Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort, Aitutaki

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa is the Cook Islands only private island resort, with sublime overwater bungalows perched on the world’s most beautiful lagoon.

“No artist’s palette could ever conceive of a more perfect, more luminescent turquoise than that of the lagoon of Aitutaki, arguably the most beautiful in the world”, wrote Steve Davey in Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die (BBC Books).

For the ultimate South Pacific escape, the boutique adults-only bungalow resort was voted in the prestigious Condè Nast Traveler Readers Poll as one of the top 25 resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, a wonderful accolade for this idyllic resort destination. Listed by Islands magazine as one of the World’s 12 Best Private Islands, this sublime resort rests effortlessly on the secluded, private island of Motu Akitua, the only resort directly on Aitutaki Lagoon. Encircled by champagne-sand beaches, the resort enjoys panoramic views across the vast lagoon to the motu (small isles) beyond. Following its recent multi-million makeover, this luxury five-star resort is now adults-only for guests aged 16 and over.

Just a 45-minute flight from Rarotonga, Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort offers the only overwater bungalows in the Cook Islands, a quintessentially Polynesian experience. Select from Overwater Bungalows, Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows, Premium Beachfront Bungalows and Beachfront Bungalows. Each comes complete with delightful open-air showers, roofs hand-thatched with plaited kikau (coconut palm fronds), furniture made of tropical woods, spacious veranda with sun-loungers, air-conditioning, resort-wide Wi-Fi, super-king bed, TV, clock/radio, mini-fridge and bathrobes.

The sumptuous luxury Royal Honeymoon Pool Villa Princess Te Arau, a favourite with celebrities, offers complete privacy in a lush garden setting, an open-air spa, daybed pavilion, swimming pool and a separate kitchen/dining pavilion.

The resort offers a range of memorable dining experiences including a fire dance show at the water’s edge, authentic umukai (earth-oven) feast, seafood platters and private candlelit dining on the sand under a canopy of twinkling stars. Guests can enjoy complimentary use of stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling gear and bicycles.

For couples in love dreaming of saying “I do” on an exotic South Seas private island, Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort now offers the new Over The Moon Wedding Package for only NZ$3999. Imagine exchanging your vows on the champagne sands of Sunset Beach on Akitua Private Island against a backdrop of some of the bluest water on earth as the tropical sun plays on the surface of the lagoon. Heaven sent.