Located on the stunning island of Moorea in French Polynesia, this spacious two story villa with a private pool makes for the perfect tropical getaway. With enough space to sleep up to ten people, a private infinity pool overlooking one of the most iconic views on the island, and a newly installed waterslide, it feels like the ultimate playground for adults and kids alike. It is the ideal spot for a family trip, a group of friends, or even a small retreat.

What I love most is how much more space and freedom you get compared to a hotel. You can spread out, cook your own meals, stay up late without worrying about bothering neighbours, and basically live at your own pace. And let’s be honest, splitting the cost of a villa between several people often works out to be far more affordable than booking multiple hotel rooms. Plus, the bragging rights of saying “I stayed in a villa with a waterslide in Moorea” are kind of priceless.

Location and How To Get There

Villa Kia Ora is tucked away on the beautiful island of Moorea in French Polynesia. All international flights arrive into Tahiti’s international airport in Papeete (PPT). From there, you have two options: hop on a short 15 minute flight with Air Tahiti or Air Moana, or take the ferry across to Moorea, which takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on which boat you choose.

The flight is the pricier option, but the views are incredible and it can be a convenient choice, especially if you are using one of the Air Tahiti multi island passes. The ferry is more budget friendly, and you don’t need to book tickets in advance. You will, however, need a taxi to get to the ferry port, which costs around 30 US dollars during the day and more at night. Taxis are always waiting right outside the arrivals hall in Papeete, so no stress there.

Once you arrive in Moorea, the villa is just a quick five minute drive from either the airport or the ferry terminal. While there are taxis available, I definitely recommend renting a car or scooter for your stay. Not only does it give you more freedom to explore, but driving around the island is half the fun. The views are out of this world, there is zero traffic, and the hardest part is honestly finding a parking spot at popular restaurants and supermarkets.

You’ll find several car rental companies near both the airport and the ferry port, most within walking distance or offering shuttle pickups. One thing to keep in mind: there are very few automatic transmission cars available on the island. If you don’t drive manual and absolutely need an automatic, make sure to book well in advance or you might end up practicing your stick shift skills in paradise.

Check In Process

Before and during my stay, I had excellent communication with Kuulani, one of the hosts. Since she wasn’t able to meet me in person at check in, she sent over very clear instructions for a smooth self check in. Because there were no guests staying the night before and the villa was already prepared, we were allowed to check in early at 10:30 am, which was a very welcome surprise.

The villa is located in a gated neighbourhood that is beautifully maintained and feels very safe. I was given a code for the entrance gate, which worked perfectly and was easy to use. Later, once we officially checked in, we realised the keys came with a remote control that opened the gate so we didn’t even need to get out of the car. A small but very appreciated luxury.

Using GPS, we drove straight to the villa without any issues. There was another gate with a keycode that opened a small lockbox, giving us access to the house key so we could open the carport and park inside. Honestly, the whole process was a breeze. And nothing quite prepares you for that moment when you swing the door open and the view hits you—it was one of those “wow” moments where I had to just stop and take it all in.

The Villa

Villa Kia Ora is spread over two floors, with the main house and pool on the upper level. Entering through the carport, there is a small entryway with information about the local area and a handbook about the property. Off this entryway, you will find a small bedroom, and further along there is another master bedroom along with the main living and kitchen space.

The kitchen and living area are open plan, modern, and well equipped with everything you could possibly need if you feel like cooking your own meals during your stay. There is bar seating that opens up to the outside, plus a large collapsible door that slides down from the ceiling so you can merge the inside with the outside in true island style. The living area has several comfortable sofas, a huge flat screen television with all the streaming apps you could want, and floor to ceiling doors that open out to a wraparound deck with sweeping views over the Sofitel resort, the iconic overwater bungalows, and that endless turquoise water Moorea is famous for.

All four bedrooms have air conditioning, and three of them come with en suite bathrooms. The master bedroom and the adjacent bedroom on the upper level both have doors leading out to the terrace. The master has a large king bed, modern decor, and side tables with outlets on both sides. The en suite is enormous, with a sleek vanity and walk in shower. The adjacent bedroom, which can also be accessed from outside, features two double beds and its own spacious bathroom.

Now for my favoUrite part of the villa: the outdoor area. There is tons of entertaining space, from the bar seating to the patio furniture, but the real highlight is the private infinity pool. The views from here are just breathtaking, and the newly installed waterslide takes things up a notch. The pool itself is the perfect size and depth, easy to get in and out of, and the slide brought out my inner child immediately. Honestly, I lost count of how many times I went down it, and I can only imagine the joy it would bring if you are travelling with kids.

Beneath the main house is a completely self contained unit, accessed by an exterior staircase near the garage. This space has its own fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom, a living room, and a large en suite bathroom. The bedroom doors open out to a small terrace with outdoor seating. It is the perfect setup for groups of friends or extended families traveling together since it allows everyone to have their own space while still enjoying time together in the main house.

Amenities

The villa is fully equipped with modern appliances and everything you might need to prepare your own meals during your stay on the island. We made good use of the kitchen, and while groceries and supermarket prices are understandably higher than back home, it was really nice to have the option of staying in a couple of nights, cooking a meal, and enjoying a drink or two by the pool.

The kitchen has all the necessary appliances, cookware, and tableware, but it is worth noting that you will need to pick up your own basics such as oil, salt, pepper, and coffee. This wasn’t an issue for us since we had a car and planned a supermarket trip anyway, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re counting on cooking right away.

One of the really handy extras is the washing machine on site, along with clotheslines outside for drying. For anyone staying longer, or for families with kids, this is a huge plus. Even for shorter stays, it is nice to be able to do a quick load and avoid facing a mountain of laundry when you get home.

All of the bedrooms have air conditioning, and they worked perfectly. We turned them on at night and the rooms cooled down quickly, making it easy to sleep comfortably after warm island days.

Communication

I had excellent communication with Kuulani both before and during our stay at Villa Kia Ora. While many Airbnb hosts in Moorea speak only French—which usually means you and Google Translate become best friends—Kuulani speaks excellent English. That meant no awkward misunderstandings and nothing lost in translation. She was incredibly organised and helpful even before we set foot on the island, and throughout our stay she was always just a quick message away whenever we had a question.

On our last day, I had the chance to meet her in person, and she is truly a shining star. She is such a warm advocate for her family’s villas, and it is clear how much love and care they put into each property. Her family actually owns a few villas across Moorea, and I was lucky enough to stay in another one of theirs on the opposite side of the island.

Closing Remarks

I had an exceptional time at Villa Kia Ora. The villa is not only spacious, modern, and beautifully decorated, but the private infinity pool and waterslide really make it feel like your own little oasis. I do not think I have ever felt so relaxed in an Airbnb. With the amount of space and freedom this villa gives you, it honestly makes me wonder why anyone would choose an expensive hotel over the comfort of Villa Kia Ora.

If you are travelling with friends or family, it is also a much more affordable option. Plus, you get to enjoy your own private common areas instead of sharing them with strangers, and you do not have to trek across a resort just to meet up with your travel companions. Everything you need is right there.

I would not hesitate to book this villa again, and I am already dreaming of coming back one day with my whole family so they can experience just how special Villa Kia Ora really is.

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You can find out more about my stay on my “Moorea” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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