The following is a Cook Islands accommodation quick guide: Avarua Town on the NORTH COAST of the main island of Rarotonga is the administration centre with shops, restaurants and bars as well as the international airport. The town makes for a good base with affordable accommodation although there is no swimming beach. The North East Coast is the most rural region on Rarotonga with quiet village settings, stunning mountain views and wild wind swept beaches (non-swimming). There are a few self contained beach cottages along this coastline which are ideal for those wanting privacy.

The most popular beach area is at MURI on the South East Coast with its ideal lagoon for swimming and views of several small uninhabited islands. Muri has the highest concentration of accommodations including several medium to small resorts, a few backpacker hostels and lots of self contained beach cottages and holiday homes. There's several good restaurants here and a few small shops for provisions.

The best snorkelling lagoons are along the quiet SOUTH COAST with deserted sandy beaches and lush mountain scenes and is ideal for those looking for more privacy although restaurants here are few.

The WEST COAST has the second highest concentration of accommodations, although only a few properties sit side by side. The attraction of this coastline is its long sweeping beach (although in places not good for swimming), beautiful sunsets and protection from the tradewinds. There are also lots of independent restaurants for those who like to dine out.

AITUTAKI is a lagoon island 45-minutes flight north of Rarotonga with lovely beaches, day cruises around uninhabited islands and there are several small resorts and self cater bungalows to choose from.


Our Pick of the Cook Islands Accommodations :


Luxury Accommodation

Akaiami Lodge -
Aitutaki Lagoon
NZ$600+
set on a beautiful white sandy beach with a pristine turquoise snorkelling lagoon

Little Polynesian -
South Rarotonga
NZ$550+
delightful contemporary / polynesian bungalows on great snorkelling beach

Crown Beach Resort -
Aitutaki Lagoon
NZ$500+
spacious resort with 23 bungalows, nice pool and beachside setting

Aitutaki Beach Resort -
Aitutaki Lagoon
NZ$470+
delightful beach and lagoon setting on private island off Aitutaki

Deluxe Accommodation

Muri Beach Club -
Muri, East Rarotonga
NZ$375+
located on a fantastic section of Muri Beach with a clear lagoon out front with views

Pacific Resort -
Muri Beach, East Rarotonga
NZ$370+
medium size resort in landscaped gardens on prime beachfront with activities

Manuia Beach Hotel -
West Rarotonga
NZ$345+
set amongst tropical flora are 24 comfortable traditional thatched buildings

Standard Accomodation

Aretai Bungalows -
West Aitutaki
NZ$300
a collection of three 2-bedroom villas with separate lounge and kitchen, nice lagoon

Tamanu Beach Hotel -
West Aitutaki
NZ$295+
12 deluxe bungalows featuring native mahogany floors, restaurant and bar

Moana Sands Hotel -
South Rarotonga
NZ$295+
hotel complex on three floors overlooking white sandy beach, excellent snorkelling

Raina Lagoon Villas -
West Rarotonga
NZ$290+
hand crafted bungalows with emphasis on local materials, a total of six bungalows

Castaway Beach Villas -
West Rarotonga
NZ$285+
with 12 beachfront units, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the cool breeze

Muri Beachcomber -
Muri Beach, East Rarotonga
NZ$265+
self catering bungalows in landscaped gardens fronting popular Muri Beach

Aroa Beachside Inn -
Southwest Rarotonga
NZ$250+
double storey wooden buildings with self contained units, all with ocean views

Lagoon Lodges -
Southwest Rarotonga
NZ$245+
located on a mountain side in south western Rarotonga, beach also nearby

Palm Grove -
South Rarotonga
NZ$235+
excellent value self catering bungalows with beach front and pool

Sunhaven Bungalows -
West Rarotonga
NZ$230+
a perfect hideaway on the west side of Rarotonga nestled amongst palm trees

Budget Accommadation

Puaikura Lodge -
South Rarotonga
NZ$120+
Excellent value motel rooms across road from quiet beach

Tianas Beach Villas -
Muri Beach, East Rarotonga
NZ$120+
units and bungalows on quiet end of Muri Beach

Kia Orana Bungalows -
West Rarotonga
NZ$120
family owned property on the West coast of Rarotonga with the beach nearby

Rau's Guesthouse -
South Rarotonga
NZ$48+
fantastic value for money across road from private beach

Vara's Backpackers -
Muri, East Rarotonga
NZ$46+
the most popular backpacker hostel in the Cook Islands with a nice social atmosphere

Inano Beach Bungalows -
Ootu, South Aitutaki
NZ$130+
six brand new self contained bungalows facing the sheltered lagoon on Aitutaki



Book your Holiday with the Specialists:


South Pacific Holidays & Resorts
; Beautiful Cook Islands Holidays & Resorts
fiji resorts & holidays ; samoa resort & holidays ; tonga resort & holidays ; tahiti resort & holidays ; vanuatu resorts & holidays ; new caledonia resort & holidays ; australia resort & holidays



Complete Cook Islands Accommodation Listings



Other Accommodation Listings
(NOT PROMOTING):




This Accommodation Guide is brought to you by South Pacific Pictures, the photographic division of Pacific Travel Guides. This leading independent travel publisher is based in Fiji and aims to provide unbiased travel information to help potential holiday-makers plan their trip to the South Pacific. We do not sell individual hotels, tours or packages - we simply provide an overview to help you make the decision and provide links for you to make further enquiries and bookings. All the pictures in this website have been taken by us and try to show a true representation of our destinations. No picture has been staged - all were taken as presented.

Our energetic team of researchers and photographers travel around the south pacific on a regular basis to update our guides and to ensure their accuracy. Please feel free to contribute your own travel experiences to pass on to fellow travellers.

If you haven't been able to find what you're looking for in our website, you might want to try South Pacific Travel Guides - the regions most comprehensive travel guide for the islands: Fiji Travel ; Cook Islands Travel ; Samoa Travel ; Tonga Travel ; Tahiti Travel ; Hawaii Travel ; Oahu Travel ; Kauai Travel ; Maui Travel ; Big Island Hawaii Travel

Alternatively, if you're simply after accommodation, search South Pacific Resorts the largest directory of hotels in the South Pacific with thousands of unique photographs, location maps and unbiased write ups: Cook Islands Resorts ; Fiji Resorts ; Samoa Resorts ; Tonga Resorts ; Tahiti Resorts ; Vanuatu Resorts ; New Caledonia Resorts ; Hawaii Resorts.

Beautiful Holidays - specialist travel agent based in Australia offering personalized booking assistance

South Pacific Travel Resources - selection of accredited website links


Last Updated
21 August 2009
by


Pacific Travel Guides

PO Box 10146, Nadi Airport, Fiji

Contact Us