Pacific Resort Aitutaki is one of only two five star resorts on the island and it makes a strong first impression.
The welcome begins as soon as you land, with a private seating area at the airport and refreshingly cold wet face towels. From there it is a short drive across the island to the resort, with glimpses of the shimmering lagoon that wraps entirely around Aitutaki.
The villa
We stayed in a beachfront villa and it delivered one of those rare, full body wow moments. The view straight out to the beach and lagoon was genuinely mesmerising and never stopped drawing our attention.
The villa was raised off the ground and opened onto a large balcony with a day bed, table and comfortable chairs, all positioned to make the most of the lagoon outlook.
Waiting for us on arrival was a welcome drink of fresh coconut juice served straight from the coconut, along with a complimentary bottle of wine and a fruit plate. It was a thoughtful and generous touch that immediately set the tone.
The bathroom was large and finished in marble, with his and hers sinks and a generous walk in shower.
There was a sitting area, a table, a coffee machine, a fridge and bottled water provided, which was appreciated and added to the overall sense of comfort.
Outside, the villa had its own section of beach with dedicated sunbeds shaded by a beach hibiscus. It made it very easy to settle in for the day and do very little.
Swimming, snorkelling and lagoon time
One of the highlights of staying beachfront was being able to snorkel directly from the beach. The resort’s Aquatic Eco Trail is a self guided snorkelling and educational experience through the lagoon environment and has become a well received activity for guests.
There are five different lagoon habitats to explore, each clearly marked with a white buoy. Each area supports different marine life and there is always something new to discover, from giant clams to angelfish, butterfly fish and vivid blue starfish.
That said, beware of the triggerfish. Despite being no bigger than your hand, they are highly territorial. I discovered this first hand when one swam straight at me and nipped my leg. It did not leave a mark, but it was enough to make me more cautious afterwards.
Kayaks were available for paddling within the lagoon and the water stayed warm and inviting. In the areas we used, the depth never came past chest height, which kept everything feeling relaxed and safe.
The infinity pool overlooks the lagoon and has plenty of comfortable seating, along with a poolside bar and restaurant.
A personal touch…
The cocktail of the day is always named after an arriving guest.
There was a good choice of food served throughout the day, ranging from familiar western favourites to local options. During the day, Blackrock Bar was a relaxed place to eat, with lagoon views and a casual atmosphere that suited long lunches and poolside snacks.
Rapae Bay Restaurant is where breakfast and dinner are served. In the evenings it takes on a more refined feel, with a strong dinner menu and notable dishes of the day, enjoyed against the backdrop of the lagoon.
Breakfast was included and served a la carte. A highlight was being able to order multiple items rather than being limited to a single dish, which made breakfast feel generous and indulgent rather than a basic inclusion.
The resort also offers spa treatments, although our stay was only two nights and we did not manage to fit one in.
Verdict
Pacific Resort Aitutaki is made for slowing right down. The beachfront villas are special, the lagoon is dreamlike and the resort makes it easy to do very little and feel very happy about it. It is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.
Read more about our stay in the Cook Islands in Cook Islands 101: Where to Stay, What to Eat and What to Know and Cook Islands 101: Two Islands, Two Moods
Traveltalk’s stay in Aitutaki was hosted by Cooks Islands Tourism.
