Rarotonga - who has been there and where to stay

[wallacej]

After waiting until the last day to use up the balance of my UA miles before the expired, I managed to book myself a holiday to RAR next April... 35,000 points from MEL via AKL. Not too bad.

Anyway, now I have that, and bought a 2nd ticket via AirNZ for my partner (linked the two routes together, and have pre seated us next to each other over the phone).

Anyhow, got the tickets, but after reading soooo many different reports I am looking for anyone that has been there, and has a suggestion on where best to stay.

It will be my partner and I, she likes to sit and happy to do nothing on the beach, whilst I would like to be a little more active. No kids, and would probably prefer no kids or low number of kids.

Would love to go in one of those little huts on the edge of the beach etc etc... but the budget for the week for accom. would be around $1200-$2000 for 7 nights.
Any suggestions would be great, and also things to do, where to eat, where not to eat. etc.. I am going to RAR so no point suggesting a different desitination, that bit is locked in..

Look forward to any suggestions!

 

[harvyk]

Yes, I have been there.

The place we stayed was the Edgewater. We ended up getting a room overlooking the beach. It's good as yes you can spend all day lounging around the pool or on the beach and they do have activities hut if you're feeling like doing something.

Something I recommend is the 4x4 tour. Go on one that gives you lunch as they prepare your lunch before you go on the tour, place it in a fire pit and when you get back it is ready to go, and from memory it costs no more than the one that doesn't give you lunch and the food is beautiful.

Also get yourself a motorbike license and hire some scooters on day one. They are a lot of fun to ride around the place. (I didn't think about getting one until the last day, it's my one regret, that said, my cook islands drivers license does make a very nice souvenir) Also make sure you have a bit of cash on you to buy your better half a black pearl, it's the islands main industry and it's worth a lot in brownie points.

Also Edgewater have an island night on Tuesday nights, well worth it, and you won't be leaving hungry (enough food to feed two armies).

There wasn't a lot of kids there either (apart from my daughter).

BTW watch your tab on the bar, it can be a killer at the end of your holiday, for some reason drinks go down so easily when you're sitting on a tropical island overlooking the sunset into the ocean .

 

[harvyk]

Also check out my trip report here - http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...trip-report-rarotonga-cook-islands-17560.html

 

[wallacej]

You should seek a commission from the cook island tourism commission!! Well done, and thanks... it is those small pointers that can make a difference...motorbike, pearl, Tuesday nights etc...

Thanks again.

 

[stryker]

My wife and I go to Rarotonga a couple of times a year (we love it - best place in the Pacific IMHO).

We always rent a house right on the beach at Muri Lagoon. Costs are around $200 a night for a nice place, completely self-contained and with no kids in sight. It's fairly close to the Pacific hotel for your entertainment, etc, and has the nicest beach and lagoon on the island.

Have a look at Rarotonga Realty - The Cook Islands real estate professionals.

 

[wallacej]

Excellent Stryker - thanks for that... do you go shopping the first day you are there, for food - the bungalos etc look great, and seem to be close to restaurants, shops etc - my only concern is I don't want to cook, so having drinks in the room swould be great, and snacks, but what do you do for lunch/dinner?