There are only three larger resorts on the island of Moorea, one of the French Polynesian Islands. Ideally situated on the edge of a magnificant lagoon, the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is a popular choice amoung many visitors to the island. The amazing views towards the island of Tahiti is an added bonus to this resort.
I love creating valuable content for you my readers, however, there is a cost to maintaining a website and there may be affiliate links scattered throughout the website. By clicking on the links there is no extra cost to you, however, I may receive a small profit.
The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort offers visitors a choice of 111 dreamy bungalows built over the water, on the beachfront, or surrounded by lusciously landscaped gardens.
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort in Paradise
The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort has recently been completely renovated with harmonious colours, refined and brightly coloured design, as well as modern furnishings.
When visiting the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort you will experience an authentic mix of the Polynesian culture.
Just One Tip: Check out this full comprehensive packing guide for everything you will need for your dream vacation, including items you wouldn’t have thought of.
Travellers will have a variety of options when it comes to amenities and activities. You can experience the beauty of the lagoon by partaking in one of the many water sports. For the traveller who wishes to explore the island, you can visit the incredible cocunut plantations. Or, for a relaxing day at the resort, a visit to the all-new LeSpa will be on the agenda.
Where is Moorea
Moorea is a volcanic island and is the second largest island in French Polynesia. The island was formed by the remains of an ancient, half-eroded volcano. The island is in the central South Pacific Ocean, 20 km. (12 miles) south of Tahiti.
How to Get to Moorea
All flights to Tahiti will land in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. Tahiti is the largest island in the Country. A ferry from Papeete is necessary in order to access Tahiti’s sister island of Moorea. There are two ferry companies which offer daily transportation. The ferry ride is an enjoyable and scenic ride which takes 30 – 60 minutes.
Visit Aremiti for ferry times and prices
* If you have booked a package through a travel company, transportation is typically included in the price.
The other option is to fly from Tahiti to Moorea. There are 4 flights a day and prices vary depending on the season.
Visit Air Taihiti for flights times and prices
Why I loved the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
√ the resort is small and intimate
√ the sealife is magnificant for snorkelling right at the resort
√ the resort is immaculate and extremely clean
√ the bungalows are clean, and well equipped and stocked
√ the food was good at all restaurants
Overview of Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
Let’s take a tour around the grounds of the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort and see what this oasis has to offer the discerning guest.
Check-In
The majority of international flights will land in the early hours of the morning at the Tahiti airport. By the time you catch the ferry to Moorea and transfer to the resort, it will be 8:30 in the morning, Tahitian time.
Note: Check-in didn’t go quite as smoothly as we would have liked after travelling 24 hours. Since numerous travellers arrived at the same time, we were all seated and called to reception one by one. After a short while, we did receive cooling off towels and a fresh drink of pineapple juice to quench our thirst. The check-in process took us over an hour.
Since you won’t receive room keys until 2:00 p.m., you will have the entire day to explore the resort and laze on the beach. Pack a swimsuit, flip flops, and a change of clothes in your napsack. There are changerooms directly off of the reception area. If you feel like freshening up after a long flight, there is also a shower available for use.
At 2:00 in the afternoon, you can get your keys and your luggage will be transferred to your room by the bellhop.
Check-Out at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Resort
Check-out at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is a breeze. On your last evening at the resort, a summary of your charges will be delivered to your room. When checking out the next day, visit the front desk to finalize any payments.
Leave all of your luggage on the porch of your bungalow and the bellhop will pick-up your luggage and transport it to the front desk by 11:00 a.m. If your transportation isn’t available, or your flight is scheduled for later in the day, your luggage can remain in the reception area while you enjoy the facilities for the balance of the day.
Just One Tip: If you notice that you’re luggage hasn’t arrived at the luggage area and you expect your ride to arrive shortly, ask the bellhop to go to the bungalow to pick it up. Let them know you’re leaving shortly
Resort Rooms
The resort offers various types of accommodations ranging from luxury gardenview bungalows to luxury villas. Whatever, your preference, you will not be disappointed when visiting Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort.
Bungalows
The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort offers 3 categories of bungalows directly on the land of the resort:
- Luxury Gardenview Bungalow
- Superior Lagoonview Bungalow
- Luxury Beachfront Bungalow
Each bungalow offers either a gardenview, lagoonview, or beachview. Each bungalow is decorated in a blend of French elegance and Polynesian culture.
All of the bungalows offer a plethora of amenities, including:
- King size bed and additional single bed, which also doubles as a couch
- air conditioning and ceiling fan
- telephone
- free WiFi
- satellite LCD television
- safe
- mini bar
- tea and coffee service
- iron and ironing board
- bathroom with rain shower
- hair dryer and separate toiletries
The mini bar is stocked daily with 2 bottles of water, 2 cans of pop, and 2 beers
Over the Water Bungalows
Staying in an over the water bungalow is a dream that’s on every bucket list.
The over water bungalows at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort create a soothing atmosphere over the turquoise water of the lagoon. The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort offers several categories of over water bungalows:
- Superior Over Water Bungalow
- Superior Horizon Over Water Bungalow
- Luxury Over Water Bungalow
- Luxury Horizon Over Water Bungalow
In addition to the amenities afforded to the bungalows, the over water bungalows provide:
- direct access to the lagoon from your private deck
- glass panel in the floor of the bungalow looking down into the lagoon
The difference in each category of the over water bungalows is where the bungalow is situated on the lagoon. The higher the class of bungalow, the better the view and more privacy you will have.
Luxury Villa
The luxury villa is a 2 bedroom villa which sits along the edge of the lagoon. Offering a king bed in each bedroom, a living room with a pullout couch, as well as all of the ameneties offered in the other categories, makes the 2 bedroom villa ideal for families or larger groups. In addition, the luxury villa offers:
- 2 full bathrooms with a rain shower, and 1 of the bathrooms has its own outdoor tub
- large private deck
- outdoor jacuzzi
Restaurants and Culinary Experiences
Pure
Pure, perched along the edge of the protected lagoon, offers a contemporary atmosphere. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed atmosphere at Pure.
Menu for Pure
Just One Tip: Enjoy an authentic French Polynesian buffet and show on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Reservations with the consierge are required.
Beach Bar
The Bar is set ideally along the edge of the lagoon. It’s ideal for those not wanting to leave the sand and gentle breeze blowing over the lagoon. Enjoy a traditional tahisian beer, a tropical island spritz, together with a mouth-watering Paris Ham and emmental cheese panini! Bathing suits allowed!
Menu for the Beach Bar
Vue Bar
The Vue Bar offers the largest selection of liquors in French Polynesia. You will have a choice of a large variety of cocktails, champagne and local tahitian beer to sip on along with mouth-watering tapas while you hang out at the Vue Bar. Don’t miss happy hour daily from 5:30 – 6:30!
Menu for the Vue Bar
K Restaurant
The K Restaurant offers an intimate, upscale, feet in the sand atomosphere. The chef revisits the offerings and wine pairings regularly, therefore, the menu changes. It’s important to note that the K Restaurant is only open on Thursday and Friday evenings. It is also available to book for private functions.
Activities at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort offers a multitude of activities to choose from free of charge, including:
- snorkelling (they provide snorkel and mask, bring your own fins)
- kayaking
- paddle boarding
There are additional options available for a fee:
- spa treatments (check out the menu for spa treatments to be booked in advance)
- tours and excursions can be booked directly with the conceirge at the resort
- dinner on the beach
- canoe breakfast served to the over water bungalows
- safari tour
- ATV excursions
- snorkel with the sharks
Pool and Beach
For travellers wishing to relax at the pool or beach, you will never get tired of the views.
Just One Tip: There is not an abundance of shade at the pool or the beach. Lather up with biodegradable sunscreen
BEFORE YOU LEAVE you might like to read these articles if you plan to visit any of the French Polynesian Islands:
- What to Pack For a Dream Vacation in Bora Bora
- 3 Day Itinerary in Moorea, French Polynesia
- Exploring Moorea By ATV
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts A Luxury Resort in Paradise
- 3 Days in Bora Bora a Tropical Paradise
- Jet Skiing In Bora Bora: A Thrilling Water Adventure
- Moorea v Bora Bora: Which Tropical Island in Paradise is Right For You?
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort Review: In Conclusion …
Visiting Moorea in French Polynesia is a dream come true, therefore booking the best resort is a necessity. You won’t be disappointed if you choose to spend your time in Moorea at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort.
Yours in Travel 🙂
Travel Solo Like a Pro!
AIRFARE:
♥ CheapOair and WayAway offer flights at a resonable rate. Let CheapOair or WayAway find the cheapest and best flight for your destination
HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION:
♥ I use Booking.com to book all of my accommodations, both domestically and internationally. When booking in the United States, I use Trivago US
ACTIVITIES:
♥ Get Your Guide and Viator are the absolute best sites to plan and book any adventures, activities, and all things fun
BIKE AND MOTORCYCLE RENTALS:
♥ BikesBooking.com will find the best prices for bicycles, motocyles, and scooter rentals any place in the world.
CAR RENTAL:
♥ Economy Bookings will provide rental prices worldwide, which making it a one stop shop for the most reasonable car rentals
AIRPORT TRANSFER AND PRIVATE TOURS:
♥ Kiwitaxi is who you want to contact for transportation from the airport or train station. Why not arrange for a PRIVATE CITY TOUR with Kiwitaxi at the same time.
CRUISES:
♥ Cruise Critic not only provides reviews and answers questions, it also offers great cruise deals. If your a cruise lover (like me), I highly recommend that you check it out!
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
♥ Travel insurance these times of natural disasters, travel interruption and baggage loss is no longer a place where you can cut costs. essentials. It has become an essential part of travel. Visitors Coverage will take care of all of your insurance needs.
SAVE SOFITEL KIA ORA MOOREA BEACH RESORT TO VISIT LATER
I am embarrassed that I did not know these incredible places exists… it’d be a looong flight, but would love to visit someday..thanks for the inspiration
I can’t believe you’ve never heard of Bora Bora! lol. It’s a beautiful part of the world. Yes, very difficult to get to, but well worth the time (and the money…it’s not cheap)
Awesome review, Kelly!
You’ll find me sitting at the beach bar with a cocktail listening to the waves! Great to see free activities being offered, as most resorts charge a fortune.
I love my Sofitels, though!
Luke, that’s exactly where I spent my time when on the resort! The bard was literally right on the beach. Great pina coladas and even better food.
What a gorgeous hotel with an epic view! It’s always been a dream of mine to stay in a water bungalow!
I highly recommend it! It’s something everybody should do at least for a couple of nights! It was amazing just getting up and jumping into the lagoon.
Sounds amazing ! I have to out this on my list !
It’s a beautiful resort! I highly recommend it!
A bungalow on the beachfront of Moorea, that’s my idea of heaven! I stayed in many Sofitel hotels around the world and they really have amazing hotels and the service is top notch. Shame about the waiting time to check-in but I guess it’s difficult to manage a big group of guests arriving at the same time. I really like the layout of the resort and how it’s surrounded by the water. It looks so serene and intimate. Great that there are activities to do although they’d probably have to drag me by force to make me leave that beach. The buffet looks nice as well, I’ve always had lovely food whenever I stayed in a Sofitel. I’m definitely sold on this resort.
This was my 1st time staying at a Sofitel Resort, but it definitely won’t be my last. I loved everything about it!
I would absolutely LOVE to travel to French Polynesia :D. This place sounds like it would be my spot. It’s always nice to do water sports but very annoying when they come at an extra price. So it’s nice to know that they are included in your stay at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort. I’m all here for a smaller intimate resort.
It was a dream come true! The resort was absolute perfection. Stay tuned for the Bora Bora resort 🙂
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort seems to be a perfect destination for chilling and enjoying the beauty of Moorea, one of the French Polynesian Islands. I would love to stay there, as it is small and intimate, and snorkeling is possible. Also, the beaches and pool and bars are fabulous. The bungalow has all amenities I need so that it would be my choice.
The Sofitel was perfect! The snorkelling could be done right from the beach. Some of the best snorkelling I’ve ever experienced. Thankfully, I didn’t see a shark when in Moorea, but stay tuned for Bora Bora lol
The over water bungalow is the dream. What a magical place. I had no idea they had a glass part of the floor though – what a great idea! I feel like if just be staring down the whole time. The resort looks lovely, even with the check in delays, and a great place to fully relax. So nice that there are some fun activities there too, I’d definitely do some snorkeling in that super clear water
There was every kind of fish imaginable! Including shares, stingrays, and jellyfish 🙂 I spent my evenings staring through the glass floor watching the fish. It was fascinating.
Oh my God, this place looks amazing! I have always dreamt about staying in an over-the-water bungalow, and just get out of bed and jump into the water directly 🙂 Pinned it for my future travel planning! Thank you 🙂
It was a bucket list item and a once in a lifetime experience. If you can do it I HIGHLY recommend it!
To be honest I wasn’t familiar with Moorea prior to this article. It looks like a really nice place to visit. I love to snorkel, kayak and paddle board so it would certainly suit my interests. The beach looks spectacular also!
It was an amazing place Moorea is known as Tahiti’s (the capital) sister island and it’s only a half hour ferry ride to get there. You can take a plane if you want to spend the money, but the ferry ride was beautiful. It had FANTASTIC snorkelling (especially if you like to snorkel with the sharks lol)
Wow! This place looks idyllic. It’s great to know about the air conditioning – I don’t do well in the heat haha. This resort sounds like they have it all for a relaxing getaway. Would love to go paddleboard and snorkeling there.
We had good intentions to try paddple boarding but unfortunately we didn’t have enought time. I recommend staying in the islands for 10 nights to make the most of it. It’s easy to island hop and they are all very different.
Your posts about French Polynesia always leave me dreaming of a trip to that side of the world and a well-earned rest.
The resort is definitely quite appealing. From the accommodation, to the food offer, to the activities it provides, to the picturesque air of the bungalows. Everything calls to me… except the price ahahah yet one can dream 😉
Ah yes…the price 🙁 It’s 4 years of vacations for me, but it was a once in a lifetime trip. I have no regrets. It was worth every penny.
I can’t believe it took an hour for check-in! I’d have thought thy would be more prepared for guests arriving at once, as I imagine that is due to transportation options. But the place looks gorgeous and I think it’d be worth the wait. I would love to swim and paddle board that gorgeous turquoise water someday!
After travelling for over 24 hours, the hour long check-in was more than a bit frustrating.
Nice one Kelly and an option I would definitely consider. You had me at the intimate setting and the concierge service is a big pull for me too. I would have liked to see more of the actual bungalow interior and if you had a slide into the gorgeous water below. This would be the ultimate Bora Bora experience. Looking forward to more content from you on your French Polynesia trip.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Thanks for the suggestion. I might have a video of the interior. I was travelling with a friend, and she doesn’t understand travel blogging, so pictures are limited lol
The resort looks wonderful and so picturesque and is somewhere that would suit me down to the grounds.
Unfortunately their prices wouldn’t suit me so I would never get there unless I won the lottery – but I can dream.
Lots of info here on what is available and the various eateries and activities.
I like the tip to check that your luggage has arrived at the luggage area before your ride arrives. I immediately thought of that myself ,as I once was about to depart and had to force the car to wait as they had not loaded my suitcase into the car, as he was about to drove away.
Our luggage wasn’t there and I had to ask him to get it for us. Yes….it’s very expensive. Way more than I typically spend, but it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Lots of information and practical advice on how to visit and where to stay at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea resort. We would definitely want to try traditional French Polynesian food. We would also enjoy snorkelling (especially with sharks!), paddle boarding and kayaking on the lagoon.
I didn’t have the courage to snorkel with the sharks. They kept telling us that they were friendly, but sharks are sharks lol