Mr & Mrs Smith

Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa

Moorea, French Polynesia

Nestled below velvet-green peaks and ringed by a dazzling lagoon and cobalt sea, Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa lives up to its precious jewel of a moniker, with view-blessed overwater bungalows, stylish dining and an intimate spa. Set in the Society Islands, Moorea isle is all about natural assets, with dramatic emerald mountains and true-blue bays to explore – if you can tear yourself away from the hotel's subaqua charms. Snorkel off the poolside pontoon and you'll enter another world...

Need to know

• Rooms 94.
• Rates Double rooms from $379.93 (XPF35,340), excluding tax at 10 per cent. Please note the hotel charges an additional service charge of 4% per room per night on check-out and an additional local city tax of XPF150.00 per person per night on check-out.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (XPF35,340) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include breakfast.
• Facilities Spa, boutique, dive shop, kayaks, outrigger-canoes, jet-skis, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, pétanque, tattooist, coral nursery, WiFi throughout for a fee (XPF2,900 a day). In rooms: flatscreen TV, minibar, sun-deck, own-label toiletries.
• Poolside It may not be Polynesia's biggest infity pool, but the hotel's sleek watering-hole is a hit with kids and adults alike. Set between the open-air restaurant/bar area and the Overwater Bungalows on the edge of the lagoon, it's a sociable spot for cooling off, fringed with loungers, tropical trees and outdoor showers shaped like surf-boards. Right alongside is the Pool Fare (hut) for snaffling snorkelling gear or beach towels.
• Check-out 11am; check-in, 2pm. Late check-outs are subject to availability in low season, for 50 per cent of the tariff before 6pm; after 6pm, you'll need to fork out for an extra night. Changing rooms can be booked on site for transfer days.
• Children Kids up to age 14 can dine on children's menu meals gratis, and can stay in your room for free on a converted sofa-bed (or bag an extra rollaway bed for a fee). Babysitting available at additional cost; no lifeguard at the pool. More...
• Also The hotel is protected by three huge stone Polynesian tiki spiritual statues, guarding the lobby, garden and pool.

Food and drink at Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa

• Hotel restaurant

  Main all-day diner Mahana'i Restaurant, set near the pool, is a relaxed affair, with simple wooden tables open to the outdoors. Serving buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinner, it's where you'll probably enjoy most of your meals. The menu spans Polynesian and French cuisine, with desserts and pastries a particular source of pride. Wednesday evenings play host to a Polynesian feast and fire dances, with another local show and seafood buffet on Saturday nights. To rev up the romance, book into adjacent fine-diner Matiehani Restaurant, a candle-lit white-and-wood affair where chef Pascal Bionaz whips up epicurean treats with a Polynesian twist, served with select global wines.

• Dress code Casual elegance rules, upping a notch at night.
• Top table Any of the tables at the front of the bar or restaurant, for the best views out across the pool to the oh-so-alluring lagoon.
• Last orders Both restaurants are open until 9.30pm; the bar calls it a day at 4.30pm (sleepy French Polynesia isn't known for partying too hard!).
• Room service Order room service treats from 6.30am to 10.30am or 12 noon until 9pm. Minibars are stocked with the usual suspects, including beer, water, soft drinks and nuts.
• Hotel bar

  An airy, contemporary space hung with stylish black-and-white photos of Polynesian life, poolside Autera'a Bar is definitely a good look. Perch on high bar chairs around the central serving area if you fancy chatting with the staff, or retire to a table for two by the windows or alfresco terrace. Delicious light bites, from salads to seafood, are served, with cocktails for ending the day on a Mai Tai high. Expect cultural activities during the day, such as learning to make floral garlands or poisson cru salads, and laid-back live music on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa BP 3410, Temae, 98728 Moorea, French Polynesia, Moorea