Edgewater sits on the western side of Rarotonga, where the lagoon edge is closer to shore than in other parts of the island.
The resort’s elevated, westward-facing position provides excellent, uninterrupted views of the ocean making it a great place to spot passing whales during the season (July-October).
You can swim and snorkel in this part of the lagoon on calm days. During our stay the lagoon in front of the resort was not conducive to swimming, however it is only a short drive other areas of the lagoon.
We had a first floor room at the end of a multi storey block overlooking the beach with great views out to sea.
The room was large with tiled floors, basic furnishings and a king bed plus a single. The bathroom was enormous and a standout feature, with a corner bath, a separate shower and his and hers sinks, which is ideal when you are trying to get a family out the door.
The spacious balcony allowed us to relax in our own space while enjoying the comings and goings of the resort.
Edgewater’s biggest strength is family infrastructure. The kids club runs for ages 4 to 12 with activities from 9 am to 9 pm, with a break for lunch, which is a genuine gift to parents.
For older kids and teens there are basketball and tennis courts plus a games room and those courts were constantly in use during our visit.
The pool is positioned next to the outdoor eating area, making it easy for parents to relax with a drink while keeping an eye on children.
The resort also runs daytime activities like crab races, which adds to the holiday energy.
Masks, snorkels, flippers and reef shoes are complimentary, with other equipment available.
There is a large outdoor eating area next to the beachfront and the daytime menu had a decent spread, including fish and salads as well as fried favourites. We did not eat dinner at the resort.
Breakfast was continental only, with plenty of tropical fruit to try. Hot items were available at extra cost.
The Akaora Spa and Salon is onsite, open daily and offers a range of therapies and hairdressing.
There are a number of restaurants within walking distance of the resort, including Spaghetti House and The Rarotongan Brewery.
Edgewater is a solid choice for families who want a value for money, lively resort where kids can be busy all day and parents can breathe.
If the lagoon is calm, snorkelling is right there out front. When it is not, the pool, activities and family atmosphere do the heavy lifting.
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
Our accommodation was hosted by The Edgewater Resort & Spa.
