Hôtel Fenua Mata'i'oa

A slice of heaven! Do not hesitate! I cannot begin to convey the magic of this intimate oasis in the South Pacific. 25 years of passion, creativity, and love to perfectly curate every inch of space at this beautiful pension. It was incredible to be a guest here. Wish I could have stayed much longer.

If you want to snorkel on your own, this resort is ideal. You can rent a kayak directly from the front desk and take it out all day long, getting out anywhere you want in the shallow lagoon to snorkel. I recommend you bring your own snorkel equipment (which I always do when I travel). Use toothpaste to keep your mask defogged, and enjoy this great location! All of the snorkel tours come to the area of this hotel, so most people pay to snorkel there with a guide. Also, yes, the island has a lot of mosquitos, and there are a lot of mosquitos at this resort. I use natural essential oil spray that works great and keep it in my purse literally everywhere I go. Do this, and you can keep the bites down to a minimum. As an alternative, most shops in Tahiti and Moorea carry their own natural mosquito repellant using a specific plant oil that the mosquitos hate. So if you don't bring your own I recommend buying it. Also, this resort is close enough to food and a small market for supplies. Casa Vinzeno definitely has (by far) the best food in the area; make a reservation online the day before. Also, Holy Steak House is nearby, and it has a nice ambiance and food. Lastly, I loved the beautiful and homey decor at this place. From the pond, to the plant canopies, to the outdoor kitchen, to the shared living area full of seating and lounge spots- it was all so great!

If you are looking for the closest thing to over the water bungalow without paying the premium price, this place is for you. Our room, Princess Lokelani, has its own private patio and outdoor eating area. The water is so clear and calm that you can see school of fishes without going into the lagoon. A lot of tour companies pick-up from this location. Staffs are very friendly. There is a small market about 15 minutes walking from the bungalow. You can see sun rise and sun set from the patio. Very peaceful and relaxing location. Bring insect repellant, even though the bedroom is fully enclosed, but the kitchen area has bamboo wall and plants. The privacy is there but, there is small gaps for mosquitos to get in. I will definitely stay there again.

This place is so unique! Upon checking in, they'll give you a fresh lei and a tour of the place and explain the rules and charges of the hotel. They charge for pretty much everything here, including the water equipment, but whatever. This place is so unique I loved just being there. There can be a bit of a language barrier problem, but when I was there, I only saw other Americans. But you can't beat this location! If your suite isn't right on the water, it's at least VERY close to the water. My suite also had a little kitchenette which had a fridge, microwave, blender, toaster, coffeemaker, electric kettle, flatware, dishes, cutting board, and various glassware with a wine key! This kitchenette was in a walkway connecting the bedroom to the bathroom which is DARK at night. Bring a flashlight or turn on the light because something ran across my feet when I tried to use the bathroom in the night. This place is quite a ways away from the ferry dock (like the other side of the island) so be aware of that. But when I booked a snorkeling tour, they were able to drop us off right at our hotel dock. Also, mosquitoes. There's nothing you can do but just accept that they're everywhere, small, and kinda invisible. Also in that walkway connecting the bedroom and the bathroom, there's ants that cover your feet as soon as you step onto the ground. There's several house cats that sometimes wander into your suite, but mine was my little buddy for the week, along with a crab on our deck and a bright green gecko. I was in the Princess Leilani suite. The AC in our room worked great! The TV is app based, and there is a mini bar (for an additional charge) in addition to your mini fridge. But you can't beat snorkeling off your back patio right as you wake up. But be aware of the strength of the current that day. Also my friend and I enjoyed sitting on that patio at night drinking wine watching the full moon over the water. The tropical environment and decor makes this place so unique and special. There's a great steak restaurant and convenience store within walking distance. But location to the water and unique vibe would bring me back.

Most beautiful place!! So we actually stayed at the Four Seasons Bora Bora which was beautiful but there is something so special and personal about this property….nothing compares! Definitely stay here plus you don’t have to pay for a tour to swim with sting rays and sharks you can just kayak there from the hotel.

Quirky, exotic and amazing decor - right on the lagoon. Spacious accommodation in an individual wooden construction with separate bathroom and kitchen and bar area. No restaurant on site but several nearby and free taxi service organised by the delightful proprietor. Breakfast delivered to our suite. Delicious cocktails served in the bar. Lots of seating and lounging areas and the property is full of interesting sculpture, paintings and books.

What a special, wonderful spot!! This is a very small, unique hotel. Each room is different, and it's certainly about the small touches. The gardening is beautiful. The rooms and common area are uniquely decorated. It's a little paradise. Loved the welcome drinks and flower necklaces. The staff is so nice and welcoming. We stayed in the Lokelani Prestige suite, and we loved the privacy of it. We sat on our private deck literally on the water and it was the most relaxing place I've ever been. This room also has a little private beach, an outside bar/kitchen, and a bathroom that's in a little separate area. We loved all of this. If you have mobility issues this might not be the best room for you, since you do walk 'outside' for the bathroom. The room (s) is huge and just so beautiful. AC cranked and made it quite comfortable. Had a little kitchen, fridge, coffee maker and glassware. Each morning we made our own coffee and watched the lagoon sky change colors. Another thing we loved is that this spot feels like you're in a neighborhood. You're in a community of people who are just relaxing and enjoying this unique part of the world. We will definitely stay here again.