Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort

The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort sits on Temae, the longest white-sand beach on Moorea, inside a marine reserve that has been protected for more than twenty years — no motorboats or jet skis, so the water is calm and exceptionally good for snorkelling straight off the sand, with Tahiti's silhouette on the horizon and Moorea's green peaks behind. Recently refreshed across its common areas, the resort has around 109 villas: 38 overwater, 11 on the beach, 9 with lagoon views, 50 in the gardens and a single luxury villa. The overwater villas run to about 31 square metres inside with an 11-square-metre deck, a glass floor over water a metre and a half to two and a half metres deep, and a ladder down into the lagoon. Dining centres on Pure, the all-day lagoon-edge restaurant where themed, interactive menus include Polynesian dishes cooked in the ahimaa ground oven, alongside K Restaurant for French-Polynesian fine dining set in the sand, and the Vue Bar, which claims the largest spirits selection in French Polynesia. The lagoon-facing spa draws on Polynesian techniques, and there is an infinity pool, a fitness centre and an activities desk on the beach. The resort makes the most of its setting: an on-site PADI 5-Star dive centre runs trips to sharks, turtles and — in season — humpback whales; the iconic canoe breakfast is delivered to overwater decks by outrigger; humpbacks pass offshore from July to October; and sunset catamaran sails and motu picnics fill the afternoons. It is genuine value for an overwater stay, and a natural pairing of marine reserve, beach and family-friendly comfort, five minutes from the Vaiare ferry and the Temae airport, with the Moorea Green Pearl golf course next door.