Cook Islands Hotels Search - Beautiful Pacific

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Cook Islands Holidays Guide

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There are over 50 Cook Islands hotels and other accommodations in all, 80% of these being on the main island of Rarotonga with the remianing 20% on Aitutaki. The majority of accommodation is in small collections of family owned self-catering bungalows on the beachfront, usually in groups of between 3 and 15. There are only a few large resorts, the largest having just over 200 rooms, but there are no high rise buildings.

Room rates vary from around NZ$140 per room for basic self-catering to up to NZ$750 for the deluxe beach front resort bungalows. Holiday homes start at about NZ$700 per week for a 2 bedroom house. Accommodation in the Cook Islands does get full throughout the year so it is wise to book at least 3 months in advance. Discounts for direct Internet bookings are usually available through the hotel website and better rates are often quoted for early bookings. Late specials are very seldom offered. It is worth asking to reserve the unit nearest the beach front - some places have a standard rate for all units while others add a premium for beach front units.

Most hotels blend in well with the environment and none are taller than the height of the coconut trees. Most properties are beach front of the coastal road although usually only a few of the rooms / bungalows are absolute beach-front. Those classified as "Garden" bungalows are set slightly inland from the beach. Some accommodation on Rarotonga on the mountain side of the coastal road and these are usually much cheaper even though the mountain views are often just as spectacular as those with sea views.

Rarotonga accommodation is spread right around the small island. There are almost 100 individual accommodation properties, from small boutique resorts to self contained beach bungalows and holiday homes. There are only two large hotels with just under 200 rooms each, the third largest hotel has 67 rooms and villas and the fourth largest just 22 bungalows.

Most places to stay are located on the beach side of the coastal road although not always absolute beach front. Those on the mountain side offer better value for money and most have lovely mountain views and are never more than a five minute stroll to the beach. No building rises higher than the surrounding coconut trees and apart from Muri Beach and a few spots along the north west coast, there is no overcrowding. However, unlike other south pacific destinations, there is no real solitude on Rarotonga - it is an exciting busy little laid back island with lots to do and plenty of independent restaurants to sample the local fish.

Hot water is available even at the budget hostels and electricity is 24-hours a day. Internet connections are provided by many properties but there are independent Internet cafes around the island. The larger resorts have their own tour desks and even some of the smaller resorts have cars / mopeds on location for hire. Island nights which include dance performances and traditional feasts are offered by The Rarotongan and Edgewater Resorts and welcome outside guests.

Aitutaki accommodation is concentrated along the west / north-west coast of the main island and on the southern point of its protruding hook. These areas have the best swimming beaches around the island. The fringing motu have just a few places to stay - most are still completely uninhabited.

There are almost 20 individual accommodation properties in all, from small boutique resorts to self contained beach bungalows. There are only two medium size resorts - the largest, the new Pacific Resort, has 70 bungalows and villas and the next largest has just 30 bungalows. There are no backpacker dorms on the island although there is a good choice of budget rooms. Camping, however, is strictly prohibited. Most places to stay are located on the beach side of the coastal road although not always absolute beach front. No building rises higher than the surrounding coconut trees. Most properties will meet you at the airport if you have pre-booked but it's worth confirming this. For those arriving without transfers, the airport shuttle bus drops off at all hotels on the main island for NZ$10.

Prices on Aitutaki are on the high side compared to its South Pacific neighbours. A luxury self contained beach bungalow will cost from NZ$300 per night, a standard self contained bungalow from NZ$120 per night and a budget room for about NZ$30 per night. Most rooms and bungalows sleep two people. Budget properties do not always have hot water although all have electricity.

There are several independent restaurants around the main island, mostly on the east coast around the village of Arutanga Small trading shops can be found around the island and provide fresh produce and tin food for those on a self-catering holiday. For those staying on the offshore islands, you will need to take all provisions with you - even a supply of drinking water is recommended.

The following accommodations are our recommended places to stay in the Cook Islands. Please select a name from the list below for more detailed information, prices, monthly specials, pictures and on-line booking enquiry.

Luxury Resorts - NZ$500 + per couple
	Little Polynesian South Coast, Rarotonga 9 modern bungalows with contemporary feel on great swimming and snorkelling beach. Pool and restaurant on site. No children.
	Aitutaki Beach Resort Akitua Motu, Aitutaki Lagoon 37 Bungalows along beautiful beachfront with outstanding views and excellent swimming lagoon. Offering the only overwater bungalows in Cook islands.
	Muri Beach Club Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 32 modern contemporary rooms around swimming pool or smack on Muri Beach. Great location but pricey. No children.
	Takitumu Villas South Coast, Rarotonga 10 spacious villas on quiet beachfront. Good swimming and snorkelling. Nicely landscaped gardens but pool could do with a facelift.
	Rarotonga Beach Bungalows South Coast, Rarotonga 5 serviced bungalows on small private property fronting a lovely beach front - garden bungalows have outdoor showers.
Deluxe Resorts - NZ$ 250 - 500 per couple
	Pacific Resort Rarotonga Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 60 studio rooms, bungalows and private villas in beautiful landscaped gardens in the heart of Muri Beach. Lots of water activities. Pick of the resorts in the Cook Islands.
	Rarotongan Beach Resort South West Coast, Rarotonga 156 rooms on lovely beach with great swimming. Fantastic kids club, night entertainmen, pool and tennis make this a good choice for families.
	Crown Beach Resort West Coast, Rarotonga Boutique resort with 32 bungalows of various sizes. Pleasant beach front and swimming pool. Restaurant and sunset beach bar. Good value for money. No kids.
	Manuia Beach Hotel West Coast, Rarotonga 24 units in duplex bungalows, some facing the pool and ocean, fronting a wide stretch of beach with fair swimming. Lovely beachfront restaurant.
Standard Resorts - NZ$ 150 - 250 per couple
	Muri Beachcomber Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 22 duplex and quad bungalows in the heart of Muri Beach in a spacious garden setting overlooking the beachfront. Great location.
	Sunset Resort West Coast, Rarotonga 35 spacious self catering units on the west side of Rarotonga alomh mediocre beachfront. Two pools and lovely landscaped gardens.
	Muri Beach Hideaway Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 7 bungalows in the heart of Muri Beach with pool and friendly local hosts living on site - bungalows close together. Good value for great location.
	Castaway Beach Villas West Coast, Rarotonga Total of 14 units, rooms with pool and restaurant in a cramped setting alongside picturesque beach with shallow lagoon. Good value and close to amenities and village.
	Edgewater Resort West Coast, Rarotonga Cook Islands largest resort offering 250 excellent value rooms, lots of activities and ammenities and nice beach. Close to independent restaurants.
	Rarotonga Holiday Homes Various Locations, Rarotonga Selection of private 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom houses for tourist rent around Rarotonga. Ideal for groups and families.
	Palm Grove South Coast, Rarotonga 21 bungalows, some on beachfront, some across coastal road around poolside. Restaurant and pool. Overall, great value.
	Kuras Kabanas Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 5 bungalows with kitchenette on narrow strip of beach at the northern end of Muri Beach. One family unit above reception area. Faces motu island.
	Sunhaven Beach Bungalows West Coast, Rarotonga 9 spacious bungalows on secluded beachfront - bungalows close together and set around pool but overall great value for money.
	Aroa Beachside Inn South West Coast, Rarotonga 11 units in three double storey houses alongside delightful beach - one of the best value spots on Rarotonga. Kitchenettes in nall units enable dining in.
Budget Resorts - NZ$ 50 - 150 per couple
	Club Raro Resort North Coast, Rarotonga 55 rooms in courtyard style setting around pool, some overlooking ocean. The beach is coarse but snorkelling good in outer lagoon. Excellent value and close to town.
	Kings Beach Villas Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 2 self contained units in duplex bungalow overlooking the quiet southern end of Muri Beach. Option of serviced or non-serviced.
	Aroko Bungalows Muri Lagoon, East Coast, Rarotonga 8 self caterring bungalows on quiet lagoon front opposite uninhabited islands - can wade across to beach or walk along road to Muri beach and restaurants.
	Paradise Inn Avarua Town, North Coast, Rarotonga 20 units with mezzanine bedroom (upstairs), five minutes walk from Avarua Town on a part sandy beach with reef walking lagoon. Ideal location for exploring.
	Tiana's Beach Bungalows Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga 6 units and bungalows on beautiful section of Muri Beach. Units are basic but have ensuite bathrooms ansd verandas overlooking beach - fantastic value for money.
	Rau's Guesthouse South Coast, Rarotonga 5 rooms in converted guesthouse with spacious communal lounge, large kitchen and shared bathrooms. Across road from secluded beach - great for budget travellers.
	Varas Backpackers Muri Beach, East Coast, Rarotonga Lively backpacker accommodation with some beach units, but most rooms and dorms are 5 mins walk up the hill. Great place to meet fellow travellers.