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I recently returned from another trip to French Polynesia. The main purpose was to return to the Hilton Conrad Bora Bora Nui and take my sister with me. I also wanted to try another hotel on the trip and decided to stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. Here’s what I thought about the Hilton Moorea!

 

Getting There 

We met in Seattle and flew business class on Air Tahiti Nui, booked with 60K Alaska miles points. The flight took about nine hours and, while not the most luxurious flight, was comfortable with good service. It was definitely a good start to our trip. Unfortunately, we arrived in Papeete, Tahiti, at 3:30 am. 😩

Our flight to Moorea was at 9:40 aboard an Air Tahiti flight that I booked with my card_name   annual travel credits. This 15-minute flight could have been my shortest flight ever. You can also get to Moorea via ferry. This is the most economical way to travel there, with multiple trips scheduled daily. However, I needed to use my credit, so I opted to fly there.

 

 

I had emailed the hotel about transportation from the small airport, and they arranged it at $16/person one way, so a total of $64. We were met at the airport by a nice man holding a sign with our names. The transport took about 20 minutes, and he kindly pointed out places of interest on the island.

We were greeted with cool washcloths and pineapple juice. Although our room wasn’t ready until 2:00 pm, we changed into bathing suits and enjoyed the use of all the facilities. We were also given a couple of vouchers for complimentary drinks—virgin piña coladas were our choices!

 

 

The Redemption

This hotel is available to book with Hilton points, but availability is scarce at times. I was able to book two nights at 95K per night, but was unable to upgrade to an overwater villa.

 

 

 

 

Our room was large and comfortable. At the foot of the bed was a couch where a third person could have slept. We were greeted with wine (we don’t drink, though) and cookies, plus a nice note on our table. Each day, two bottles of water were provided as well as a large bottle of water in the small fridge. Complimentary soda and beer were also in the fridge. 

There was a large bathroom with both an open shower and a clawfoot bathtub. The wrap-around wood deck had a small private plunge pool—though the water was cold—and an umbrella and two lounge chairs. There was also a small outdoor table with two chairs on the deck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food at the Resort

There are not a lot of options for food at the resort, but since we were only there for two days, it wasn’t a problem. Food is pricey, but I expected that. 

• Arii Vahine Restaurant: Main restaurant offering French-Polynesian cuisine with lagoon views, especially popular for breakfast and themed dinners. Because I’m a Hilton Gold member, we had free continental breakfasts. This included all the cold options, which were plentiful. We could have upgraded to include hot options (including made-to-order eggs) for $9.00/day, but neither of us is a huge breakfast eater, so we didn’t do that.

• Rotui Grill & Bar: Casual beachside spot for lunch and cocktails. We had a burger for lunch one day and pizza on the other.

• Toatea Bar: Unique overwater creperie and cocktail bar that would be very romantic at sunset. This was really good, and we had dinner there the first night. We enjoyed watching sand sharks and colorful fish as we ate—no snorkeling gear needed for the clear waters!

There are many restaurants on the island that will send a complimentary taxi over to pick you up so that you can eat at their restaurant. Rudy’s is a popular choice, as is Moorea Beach Cafe. Note that many restaurants don’t take credit cards, so plan on getting some of the local currency. We got CFP francs (currency code XPF) at the ATM in Papeete Airport. There is also a currency exchange there.

 

 

 

The Grounds, Pool Areas, and Beach

From the Hilton, Mount Rotui creates a spectacular backdrop, especially at sunrise and sunset, where the jagged peak contrasts beautifully with the calm lagoon. It is really a beautiful setting. The grounds are lush and well-kept with koi ponds, walking paths, and plenty of green foliage.

 

The resort stretches from the gardens down to a white-sand beach and a bright blue lagoon, where overwater bungalows sit above clear, shallow water. Garden bungalows are tucked into quiet spots with lots of plants around them. The whole place feels calm and relaxing, with the sound of the ocean. And the pool did not run out of seating, which is always a plus!  It’s a quiet, tropical escape surrounded by nature.

 

 

 

 

The use of snorkeling gear, kayaks, and standup paddle boards is complimentary. We enjoyed kayaking amidst all the overwater bungalows.

 

 

 

 

 

Overall Impressions

Because I had been to the Conrad Bora Bora before and was comparing this Hilton to the Conrad, I was initially disappointed with the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. However, it grew on me. It does need a little upkeep I feel but makes a great stay for a family. We saw so many families having fun. The service is excellent, and the lush landscaping and setting are unbelievable.  I would definitely recommend it for those who want to stay in two locations. Additionally, I think it would have been fun to explore the island and its culture. It definitely had a different feel than just being in one resort that takes up a whole island. And that is not a bad thing.

 

 

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