Fodor's Expert Review Club Bali Hai

Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation.

This is the last remaining hotel of a handful that were started by the "Bali Hai Boys," three Californians who came to Moorea in the early 1960s to start a vanilla farm. Instead, they ended up running hotels and invented the legendary overwater bungalow concept. The Club is part time-share, part hotel, and it would be hard to find a more spectacular position in Moorea. It sits on the eastern shore of Cook's Bay with a perfect view of the iconic shark-toothed mountain—Mt. Mouaroa—from almost every angle. There are mountain- and beach-view rooms and beach and overwater bungalows, although the latter are only partially overwater. The five garden rooms have kitchenettes and several are large enough for families. A grocery store across the road is stocked with a good range of fresh produce. The resort is comfortable without being luxurious and has a very friendly atmosphere. It's virtually a one-stop-shop with a free dance performance on Wednesday night (preceded by a seafood barbecue), its own boat for lagoon excursions and sunset cruises, car rental desk, boutique, weekly crab races, and a sunset talk every day (except Wednesday) given by Muk, one of the two surviving "boys." Gather round over a few drinks as he shares stories of the "good old days" of Moorea and his interesting exploits. The hotel's best rates are available over the Internet.