Abandoned InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa
While on our snorkeling with sharks adventure in Moorea, our captain took a small detour to show us the abandoned InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa. The former luxury resort was once one of the largest in all of French Polynesia.
Unfortunately, the InterContinental Moorea Resort did not survive the pandemic.
From a distance, the resort looks similar to the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort. The overwater bungalows appear to be in good shape because the roofs are still intact.
However, as we approach the resort, we notice the boarded up windows and damage to the balcony and walls.
It did not take long for this abandoned resort to fall into decay. The rooms appear to have been picked clean and everything of value has been removed.
When did InterContinental Moorea Resort close?
The resort closed in March 20223, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Obviously, with travel restrictions in place all around the world, travel to French Polynesia was non-existent.
These islands rely on tourism, so this is a significant blow to the local economy.
Our guide told us that initially there was hope the resort would re-open after the travel restrictions lifted. However, the management company that owns this property, Pacific Beachcomber Hotels, made an announcement that InterContinental Moorea Resort would close permanently.
Evidently, the Moorea Dolphin Center is still open. It’s located inside the property, near the water. We don’t recommend swimming with dolphins in captivity. Please, spend your money elsewhere. It probably should have closed with the resort.
What happened to Intercontinental Moorea Resort?
The statement from the general manager says the resort closed due to “unforeseeable market conditions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
You can read the full statement here. Although it’s no longer posted on the hotel website. However, the copy is published on this website.
We learned that Pacific Beachcomber Hotels also owns three other InterContinental resorts in French Polynesia. They are the InterContinental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, and InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana.
The statement goes on to say that the decision was made “to preserve our other hotels within Pacific Beachcomber hotel group.”
It’s hard to believe the company would just walk away, given the size and investment of this property. It’s such a beautiful location with stunning views of the lagoon and lush mountains.
Without question, the pandemic was devastating for travel and tourism around the world. Unfortunately, this property was unable to continue operations.
Watch this short video of the resort captured from our boat.
Photos of Intercontinental Moorea Resort before it closed permanently
I did some online searching for photos of the resort before it was closed. We visited the abandoned Hotel Contadora Resort in Panama a few years ago and would have liked to view photos from its heyday.
Therefore, we thought it would be good to share a few photos. The photos below are NOT our photos.
The source and photo credit for the next 2 photos – https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/french-polynesia/moorea/intercontinental-resort-and-spa-moorea
It’s surreal to see photos of the resort looking alive and well.
That dock is now empty. No more boats or jet skis. The pool is drained and abandoned. It’s sad to see the property go to waste.
Perhaps someone will takeover the property and bring it back to live?
Source for the next 4 photos – https://intercontinental-moorea-resort-spa.frenchpolynesia-hotels.com/en/
Obviously, based on the above photo, the location of the closed resort is incredible. Look at the turquoise water and shallow reefs. Moorea is stunning.
Additionally, read more blog posts from French Polynesia:
- Bora Bora travel tips: What we learned on our trip
- Swimming with Sharks and Stingrays in Moorea
- Where to stay in Tahiti? Recap from our time at Te Moana Tahiti Resort
- Our experience on the new Air Tahiti Nui flight from Seattle to Tahiti
- What does it really cost to travel to Bora Bora with kids?
- Abandoned InterContinental Moorea Resort in French Polynesia
- Review of Manava Beach Resort Moorea, French Polynesia
Did you stay at the Moorea Intercontinental Resort before it closed permanently?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to learn about your experience.
We have been staying at the Linavera Hotel/Resort on Mo’orea where the assistant informed us she had worked at the Intercontinental for two years prior to the pandemic. During that time she said the hotel had endured at least four strikes, some lasting over a month. Given this workforce instability plus the pandemic it would have been very difficult to keep the hotel economically viable. I do not have details on how or why this resort had strikes while I have not heard of other strikes elsewhere, but perhaps management practices may have been part of it.
Interesting info. You might be right. It sounds like there may have been some management issues that contributed to the decision to close the resort.