Sofitel Moorea reopens after $40m reno spend

Accor has celebrated the reopening of its five-star Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort, formerly the Sofitel I Ora Moorea, following an extensive US$40 million renovation.

The multimillion overhaul included a complete upgrade of the resort’s 60 bungalows, and the addition of 19 new overwater bungalows, with other new features at the five-star resort including a new seven-room Sofitel ‘le Spa’, modern meeting rooms and conferencing facilities, plus three restaurants and bars.

The Resort now boasts a selection of 114 magnificent beach, garden and stunning overwater bungalow retreats in total ranging in size from a generous 41 to 75 square metres and every bungalow ‘home’ (or ‘fare’ as the Tahitians say) has been designed to reflect its Polynesian surrounds and architecture for a truly authentic experience, featuring thatched roofs decked in native pandanus leaves, and walls adorned in shades of romantic red wood.

Marrying modernity and local tradition, every Sofitel Moorea bungalow also features air-conditioning and state of the art rain showers, with Sofitel’s famous ‘My Bed’ sleeping concept guaranteeing a perfect slumber for guests enjoying a double bungalow.

Executive Chef Philippe Ture, has designed new menus, food and beverage offerings now including internationally themed restaurant “Pure’, with ‘Vue’ cocktail bar offering an idyllic view across the lagoon and gourmet restaurant, “K”.

“K” will be launched as Sofitel Moorea’s intimate restaurant option, showcasing the freshest local produce in elegant and refined settings that allows guests a unique opportunity to feel the sand of the beach beneath their feet while enjoying the ambiance of chandeliers overhead.

Just a few minutes away by air from Tahiti, and a little longer by water, Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort enjoys a prestigious, unspoilt beach location and is the only other major island in the Windward group of the Society Islands besides Tahiti.

Accor is the leading hotel operator in Tahiti and was the first international group in the region, opening its first hotel (Sofitel Maeva Beach) in 1969. Accor currently has six resorts dotted around the islands: Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort, Sofitel Tahiti Resort, Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort and the new Novotel Bora Bora and Novotel Rangiroa Beach Resort.

Accor has been a major presence in French Polynesia for over 35 years and management of the region has now been taken over by Accor Asia Pacific, at a time of increased air access into the island paradise.

Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort rates start from 271€ (around AU$448) for a deluxe garden bungalow per room per night (twin share) and from 493€ (around AU$815 per room per room per night (twin share) for an overwater bungalow (valid for stays between November the 1st to December the 31st 2006).

For more information or to book call 1300 65 65 65 or visit www.sofitel.com

Report by The Mole