Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa

For the price and location, this is probably the best bang for you buck on Moorea. Close to a local grocery store, the airport and offers a variety of excursions.

Meals are expensive - but they are all over the island. Plan to spend $15-$20 USD on a drink and upwards of $30 for a basic meal (i.e. hamburger and fries)

As a general rule, the staff was cranky and often "bothered" by any questions you asked.

The SCUBA diving facility associated with the hotel seemed to have little regard to preserving the coral or wildlife as they constantly man-handled both.

A hotel from Hell
After reading about my recent experience at the Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa, I think you will agree that this hotel has significant problems. Sensible travellers will do it and themselves a favour by avoiding this hotel. It needs new management and significant investment in refurbishment.

This hotel was reopened five years ago, formerly the Bali Hai Hotel. It is still using outdated and extravagant marketing that no longer fulfills the promises made. It claims to be a four star hotel but the lack of maintenance, facilities etc make it the equivalent of a two star hotel charging four star prices.

On arrival I found the lobby filled with workmen and jack hammers breaking up the flooring to replace old and stained tiles. I was told the roof leaks and the floors are slippery when wet. I saw this for myself after a rain shower. The noise of the jack hammers was appalling. To my horror I was given a room close to reception. I complained and reluctantly was moved to a quieter room. The reception supervisor was very rude and unhelpful. I had three encounters with this person and each time it was emotionally draining and unpleasant.

The hotel advertised two boutiques - both were permanently closed. There was no shop available.
It advertised two restaurants one of which was a gourmet restaurant. This was permanently closed.
It offered a minibar in the luxury room. The fridge was empty and the ice tray broken. I phoned room service and asked for ice. I was told to fetch it myself from the ice machine elsewhere in the building.
The pool had insufficient pool towels. I had to go to my room to fetch my room towel.
They were unable to find an electrical adaptor for me to use New Zealand plugs and I was unable to charge my cell phone or use my computer.
There were smelly drains outside the room and in the evening on both nights of my stay, I watched two large Norwegian rats foraging in the undergrowth. On seeing the rats, I asked to see the manager.

He was pleasant but failed to follow up on his promises. He was not very concerned about the rats. He finally suggested that in compensation I should have dinner on the house. I explained I planned to have room service. He said whatever. The next day I received the bill preview and on it were the room service charges. I complained to the receptionist. I was again offered dinner in the restaurant on the house and I accepted this. It was a good meal and the service quick but then it would be wouldn't it?

The saving grace, a lovely location. The hotel could be wonderful if brought up to scratch, but make sure this is the case if you plan to stay there.