The Hotel Fenua is one of the newest and most luxurious resorts on the island of Moorea. Its secluded location up a steep hillside makes it feel like you’ve traveled to a secret getaway, with simple elegance and old world charm. The hotel is ultra-luxurious, with every detail taken care of so that all you have to worry about is relaxing in paradise. Read on for our review of this amazing hotel… Here we go again – another travel blog post about another hotel. But don’t worry, this one isn’t like anything else we’ve written. In fact, it’s unlike any other place we have ever stayed before! This time around, we are taking you along as part of our family vacation as parents: exploring and reviewing every nook and cranny of Hotel Fenua Mata'i'oa in Moorea. Read on for more details…
What’s so great about Hotel Fenua?
The first thing that will strike you about Hotel Fenua is its secluded location. It’s not like the other hotels on the island that are clustered together on the coast; this one is perched up on a steep hillside and feels like a secluded getaway. The second thing is the beautiful property itself, which has been designed with great attention to detail inside and out. The rooms are simple yet elegant, with everything you might need (and more). And the hotel’s grounds and pools are designed to leave you feeling pampered and relaxed. There’s a lot more though, including some top-notch dining options, a full range of spa treatments, an excellent kids club, and more. Yet, through it all, you’ll find the service to be what really stands out. People are genuinely kind, warm, and attentive at Fenua, making you feel like a celebrity.
Awards and Recognition
The Hotel Fenua has won a number of awards since it opened in 2016. It was voted “Best Hotel in the World for 2017” by TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, “World’s Leading Beach Resort” by Conde Nast Traveller, and “Best Hotel in the South Pacific” by the Asian Hospitality Awards. The property has also been featured in a number of high-end publications and travel guides, including the New York Times, Conde Nast Traveller, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times, among others.
Best season to visit
We visited the island of Moorea in July 2019 and were lucky to have near-perfect weather. This was during what is called the “wet season” on the island, which runs from November to April. The island gets more rain during this time of year than it does the rest of the year, though it’s still not much more than a light mist. From what we can tell, the crowds are smaller during this time and the water is a bit warmer. However, keep in mind that the hotel may close down for a day or two during the rainy season due to the risk of landslides on the property.
Rooms & Services Available
Amenitites
The hotel has a beautiful and spacious swimming pool, as well as a small lap pool for those looking for a bit more privacy and space to swim. There’s also a gorgeous infinity-edge pool at the edge of the cliff that overlooks the ocean. There’s also a great kids club with tons of activities, including a climbing wall, sports, crafts, and more. The hotel also has a small fitness center with yoga classes and a small spa offering a number of treatments. One of our favourite amenities, though, was the service. People are genuinely kind, warm, and attentive at Fenua, making you feel like a celebrity. This was especially noticeable when dining at the hotel’s restaurants and ordering drinks from the bar.
Dining at Hotel Fenua
There are three different restaurants at Fenua, each with its own unique cuisine and atmosphere. Ahiahi is the main restaurant and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s also where you’ll find the hotel’s buffet for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, you’ll have a special menu to choose from, but you can also order off the buffet. Feu du Bois is a wood-fired pizza restaurant open for both lunch and dinner. Finally, there’s Café de la Terre, which is open for breakfast and afternoon tea. This is also where you’ll find the hotel’s coffee shop that serves drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Pros and Cons
The Hotel Fenua is a great choice for a luxurious escape and a one-of-a-kind family vacation. It’s a bit on the pricey side and doesn’t have the same kind of activities or all-inclusive offerings as other resorts in the area. But if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway with service and attention to detail that’s second to none, this is the place for you.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Hotel Fenua is to fly into the airport in Tahiti and take a short flight over to Moorea. There are a number of airlines that fly from the United States to Tahiti, including Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, and more. Once there, you can either rent a car and drive to the hotel or take a shuttle or water taxi. The hotel is located on the western side of the island, so it’s a bit of a drive to get there.
Final words: Should you stay at the Hotel Fenua?
The Hotel Fenua is one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at. But that’s probably not surprising given that it’s been named the “Best Hotel in the World for 2017” and the “World’s Leading Beach Resort”. If you’re looking for a quiet, luxurious getaway, then this is the place for you. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but it’s worth it if you can afford it.
