InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa, Haapiti

My fiancé and I booked our trip to Tahiti through Lisa Corso at Tahiti Legends for Thanksgiving week. We used frequent flier miles for the air travel. Our reservations were for seven nights at the Intercontinental Hotel – two nights in Papeete and five on Moorea. Once we got to Moorea, we stayed in an overwater bungalow (more in a moment). The reservation included all transfers and breakfast each day. I could not have asked for a better trip and believe we got a great value for the vacation we had. Before we left LA, we went to Duty Free and bought several bottles of alcohol. I highly recommend this. Not only is it much cheaper, but you can drink on your schedule. We brought some refillable water bottles and would fill them at breakfast with juice and mix cocktails all day. The hotel on Papeete was nice. They gave us a nice welcome present for our honeymoon. We spent the day relaxing by the pool. It was pretty empty we had plenty of privacy. Beautiful pool with waterfall, overlooking the ocean. We were surprised how many people brought their young kids. It did not seem like a family vacation spot to us. If you want to take your kids on a tropical vacation, I’d recommend Hawaii, particularly Oahu where there is a wide variety of activity for kids. After lying by the pool, we went in to town and went to the pearl market. Wonderful experience. We purchased a beautiful necklace and earrings. It is great being able to pick the exact pearl, setting and chain you want; you know you are getting exactly what you want. The sales person was very helpful and did not pressure us. The next morning we took the ferry to Moorea. The ferry is a large cargo ship with a passenger area. The ride to Moorea is about 30 minutes. Nothing memorable. The driver met us and drove to the Intercontinental. It is about a 40 minute drive. At the hotel we were given bungalow at the furthest point on the furthest island. The other bungalows were unoccupied. We could not have been happier. The room was wonderful – deck with two lounge chairs, table, huge shower. We had planned ahead and brought collapsible rafts. I would highly recommend this as well. We had to go to the store opposite the resort to buy something to hold on to in the water, so the wind didn’t blow us away. Make sure you bring some rope or retractable dog leash. I also brought swim goggles with me to see the fish and coral. The hotel also has them and fins available. I read they were of questionable quality, so I brought my mask just in case. There is no need to pay someone to snorkel. All we had to do was climb down the ladder and look under water. I would also recommend an underwater camera. I got some beautiful pictures. The only downside of our bungalow is the boats and kite surfers came right by. We didn’t really care; I kept telling my fiancé they were coming to look at her. Our first two days it rained, but not too bad. We still laid on the rafts or went shopping at the nearby stores. We would make an almost daily trip to the store across from resort to buy snacks and drinks. After the first couple days we never left the resort. We wish we had done the beach motu (picnic), but we didn’t plan in advance. We enjoyed looking at the turtle rescues and the dolphin center. This resort and this trip provided us everything we were looking for. I would highly recommend it to any couple trying to get away and relax together. Thank you, Lisa!

We stayed on Moorea for 5 days and on Tahiti for 4 days for our honeymoon in June '05. Our over-water bungalow was absolutely amazing. The decor, pool, diving, views, food, bar, ocean, beaches, and service were perfect. There were no bugs and the resort spa was spectacular. It's expensive but worth every penny. I cried when we had to leave.

I loved the Garden Bungalow we stayed in. We went in December 2004. It was very clean and beautiful. There is a lagoon right on the property where the fish are protected so there are tons of fish to view. Even if you are not a good swimmer, like my husband, you can enjoy the calm water and snorkel without fear of rough currents. Wherever there is coral, there are fish. This place is not for those seeking a nightlife. It is very secluded and private. We brought movies to watch at night. We were so busy durring the day looking at fish, rays, etc. that we were tired at night. The food is expensive, so expect it, but it is excellent. There were no bugs. They spray regularly. No need to go anywhere else, the resort is perfect.

My husband and I went to the beachcomber intercontinental for 9 days on our honeymoon.It was exactly what we were hoping for. Private, secluded, and romantic. Lots of activities to deep us busy during the day and exciting entertainment and dance shows in the evenings. Perfect mix of being a tourist and relaxing in the sun. Expensive but well worth this once in a lifetime experience.

Aside from the utterly overwhelming beauty of the island, the resort was top-notch on all accounts. Great food and drink. Eager to please multi-lingual staff. Easy to get to anywhere else from InterContinental. Have to stay in an overwater bungalow. The sealife that feeds off of the hardcoral is amazing. My wife and I would just float over the fish with our snorkel gear on and just watch (and listen) to the activity. Make sure you have an underwater camera. Aside from snorkeling every morning, we parasailed, rented scooters, toured in a SUV to the highest point of Moorea, kayaked, danced, shopped, and swam with dolphins! It was one of those vacations where we asked one another on the last day that we were there if there was anything that we wanted to do and had not, and the answer was definately no. Can't wait to go back to Moorea and Bora Bora.

We stayed for our honeymoon in '98 and plan to return to the beachcomber in '08 for our anniversary. We stayed in the hotel because the overwater bungalows were booked. At first we were disapointed but appreciated the fact that the hotel rooms had air conditioning (the bungalows didn't). The snorkeling - just 100 feet from my back sliding glass door was world-class. The fairly secluded property was well kept with a large garden featuring the most amazing flowers: one thing I will always remember was the fragrance the property. The only 5-Star PADI diving center is located on the property, and believe me, if you ever had the opportunity to dive this would be one of the best places in the world to do it. There is also a lagoon at the hotel that gives the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Several shows/functions were held the week we stayed: luaus, fire jugglers and polynesian dancing and so forth. Part of the vacation package we purchased included a tour of the island. We were picked up by a mini-coach and visited several points of interest on the island. As we spoke to the others on the tour (who stayed at other hotels) we got the impression we definately were staying at the best place on the island. Others had horror stories of roosters roaming free about the property, large bugs and listening to wild singles parties till the wee hours of the morning. The only down side about the island with 11,000 inhabitants was the lack of dining. Food was fairly expensive at the hotel, and there is no such thing as an Outback steakhouse or Chili's. If you want to stay at a quiet, romantic place, but still like to be active, this one is it. I can't wait to go again.

My wife and I just returned from 4 days here and 5 days in Bora Bora for our 15th anniversary. Saw the sun rise every morning through the open doors of our hut. No window screens, 84 degrees every day, 77 every night and no bugs. The room was very comfortable with a big porch and beautiful view -- a beachfront, not an over the water. Only about 30 minutes from the airport. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet every morning, the view, the snorkeling, and even got scuba certified by the team onsite. Rented dune buggies at the resort and drove all the way around Moorea. There was even a small gym on site, which I really liked to hit each morning before starting the day. The food was delicious -- just takes a bit to get used to slower service than you get in the U.S. More European in that way, but that is a reflection of Tahiti as a whole -- we got the same in Bora Bora -- not of just this resort. You can drink the water, the food is delicious, and the people are very friendly and accommodating. About 70% of the visitors are American, and all the staff speak English. The bed was pretty firm, but just fine...I would much rather go back than keep writing this.

This is the place you want to go,to forget any worries or stress that has engulfed your body.