Paradises

Archives: Destinations

Moana Sands Lagoon Resort

/

Discover your own slice of paradise, where glorious mountain peaks and pristine white sand beaches await.

Located on the southern end of world-famous Muri Lagoon, Moana Sands Lagoon Resort welcomes guests aged 18 years and over, making it the ideal location for those seeking a quiet or romantic getaway.

The modern property complements the Moana Sands Group’s existing folio of the family friendly Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel and Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments, which are located on the south side of Rarotonga, along the pristine Titikaveka and Vaimaanga beaches. Moana Sands Lagoon Resort offers an intimate selection of 24 guestrooms and suites located within a two-storey beachfront complex. Choose from 22 Deluxe Lagoon Studios or, for additional luxury, the The Beach Suite and The Lagoon Suite offer privacy and space with separate living areas.

All accommodation is beautifully appointed with modern Polynesian decor, and boasts stunning lagoon views from a private patio or balcony. Modern amenities include air-conditioning, king size bed, room safe, flat screen TV, ceiling fan, basic kitchen facilities including, mini-fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. Guest facilities are conveniently located within the complex. The centerpiece of the resort is the stunning large swimming pool, complete with sun lounging deck and a cabana.

The sparkling shores of Muri Lagoon are at your doorstep which offers swimming at all hours of the day or enjoy a luxurious treatment at the on-site Hibiscus Spa, or venture out to the island’s marvellous nearby sites.

Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments

/

Discover the most idyllic tropical setting at Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments.

Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments are just a short and scenic drive from the airport, in the village of Vaimaanga. Overlooking a stretch of gorgeous soft white sands and lagoon of iridescent blue, the views will take your breath away.

The secluded location is also one of Rarotonga’s premier spots for snorkelling and swimming, offering a safe marine playground teeming with tropical fish. Grab the complimentary snorkel gear and explore beneath the surface, or jump in a kayak and head out to the reef. Your home-away-from-home, contemporary accommodation has all the necessary modern comforts, and offers mesmerising lagoon views from the privacy of your own balcony or patio. Choose between studio apartments, two bedroom beachfront villas and the two or three bedroom apartment which can accommodate a family or group of up to six. Each air-conditioned villa or apartment features a private balcony or patio, king or twin bedding, in-room safe, flat screen television, a fully-equipped kitchen including cook top (in two and three bedroom options), full size refrigerator/freezer, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities.

While you are here, spoil yourself with a relaxing massage at Moana Sands Hibiscus Spa. Located at nearby Moana Sands Lagoon Resort, the spa provides a range of body and beauty treatments by its internationally trained team, allowing you to relax and unwind.
Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments is conveniently located within walking distance of a supermarket, takeaways and restaurants, and just 25 minutes to the town centre, making it easy to access activities to complement your stay here in a little paradise.

Ocean Escape Resort & Spa

/

Introducing Rarotonga’s newest oceanfront, boutique eco-resort featuring 12 modern apartment-style villas, offering a luxurious adults-only (16+) escape.

Each villa has a loft style, king-size bedroom on the upper level, with ocean views plus a private outdoor daybed with pool views. The spacious bathroom, open plan living, dining and kitchen are on the lower level.

Luxury hideaway
The coastal decor is complemented by all the modern conveniences, including a full galley kitchen, microwave, cooktop, dishwasher, full size fridge, A/C, ceiling fans, 50-inch smart TV, Bluetooth speaker, in-room safe, hair dryer and heated towel rails.

This luxury barefoot hideaway is on the eastern sunrise coast with endless ocean views, wonderful for whale watching and great for couples to enjoy secluded walks along the private beach.

The resort was developed focussing on minimal environmental impact. Featuring a 100% chemical free, ocean saltwater swimming pool, it also offers Eco-Pure safe drinking water throughout.

Chill out
Complete with on-site Essential Spa, specialising in locally made organic products, another chill out zone is BJ’s Tapas Bar, with amazing 180° ocean views, where you can also enjoy top shelf cocktails, mediterranean and island fusion tapas.

Casual on the outside, modern on the inside and sprinkled with luxurious touches throughout, Ocean Escape Resort & Spa is your perfect island escape.

Nautilus Resort

/

Escape to paradise at Nautilus Resort, where the pace of life slows down, and the beauty of Rarotonga unfolds around you.

Nautilus Resort’s 17 premium villas, seamlessly blending traditional Polynesian and modern design, offer an enchanting retreat. Each villa captures the essence of island living with a private salt-water plunge pool, expansive outdoor deck, and a lavish bathroom opening to a secluded open-air shower amidst tropical gardens.

Experience luxury
Inside, experience the luxury of a Californian king bed adorned with crisp linens, complemented by the sea breeze and floral scents. Your villa boasts a mini kitchenette, espresso machine, entertainment system, and internet access for those who wish to stay connected.
Indulge your senses at the Polynesian beachfront restaurant and chic beach bar, showcasing the best of local cuisine in a fine dining or al fresco setting. The resort also features a spa haven, Spa Nautilus, offering a range of rejuvenating treatments, from hot stone therapy to holistic massages.

The resort’s amenities extend beyond accommodation and spa, including opulent waterfront dining, an exclusive function facility, water sports, and cultural activities.

Whether you’re a couple seeking romance or a family in search of adventure, Nautilus Resort promises a quintessential Rarotonga vacation in exclusive style. Immerse yourself in the allure of this tropical haven and discover one of the world’s most desired destinations.

Muri Beach Resort

/

Discover paradise at Muri Beach Resort, where tranquil comfort meets the pristine beauty of Rarotonga’s Muri Lagoon.

Nestled on the white sands of Muri Beach, the resort offers a captivating blend of traditional Polynesian charm and contemporary comfort.

Ultimate island experience
Indulge in the ultimate island experience with 22 elegantly appointed villas – beachfront and garden villas and suites, featuring stunning views of the turquoise lagoon or immersed in tropical manicured gardens.

Immerse yourself in the serene surroundings, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and the gentle sound of lapping waves.

Here relaxation is an art form – unwind by the large resort pool, share a barbecue with friends, sip on a tropical cocktail at the popular beachfront bar, take a walk on the beautiful Muri Beach.

For the more adventurous, explore the vibrant marine life with complimentary snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboards, or kayaks on Muri Lagoon.

Savour the flavours of the Pacific at local markets and restaurants, offering diverse menus – just a short stroll from the resort.

Create memories
Whether you’re celebrating a romantic getaway or creating lifelong memories with family and friends, Muri Beach Resort is the perfect escape where every moment is a postcard-worthy experience.
Let the rhythm of the Cook Islands enchant you.

Muri Beach Club Hotel

/

Muri Beach Club Hotel is a boutique, adults-only hotel superbly positioned on the prime part of Muri Beach.

With all the trimmings of larger hotels, it boasts one of Rarotonga’s largest pools, a Day Spa offering treatments to truly unwind and relax you and, with only 30 rooms, you can be certain of personalised treatment and superb service. Each room offers air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, room safe, IDD telephone, refrigerator, satellite TV and in-house movies.

The hotel promises to show you the true beauty of Rarotonga in a chic, sophisticated environment, and the amenities and facilities enhance this experience. The fine dining restaurant specialises in fantastic South Pacific fare and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy panoramic views of the offshore islands in the Lagoon Lounge whilst sipping on a sensational cocktail.

Between the Lagoon lounge, the central swimming pool, and the spa and beauty salon, visitors will be hard pressed not to feel completely relaxed while the wide range of amenities cater to guests’ every desire.

Perfectly situated
From paddling kayaks and stand-up paddle boards inside the reef protected lagoon to booking activities and tours with our 24-hour reception, this boutique property is perfectly situated and within walking distance to shops, cafes, restaurants, the cultural centre and much more.

This is also an amazing place to celebrate your special day. A wedding in this tropical paradise can be organised for you by a wedding co-ordinator with a choice of packages offering a complete island wedding experience.

Sokala Villas

/

In a stunning absolute beachfront location, discover a romantic getaway on the northern shore of Rarotonga’s famous Muri Lagoon.

Tropical island getaway
Popular with honeymooners, couples and individuals seeking a tropical island getaway, Sokala consists of four beachfront and three lagoon view villas.

Each villa has a well-appointed kitchenette and four have their own swimming pool. Private spacious timber decks offer stunning views across the turquoise lagoon and the picturesque offshore islands. You will be just a few steps from the tranquil lagoon where you can snorkel by day and relax with a drink at sunset. Small paddle boats are available for guests, or take a short stroll along Muri Beach to sign up for a stand-up paddleboard lesson and hire. Spend an hour learning how to take command of a sailboat, or take a leisurely cruise along Muri Lagoon on a glass bottom boat to snorkel at a marine sanctuary and afterwards enjoy a barbecue on one of the motu.

There are plenty of fantastic eateries within easy walking distance and a small store with a good range of food items is just a few hundred metres away. Those wanting to travel into Avarua to stock up at the supermarket and shop at the larger stores can hop on the Cooks’ Island Bus that circles the island twice an hour along the main road.

Romantic beachside wedding
The villas are especially popular with honeymooners and Sokala’s location, with its lagoon backdrop, offers an idyllic setting for a romantic beachside wedding.

cook islands rarotonga lagoon breeze villas canoe

Activities in Rarotonga

/

The popular activities that you can indulge in on the Rarotonga Island include snorkeling, bike riding, scuba diving, horse-back riding, deep-sea fishing, hiking, boat tours, visiting restaurants, scenic flights, dancing, tennis, squash, watching island shows, exploring the island on mopeds, and definitely, relaxing at the beachside.

On Sunday, you can find several churches that have service along with a choral singing. The island life is completely relaxed and by the time its night, the locals and tourists gather near the sea fence which borders the airport runway’s end and get “jetblasted” by the incoming airplanes.

Music is an integral element of the lifestyle on Rarotonga Island. You can hear the hymns and the chants from the churches and the bands playing a combination of traditional and electronic ukuleles made using coconut shells. The activities on the island ensure that there is never a dull moment while you’re staying on Rarotonga Island.

Rarotonga’s Cuisine

/

Polynesian cuisine is primarily characterized by seafood dishes and the restaurants on Rarotonga Island offer both kinds of dishes – traditional and also those in cooked in the island style.

A must-try delicacy on the Rarotonga island is the grilled ‘mai-mai’ or dolphin fish. It is especially popular at Trader Jack’s located in Avarua.

For those in the search of some gourmet dining on the Rarotonga Island, Muri’s Flame Tree is a good option. Gourmet dishes can also be savored at Tumunu and Portofino in Arorangi and Tupapa respectively.

The hotels on the island also boast of wide-ranging menus and typically offer a traditional buffet feast called ‘umu kai’ which is accompanied by some drumming and dancing. A traditional earth oven is used to cook the ‘umu kai’ with the help of radiant heat supplied by hot stones. In Avarua, travelers can also find cafe and lunch establishments which offer Polynesian and European meals.

cook islands rarotonga club raro swimming pool

Exploring Rarotonga

/

Rarotonga has a circumference of about 32km with a brilliant blue lagoon surrounding it from all sides. You will see colorful tropical fish beautifying this blanket of blue water and tall palms lining the pearl white sand of the island. The island also has a coral reef that has waves crashing against it inviting the fishermen to toss their lines.

A major part of the island is covered with beautiful palms and you will find a famous cross-island path which connects the south of the Rarotonga Island to Avatiu valley. It goes through the Te Rua Manga, a prominent rock shaped in the form of a needle. You can also hike to a flat-top mountain or the Raemaru. Other attractive stops could include Arai te Tonga and Wigmore Falls (Papua Falls).

Rarotonga has 3 harbors, namely Avarua, Avatiu and Avana. Out of these, the Avatiu harbor is the only one which has some commercial significance.