktip reef sharks and rays gather beneath the Toatea pontoon · Snorkelling with stingrays can be arranged through the tour desk
- Watersports
- Outrigger canoes and lagoon excursions through the tour desk
- At sea
- Sunset cruises arranged by the tour desk
- Wellbeing & sport
- Moorea Lagoon Spa on the beachfront, open daily 9 am – 5:30 pm, with massages, facials, body and couples' treatments using local products · 'Moorea Lagoon Signature' massage drawn from ancestral Tahitian techniques · Infinity pool, fitness centre with yoga classes and tennis courts
A day at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
Travelling with children
- Babysitting
- Available
Cribs and childcare are listed among the resort amenities; every category sleeps three.
Family villas: King Deluxe Garden Bungalow with Private Pool; Garden Pool Suite.
- Ferry from Papeete or a 15-minute flight, then a road transfer along the north coast; transfers quoted separately.
- Seven categories; overwater bungalows have glass floor panels but no private pools.
- Four restaurants and bars, including Moorea's only overwater restaurant.
- Spa open daily 9 am – 5:30 pm; tennis courts, gym with yoga, infinity pool.
- Book Toatea for dinner on your first night and expect to go back.
- Eimeo Bar's happy hour is the place to be at sunset.
- Ferry from Papeete, then a road transfer along the north coast; or the 15-minute flight.
- Overwater bungalows have no private pools; the garden bungalows and suite do.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Overwater bungalows without pools and a busier, more accessible island than Bora Bora; the compensation is Moorea's scenery, the shark-and-crêpe pontoon and the easiest logistics in French Polynesia.
Moorea, French Polynesia
Car from Vaiare ferry pier, Moorea (catamaran ferry from Papeete)
Catamaran ferry from Papeete to Vaiare on Moorea's east coast, then a road transfer around the north coast to the resort at Papetoai.
Domestic flight from Faa'a International Airport, Tahiti (PPT)
About 15 minutes
A 15-minute flight to Moorea's airport at Temae, then by road around the north coast to Papetoai.
Moorea is the easy island: no second flight needed, just the ferry from Papeete and a road transfer.
The resort is on the north coast, further from the ferry pier and airport than the east-coast resorts; allow time for the road transfer.
Transfers are arranged separately from the resort stay; we will quote the ferry and road legs for your dates.
How do we get there?
Take the catamaran ferry from Papeete to Moorea and a road transfer to the north coast, or fly to Moorea in 15 minutes. We arrange the ferry, pier and road transfers for your dates and quote them with your stay.
Is Toatea open every night?
Toatea is a dinner-only crêperie and bar on the overwater pontoon; it is small, so we book it for you ahead of arrival.
Which bungalows have a private pool?
The Deluxe Garden Bungalow and the Garden Pool Suite have private pools. The overwater bungalows do not — they have the lagoon instead.
Can we bring children?
Yes. Every bungalow sleeps three, cribs and childcare are available, and the garden pool bungalows suit families well.
Stories from Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
2023
Now …where to next!?
“I cant believe its already over 🙂 Here is a recap of our trip which might help anyone else heading over! Our flight was delayed leaving Sydney so it was abit stressful getting to our connecting…”
Jase and Mal
2018
everywhere we went we seemed to get the best tables and the best view!
“Thank you so much – we loved the Hilton Moorea and and hope to get back to beautiful French Polynesia and its lovely people again. I was worried it would be full of young honeymooners but in actual…”
Stephanie
2014
It was so much fun and I even got to get up in front of everyone and do my rendition of a belly dance!
“The honeymoon was absolutely amazing. The Hilton Moorea was gorgeous. I’m so glad we went with your recommendation. We mostly relaxed but we did partake in some fun activities. We went on an ATV…”
Erika & Akram
2013
We got an offer to snorkel with the hump back whales….who could resist that amazing opportunity
“Our wedding was perfect. Everything worked out better than I could plan. Then we went to the most amazing destination. Our honeymoon was magical. Tahiti and Moorea where such an amazing place to…”
Leah & Ashley
