Sofitel Moorea Reviews: Is This Resort Worth It?
Looking for Sofitel Moorea reviews to help you choose your dream resort?
Dreaming of an escape to paradise? We know the feeling. Mike and I have escaped to beautiful Moorea multiple times and have had the pleasure of staying at some of the best resorts on the island.
After looking at Sofitel Moorea reviews, Mike and I decided to book an incredible vacation in one of the overwater bungalows in this beautiful French Polynesian resort. Now we’re sharing our experience with you.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Review: Overview
Moorea is a tropical haven nestled in the heart of French Polynesia. The island is filled with breathtaking hiking trails, unbelievable vistas, and pristine beaches with water so clear you can see all the little fish swimming circles around the coral.
As a tropical paradise, Moorea features plenty of upscale resorts and in this review, we’ll dive into our first-hand experience of staying at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea.
We’ll go over our experience, the dining and amenities, and whether it’s worth it to book a trip at this luxurious resort.
Out of three hotels featuring overwater bungalows, we love the view from the bungalows of Sofitel the best as they have the clearest view of Tahiti. From the deck of our bungalow, we could look out over the ocean water between the two islands.
The stylish wooden cottages at this resort are adorned with charming thatched roofs and each bungalow comes with modern amenities like Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffeemakers.
The upgraded rooms also feature indulgent perks like whirlpool tubs, Bose sound systems, and Nespresso machines.
While these overwater bungalows don’t come cheap, the price of the room does include a delightful breakfast buffet (this is a big bonus because food here can really add up!). Other food and drink options on the property include a pavilion-style restaurant, a contemporary eatery, and a bar.
As a luxury resort, a stay at Sofitel features a hefty price tag with the average nightly rate falling somewhere between $500 and $700. But there are ways around these high fees.
For example, we have used travel credit card points to cash in on rewards like overwater bungalows.
Sofitel Resort is tucked along the lagoon’s edge. It’s conveniently located near off-site attractions like the Moorea Green Pearl Golf Course, Mount Tohivea, and Aéroport de Moorea Temae, which services the islands of French Polynesia.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea: Pros
Mike and I loved this resort. While the overwater bungalows aren’t brand new, they are still beautiful and will make you feel as if you’re living in the height of luxury.
From the excellent service to the amazing amenities, here are all the reasons why we’d recommend staying at Sofitel Kia ora Mooera Resort.
Beautiful More Affordable Rooms
The price point for a night at Sofitel Moorea is lower than other resorts on the island like Hilton Moorea. Since they’re less expensive, it makes sense that the overwater bungalows are also not as nice as the ones at Hilton, but they are still beautiful.
While we’d initially booked a standard bungalow for our trip, we were given a complimentary room upgrade when we checked in at the resort.
This was a fantastic surprise that made our stay at the resort feel even more special.
Our favorite part about our room has to be the window in the floor. That’s right! There was a square glass panel placed on the floor in the center of our room.
It looked down into the water beneath the bungalow so we could sit and watch the fish swimming below us, which is an insanely cool feature.
Because the price point is lower than Hilton and the rooms are still gorgeous, the Sofitel Moorea resort is a great choice for families and couples.
Excellent Service
One of the standout features of Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea is its exceptional service.
The staff at Sofitel Resort were an absolute joy to be around!
Each person we interacted with was clearly passionate about their job, and very welcoming to us during our visit. They even surprised us with a room upgrade at check-in, which was an added highlight to the trip.
The staff were attentive and courteous. They consistently went above and beyond to ensure Mike and I had a delightful stay.
Each staff member displayed in-depth knowledge of the island and readily offered insider tips and recommendations about things to do on Moorea.
Luxury is all about the little details and Sofitel nails that with features like their evening turndown service which made us feel truly pampered throughout our visit.
The service at the Sofital Moorea was the best service we have experienced on Moorea.
Prime Location
One of the things that makes overwater bungalows so cool is that you can literally jump off the deck of your room and into the water. But for those craving some sandy beach time, Sofitel has that too.
The resort is located near Tamae Beach, a public and protected beach that has amazing snorkeling and bright blue water making it one of the best beaches in Moorea.
It’s also close to the Toatea Lookout, which is a small plateau overlooking the resort. On top of this little hill, you get an amazing view of the island and the ocean that surrounds it.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea is also the closest resort to the ferry with easy access to Tahiti, which is great because everyone needs to fly into Tahiti initially to get to Moorea.
Being closer to the ferry means it takes less time to get to your hotel, which means you have more time to swim in the crystal blue French Polynesian waters.
And this puts you in a prime location to get out and explore the island.
Amazing Amenities
Our review of the amenities at Sofitel Moorea is that they were fantastic. The snorkeling was nothing short of incredible here and the hotel provides complimentary snorkeling equipment.
The Sofitel Resort features some of the best coral reefs and snorkeling in Moorea. It’s also the only resort that showcases an unobstructed view of the island of Tahiti.
Other amenities include a refreshing pool and warm hot tub, close access to the largest beach on the island, and free beer in the in-room mini-fridge.
The resort also has two acclaimed restaurants featuring traditional Tahitian dance shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Indulge in the ultimate relaxation at the Sofitel Moorea spa which has an array of delightful treatments. You can combine an authentic Polynesian massage with options like an aromatic salt bath, body scrub, foot reflexology, head reflexology with a hair mask, or a soothing facial.
The spa also offers an after-sun cooling treatment to help you recover from sunburn if you spend too much time out on the water. Which, let’s be honest, you probably will!
The treatment is also fantastic on your hair to revitalize any dryness that came from swimming in the salty ocean.
If you’re looking for something to make your trip extra special, Sofitel also offers customized dining packages. Imagine having your breakfast delivered by canoe straight to your overwater deck.
Or maybe you want to eat a romantic breakfast on the beach and toast your vacay with flights of champagne.
You also have the choice of booking an intimate private dinner dining experience on a deck overlooking the ocean as the sun goes down.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea: Cons
While the Sofitel Moorea excels in many aspects, it does have a couple of drawbacks. The primary con revolves around the dining experience.
During our stay, we found that the culinary offerings fell short of the high standards set by other aspects of the resort.
Despite the Sofitel Resort claiming on their website that their restaurants are critically acclaimed, we didn’t love our food experience. While the food wasn’t terrible, it certainly wasn’t the best and the small portions weren’t worth the high price tag they came with.
We were surprised to see that a hummus appetizer at one of the restaurants was $24 (doesn’t that seem a bit high for a plate of what’s essentially mashed chickpeas?).
And when we ordered cheesecake with our room service that evening, what was delivered could hardly be called a full slice. Albeit, they did a nice job of making it look pretty on the plate.
For lunch, we ate inside the restaurant. It wasn’t overcrowded and the service was great.
We ordered beef carpaccio and a margarita pizza. To drink, both Mike and I ordered pina coladas, which were delicious.
We decided to have dinner in our room because the fee for room service wasn’t bad so why not splurge.
The room service was delivered on a tray, complete with a bowl of French baguettes as an appetizer. We had seafood and a burger and then shared that comically small piece of cheesecake for dessert.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Review Recap
All in all, the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea offers a sublime escape to paradise with its beautiful and more affordable rooms.
The service here is excellent and you can’t beat the location. The amenities are fantastic and the resort has some of the best snorkeling we have ever experienced.
Despite the culinary shortcomings, we loved our experience at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Resort. and overall, we’d rate the resort 4.5/5 stars, docking the hotel half a point because the food wasn’t the best.
However, even though we loved the Sofitel, if we had to choose between the Sofitel resort vs Hilton Moorea, we’d go for the Hilton.
Even though a night at the Hilton costs a little more than Sofitel, it also offers a slightly better overall experience.
FAQs
After reading our Sofitel Moorea review, we want you to feel completely satisfied having learned everything you need to know to book your stay in French Polynesia. So let’s go over some frequently asked questions about overwater bungalows in Moorea.
Does Sofitel Moorea have a day pass?
Yes, Sofitel Moorea offers a day pass granting full access to resort amenities. This includes pool usage, snorkeling with equipment provided, and beach access.
The pass also includes lunch at the resort’s restaurant. So be sure to take full advantage and savor a meal with a mesmerizing ocean view.
What the day pass doesn’t include is access to the iconic overwater bungalows and you’ll have to pay extra if you want to hit the spa.
Still, it’s a terrific choice for anyone wanting to experience Sofitel for a day. For instance, if you’re visiting Moorea as part of a cruise or are staying on Tahiti and want to hop across the water as a day trip.
The day pass is $115, but keep in mind that prices are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, contact the resort directly.
Where did Real Housewives stay in Moorea?
If you’re a fan of reality television, you might remember an episode of Real Housewives where the cast stayed in French Polynesia.
As it turns out, the cast of Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) stayed at this very same Sofitel Moorea Kia Ora Beach Resort during Season 10.
While we hope your stay at Sofitel won’t be as dramatic as that episode of RHOC, it’s still fun knowing it was filmed at this resort.
What is the largest town on Moorea?
Pao Pao is the largest village on Moorea. The town is situated at the head of Cook’s Bay and is another tourist destination on the island.
Because it features many hotels, Pao Pao is a central hub for visitors exploring the island. The village lies on the other side of the peninsula from Sofitel Resort and is a 17-minute drive away.
Even though it’s Moorea’s largest village, Pao Pao is the epitome of small-town vibes. While it has a population of 4,639, Pao Pao is packed with culture. This little town captivates visitors with its local markets, cultural attractions, and a welcoming atmosphere.
The Wrap-Up
If you have ever wanted to stay in an overwater bungalow, then Sofitel Moorea is an excellent choice. The rooms at this resort are less expensive than at the Hilton and they offer even better views of the island of Tahiti making it one of the best places to stay in Moorea.
Embarking on our dream escape to the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, we discovered a slice of paradise nestled within the heart of French Polynesia.
Enveloped by the allure of Moorea’s tropical haven, we loved our time at this island paradise. From crystal clear waters to pristine beaches and awe-inspiring vistas, we loved our stay at the Sofitel Moorea Resort.
Despite minor culinary shortcomings, the resort’s unparalleled service, breathtaking location, and accessible amenities make it a terrific choice if you’re seeking an unforgettable escape to Moorea.
However, for those seeking a more modern property or an elevated culinary journey, the Hilton might present a slightly more appealing choice.
Whether you’re drawn to overwater bungalows, vibrant coral reefs, or panoramic viewpoints, Sofitel Moorea promises a memorable experience amidst the unspoiled beauty of French Polynesia.
With incredible experiences like swimming with whales, atv rides through the landscape, or some of the most stunning hikes you’re bound to love your time in Moorea no matter where you stay.
