COVID-19 has had a terrible impact on the hotel industry, and there’s no doubt that a lot of hotels will be forced to close permanently because of this. We’ve already seen several hotels close permanently, and now we can add yet another hotel to the list.
The InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa in French Polynesia is closing its doors permanently. As hotel management views the situation:
- The lack of long haul flights to Tahiti and restrictions on inter-island flights has brought hotel occupancy to zero
- Even after that, the countries that French Polynesia relies most heavily on for tourism are still being hit hard
- When things reopen as of July 1, visitors will have to undergo a 14 day quarantine before going to other islands
- Management believes a sustainable path to recovery is only possible with a vaccine, which they believe is only possible in late 2021 at the earliest
- The same company also owns the InterContinentals in Bora Bora and Tahiti, which otherwise perform much better; as a result the company has taken out a large loan, and is focusing on a recovery at those properties
Here’s the full note on the hotel’s website:
The global health and economic downturn resulting from the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had an exceptionnally devastating impact on the travel and tourism industry. A significant income generating sector from many countries in the world including French Polynesia, the pandemic-induced crisis has left many countries who rely heavily on tourism revenue under considerable strain.
Due to the scale of disruption faced by the tourism in “Tahiti and her Islands” and unforeseeable market conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to announce that the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa will not be reopening after the mandated closure period concludes.
The permanent closure of the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa has been a very hard but carefully considered decision taken to preserve our other hotels within Pacific Beachcomber hotel group.
You may contact your preferred sales representative or our reservations department for assistance with the cancellation of your bookings at the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa. Our reservations team is available to assist you by phone (+689 40 86 51 78) and by email ([email protected]).
On behalf of the Pacific Beachcomber family, I would like to send our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your longstanding dedication and service throughout the years. We will be delighted to pursue our valuable partnership with our other Pacific Beachcomber properties and our teams in Tahiti and Bora Bora look forward to welcoming our common customers soon in the respect of both the required sanitary measures we have implemented and the Tahitian culture.
Bottom line
It’s always sad to see hotels close, and all the corresponding job losses that go along with it. I can only imagine how tough a recovery will be for remote island resorts like this, when you add in general international travel restrictions, quarantine requirements upon arrival, etc.
Has anyone stayed at the InterContinental Moorea (or any of the InterContinentals in French Polynesia, for that matter)?
(Tip of the hat to @fotograaf)
Celebrated our 20th anniversary in an overwater bungalow for a week shortly after 9/11. The hotel was empty and we had the run of the place. Such a fabulous experience. We are heading back this fall and sad to see it no longer exists and the way it was back then. Sigh.
We stayed at the Hilton and didn’t really care for the staff and mixed communication. We went helmet diving at the Intercontinental and we extremely enjoyed it and loved the hotel and planned on staying there next time. How disappointing .
How do I go about buying this
I've just been trying to book this and found this sad news. I took my mum here not long before she died - so very sad to hear we won't be back.
My grandchildren and I holidayed here every year for 5 years. A place we called heaven. The staff wonderful, the facilities magnificent. I nearly cried to hear about the closure. Where will we go now?
So sad to hear this we stayed here twice the first time for our twenty fifth wedding anniversary. Was the most amazing holiday we have ever had and had hoped return in the future. Very sad.
My wife and I stayed there 5 times and it was our special most favorite place on earth. Sure going to miss everything from the all you can eat breakfast buffet to the fun reef pass lefts out front!
I really can't believe. I stayed there including Bechcomber Tahiti and Bora-Bora Resort. I enjoyed the best moment of my vacation of my life and I planned to go back one day...
So sad to hear this, we stayed here for a week in 2017 and now that Tahiti tourism have opened backed up we’re saddened to hear that one of our favorite resort has closed its doors. We’re in Huahine for 6 days and Le Taha’a for 8 and the staffs here at the resort we’re the ones who’s told us . Going to miss IHG Moorea.
Was there this last December on a cruise and was booked there for end of trip. It was OK and had good service. The dolphin experience was cool and a great reef break out front! Infinity pool was nice and staff friendly. Such a bummer to see this and others going out of business!
We are all being slowly forced into bankruptcy because we have been made to believe in a pandemic that has not materialized. Forcing ill people together will people with pre-existing illnesses is murder, not accidental. In the meantime we have shut down the economy worldwide. For what? Every company like this that makes a decision to push the big red button and bankrupts is wrong. All of us will lose. Starvation is a few months away.
I've stayed here numerous time, different years, different rooms, long and short stays. Yes, if you pay more for the room, you get more. I am wondering what will become of the dolphins and turtles. There are very few restaurants on the island and they depend on the hotel trade. Sad to see this happening to all the small island nations.
I stayed there with my wife for her 50th in November. We weren’t impressed. Hope they update things.
Terrible hotel, horrible food, unengaged, unfriendly staff, poor information, nasty beach and the poor dolphins. The only good part of our stay was holy steak across the road. So no loss really.
I had a non-refundable reservation there later in the summer. Will I automatically get a refund or notification from the hotel or have to call Intercontinental's 800 number? I'm hoping they would refund since its now closed.....any insights?
Yes, maybe not the greatest property but location was great and I spent hours watching the dolphins. There's also a turtle rehab center. Sad to see it close
We stayed at IC Moorea in 2018 (our 5th free trip to FP) and loved it. Was treated very well as a top tier member and upgraded to the bungalow we wanted which was directly facing the dolphin area and on the beach. We wanted beach instead of overwater at this unique property. It's a great location and a very large property with multiple exhibits including turtles. I'm sure it will re-open at least as...
We stayed at IC Moorea in 2018 (our 5th free trip to FP) and loved it. Was treated very well as a top tier member and upgraded to the bungalow we wanted which was directly facing the dolphin area and on the beach. We wanted beach instead of overwater at this unique property. It's a great location and a very large property with multiple exhibits including turtles. I'm sure it will re-open at least as another brand in the future. We love Moorea and Bora Bora. It's all in where you stay and knowing what to explore. We've planned award trips for others to FP and no one has ever been disappointed. We are hoping to return to Bora Bora in 2021 and have the hotel points for a long stay, but won't travel to anyplace which imposes a quarantine period. Moorea is certainly one of the prettiest islands in the world and their valley is not to be missed. Also their lagoonarium is great in Moorea. Bora Bora is all about the water and knowing which property is updated such as Conrad (now one of our favorite bungalows anywhere, along with great food). IC Thalasso in Bora Bora has nice bungalows and postcard perfect view of the mountain, but you must plan to go on snorkel adventures by boat. We enjoy private boats for excursions.
Wonder what'll happen to the dolphins they were keeping there?
Where are you seeing that there will still be a 14-day quarantine in place in July?
@Donna - ++1
As for the property, it's still quite a unique asset in a quality location so it will not just be left to rot. Once the market improves, either the current owner will renovate and reopen (perhaps under a different name) or it will be sold to another investor who will. It's worth too much money to simply abandon.
And yes, I feel badly for those employees who find themselves out of work due to circumstances that are beyond their control.
To all you people saying "good...I stayed there before and they didn't like the tap water" or "fine by me, they need to learn"...shame on you.
Human beings were employed by the hotel and they've now lost their jobs.
Sorry the water wasn't to your taste but something tells me you would never be happy. Ever.
If you are ONLY using points to get to FP, then I can see why you would stay here. However, if you are using this as a big trip and spending extra $$$, I have no idea why you would ever stay here.
Agree with other comments, it will be refurbished and open as another brand.
I would guess there’s more to this story - I stayed at the Hilton and not the IC when I was there last August, but many on the island were talking about a sexual assault incident on the staff that was so bad that workers were striking for a couple of weeks. The hotel was comping entire honeymoon stays because the experience was so bad. It was all that the locals that ran my dive shop could talk about, so wasn’t entirely shocked to see this.
You mentioned they're focusing on IC Bora Bora and IC Tahiti as two properties, but that represents 3. There are 2 IC properties on Bora Bora: IC Thalasso and IC Moana.
Moorea is one of my favorite island and easy to get to as well from Tahiti. For us Bora Bora was one time destination and got boring after few days. I still remember our stay at this hotel and specifically liked ground villas. I am sure they will open under new brand once thing get back to normal. Don't imagine they will close this permanently.
I stayed there for a night several years ago. I was on a cruise that overnighted in Tahiti. I got off the ship, took the ferry over to Moorea and had a wonderful day and 3/4 there. They upgraded my room even though I was on points. They have two infinity pools. It was marvelous, and I am sad to hear that. This property is not nearly as remote as Bora Bora, so you aren't forced to only eat at the resort.
I was there less than a year ago. Great hotel. However, locals were striking against hotel for higher wages. Hotel said then that they couldn't afford or would close. Could see this coming as strike had been going on for months. Typical on the islands. Several big hotels have closed because of labor strife. not so much Covid-19. And Moorea is not the island to particular go to either. Bora Bora is the island to...
I was there less than a year ago. Great hotel. However, locals were striking against hotel for higher wages. Hotel said then that they couldn't afford or would close. Could see this coming as strike had been going on for months. Typical on the islands. Several big hotels have closed because of labor strife. not so much Covid-19. And Moorea is not the island to particular go to either. Bora Bora is the island to go to. Been to a bunch. Hawaii better as a whole. FP is one and done place and be sure to hit Bora Bora.
Totally agree with Thomas - I stayed at both properties last year and was so underwhelmed and it wasn’t cheap either - product and service forgettable
I’ve stayed at the intercontinental Tahiti. Definitely not worth going all the way for that, get off Tahiti as soo as you can to the other islansa
Also, Le Meridien Bora Bora is closing for 2 years (officially for renovations works).
They should be charged to turn it back to its natural state instead of leaving that blight on the land.
Damn. Stayed there back in 2015 and really loved the place. Was hoping to return on points. Looks like that’s out the window!
No big loss. Stayed there last year and was so disappointed about the whole property and staff.
It will soon re-open with another brand.
Game goes on.