Moorea hits different. You step off the ferry from Papeete, and the air just changes—it’s thicker, smelling of Tiare flowers and damp earth. For decades, the Hotel InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa was the anchor of that experience for thousands of travelers. It sat on the northwest coast, tucked between the mountains and a turquoise lagoon that looked almost fake.
Then, things went quiet.
If you’re looking to book a room there right now, you can’t. It’s gone. In 2020, the resort officially closed its doors, and the travel world hasn't quite been the same since. It wasn't just another hotel; it was a massive 27-acre estate that felt like a village. People still talk about the dolphins. They talk about the overwater bungalows that didn't cost a literal kidney like the ones in Bora Bora. Honestly, the loss of this property created a massive hole in the French Polynesian mid-to-high-tier market.
The Reality of Why It Closed
Business is brutal. The InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa didn't close because people stopped loving it. It was a casualty of the global standstill in 2020. Pacific Beachcomber, the company that owns several major Polynesian resorts, made the "difficult but necessary" decision to shut it down permanently during the height of the travel collapse.
They had to look at the books. Moorea is expensive to maintain. Saltwater eats everything. The wood on those bungalows needs constant sanding and sealing. Without a steady stream of guests flying in from LAX or Auckland, the math just stopped working. It’s a tragedy, really, because the resort had recently undergone significant renovations to its pool areas and some of the common spaces. All that work, then... silence.
What Made the InterContinental Moorea Unique?
Most people go to Moorea for the "cheap" Tahiti experience, but this place was anything but cheap in quality. It sat on the edge of the Tiahura region. The lagoon there is shallow, crystal clear, and home to a staggering amount of marine life.
The Moorea Dolphin Center
This was the heart of the property. You’ve probably seen the photos. It wasn't just a tourist trap; it was an educational facility. They had three bottlenose dolphins—Kuokoa, Hina, and Lokahi. Unlike many captive programs, these dolphins were in a natural lagoon, not a concrete tank. Expert biologists like Dr. Michael Poole, a legendary figure in Polynesian cetacean research, often worked in the vicinity of these waters.
When the hotel closed, everyone panicked. What happens to the dolphins? Luckily, the Moorea Dolphin Center remained a separate entity for a while, ensuring the animals were cared for and eventually transitioned. It was a huge relief for the local community who saw those dolphins as part of the island's family.
The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center
Te Mana O Te Moana. If you haven't heard that name, you should look it up. It’s a non-profit founded by Dr. Cécile Gaspar. They operated a sea turtle clinic right on the resort grounds. You could literally walk from your breakfast buffet and see a green sea turtle getting its shell patched up. It brought a level of soul to the resort that you don't get at a Hilton or a Marriott. It made the Hotel InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa feel like it was giving back to the reef, not just taking from it.
The Room Situation (Before the Lights Went Out)
There were 144 rooms. That’s big for Moorea. You had three main "flavors" of staying there:
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- Garden Pool Suite: These were actually my favorite. You got a private plunge pool and a wall of tropical plants. It felt like being in a jungle hideout.
- Beach Bungalows: Perfect if you hate walking. You step off your deck and your toes are in the sand.
- Overwater Bungalows: The classic. They weren't the "deep water" style you find in Bora Bora where you can't touch the bottom. Here, you could usually stand up in the sand beneath your deck. It was safer for kids and honestly better for snorkeling.
The decor was very "Old Polynesia." Lots of dark wood, pandanus weaving, and shell accents. It wasn't trying to be a sleek, minimalist Manhattan loft. It felt like Tahiti.
What's Happening with the Site Now?
The ruins of a luxury resort are a sad sight. Vegetation grows fast in the South Pacific. If you drive past the gates today, the hibiscus and palm trees are slowly reclaiming the entrance. There have been rumors—endless rumors—about who might buy it.
Investors from Asia and the US have kicked the tires. There was talk about a potential rebranding under a different luxury flag. But as of 2026, the site remains in a state of flux. Reopening a resort that has been sitting empty for years isn't as simple as turning on the lights. You have to deal with mold, outdated electrical systems, and the fact that the lagoon's ecosystem has likely shifted without daily maintenance.
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The Moorea Market Without the IC
Since the Hotel InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa exited the stage, the pressure on other hotels has been intense. The Moorea Beach Lodge and the Sofitel Kia Ora are packed. Prices have spiked. If you’re looking for that specific "large resort" feel, your options on the island have dwindled.
- Sofitel Kia Ora: Best beach on the island (Temae).
- Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa: Best for snorkeling and that "high-end" feel.
- Cook’s Bay Hotel & Suites: Recently renovated and pulling in a lot of the crowd that used to stay at the IC.
Why This Matters for Your Next Trip
You need to be careful with old blog posts. A lot of travel sites haven't updated their "Top 10 Hotels in Moorea" lists. They still list the InterContinental. Don't be the person who shows up with a 5-year-old guidebook expecting a pina colada at the beach bar.
Honestly, the loss of the IC changed the vibe of the Hauru area. It’s quieter now. Some locals like the peace; others miss the jobs. The resort employed hundreds of people from the nearby villages of Papetoai and Haapiti. When a giant like that falls, the whole island feels the tremors.
Actionable Insights for Moorea Travelers
If you were a fan of the InterContinental and you’re trying to recreate that magic, here is how you handle it:
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- Book the Northwest Side: If you want the same sunsets and calm water, look for Airbnb rentals or smaller pensions in the Tiahura/Hauru area. You get the same lagoon access without the resort price tag.
- Support the Turtles: Even though the resort is closed, Te Mana O Te Moana still does incredible work. Check their current location (they moved operations to Tahiti but still have a presence) and donate.
- Check the Ferry Schedule: If you’re staying at a different hotel, remember that the Aremiti and Terevau ferries are your best friends. Don't fly from Papeete; it’s a 15-minute flight that costs three times as much as the 30-minute boat ride.
- Rent a Car: Since the IC was a self-contained ecosystem, you could stay there for a week and never leave. Now that you'll likely be staying in smaller spots, you need wheels. Moorea is one big 60km circle. Rent a "Roadster" (those tiny yellow open-top cars) and go up to the Belvedere Lookout.
- Snorkeling Alternatives: The IC lagoon was famous for rays. You can still see them! Just take a boat tour from the public beach at Les Tipaniers. It's a five-minute boat ride to the "Sandbar" where the stingrays and blacktip reef sharks hang out.
The Hotel InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa might be a ghost of its former self, but the island itself hasn't lost a bit of its soul. The mountains are still jagged green spires, the pineapples are still the sweetest on earth, and the water is still that impossible shade of blue. Just don't wait for a grand reopening that isn't on the calendar yet. Explore the rest of the island instead.