Hilton Moorea Review: A Tropical Escape Near Tahiti

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Last updated: 19th August 2025

Our bucket list tick doesn’t get much bigger than the exotic islands of French Polynesia. We saved up enough money to experience the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. In this post we’ll share our Hilton Moorea review – 7 nights at the stunningly beautiful and luxurious retreat of the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. It’s considered to be the best resorts on Moorea and we could easily see why. It was a gloriously relaxing stay where we enjoyed snorkelling every day.

 

About Moorea and Tahiti

Our journey begins in Tahiti, the capital island and perhaps the most famous of the 118 French Polynesia islands in the South Pacific. It’s certainly the most popular. Tahiti is famous for lush volcanic mountains with rainforest covered peaks, pineapple fruit plantations, sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise lagoons with coral reefs teeming with marine life. After staying the night in Papeete to get over our jet lag, we took the ferry to the nearby picturesque island of Moorea.

Moorea is just a short flight or ferry ride from Tahiti (about 15 miles away). It’s a stunning small island which is shaped like a heart ❤️ Often called the ‘Magical Island’, it’s just 10 miles wide from east to west and 7 miles from north to south. Moorea offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, with activities ranging from snorkelling and diving to hiking. Its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere makes Moorea an idyllic island for couples like us seeking a paradise stay.

 

 

About The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

The Hilton Moorea resort is located on the north side of the Moorea, nestled between two bays – Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay. Offering spectacular views and some of the best snorkelling opportunities in a vibrant coral lagoon. This was the main reason we wanted to stay here because Hilton Moorea has some of the best snorkelling in much shallower waters than in Bora Bora. We can confirm the lagoon is full of vibrant marine life – we saw tiny blue fish to larger stingrays.

The Hilton Moorea offers visitors a blend of luxury, natural beauty and Polynesian charm, making it a perfect destination for a romantic getaway, a honeymoon, or relaxing holiday in a paradise setting. It’s also the only 5 star resort on Moorea. The lush Mountain backdrop is on another level, especially when viewed whilst swimming in the pool. The resort’s layout, with its blend of overwater bungalows, beach villas, and garden suites, harmoniously integrate into the island’s natural beauty.

The whole resort is no smoking and don’t expect any nightlife apart from the Polynesian themed buffet dinner.

 

At A Glance Facilities

• 54 overwater bungalows
• Beachside location
• Free kayak and paddle board hire
• 3 x restaurants
• 1 x bar
• 
Outdoor pool
• Spa
• 
Tennis courts
• Fitness centre
• Free parking
• Free WiFi
• Room service
• Business centre
• Meeting rooms
• 2 x shops
• Concierge

 

 

Our Hilton Moorea Review

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty of what this resort offers in our Hilton Moorea Review. In this post we’ll share all our pros and cons of staying here if you’re considering booking a stay or planning your dream getaway to Moorea, French Polynesia.

 

 

Getting the Ferry from Tahiti to Hilton Moorea

There’s 2 ways of getting to Moorea from Tahiti – a short 10 minute airplane ride or catching the 25 minute fast ferry which is much less expensive and more fun. Worth noting flights and ferries don’t operate after 5.30pm, so check your international flight arrival time if you intend on going straight to Moorea.

Getting the ferry from Tahiti to Moorea is really easy if you do what we did. We knew we would be super tired after 3 long haul flights from the UK to Tahiti so we decided to stay the night on Tahiti at the Hotel Kon Tiki to recover from our jet lag . This 3* boutique hotel is perfectly located directly opposite the ferry terminal, so you wont need a taxi for your ferry, only to the hotel from the airport.

The next morning after breakfast we walked into Papette’s town centre to buy some essential toiletries and clothes as Air France lost our cases (yes! that’s another story which we won’t get into now) After checking out we crossed the road to the ferry terminal to catch the Armeniti 5 – the 12.20pm fast ferry to Moorea. The ferry check in process is easy with a pre booked ticket. You can’t rock up to buy one, so purchase one in advance on their ferry website.

15 minutes before departure the staff scan your QR code ticket and you go in a holding gate, just like an airport gate. We then boarded the Armeniti 5 fast ferry which only takes 25 minutes. Most people took their seats in the air conditioned on board lounges. We decided to go the outside top deck which offers great views of Papette as you leave the port and if you’re lucky you might even catch a glimpse of humpback whales August – October. As the ferry got closer to Moorea the views of the island’s tropical mountain peaks are incredible! like something out of Jurassic Park. The beauty of island really did take our breath away, and we both said this is why we’ve travelled half way around the world!

On arrival at Moorea port it’s then a 25 minute taxi transfer to the Hilton Moorea (we pre booked this direct with the hotel). The taxi ride is a scenic drive with glimpses of lagoon and the lush mountainous interior. Shortly after leaving the port you’ll pass the Toatea Viewpoint on the right hand side which has the most incredible views of the Sofitel la Ora Moorea Beach Resort overwater bungalows and turquoise lagoon water. This is the moment we knew we were in for something special.

 

 

Check In & First Impressions

On arrival at the Hilton Moorea we found ourselves welcomed with traditional Polynesian hospitality. We were offered a pineapple juice welcome drink, icy cold face towels and a flower lei – a necklace made from Tahitian tiare flowers. The lobby is lovely and airy, Gareth loved all the tropical flower displays and wooden carved tiki god sculptures.

Check in was fairly quick, as we arrived at 1.45pm. Apparently the lobby gets super busy between 11am to 1pm. Reception staff were friendly apart from when we politely asked if they could add our Hilton points to the booking, it was a straight “no! you should have booked direct on the Hilton website and not booked through a travel agent”, that was us told.

Despite the passive aggressive comment about our points at reception, another lady on the concierge desk couldn’t have been more helpful. She was kind when we explained Air France had lost our bags and we had nothing with us. She said she knew friends who worked at the airport and she would do her best to help get our luggage back despite Moorea airport being closed. A couple of days later and our bags were reunited with us. We’ve never had an airline lose our cases before – our biggest learning is don’t pack everything in your hold luggage, keep a few useful items in your hand luggage case and put an Apple AirTag in the hold cases, so you know where they are! thank goodness we did that.

After being told all about the hotel services and restaurants one of the bell boys drove us in his golf buggy to our garden bungalow room.

 

 

Accommodation

The Hilton Moorea resort features 106 rooms – with a range of accommodation including garden bungalows, beach bungalows, and a chain of iconic overwater bungalows.

 

Overwater Bungalows

Most people split their stay at the Hilton Moorea between an overwater bungalow and a garden bungalow. Because we have previously experienced a stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, and knew we would be travelling on to Bora Bora where would be splashing out on a luxurious Bora Bora overwater bungalow we decided to book a king garden bungalow for the week instead, plus to save some money!

The Hilton’s overwater bungalows look amazing though, the bungalows are super popular, so you need to book well in advance. We discovered snorkelling is much better around these overwater bungalows than the ones in Bora Bora. There are 54 overwater bungalows each featuring private sundecks with sweeping views of the lagoon or the surrounding mountains. The overwater bungalows have direct access to the lagoon. They also have and a glass floor viewing panel.

 

 

King Garden Bungalow with Private Pool

Our king garden bungalow with a private plunge pool was number 24. They are in duplex buildings located at the back of the property in the tropical gardens. They are interconnected so ideal if you want to book 2 bungalows for a family. But we could hear our neighbours talking at times in the adjacent room, so it’s not super private. If you want more privacy opt for a deluxe garden bungalow which are individual villas rather than duplexes located close to the pool and beach.

The King Garden Bungalows are located in the gardens which are immaculate. All credit to the gardening team who trim the bushes and flowers every day. Garth loved all the tropical planting and exotic flowers, especially the orange hibiscus.

Inside our king garden bungalow it was nicely decorated in a traditional Polynesian style. The artwork and soft furnishings are a little dated but the king size bed in true Hilton style was really comfortable. In the evenings they offer a turn down service with fresh towels. There’s also a large sofa bed and a coffee table and stool. The best thing is the fridge mini bar which is restocked daily for free. Includes 2 cans of Hinano Tahiti beer, 1 big bottle of water, 1 can of Diet Coke, 1 can of Coke, 1 can of pineapple juice and a can of Sprite. This was very welcome as drinks are super expensive in the whole of French Polynesia.

The bathroom is great with an oversized rain shower which is nice and powerful plus a separate bath and his ‘n’ his sinks. The toilet is located in a separate room.

Outside Phil enjoyed the plunge pool, but be warned it’s not heated, far too cold for Garth 😅 However we both enjoyed lazying around on the decent sized wooden terrace. We thought the sun loungers are a bit basic for a 5 star resort, we’ve been spoilt with big padded mattresses in other 5 star resorts.

 

Garden Bungalow Facilities at a Glance

• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fan
• Free daily stocked mini bar
• Free WiFi
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Big TV with satellite channels
• Tea & Nespresso style coffee machine
• Hair dryer
• Iron
• Safety deposit box
• Turndown service

 

 

Beach & Lagoon Snorkelling

This pristine stretch of soft white sandy beach leads to the idyllic crystal-clear lagoon which is about 5ft deep and is absolutely teaming with marine life. We saw 3 stingrays, 2 baby sharks and loads of coloured tropical fish. There’s literally hundreds of fish to snorkel with every day, amazing!

The water is a stunning turquoise blue, and picture perfect. The lagoon water is warm – around 26ºC, Garth prefers 30ºC but was happy swimming in the lagoon.  Hilton Moorea provides free paddle boards and kayaks, we made use of these to explore the lagoon at our own pace before flopping back down on the sun loungers. The Wifi works really well on the beach too which we were super impressed with. 

 

 

Outdoor Swimming Pool

The swimming pool is perfect, it’s big, not too many kids and has a shallow water slip entry. Phil is a water baby and loved spending time in the pool, especially on sunny days when the water was a perfect 28ºC. It has the most amazing backdrop of the lush mountains one side and the lagoon on the other. 

 

Restaurants & Bars

There are 3 on site restaurants and 1 bar to choose from.

• Arii Vahine – The main restaurant with stunning views and a fancy vibe.
• Rotui Bar & Grill – Casual lunch spot by the beach and pool. Great for poke bowls and burgers.
• Toatea Creperie & Bar – Built over the water it’s buzzing at night. Serving sweet and savoury crepes.
• Eimeo Bar – Perfect for happy hour sunset cocktails.

 

Arii Vahine Restaurant: 

Arii Vahine is the resort’s main restaurant serving a lavish breakfast buffet each morning. Featuring everything from fresh tropical fruits and pastries to made to order omelettes at the egg station. Basically everything you could want for breakfast, very impressive! Phil’s only criticism was there was no sparkling wine at breakfast. We always asked for a table outside each morning so we could take in the gorgeous elevated lagoon views. 

 

 

Arii Vahine Themed Buffet Nights

We booked the Polynesian buffet show organised every Wednesday, the buffet is at 6.30pm and showtime is 7pm. The buffet food was ok and the show kinda touristy, but fun. However the way the night is organised is just chaos! They invite everyone in the restaurant to go to the buffet at the same time set up in the Eimeo bar next door. It’s like one huge free for all, there must have been around 100 people at one point. We expected much more organisation from a 5 star resort.

We were sat with other couples on the outdoor tables so we couldn’t see the show or the stage. It was a such a shame as we’d experienced a much better Polynesian Dinner show at Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale, USA, but this was the real deal, and we were excited to watch. We thought it would have been a much better experience and ambience if the show was staged on the beach.  If you’re going on to stay in Bora Bora like we did, the Polynesians shows there are much better, so skip the Hilton themed night.

 

 

Rotui Grill & Bar

Situated right next to the beach and pool, the Rotui Grill and Bar is open for lunch, dinner and drinks all day. It offers casual dining with gorgeous views over the lagoon.

We went everyday for midday bites, the relaxed atmosphere is really nice. We really enjoyed it here watching the skilled birds skim the water and dive for fish. Be warned the portions are absolutely huge – so we often shared a club sandwich or a pizza for lunch. We noticed at lunchtimes the Rotui generally caters more for Western tourists, there’s not many local dishes like fresh fish, we thought the menu might have more local dishes like it was in Tahiti or Bora Bora. But you can order the national dish, Poisson Cru. However in the evening there were a couple more local dishes – Gareth tried the coconut mahi mahi and shrimps in coconut milk which was delicious.

Because Moorea and all the islands of French Polynesia are so remote in the Pacific Ocean, everything is super expensive, especially food and drink. So bear that in mind when budgeting for this dream destination.

 

 

Toatea Creperie & Bar

Located on the pontoon next to the overwater bungalows you’ll find the Toatea Creperie & Bar. It was our favourite restaurant to go in the evening because we really enjoyed the atmosphere just watching the tropical fish swim past. It’s like looking down on a real life aquarium right next to your table, which they light up the water in the evenings. On our first visit we saw one baby shark and lots of tropical fish, but on our 2nd visit at 6.30pm we saw 3 baby sharks and a majestic stingray swim by, brilliant! Our waitress said the darker it gets the more chance you’ll see rays.

Toatea specialises in French crêpes and only serves sweet and savoury crepes which are served super quick. We dined here several evenings, savouring both varieties. There’s lots of fish options for savoury pancakes, Phil tried the carnivore and trike (mushroom) and Garth tried the bolognaise. Garth wasn’t a fan of the Toatea savoury crepes – he preferred the savoury pancakes like the ones we had in Amsterdam which are more like a pizza with ham and cheese. Phil loved his savoury crepes, especially his seafood one. On our third visit Garth ordered off menu with a simple lemon and sugar sweet crepe.

The Toatea Bar has a beer happy hour everyday between 4-5pm. Try a cider cocktail with rum and cane sugar, which is interesting!

 

 

Eimeo Bar

The Eimeo Bar located on the upper deck next to the pool does 2 for 1 sunset cocktails between 5-6pm. The happy hour cocktails didn’t appear to have much alcohol but perhaps that’s more a reflection on us and how boozy we make our own cocktails 😁.

The setting is lovely, with a nice cozy atmosphere. Our only gripe was the railings which seem to be in the perfect position to block the beach view when sat down. However choose one of the two tables on the far left and you’ll be fine.

The sunset views with the overwater villas in the foreground are to die for, we managed to witness two perfect ones, as the rest of our stay it was too cloudy.

 

 

Lilikoi Garden Cafe

Ok this is not part of the Hilton Moorea, but the Lilikoi Garden Cafe is located just a 5 minute walk outside off the main road. It’s a lovely little Polynesian food shack in shade of a coconut grove. You can sit in the owners garden or she does take away food. Note this place is cash only. Fresh ingredients and reasonably priced.

 

 

Spa

Spa: The Moorea Lagoon Spa provides a variety of treatments incorporating Polynesian techniques and natural ingredients. We were too busy snorkelling, so didn’t try the spa.

 

 

Shopping

The Resort Boutique

Conveniently located near the main lobby, the resort’s boutique carries a mix of everyday necessities and local souvenirs. You can find basics like bottled water, snacks, and sunscreen – though be prepared for resort pricing (a small bottle of sunscreen can cost around $30 USD). For a sweet treat after a day in the sun, you can also grab a cold ice cream bar, like a Magnum, right from the shop’s cooler.

 

Black Pearl Jewellery Shop

No visit to French Polynesia would be complete without admiring the iconic black pearls, and Hilton Moorea makes it easy. The on-site pearl shop offers an elegant selection of jewellery featuring these local treasures. If you’re interested, it’s worth asking about special pricing or duty-free options, as we spoke to a couple one evening who were able to score a discount.

 

 

Moorea Day Tour

If you’re staying at the Hilton Moorea, one of the best ways to experience the island’s legendary lagoon is by hopping on a full-day adventure with Moorea Miti Tours. We booked their 6-hour Snorkelling & Lunch Motu Picnic Tour – and trust us, it was the best day and one of the biggest highlights of our Moorea trip!

Our day started with a Jeep pick-up right from the Hilton resort, after a short ride, before we knew it we were boarding a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe, complete with colourful flower garlands. It’s the classic picture-postcard scene you dream about!

First stop was meeting Moorea’s famous locals – the friendly stingrays and black-tip reef sharks. Once we reached some shallow warm water, Garth jumped straight in for a once in a lifetime snorkelling session. Floating alongside these graceful creatures (don’t worry, they’re gentle!) was nothing short of magical.

Next, we drifted over to another vibrant and shallow coral garden teeming with tropical fish in every colour imaginable. It felt like swimming inside an aquarium! The water here is so clear, you can spot every detail without even ducking your head under.

Then it was time for the big lunchtime treat – a traditional Tahitian motu picnic. We pulled up to a private motu (tiny island), where our hosts showed us how to make ‘Poisson Cru’ – a delicious local dish of raw tuna marinated in coconut milk and lime. Think ceviche but creamier and even fresher!  Phil got hands on with the cooking lesson and learnt how to dehusk and open a coconut. Our host then squeezed coconut milk, added cucumber and shredded carrot on the waters edge before we tucked into a fantastic Polynesian barbecue lunch. The best part was eating our lunch in the shade of the palms with our toes in the sand. Pure bliss!

After lunch we were shown some traditional hat making skills by weaving palm strands, Phil was a bit gutted he didn’t get chosen for a free hat!

What we loved about Moorea Miti Tours was the small group size – only about a dozen guests, which made everything feel personal and relaxed. Plus, the crew were brilliant! warm, funny, and full of local knowledge.

If you only do one tour in Moorea, make it this one. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and laid-back island life – and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds! There’s another tour group company in Moorea called Albert tours which are everywhere on the islands, don’t know what they are like, but we’d highly recommend Miti Tours as they weren’t too expensive either – $116 US dollars, that’s about £86 per person.

Pro Tip: Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest for snorkelling, reef shoes and a waterproof camera like a GoPro – as you’ll want to capture every moment underwater.

 

 

Final Thoughts on Hilton Moorea – Is it worth it?

Our week at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa flew by in a blissful blur of sun, sea, and unforgettable experiences. As we packed our bags, we felt a mix of contentment and sadness – content from the wonderful memories we had made, and sad to leave this slice of paradise behind. Would we go back? probably not, yes it’s lovely and has a stunning setting and we would recommend staying here. But it’s not 100% perfect with what we’d expect from a 5 star resort or other Hilton hotels we’ve stayed at.

 

 

Hilton Moorea Travel Advice & Useful Information

FAQs

• Can I fly direct to Moorea? No but you can fly direct to Tahiti from Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Auckland & Rarotonga. Then catch a connecting short flight to Moorea.
• What is the airport code for Tahiti? PPT Fa’a’ā International Airport.
• How much should I tip? Tipping is not expected in the French Polynesia islands.
• How much should I plan to spend? £120 for starter, dinner, wine and dessert for 2.
• What is a local Polynesian Dish? Poisson Cru is the national dish of Tahiti. Raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk.
• What is the local Moorea beer? Hinano Tahiti. Comes in 3 flavours – light, blonde and amber.
• When is Moorea peak season? Winter is high season from June to August when Moorea is at its best. A comfortable 27ºC average and very little rain.
• When is Moorea low season? Summer is from October through April. Temperatures are hot 29ºC and humid, expect tropical showers that pass quickly.
• When is the hottest time in Moorea? The warmest months are from December to May. Average  30ºC.
• Is Moorea LGBTQ+ friendly? Yes. French Polynesia has strict laws to protect equal rights for everybody.
• What is the currency in Moorea Tahiti? CFP Franc (XPF). “Compagnie Française du Pacifique”. The French Pacific Franc. Notes come in 500, 1000, 5000, and 10,000 XPF.
• What’s the time difference in Moorea from the UK? (-11 hours) Moorea is 11 hours behind the UK. Moorea does not change times for summer and winter.
• Can I get a local SIM card? Local SIM cards can be purchased onboard an Air Tahiti Nui flight.
• What language is spoken in Moorea? French and Tahitian are the official languages. English is also spoken, but not widely.
• What should I pack for Moorea? Sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, hat, snorkel t-shirt (rash vest), reef shoes, prescription medicine, light clothing, comfortable shoes.
• What is the temperature of the sea water in Moorea? Average 28ºC year round. Coolest in September 26ºC and hottest in March 29ºC.
• What is the check in time of the Hilton Moorea? 2pm.
• What is the check out time of the Hilton Moorea? 11am.
• Can I fly my drone at the Hilton Moorea? No. Drones are not allowed for security and privacy reasons.
• What other Moorea resorts are similar to the Hilton Moorea? Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort. It’s 3*, not 5*.
• Where is the best Moorea overwater bungalow? Hilton Moorea has the best overwater bungalows, especially because of all the marine life in the shallow water, just steps away.

 

British Pounds to CFP Francs Rough Guide

• £1 – 140 CFP Franc.
• £5 – 703 CFP Franc.
• £10 – 1,408 CFP Franc.
• £20 – 2,815 CFP Franc.
• £25 – 3,519 CFP Franc.
• £50 – 7,039 CFP Franc.
• £75 – 10,559 CFP Franc.
• £100 – 14,079 CFP Franc.
• £150 – 21,118 CFP Franc.
• £200 – 28,158 CFP Franc.
• Based on our exchange rate when we travelled – 1 XPF = 0.0007087 GBP

 

Hilton Moorea Map

Here’s a picture of the Hilton Moorea resort map

 

Tahitian Phrases

Although English is widely spoken, taking the time to learn and use a few Tahitian words can make a big difference and bring smiles to the faces of the staff. Here are some commonly used Tahitian words and phrases:

• Cheers – Manuia (mah-nwee-ah)
• Hello – Ia ora na (Yo-rah-nah)
• Goodbye – Nana (Nah-nah)
• Thank you – Māuruuru (Mah-roo-roo)
• Please – ‘Ua hinaaro vau (‘Wah hee-nah-roh vah-oo)
• Yes – E (Eh)
• No – Aita (Eye-tah)

 

Phil and Garth’s Top 5 Hilton Moorea Travel Tips

• Tip #1: Change your money in Tahiti to CFP Francs when you land rather than before leaving home for the best rates. Taxis are cash only.
• Tip #2: An overwater bungalow on Moorea will be cheaper than those on Bora Bora.
• Tip #3: Pay attention to moray eels and sharp stonefish – wear reef shoes.
• Tip #4: Be cautious of currents that may not be visible in the lagoon.
• Tip #5: Don’t pack everything in your suitcase incase it gets lost – split up some clothes to your hand luggage.

 

How We Did It

• We booked our holiday with Nassima at TheTravelLustCo. She organised everything, and was absolutely amazing, especially when we lost our luggage 😭🧳 she kept in contact with us on WhatsApp during our stay. Highly recommend!
• We visited in July (peak season) the weather was hot and humid around 28oC. We had 3 sunny cloud free days and 4 days which was really overcast and rainy. Which was a bit disappointing, especially as the lagoon looks grey with none of the vibrant turquoise colour and snorkelling isn’t as good when the sun isn’t out as the tropical fish don’t look as colourful.

 

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Thinking of staying at Hilton Moorea or already been? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear your favourite memories! 🌺👇