Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa stands on a private beach at Papetoai on the north coast of Moorea, close to Opunohu Bay and Cook's Bay. The property is rated four stars and combines overwater bungalows with lagoon views, garden bungalows, beachfront rooms and some suites with private pools. It describes itself as an eco-friendly resort, and it offers the only overwater restaurant on Moorea, alongside a crepe bar, a grill and a beach bar. Facilities include a lagoon-style pool, a hot tub, a full-service spa with Polynesian-inspired treatments, a fitness center with yoga classes, two tennis courts, kayaking and snorkeling, and a tour desk for 4x4 trips and lagoon outings. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are included. It is a comfortable middle ground between simple guesthouses and the top-end resorts of Bora Bora, and it makes an excellent base for exploring Moorea.
Location and getting around
The resort is at kilometre 14 on the coast road at Papetoai, with Ta'ahiamanu Beach about a ten-minute walk away and the Moorea Tropical Garden around five minutes by car. Moorea's airport at Temae is about a twenty-five minute drive, and the ferry quay from Tahiti is further around the island, so airport and ferry transfers are best arranged in advance with the resort. Hiring a car, scooter or e-bike gives freedom to visit the Belvedere lookout, Cook's Bay and the pineapple fields, and the 4x4 tours in this guide include hotel pickups.
The rooms and the experience
Overwater bungalows offer the classic experience, with a deck and ladder access to the lagoon, and the premium and panoramic categories have wider views. Garden bungalows and beachfront rooms cost less and suit families, with the private-pool categories adding privacy. The beach has loungers, umbrellas and towels, and snorkeling over the shallow reef is right in front. Dining across the resort offers a range of cuisines, and a poolside bar gives a relaxed evening option. Families will appreciate supervised children's activities, available for a fee.
Good to know
Buffet breakfast is available for a fee, so compare your rate with and without breakfast. Check-in is at 2 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. Request a ground-floor or quieter room if you are sensitive to noise, and book overwater categories early for popular months. Because the resort is in a quieter part of the coast, restaurants beyond the property require a drive or a taxi, so consider at least one dinner at the overwater restaurant.
If you plan to see whales between July and November, book excursions from Moorea's cruise quay in advance. For a cheaper stay, look at smaller guesthouses, but for resort amenities and a central north-coast location this is a dependable choice.
Why stay here
- ✓Overwater bungalows
- ✓Only overwater restaurant on Moorea
- ✓Lagoon-style pool and hot tub
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Two tennis courts
- ✓Kayaks and snorkeling
- ✓Free Wi-Fi and parking
- ✓Tour desk for 4x4 and lagoon trips
Good questions
Where is Hilton Moorea?+
It is at Papetoai on the north coast of Moorea, near Opunohu Bay and Cook's Bay, at kilometre 14 on the coast road. Moorea's airport is about a twenty-five minute drive.
Does it have overwater bungalows?+
Yes, the resort offers overwater bungalows with lagoon views, plus garden bungalows, beachfront rooms and suites with private pools. It also has the only overwater restaurant on Moorea.
Is breakfast included?+
Buffet breakfast is available for a fee on most rates, so check your rate before you book. Free Wi-Fi and free self-parking are included.
