The Rarotongan is set on the south west of the island, where the lagoon is wide, shallow and beautifully calm. This is prime territory for that classic turquoise lagoon look, plus it makes snorkelling feel accessible even if you are not an experienced swimmer.
The room
Room options range from beachside (sea view) to beachfront (open onto the beach). We stayed in a beachfront suite.
The room opens onto a private patio that leads to the sand, just a few steps to the water’s edge. The building design angles each patio in a way that keeps them relatively private, even though you are close to other rooms.
Inside, the suite was spacious and functional rather than ultra luxe, with a king sized four poster bed and a mosquito net (which was not needed). There was also a single bed, a good sized bathroom with shower plus a private outdoor shower that feels very holiday.
Furnishings were practical and suited the beachside lifestyle.
The lagoon and snorkelling
The lagoon here is the hero. It’s about 500m from the beach out to the edge of the lagoon, with much of the lagoon at about waist depth.
It was safe, warm and easy to enter. Snorkelling was excellent, with plenty of fish and coral to keep you moving, especially the large brain corals.
The resort advertises swimming with turtles, but we did not see any during our snorkels here.
A big plus is the complimentary gear. Fins and snorkels, kayaks and stand up paddleboards were available at no charge.
The resort has a few super relaxed dogs who spend most of their time lazing on the beach, and one of them even seems to devote his days to fishing. You’ll also quickly get used to the free range chickens wandering around.
Facilities and vibe
The pool is a good size and designed for play rather than lap swimming. It suits families and there were many staying during our visit, but it stayed quiet at night. There is a daily activity sheet delivered to your room, which makes it easy to plan around trivia nights and resort activities without feeling like you are missing out.
Sunbeds were plentiful on the beach and shade came from coconut palms, with the usual island advice that for obvious reasons you do not sit directly underneath a coconut.
Food and drink
The restaurant and bar overlook the lagoon, which is exactly where you want to be at sunset, which was impressive.
Breakfast was a large buffet with the usual assortment plus plenty of fresh fruit and a coconut custard that felt nicely local. The day menu leaned towards deep fried options, while the evening menu offered local specials each night, which is where I would focus.
The practicalities
Tap water is not drinkable on the island and we found the resort did not provide bottled water, so we had to buy it. It is a small detail that matters, particularly when you arrive tired and sun warm and just want a glass of water without thinking about it.
Verdict
The Rarotongan is a brilliant introduction to The Cook Islands. The lagoon is outstanding, the beachfront suite delivers immediate holiday payoff and the resort makes it easy to slip into island time without effort.
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
