Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Heliconia is a private retreat comprising a Luxurious Beachfront Villa, House and Bungalow. Heliconia is unique for its appointments, spaciousness and privacy. If you are considering a Honeymoon, a getaway or a family holiday, each of the properties offers something for everyone. Each accomodation is on its own block with its own beachfront access situated on the prettiest beach on the island. Heliconia sets a new standard in self contained accomodation in the South Pacific. Heliconia -'where life is good.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Quaint
Location
Titikavaka Village Rarotonga, Southern Cook Islands, Titikaveka Cook Islands
Reviews
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
What a spot! Hinano has created a little slice of paradise here - the perfect beach, everything you’d need in the Villa and yummy food all around! The Garden cafe across the road provided some of our favourite meals, and we loved that the offerings were local and organic. Great snorkeling right out front, ticked all our boxes - we will be back :)
Read more
Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Great food all around, but highly recommend the cafe at the gardens. We even got takeaway one day...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big thanks to the team at Heliconia Hideway. We stayed for 7 days to escape the Australian Winter and were delighted with the Villa, the location, the fantastic service, Thumbs up big time to the team.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2016
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The view to the lagoon, and a must see is get up around midnight to see the Milky Way & the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from hardtoget, Owner at Heliconia Hideaway
Responded 21 Jun 2016
Kia Orana Caramia, Thank you so much for your kind words. We are delighted that our Private Villa lived up to your expectations and that you had a wonderful holiday. We do hope to see you in Rarotonga again one day in the not too distant future. Very Best Wishes John & Hinano
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The engaging, exclusive accom. The position. Oh the position. Did I mention the position?
And then John and Hanoni. Two brilliant personalities that match the brilliance of a stay - that may well alter how you envisage the rest your life.
Yep.
It's that good . But that's Raro. And that's Heliconia. Truly. And don't even ask,about the gardens. Just go and have a wander. You may never wander back.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from hardtoget, Owner at Heliconia Hideaway
Responded 14 Sept 2016
Hi Tim B Thank you for taking time out to review our property. Your comments made us flush with joy and pride. Thank you so much! We have passed your review onto our team and each and every word has lifted their spirits to new highs. Many of our guests talk about the extraordinary feeling they get during their stay in the Villa. We think it is the absolute privacy and that feeling of having a little bit of paradise all to ones self for a short time. Thank you again.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I won't be able to come up with the right words to describe how wonderful Heliconia Hideaway is, but I'll try! It's very private, directly on the most beautiful beach on Rarotonga, with everything you need to snorkel, kayak, relax on the beach, and to just have fun.
It's also in a convenient location, across the street from the beautiful Maire Nui Gardens and the great Hideaway Café, close to Muri for island night at Te Vara Nui Village, close to groceries at Wigmore's, and there are even some great restaurants for dinner within walking distance. Using the bus, or renting a car or scooter also makes it easy to get anywhere on the island quickly.
Ultimately, what makes the villa so special is the sheer beauty... from the black stone bathtub in the private garden, to the beautiful artwork inside, and the incredible view of the beach while lying in the super-comfortable bed! It's just so wonderful that I would live here full-time if I could!
And truthfully, I can't say enough about how well we were treated by the owners and staff. They did everything possible, beyond what we expected, to help us have the BEST holiday we could have asked for. When my wife and I return to the Cook Islands, we won't even think about staying anywhere else. This was truly the vacation that we had dreamed of.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2015
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After much anticipation we arrived at Heliconia Villa on 16th September for 10 wonderful nights. Heliconia Villa: WOW! This is absolute paradise – the view of the lagoon is amazing and the villa is very private and very romantic. We had everything we needed for a truly luxury holiday. The villa is beautifully furnished, spacious, and very comfortable and quiet – no roosters! We made use of the fantastic BBQ on the patio and finding the plastic-wrap, foil, olive oil, vinegar etc. was a real bonus, as we wanted to self-cater. We enjoyed the Watermark white wine so much we bought more from the Marie Nui Gardens over the road. We loved the shower and bath in the private courtyard garden. Showering in the sunshine surrounded by lush tropical flowers is just magic! The villa is situated at one of the very best sections of the lagoon for swimming and snorkelling, and most of the time we were the only ones in the water or on the beach. We didn’t use the air-conditioner – the sea breezes and ceiling fan were enough. John and Hinano were very good hosts and made sure we had everything we needed. Neither of us wanted to leave and when the car came to pick us up and take us to the airport I burst into tears! I’ve never done that before – a little embarrassing, but it just shows how much I enjoyed myself. We have already booked the villa again and look forward very much to the day we return. Rarotonga: We snorkelled right in front of the villa every day and loved it. We saw turtles, eagle rays, blue starfish, colourful clams and lots of beautiful fish. We also snorkelled at Fruits of Rarotonga and at another part of the lagoon renowned for good snorkelling, but didn’t see any more than in front of the villa. We thought the beach and lagoon was better for swimming than on the north west of Aitutaki, and hardly any sea-cucumbers either. The water is deeper and you can swim anytime, low or high-tide. (We saw whales just over the reef). No problems getting around the island or buying fresh food and groceries– we hired an automatic scooter and it was great fun. The bus is also very handy and you just have to wave to the driver and he will pick you up anywhere! Dined at the Little Polynesian just a short walk down the beach and also went to the Island night at the Edgewater which was very good. The people are so friendly and the pace of life so relaxed we felt completely at ease. Chris and Rob
Read more
Date of stay: September 2008
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you're looking to relax, swim and have a sense of your own private slice of heaven... This is it! Quiet, peaceful oasis. We were left to ourselves to treat the villa as our own home and the owners made us very welcome. Walk straight out of bed, onto the deck and into the lagoon. Best stretch of beach with clear access and stunning sunsets. Ask for anything and they will sort it. Very little passing beach activity (only the occasional walkers). Located close to all that Muri area has to offer. Great spot with the stunning garden cafe across the road. Amazing wine selection also and bunch of movies to watch in bed. Bliss. We hope to be back again one day. 👍☀️😎🐢🐳🐠🌺
Read more
Date of stay: November 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were the first two couples to stay in Heliconia's brand new property. It has just been renovated and I honestly gasped when I saw the place we were staying. It's location is perfect and whilst maintaining an island look/aura it is modern and large with a very well equipped kitchen. Two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry etc but the feature is being able to sit at the front of the property on the veranda looking at the water. After breakfast or lunch and/or dinner you walk through a beautiful garden, then down a few steps to an area which is surrounded by palms etc and could easily be used for a wedding or function, then down few metres between the trees and you're on the beach. We had champagne on the table and chairs right there and watched the magnificent sunsets each night before either going out to one of the many various restaurants, some on the beach with live music, some upmarket, all types of food available, lots of cafes too. Sometimes we just had a BBQ on the large veranda as the outlook is hard to beat. The décor of the house is superb and John and Hinano who manage it are so helpful and two of the most lovely people you could possibly meet.
We will definitely be going back to Paradise - I hope you take my recommendation and enjoy it as much as we did.
If you do go don't miss the Hidden Spirit café at Rarotonga for an organic salad, set in the midst of large and beautiful gardens. Also try Trader Jacks and Bamboo Jacks and don't miss Waterline. Oh - and make sure you check out the black pearls
Read more
Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heliconia Beach Bungalow was perfect for our family holiday (two couples). The bungalow had everything we needed - just like a typical Kiwi bach. We were able to make our own meals when we wished, eating on the spacious deck. The beach is the best spot on Rarotonga - all tide swimming and snorkelling and a much quieter area than Muri. Although it is not right on the beachfront it's only a few steps back and the bungalow is private with lovely garden surrounds. It looks out to the lagoon through the garden. John and Hinano are ideal hosts. Their cafe over the road is in a gorgeous garden setting and the lemon meringue cheesecake is rightfully famous!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2011Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We returned from the Cook Islands early March and already looking to go back. We stayed at Heliconia's Bungalow on the beach in Titikaveka and we could not have chosen a better place to stay. It is a cute Bungalow (2 bedrooms) set in the most stunning tropical garden set back a few metres from the beach edge. We were actually looking for a place on the water's edge but after staying at Heliconia Bungalow we were happy that it was set back a little away from the occasional wind, but still giving you a beachfront. It is so private and secluded. We could sunbake in our own little garden or on the beach where we hardly saw any passers by and the view to the lagoon from our front deck was just what we dreamt of. There were three of us and the Bungalow was perfect. Very roomy (in fact it can sleep 5) and has all one needs on a beach holiday. Big kitchen, a lounge & dining area and the barbeque on the deck along with snorkelling gear, kayaks etc…every thing we needed. The hosts Hinano & John were the most obliging and could not do enough for us. They even arranged a starlit dinner on the beach for us with their in house chef, it was a perfect night and one we will remember forever. They took us to the rent a car place to hire some bikes and even took us shopping for food on the first day. We were also delighted with the pricing of our accommodation. The cost per night for each of us was NZ$110 each which for a beach front accommodation we thought was fantastic. Particularly considering the actual location. The beach itself is beautiful white sand and the snorkelling is to behold and you can swim any time of the day regardless of the tide in safety. Rarotonga is a delightful holiday destination and Titikaveka is the most beautiful part of the island in our mind, with the best beaches, and most surprisingly the most private. Most people stay at Muri, which is fine but we found it way too crowded. Another bonus to staying at Heliconia is that Hinano & John own the most beautiful tropical garden over the road in which they have a unique cafe set amongst the flowers. It is called Maire Nui. Many a day was spent enjoying a coffee there and an occasional home baked cake(they are famous for their Cheesecake and we know why) or a luscious healthy organic salad from their garden and a late afternoon stroll through the fruit trees and palm plantation before sunset....and this was at our doorstep. Truly a great place for a holiday and we will be back within a year and we have never done that with any of our holiday destinations. aahh…the memory of those balmy nights , lying in bed, the doors open, overhead fan going, the warm tropical air, the scent of gardenias and the occasional bleep from a gecko.
We Will Return!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We did enjoy our holiday at Heliconia Villa, but I have to say (based on stays at quite a few different resorts/villas throughout the Pacific - yes, we are very lucky!) I don't know whether Heliconia is currently worth the high price tag. We found the Villa to be absolutely beautifully decorated and wonderful setting and location. However, while we were there (unfortunately we have to speak as we find), the service was somewhat inadequate and some interior details were lacking and/or needed attention. If anyone wants further info on this feel free to email me directly for details. Beautiful place, but would I pay $500/night to stay there again - probably not.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2008
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from helconiahideaway, Owner/ Manager at Heliconia Hideaway
Responded 31 Mar 2009
Dear helpfiji We have read your review of your stay with us late last year at our Beachfront Villa with a tinge of sadness. While it is delightful that you have felt that our Villa is beautifully decorated and that the setting and location is beautiful we are very concerned about your comments on the level of service that you experienced. We pride ourselves on the level of service we offer all our guests and we do apologise if you felt our service was lacking in any way whatsoever during your visit. As you know John & I ( as proprietors and managers) did not get the chance to meet with you both during your stay, as we were called away to Australia without notice. In a state of urgency we asked our good friends to manage things for us for a few short days. We now know this may not have been the wisest choice. We do acknowledge that your Heliconia experience was not as magical as you had hoped, but at the same time we can assure you and every new and repeat guest staying with us in the future that our service is normally and will be of the highest level, as this is always our goal. As a luxury self contained property we allow our guests their own space and the privacy that they demand on such a holiday. However, we supply our guests with all their needs without hesitation and direct them to those opportunities of this destination that make a holiday special. If John & I had been here during your stay we can confidently say that you would have been thoroughly satisfied by the performance of our team and the level of quality of accommodation. We have put into place a better option for management in our absence in the future whereby we can assure all our guests of a magical Heliconia experience regardless of the presence of John & I as proprietors. Our guest books and emails are full of jottings of wonderful compliments and thanks from all our previous guests that make for us a humbling experience. It is of the utmost importance to us that all our guests leave our property and the Cook Islands with the same warm feelings. We feel we do do this normally and this is evidenced by the fact that we are currently holding 9 bookings for guests returning to stay with us in the next 12 months. As we are a property that is only 3 years old we feel this is a good indicator of our performance and the level of guest satisfaction. If you would like to avail yourself of what the true Heliconia experience is all about please contact us as we would be delighted to have you stay again with us and give you this opportunity. We are sure you will have a totally different experience that will endear you to our property and to Rarotonga. We thank you for alerting us of your experience and assure you that it will go towards our team improving ourselves and continue to be considered a superior accommodation property for the future. Kindest Regards Hinano Macquarie Proprietor/Manager
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
