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Central Motel
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Avg. $160 /night, 3/20 - 3/21
$163
per night
$82
per night
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per night
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About
#1 of 2 motels in Avarua
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
The Central Motel as it name implies, is in the centre of our main town Avarua. It is ideal for visiting consultants, business people, company representatives and tourists who like to be in town and still only a short bus,scooter,bike or car ride to fabulous beaches.We have 14 rooms and a small conference room. Our rooms have IDD phones, T.V's, fridges, toasters, kettles, mini bars, tea/coffee making facilities, fans and en-suite.There is a Spa pool to cool off in after meetings or just to cool off!We also have our own WiFi facilities for guests.The Central Motel is only 10 minutes from the airport and is within easy walking distance of most government offices/agencies, shops, restaurants, café, banks and museum and libraries. We can arrange car/scooter hire, tours and outer Island flights and tours. We have airport transfers and all our guests are met personally.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Plunge pool
Airport transportation
Adults only
Baggage storage
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Paid wifi
Shuttle bus service
Car hire
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Safe
Seating area
Telephone
Clothes rack
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Avarua 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: 69 out of 100
69
Rarotonga Airport
2.7 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
11 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore 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.
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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.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
The Central Motel was only ever a stopver place to get some sleep and have a shower before leaving on a 3am flight out of Raro. Definately don't have anything bad to say about the motel - but we didn't expect much.
Melcolm was very helpful - picked us up from the airport, also make dinner reservations and booked a taxi to the airport.
Melcolm was very helpful - picked us up from the airport, also make dinner reservations and booked a taxi to the airport.
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Date of stay: October 2005
Value
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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.
Central Motel is A M A Z I N G. Convenient location. Close to cafes, gift shops, supermarkets, and the bus depot. Tidy, spacious, tiled, cool rooms. Quaint relaxing courtyard to sit with a book or a coffee or if you must, a ciggie. But, as many other have said, the absolute best part of this place would be the part owner; a charming, organised, hilarious, friendly, reliable (the list goes on) man who is flexible and knowledgable and more than happy to help with transfers and any other questions you may have. Didn't want to leave!!! Would return again and again. Thank you Malcolm.
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Date of stay: November 2016Trip 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.
I chose this property because I wanted to be in Avarua - the main town of Rarotonga, during my mandatory stopover in Rarotonga before heading to another island, and Central Motel is the only property located in town.
The room is basic with a queen size bed, 2 bedside tables, 2 bedside lamps, a standing fan, a coffee table, a small TV, 2 armchairs, wardrobe with hangers/basket/iron/ironing board, a bar fridge, a kettle, a toaster, tea/coffee making facilities, glasses, plates, and cutlery, as well as an air conditioner. The bathroom has a shower box and electric shaving outlets.
The rooms surround a small courtyard with a picnic table and a spa pool, there is also a small parking area outside the motel. Malcolm the owner lives onsite, making it very easy to get ahold of him.
The motel is located just off the courthouse and government offices, it is about 8 minutes walk to the Police Station (where one can get a driver's licence for NZD20, bring passport) and the CITC mall. There is a lively Saturday morning market at the other end of the town, about 20 minutes walk away, which has a good variety of local produce as well as local crafts.
All the shops within walking distance are closed on Sunday with the exception of Raro Fried Chicken (opens 24 hours).
Airport pick up/drop off is NZD5 per journey, Wifi internet credits can be purchased on Zenbu's website, at less than NZD100 per night the room rates are definitely the best on Rarotonga for a short stay.
I would recommend this property to anyone who wish to have a no frill and no hassle stay in Rarotonga.
Tusen tack Malcolm!
The room is basic with a queen size bed, 2 bedside tables, 2 bedside lamps, a standing fan, a coffee table, a small TV, 2 armchairs, wardrobe with hangers/basket/iron/ironing board, a bar fridge, a kettle, a toaster, tea/coffee making facilities, glasses, plates, and cutlery, as well as an air conditioner. The bathroom has a shower box and electric shaving outlets.
The rooms surround a small courtyard with a picnic table and a spa pool, there is also a small parking area outside the motel. Malcolm the owner lives onsite, making it very easy to get ahold of him.
The motel is located just off the courthouse and government offices, it is about 8 minutes walk to the Police Station (where one can get a driver's licence for NZD20, bring passport) and the CITC mall. There is a lively Saturday morning market at the other end of the town, about 20 minutes walk away, which has a good variety of local produce as well as local crafts.
All the shops within walking distance are closed on Sunday with the exception of Raro Fried Chicken (opens 24 hours).
Airport pick up/drop off is NZD5 per journey, Wifi internet credits can be purchased on Zenbu's website, at less than NZD100 per night the room rates are definitely the best on Rarotonga for a short stay.
I would recommend this property to anyone who wish to have a no frill and no hassle stay in Rarotonga.
Tusen tack Malcolm!
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Firstly, I had stayed here 2 or 3 times before when Nigel ran the place, It was good then, it looked like the photos youo see here, it was located well for me because it's just behind the Land Court so very handy for my purposes back then.
Today:
Rating - Terrible
Why Terrible -
Reason 1. No maintenance, upkeep, care for the property seems evident any more. It's overgrown courtyard makes it dark, damp and uninviting. The gates into the property are dilapidated and worn as is the rest of the place (definitely not like the photos anymore).
Reason 2. The rooms are very underwhelming, adequate as in it has a bed but not super clean (I've stayed in worse) but as described in the previous "terrible" review, the amount of bugs, ants, cockroaches was significant and likewise I used the whole can of fly spray on the first night with the associated debris of bodies including unfortunately the little ghecko which obviously couldn't keep up with the bugs.
Reason 3. Couldn't pay electronically as the machine was broken. So had to go off and get extra cash. Not too big of a problem but I tried to pay each day with the same he's just coming to fix it.
It's sad, I've liked it on previous stays, I booked it because Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on the corner of the street and I needed to go there, but I have to say the previous Central Motel and the current are two completely different places, Polar opposites, 180 degrees opposed. It is a very sad place now sorry to say.
Today:
Rating - Terrible
Why Terrible -
Reason 1. No maintenance, upkeep, care for the property seems evident any more. It's overgrown courtyard makes it dark, damp and uninviting. The gates into the property are dilapidated and worn as is the rest of the place (definitely not like the photos anymore).
Reason 2. The rooms are very underwhelming, adequate as in it has a bed but not super clean (I've stayed in worse) but as described in the previous "terrible" review, the amount of bugs, ants, cockroaches was significant and likewise I used the whole can of fly spray on the first night with the associated debris of bodies including unfortunately the little ghecko which obviously couldn't keep up with the bugs.
Reason 3. Couldn't pay electronically as the machine was broken. So had to go off and get extra cash. Not too big of a problem but I tried to pay each day with the same he's just coming to fix it.
It's sad, I've liked it on previous stays, I booked it because Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on the corner of the street and I needed to go there, but I have to say the previous Central Motel and the current are two completely different places, Polar opposites, 180 degrees opposed. It is a very sad place now sorry to say.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
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.
I stayed for 1 night, with a late checkout until midnight for an early morn flight. I choose this property for convenience to Avarua facilities, and the fact that a late checkout until midnight was available and affordable. This motel is best suited to the very independent traveller/business people who know their way around the island well, and who seek out a comfortable bed to rest, and space within the room to spread out. No frills are available here, and I wasn't looking for any either! There were few guests during the time I stayed and this suited my preferences very well. Parking immediately outside the motel was handy. Beware the road can become extremely noisy once the surrounding bars close. I would stay here again, inspite of the minor nuances described. Why? I got a very good deal from the onsite host for my length of stay. All up, Central Motel is a good find for the budget concious and overnighters market on Raro. Proximity to the airport reduces the cost of a transfer.. Telecom's internet bureau via the short-cuts across the road: as I didnt have a lap-top. Trader Jacks for bistro meals and ocean views.
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Date of stay: August 2010Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
The Central Motel is well situated close to the main part of town, and Malcolm the manager cannot seem to do enough to make sure everyone is looked after (i.e. great service, including airport pick-up). The rooms are clean, modern, and very comfortable. I had the best night sleep I've had in months there (a cooler Raro night - no fan or air con on!). It was great to see reasonably priced beer in the bar fridge too for those times when you just want a beer or two and don't want the hassle of going out. Highly recommended for business travelers or those who don't want the hassle of the larger resorts.
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Date of stay: June 2012Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
We stayed at Central on our first night as we had booked private accommodation in Muri Beach and this was not available til the following day. We arrived after midnight and Malcolm picked us up which was great. Rooms are basic but clean, excellent value for Raro and very central and the next morning Malcolm offered to take us to our private accomodation for little cost and along the way since basically around the other side of the island shown us places to go etc. Can't recommend Malcolm highly enough for doing this and since he has lived on the island for many years has a wealth of knowledge.
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
The central motel was pretty close to the beach and was next to the ring road and a couple of minutes in-between the airport and the town. It was good because at night you could see huge crabs that were 50cm wide! After we went to the beach where we saw a puffer fish. Bits of the central motel was a bit run down but some bits were modern.
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Date of stay: November 2014Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
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.
Rooms simple but this is reflected in the price which has to be at least half the others on the island. Service great as the proprietor collected and took us to the airport( and he is quite a character as well!!) in the middle of the night
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Date of stay: February 2012Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Rooms sparse but this is reflected in the price which has to be at least half the others on 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.
Searching for somewhere to chill out before an early-morning flight to Auckland, I was unnerved by the mixed reviews of Central Motel. However, Malcolm could not have been more helpful, and the rate he quoted for an air-conditioned room, together with his efficient transfer service, was less than half that of the competition.
In the event, our room was spacious, spotless and comfortable, we were able to rest and shower before our flight, and Malcolm even organised an island safari with the inimitable 'Useless' and an ocean-front able at Trader Jack's. Altogether, top-notch service at a rock-bottom price.
Yes, the central location can be noisy and, no, it might not work for a week, but for an
overnight or short stay it sure did it for me.
In the event, our room was spacious, spotless and comfortable, we were able to rest and shower before our flight, and Malcolm even organised an island safari with the inimitable 'Useless' and an ocean-front able at Trader Jack's. Altogether, top-notch service at a rock-bottom price.
Yes, the central location can be noisy and, no, it might not work for a week, but for an
overnight or short stay it sure did it for me.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Hi Lorraine Brock. I don,t have a reservation for you????
Malcolm
"Ask for an air-conditioned room if you prefer this - some rooms are, some have fans only."Read full review
"Air conditioning is not usually necessary with the Rarotongan climate, so the fan-only rooms are also a good choice."Read full review
PRICE RANGE
$158 - $162 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Cook IslandsSouthern Cook IslandsRarotongaAvarua
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Motel
Which popular attractions are close to Central Motel?
Nearby attractions include Rehab Nightclub (0.3 km), Wreck of the Matai (0.2 km), and Beachcomber Pearl Market (0.08 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Central Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free parking, airport transportation, and dry cleaning.
Which room amenities are available at Central Motel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What are some restaurants close to Central Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Lucky Rooster Eatery, The Lazy Trout Rarotonga, and Trader Jacks.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Central Motel?
Yes, guests have access to a plunge pool during their stay.
Does Central Motel have airport transportation?
Yes, Central Motel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Central Motel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are there any historical sites close to Central Motel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Wreck of the Matai (0.2 km).
Is Central Motel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.