The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
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The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Ara Tapu, Aroa Beach Cook Islands
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Avg. $294 /night, 1/25 - 1/26
$354
per night
$306
per night
$258
per night
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About
#1 of 1 resort in Aroa Beach
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Slip off your watch, your shoes, your cares and immerse yourself in paradise at the renowned Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium. Hand feed the friendly reef fish or snorkel straight off the white sands of Aroa Beach in the crystal clear blue waters of Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve and enjoy Rarotonga’s best snorkeling (the resort’s guided Night Snorkeling Tours are a special treat!). The all-tide lagoon is also perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, included as part of The Rarotongan’s extensive FREE Daily Activities Programme. The Rarotongan is located directly on Rarotonga’s best white sandy beach, Aroa Beach, on the island’s sunshine southwest coast. The Rarotongan is also Rarotonga’s most family-friendly resort and offers FREE Moko’s Kids Club, Little Dolphin’s Mini Waterpark and Teen Zone. Kids & Teens Stay & Play FREE (aged to 16 years)! Kids aged 4-11 years Play Free @ Moko’s Kids Club, and teens aged 12-16 years Play Free in Teen Zone.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Canoeing
Babysitting
Parking
Paid wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary welcome drink
Happy hour
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Poolside bar
Diving
Game room
Snorkelling
Tennis court
Billiards
Canoeing offsite
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Karaoke
Patio
Table tennis
Walking tours
Waterslide
Board games / puzzles
Children's playground
Children's television networks
Indoor play area for children
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids club
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Highchairs available
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
Salon
Waxing services
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Clothes dryer
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Ironing service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Private beach
Dining area
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Extra long beds
Walk-in shower
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Ocean view
Landmark view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
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
Quiet
Family
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Ara Tapu, Aroa Beach Cook Islands
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 58 out of 100
58
Rarotonga Airport
6.5 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
80 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
Reviews
3.5
1,603 reviews
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Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, while praised for its beachfront location ideal for snorkeling, encounters mixed reviews on several fronts. Some guests appreciate the rustic charm and clean, island-style rooms, but many find the atmosphere in need of rejuvenation, noting tired decorations and dim lighting. The value proposition is often questioned due to perceived overpricing and inconsistent service.
Although the resort offers a variety of activities, the amenities and rooms are frequently described as outdated, with cleanliness concerns arising occasionally. Service experiences vary, with both commendations for staff friendliness and criticisms for inefficiency.
Location
Beachfront
Atmosphere
Rustic
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming
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Detailed Reviews
Right from the start everything went really well for us. I booked a beachside room for myself and my disabled partner and requested a ground floor room. We were upgraded to a beachside deluxe suite to ensure a ground floor room. So if you need a ground floor room be sure and book a beachside deluxe suite, they are also really close to the pool and restaurant. The room was lovely just as expected in a tropical setting.
The room was really clean and housekeeping are doing there best with being short staffed. Housekeeping are always around during the day and happy to provide anything you are running out of. That said the rooms are well stocked with the usual supplies.
We opted for the transfer from the airport and were pre checked in at the airport, which speed things up on arrival. With everyone arriving off the same flight it was a wee wait, so be prepared.
We are just back so it wasn't school holidays and not as busy as last month I imagine. So with more staff coming onboard the next school holidays should be less impacted by staffing.
The staff at the resort are all lovely and give great service. To many to mention but Miti and Va behind the bar were awesome.
The activities hut has lots of equipment to help you enjoy the wonderful lagoon right in front of this hotel. With at least 5 or 6 daily activities for all ages.
The food from the Restaurant is of a really high standard and we only had a delay one busy night. The restaurant has amazing views over the lagoon and offers a variety of comfortable areas to sit and enjoy the wonderful veiws. Other reviewers have commented the order at the bar then picking up your food when the provided buzzer going off was not ideal. I didn't mind it myself especially in Covid times. There are staff on hand to bring food over if you can't manage to carry it yourself. The breakfast buffet had all the expected food, plus ham and cheese. It was well stocked continuously
Having Sanctuary next door is a bonus if you want some adult peace and quiet. The pool is lovely with a swim up bar. You can also get table service in the restaurant.
Just a couple of things I would like to see, a proper queuing system at the bar. The Restaurant at Sanctuary suffers from being a bit enclosed and dark. It could be more inviting with a proper floor and not sand. A furniture update and adding candles for atmosphere could really help make it more inviting.
I feel this resort offers value for money and sits on the best beach on the Island. Go with an open mind and enjoy.
The room was really clean and housekeeping are doing there best with being short staffed. Housekeeping are always around during the day and happy to provide anything you are running out of. That said the rooms are well stocked with the usual supplies.
We opted for the transfer from the airport and were pre checked in at the airport, which speed things up on arrival. With everyone arriving off the same flight it was a wee wait, so be prepared.
We are just back so it wasn't school holidays and not as busy as last month I imagine. So with more staff coming onboard the next school holidays should be less impacted by staffing.
The staff at the resort are all lovely and give great service. To many to mention but Miti and Va behind the bar were awesome.
The activities hut has lots of equipment to help you enjoy the wonderful lagoon right in front of this hotel. With at least 5 or 6 daily activities for all ages.
The food from the Restaurant is of a really high standard and we only had a delay one busy night. The restaurant has amazing views over the lagoon and offers a variety of comfortable areas to sit and enjoy the wonderful veiws. Other reviewers have commented the order at the bar then picking up your food when the provided buzzer going off was not ideal. I didn't mind it myself especially in Covid times. There are staff on hand to bring food over if you can't manage to carry it yourself. The breakfast buffet had all the expected food, plus ham and cheese. It was well stocked continuously
Having Sanctuary next door is a bonus if you want some adult peace and quiet. The pool is lovely with a swim up bar. You can also get table service in the restaurant.
Just a couple of things I would like to see, a proper queuing system at the bar. The Restaurant at Sanctuary suffers from being a bit enclosed and dark. It could be more inviting with a proper floor and not sand. A furniture update and adding candles for atmosphere could really help make it more inviting.
I feel this resort offers value for money and sits on the best beach on the Island. Go with an open mind and enjoy.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: The Beachside Delux Villas are close to all amenities and very quite for sleeping.
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 Haimona Browne, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 9 Jun 2022
Kia Orana, Thank you for taking the time to post a review of your stay. I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you managed to experience the various facilities, amenities and services we have on offer for our guests. I hope you had the opportunity to experience some of the amazing snorkeling directly in front of the resort. You are also most welcome for the upgrade. You would be pleased to know we are already in full swing with our recruitment process, both locally and abroad. Thank you again for choosing to stay with us and we hope to welcome you back in the near future. Yours sincerely, Haimona Browne Resort Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are a family of 4 with two teenagers and we stayed for two weeks during July school holidays. We had a great time as we didn't have high expectations going in but our experience could have been so much better as it is very overpriced for what you get. There's a feeling of poor management. Whoever is in charge needs to step up, take off their rose tinted glasses and view every section of the resort from a guest's perspective. There are simple improvements that can be made that wouldn't cost too much but that would help prevent negative reviews. On the negative side, the teen room is a dump room with broken table tennis bats and games (a waste of space, it would be better to not advertise it at all). The pool table near the pool area has two cheap cues only, one of which was broken and a broken triangle, the sun lounges are really old and icky and all need to be replaced, there was never any beach towels available from midday onwards, the activities and reception staff were quite unfriendly but then I think this comes down to a lack of customer service training on how to speak to people or a group, we would often see staff raking the sand late at night or in the morning but no-one ever swept the sand off the deck around the pool for the entire two weeks we were there. The bright lighting around the deck at night ruins the ambience sadly; this area could be beautifully transformed if they installed dimmers and added some fairy lights. A lot of the tables on the deck are too high for the chairs that go with them so are unmatched and uncomfortable to sit at. You can't get a glass of tap water at the bar for free as they tell you it is unfiltered so that you spend $5 for bottled water). Don't spend your money on the Monday Night Island Show as its gone downhill since we were there 15 years ago, better to spend a little extra and go to the Te Vara Nui Village one instead. On the positive side, we found the food really good and priced reasonably (except the island fish or when salad was not available), the Fijian staff were really friendly, the Trivia Night was fun and the live music every night was really good. Forget the breakfast buffet and just order from the breakfast menu which is cheaper and better, the snorkelling is really good and convenient and our daily cleaner Alesi was a real treasure and it was a pleasure to see her smile every day. Overall, we still had a good time but would stay elsewhere next time purely because the nightly rate is too high for the overall standard provided.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Don't pay for the Monday Island Night and go to the Te Vara Nui Village one instead. Order your...
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 Haimona Browne, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 1 Aug 2023
Kia Orana, Thank you for your review. I am pleased to hear for most part your family had a lovely stay and you enjoyed the food and the warm hospitality from our staff. Thank you as well for your constructive feedback. We take all guest feedback seriously and have addressed the majority of your concerns and in the process of finishing up on the rest. Kind Regards, Haimona Browne Resort Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Chrystal clear water , snorkeling just a few steps from your room, kayaks stand-up paddle boards and snorkeling equipment available to use . food and drinks were good and reasonable priced. an older resort with an island charm.
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Review collected in partnership with RCI
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Inspire26035466177, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 10 Feb 2020
thank you for your review on Tripadvisor, we are pleased that you had a fantastic time at the resort and would certain love to welcome you back should you travel bring you this was again. Regards Bob General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in a deluxe beachfront suite at the Rarotonga resort. Not a fan of fancy chain hotels so this suited us completely. The lagoon is amazing and to walk out of our room directly onto the beach was fantastic.
Food and cocktails were also great and reasonably prices but I think all the $16 cocktails should be included in the Happy Hour, not just a few.
Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment was available for all guests to use from the activities hut plus beach towels and reef shoes.
We hired a car from Polynesian rentals across the road from the resort at a very reasonable price and this enabled us to get around much more conveniently then waiting for the bus as the resort isn't really close to much other then a small takeaway restaurant.
The shuttle bus from the airport is expensive at $30 per adult so you would be better off renting a car when you arrive.
Only complaint was the standard of the room clean. It varied from excellent to so so. There also didn't seem to be any routine re cleaning times either and even though we put out the Please Makeup My Room sign twice, it was hours before it was done while on other occasions they were knocking on our door quite early. You can organise a set time but we didn't really require that.
We would definitely come back and stay at the Rarotonga Resort again and it would be a nice gesture if all departing guests were automatically invited to join the discount club too.
Food and cocktails were also great and reasonably prices but I think all the $16 cocktails should be included in the Happy Hour, not just a few.
Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment was available for all guests to use from the activities hut plus beach towels and reef shoes.
We hired a car from Polynesian rentals across the road from the resort at a very reasonable price and this enabled us to get around much more conveniently then waiting for the bus as the resort isn't really close to much other then a small takeaway restaurant.
The shuttle bus from the airport is expensive at $30 per adult so you would be better off renting a car when you arrive.
Only complaint was the standard of the room clean. It varied from excellent to so so. There also didn't seem to be any routine re cleaning times either and even though we put out the Please Makeup My Room sign twice, it was hours before it was done while on other occasions they were knocking on our door quite early. You can organise a set time but we didn't really require that.
We would definitely come back and stay at the Rarotonga Resort again and it would be a nice gesture if all departing guests were automatically invited to join the discount club too.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Inspire26035466177, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 10 Feb 2020
thank you for your review on Tripadvisor, it is great that you had a lovely time here at the resort, and we would love to welcome you back one day should your travels bring you this way, i will also pass on your comments regarding housekeeping to our executive housekeeper. Regards Bob General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We chose to spend 2 nights here, before and after the day tour to Aitutaki, just because it was cheap and relatively close to the airport. Well, these were the only 2 positive points we found in our stay in this hotel!
WiFi is ridiculously expensive, food is not good AT ALL (neither the dinner nor the breakfast) but the worse part was certainly the room!
I don’t know if there were more modern ones in the structure (honestly I doubt it), but the one we got ( a bungalow by the way) was old, not maintained at all and above all dirty! Even though I pay a little amount of money for a hotel (around 220€ for 2 nights), there are minimum requirements I cannot renounce to, and cleaning and maintenance are 2 of them!!
And to be honest the whole hotel gave this feeling of decay, of low maintenance and very poor cleaning.
Only good thing was the staff, rather nice and welcoming.
WiFi is ridiculously expensive, food is not good AT ALL (neither the dinner nor the breakfast) but the worse part was certainly the room!
I don’t know if there were more modern ones in the structure (honestly I doubt it), but the one we got ( a bungalow by the way) was old, not maintained at all and above all dirty! Even though I pay a little amount of money for a hotel (around 220€ for 2 nights), there are minimum requirements I cannot renounce to, and cleaning and maintenance are 2 of them!!
And to be honest the whole hotel gave this feeling of decay, of low maintenance and very poor cleaning.
Only good thing was the staff, rather nice and welcoming.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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 Inspire26035466177, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 27 Jan 2020
Dear guest. thank you for taking the time to submit your views to Trip Adviser, we are truly sorry that you did not enjoy you stay at the resort, we get so much positive feed back about our cleanliness and our food it is a pity that you did not make your feeling known when you were here so we could have tried to overcome the issues. however we trust that you enjoyed your stay in Aitutaki.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Little piece of paradise in the middle of South Pacific. It was an amazing adventure.
Our two weeks on the Rarotonga island were wonderful. Rarontongan resort was beautifully located with great staff and plenty or nothing to do; depending on how we felt each day. The beach was breathtaking and the ocean water was 26C! Daily temperatures were always around 26-28C and at night 22-23C. Amazing snorkeling and diving right on the resort’s beach. The Big Fish Diving offer a free diving lesson in the Rarotongan pool every Monday. Alix (from Australia) was a wonderful diving instructor and she helped us make our first diving experience a great success.
The island is cozy and the Islanders are very friendly and they really want you to feel welcome. They want to share their culture and their beautiful island with the tourists. Highland Paradise was a great way to spend time with the locals, learn about their culture and enjoy the traditional music and dancing, and of course their food. You will not leave hungry.
There are so many places to eat on the island and you can have a good meal for $10 or $50. Lots to choose from.
There are two buses going around the island, clockwise and anticlockwise. It takes about 40 min to drive around the island. The best bus ticket price is when you buy 10. It is easy to explore the island by bus. You can even take the bus from or to the airport - that’s the cheapest option.
We will go back. Rarotonga is a hidden treasure!
Our two weeks on the Rarotonga island were wonderful. Rarontongan resort was beautifully located with great staff and plenty or nothing to do; depending on how we felt each day. The beach was breathtaking and the ocean water was 26C! Daily temperatures were always around 26-28C and at night 22-23C. Amazing snorkeling and diving right on the resort’s beach. The Big Fish Diving offer a free diving lesson in the Rarotongan pool every Monday. Alix (from Australia) was a wonderful diving instructor and she helped us make our first diving experience a great success.
The island is cozy and the Islanders are very friendly and they really want you to feel welcome. They want to share their culture and their beautiful island with the tourists. Highland Paradise was a great way to spend time with the locals, learn about their culture and enjoy the traditional music and dancing, and of course their food. You will not leave hungry.
There are so many places to eat on the island and you can have a good meal for $10 or $50. Lots to choose from.
There are two buses going around the island, clockwise and anticlockwise. It takes about 40 min to drive around the island. The best bus ticket price is when you buy 10. It is easy to explore the island by bus. You can even take the bus from or to the airport - that’s the cheapest option.
We will go back. Rarotonga is a hidden treasure!
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Date of stay: December 2019
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 Inspire26035466177, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 10 Feb 2020
thank you for your positive review on Tripadvisor, we are so pleased that you had a fantastic time and also participated in some of the attractions that the Island of Rarotonga can offer. We would love to welcome you back to our piece of paradise should your travels allow. Regards Bob
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A great location on the marine reserve ; the snorkeling and marine life are, amazing, much better than the Great Barrier Reef, and the fact that the snorkel hire and watersports is all included is great.
The hotel however is in serious need of some refreshing. As other reviewers have commented we found the staff the least friendly on the island. Did not seem concerned by the experience the guests were having and offered no apology for the lack of ingredients for the cocktails on their list that they couldn't offer; (same was true for the food) some bottle beer was flat and discovered that this may be because when mistakes are made they simply put the cap back on and put it back in the fridge. Wait for food was long and the buzzer service to get food is awful. Breakfast buffet was below par in my opinion for the cost; no eggs or bacon and coffee was almost always empty.
When we checked in we were told that our room would only be serviced every third day which I found surprising given we were paying circa $400/night. In the end despite signs on our door our room was only serviced once in the week we were there and that was because we called. We had to chase them down for more toilet paper and all the whilst the dead ants and sand collected in our room. The wifi was intermittent and as another reviewer has said you had to log back in every time
you wanted to use it.
Front desk staff were not interested in helping to make reservations for restaurants either which was unhelpful.
Would recommend wherever you are on the island that you rent a car. Taxis are extortionately expensive and you pay per person- two people travelling circa 3kms costs $30 ($15 each) vs $50 a day for the rental. And then you can get to the much better eateries around the island too.
Wouldn't stay here again.
The hotel however is in serious need of some refreshing. As other reviewers have commented we found the staff the least friendly on the island. Did not seem concerned by the experience the guests were having and offered no apology for the lack of ingredients for the cocktails on their list that they couldn't offer; (same was true for the food) some bottle beer was flat and discovered that this may be because when mistakes are made they simply put the cap back on and put it back in the fridge. Wait for food was long and the buzzer service to get food is awful. Breakfast buffet was below par in my opinion for the cost; no eggs or bacon and coffee was almost always empty.
When we checked in we were told that our room would only be serviced every third day which I found surprising given we were paying circa $400/night. In the end despite signs on our door our room was only serviced once in the week we were there and that was because we called. We had to chase them down for more toilet paper and all the whilst the dead ants and sand collected in our room. The wifi was intermittent and as another reviewer has said you had to log back in every time
you wanted to use it.
Front desk staff were not interested in helping to make reservations for restaurants either which was unhelpful.
Would recommend wherever you are on the island that you rent a car. Taxis are extortionately expensive and you pay per person- two people travelling circa 3kms costs $30 ($15 each) vs $50 a day for the rental. And then you can get to the much better eateries around the island too.
Wouldn't stay here again.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Bob Taylor, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 20 Jul 2021
Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Sanctuary offers the best snorkeling on the island and some of the best easy access snorkeling anywhere. During the 14 months of border closure all our staff were on site refurbishing, refreshing, replanting etc. the entire property. I am not sure what reviewers you are referring to, but our staff receive consistently positive feedback from our guests. I do apologize for the fact that due to the Cook Islands reopening of its borders after 14 months of closure that there are items that are in short supply or not available. I am pleased to inform you that additional shipments of these imported items are underway which will replenish supplies across the whole island. Our restaurant manager or duty manager would have been pleased to attend to your concerns immediately if you had raised it at the time. Our restaurant and bar is one of the most popular on the island and, as such, experiences high demand, particularly during dinner service. We are implementing a range of measures and new technology to speed up food preparation and reduce the length of time to serve meals. The buzzer system allows guests to receive their orders just as soon as they have been prepared by the kitchen thereby reducing guest wait times. The tropical breakfast buffet includes fresh Island fruits, fresh fruit salad, home-stewed fruits, bircher muesli, homemade yoghurt fresh baked breads, pastries, muffins & croissants, cereals, toast, spreads, fruit juices, tea & coffee. We also offer a la carte options for a minimal extra charge including omelets, tofu scramble, eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine, steak & mushroom panini and our ever popular Big Island Breakfast of bacon, chipolata sausage, garlic & herb mushroom, hash browns, herb roasted tomato, two eggs and Turkish bread. We do have additional coffee makers awaiting shipment from overseas. In line with international guidance due to the pandemic, we offered housekeeping service once every three days as well as requesting that guests leave the room while housekeeping staff clean the room. In response to guest feedback, we have introduced housekeeping service every second day with the option of more frequent service upon request. We do have a duty manager available from 7am to 9pm daily that would have been delighted to attend to your concerns. As we are on a tropical island, insects are widespread but relatively harmless, and certainly not poisonous. However, to avoid any unwanted irritations, we recommend the use of insect repellant. Ants are attracted by water, drinks, food items and flowers left on surfaces, so we advise guests to store drinks and food in the fridges provided in the rooms, as sugar ants are quick to descend on tasty morsels. Insect spray is provided in guest rooms should it be necessary. The resort carries out a regular pest control program with environmentally friendly spray as per internationally recommended guidelines. We recommend guests; • Keep insect screens in guest rooms closed at all times; and • Apply mosquito repellant when participating in activities in inland areas with a dense vegetation; and • Store food and drinks in the fridges provided in the rooms, as sugar ants are quick to descend on tasty morsels; and • Use the Insect spray is provided in guest rooms should it be necessary. The mosquitoes in Rarotonga do not normally carry any tropical diseases. However, from time to time, there are outbreaks of mosquito borne diseases such as dengue, zika and chikungunya introduced from outside of the Cook Islands. In each case to date, the Cook Islands Ministry of Health Public Health Department has been able to eliminate these diseases such that they are not permanently present in the Cook Islands. For further information, please consult the Cook Islands Government Ministry of Health website www.health.gov.ck or email TMOComms@cookislands.gov.ck As Rarotonga is a small tropical island in the middle of the vast South Pacific Ocean with a small population and only one telecommunications company, Wi-Fi is considerably more expensive than in a large metropolitan country with a competitive telecommunications market. However, we do price match the local monopoly telecommunications company and have the best Wi-Fi service that is currently available in the Cook Islands. We do offer special room rate plans that include free Wi-Fi. Please contact our friendly Reservations team for the best available rates guaranteed. Wi-fi rates are: ~ $10 – 2.5Gb (valid for 7 days from purchase) ~ $30 – 7.5Gb (valid for 10 days from purchase) ~ $50 – 13b (valid for 14 days from purchase) To prevent unexpected draining of data, we advise guests to disable automatic app updates before logging on to the wi-fi, and that they log out properly when finished. Our telecommunications vendor is in the process of installing new telecommunication fibre optic cabling throughout the entire resort, which will vastly improve the quality of our internet connectivity, including Wi-Fi, in-room entertainment and satellite TV reception. We will be announcing the completion of this project as soon as possible. Further, the Cook Islands Government is in the process of installing a new telecommunications cable which will vastly improve telecommunications into and out of the Cook Islands. This is scheduled to be operational in 2020. Please note that due to the remote location and small population of the Cook Islands, interconnectivity will probably never be the same as in a large, metropolitan country. Rarotonga has a wonderfully wide range of dining options from street markets to fine dining with over a hundred different eateries to choose from. Many of these establishments do not accept reservations. As we operate a popular and busy resort, our front desk staff can only assist with dining recommendations when they are not involved with their primary tasks We are happy to pass on your feedback to the various taxi operators on the island but we do not operate any taxi services.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After transferring our booking to Rarotonga three times we finally made it!
After a week in a private residence we checked into The Rarotongan for a week of quality family time and were very quickly disappointed in the resort, its major saving grace is the part of the lagoon it occupies.
We were grateful for an upgrade to a beachfront room and accessibility to outstanding snorkelling. I would advise you think VERY carefully about booking here considering we were there before the island has picked up, and staff still struggled managing the limited number of guests.
PROS
Beautiful location
The lovely staff, particularly Marea and her team in the activities hut/ Kids Club
Free snorkelling gear, SUPs, kayaks
Activities on offer, we made flax hats, went night snorkelling (and saw a turtle)
CONS
The $50 credit per day we received was not clearly explained, you must use the restaurant each day to be entitled to your daily credit (it is not a total amount)
The food is hit and miss, and they are horribly under staffed in the bar/ restaurant
It takes half an hour to resolve any issues at reception and I understand they are now doing checkins at the airport?
No courtesy airport transfers like all other resorts on the island
Cleaning staff also under the pump and standards are pre
After a week in a private residence we checked into The Rarotongan for a week of quality family time and were very quickly disappointed in the resort, its major saving grace is the part of the lagoon it occupies.
We were grateful for an upgrade to a beachfront room and accessibility to outstanding snorkelling. I would advise you think VERY carefully about booking here considering we were there before the island has picked up, and staff still struggled managing the limited number of guests.
PROS
Beautiful location
The lovely staff, particularly Marea and her team in the activities hut/ Kids Club
Free snorkelling gear, SUPs, kayaks
Activities on offer, we made flax hats, went night snorkelling (and saw a turtle)
CONS
The $50 credit per day we received was not clearly explained, you must use the restaurant each day to be entitled to your daily credit (it is not a total amount)
The food is hit and miss, and they are horribly under staffed in the bar/ restaurant
It takes half an hour to resolve any issues at reception and I understand they are now doing checkins at the airport?
No courtesy airport transfers like all other resorts on the island
Cleaning staff also under the pump and standards are pre
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Beachfront views are stunning
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 Haimona Browne, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 11 May 2022
Kia Orana, Thank you for your review. I am pleased to hear that you enjoyed the beachfront location of the resort as well complimentary water sprts equipment we have available for our guests. I am disappointed that your resort credit was not explained clearly to you. Our reservations team would have been happy to clarify this for you during your stay. We use a third party company to provide airport transfers. Yes we having doing check-ins at the airport to avoid unnecessary delays when our guests arrive at the resort. The resort has a Duty Manager available from 8am-8pm who would have been more than happy to address any concerns during your stay, and I would have also welcomed the opportunity to meet with you personally. Kind Regards, Haimona Browne Resort Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is the worst resort we have ever stayed in.
As previous reviews state, customer service is non-existent. Staff aren’t friendly or helpful.
There’s no table service for meals. You have to order your food at the bar and at busy times this can mean waiting in a line for over 20 minutes. One lunch service I watched as no tables were cleared in the dining room for over an hour. Guests ended up clearing their own tables and placed their dirty dishes on an central table. When somebody did wipe down the tables they used the same chux cloth (without any cleaning or disinfectant spray) on all the tables.
We’re weren’t given the room type we booked (interconnecting) and there was no explanation or apology. When we raised it we were made to feel quite awkward. The room was clean on the surface and the bed was comfy, but there was paint and gib pealing off in the bathroom, grime around the skirting boards and cracked glass in the ranch slider. It just felt old and dated.
The food menu wasn’t the one posted online and most days there were a number of items that were unavailable. What was available was generally of the burger, pizza or deep fried variety.
Really, really disappointing especially given the amazing location.
As previous reviews state, customer service is non-existent. Staff aren’t friendly or helpful.
There’s no table service for meals. You have to order your food at the bar and at busy times this can mean waiting in a line for over 20 minutes. One lunch service I watched as no tables were cleared in the dining room for over an hour. Guests ended up clearing their own tables and placed their dirty dishes on an central table. When somebody did wipe down the tables they used the same chux cloth (without any cleaning or disinfectant spray) on all the tables.
We’re weren’t given the room type we booked (interconnecting) and there was no explanation or apology. When we raised it we were made to feel quite awkward. The room was clean on the surface and the bed was comfy, but there was paint and gib pealing off in the bathroom, grime around the skirting boards and cracked glass in the ranch slider. It just felt old and dated.
The food menu wasn’t the one posted online and most days there were a number of items that were unavailable. What was available was generally of the burger, pizza or deep fried variety.
Really, really disappointing especially given the amazing location.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Bob Taylor, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 7 Sept 2021
Thank you for taking the time to provide your review. I am pleased you enjoyed our amazing location on the best snorkelling beach on the island. However, I am sorry to hear of your disappointment, which we would have been delighted to address for you at the time, if you had let us know of them. Our extensive menu provides a wide degree of choice from traditional favorites to island specialties'. If you have specific dietary requirements, our Executive Chef would have been delighted to do whatever we could to meet those requirements. To facilitate speedy service in the restaurant, we operate a buzzer system where guests are advised by our chefs the moment that their order is ready for collection. There is a restaurant manager on at all times that the restaurant is open and they would have been delighted to assist you with your requirements, if you had let them know at the time. Similarly, if you had a concern with your room, the resort has a Duty Manager available from 7am-10pm who would have been more than happy to address any concerns during your stay, and I would have also welcomed the opportunity to meet with you personally. Please feel free to contact me directly if you wish to share more detailed feedback.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a shame. Such a beautiful location buuuuut from the second we arrived the service was appalling. Five of us with 2 bags each got given an impossible to use huge trolley and given difficult instructions explained in about 5 seconds like we should know where it was, after half an hour lugging our luggage and searching for our room we arrived to our dingy rooms that were never interconnected with the children as asked. From there on the service was ridiculous, no table service, no one asking if you’d like anything, no one clearing our table. We were expecting “resort style service” but you basically get hostel type of service for resort prices. The cocktails were terrible, the breakfast was $27 each for toast, fruit and cereal. The staff clearly don’t want to work and can’t be bothered with the customers, of course there were a couple of lovely staff, we tipped our room cleaner who did an amazing job, but when the highlight of the resort is how well your room is cleaned that’s just sad. The beach is beautiful, the snorkelling is great but when you’re paying some of the most expensive food, drink and accommodation prices in the world you expect a lot more. The owners should go to Vietnam or Hong Kong and see how it’s done (for half the price). The receptionist woman on the weekend was just plain unpleasant, we were glad to being home by then end of it.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Haimona Browne, General Manager at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Responded 29 Jul 2022
Kia Orana Melissa, Thank you for taking the time to post a review of your recent stay. We are pleased you found the beachfront location beautiful and the snorkeling great. Thank you for your feedback on the shortfalls you experienced during your stay. Our team will be reviewing and addressing each issue where we can. Staff training is high on our priority list. We have just overhauled our menus to increase guest satisfaction and improve on waiting times. Our Tropical Island style Continental breakfast buffet includes seasonal fresh island fruits, fresh fruit salad, home-stewed fruits, Bircher muesli, homemade yoghurt, fresh-baked breads, pancakes, pastries, muffins & croissants, cereals, toast, cheese, ham, spreads, fruit juices and tea & coffee Cooked items are available from our a la carte menu at an additional charge I would have also welcomed the opportunity to meet with you personally during your stay to address your concerns. I have no doubt we would have been able to turn around your experience. Kind Regards, Haimona Browne Resort Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No. They gave a vague response while we were just there, saying you had to purchase some sort of unobtainable package for your stay to receive it.
We didn’t need to but the staff were always super helpful, and nothing was too much trouble. Email them and ask.
I purchased wifi Vouchers at reception had no trouble using them but hey it’s great to get away from technology fir a few days 😊
Yiu should leave that unhygienic badly run hotel immediately.
Poor hygiene, dirty areas, poor basic processed food, it is a breeding ground for unhealthy disease, and a danger to remain there.
I have never come across such a pit of a hotel in 30 yrs of travels.
Dont book, get out, if needed off the island. Ecen the taxi drivers will tell you they take so many people away form that hotel, and upset wedding parties discovering how disgusting and derelict it is.
"Expect the temperature and humidity to be high and the weather a bit sticky and sweaty, but then, this is a tropical paradise after all."Read full review
"You have to order your food from the bar and collect it from the pass at the kitchen. The food is pushed out and poorly cooked."Read full review
"Snag a spot at the pool early. Definitely order a frozen margarita! Take advantage of snorkelling in the lagoon right at your doorstep."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$259 - $438 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the rarotongan beach hotel aroa beach, the rarotongan beach resort and spa, rarotongan beach resort spa
LOCATION
Cook IslandsSouthern Cook IslandsRarotongaAroa Beach
NUMBER OF ROOMS
104
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingTHE RAROTONGAN BEACH RESORT & LAGOONARIUM | UPDATED 2025 Reviews & Price Comparison (Aroa Beach, Cook Islands) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Which popular attractions are close to The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Nearby attractions include Tik-e Tours (4.2 km), Cook Island Christian Church (CICC) (3.0 km), and Titikaveka Beach (6.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Conveniently located restaurants include Beluga, The Waffle Shack, and Little Polynesian Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Does The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium have airport transportation?
Yes, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Does The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Wreck of the Matai (6.9 km).