The Sanctuary is an amazing spot to have a childfree relaxing break. The staff are excellent and are so open and welcoming. We had Aisake, Elisapeci, Meli and Akuila who looked after us and catered to our every cocktail whim. The beds are HUGE and really comfy and the location is exceptional. It's literally directly on the beach and you have free access to kayaks, SUPs and snorkel gear. If you're more pool inclined it has a great (and very private) pool with a swim up bar. This is the 4th time we've stayed here and we cannot fault it.

Very stressful at the beginning due to one of the renovations staff Lenoi who had canceled our booking 7 days before we arrived without any communication to us. We had booked 9month before our trip for 18 days. I was very lucky to have booked directly and had copies of all of the corespondent even up to 2 weeks before we left.
We had no apology or explanation from anyone, I tried 4 time to speck directly the renovations but they wouldn’t come out of there office.
If it hadn’t been for the absolutely fantastic bar/restaurant and housekeeping staff who were the most wonderful people, and made our stay a fabulous one.

I recently came back from a gorgeous trip with friends to Rarotonga. While this is my first time visiting the island, we're pretty well travelled and know how transfers/check in/resorts go.

While the lead up to arrival was interesting with limited communication from the hotel (we booked direct so there wouldn't be any issues), we weren't super convinced that everything had been booked correctly. We booked a VIP package which included 10% off food and beverage, 10% of the spa and breakfast included.
We also arranged transfers to the resort well in advance.

However, upon landing, it appeared that no transfer company had our names down, but knowing how small the island was, we weren't too phased and was expected as everything was pretty casual leading up to it. We managed to get on a transfer and arrive at the hotel where our room seemed to be double booked, however the staff went back and forth to make sure we were upgraded and taken care of (we weren't super concerned).

The main disappointment was on arrival being told that the spa was not operating as that was a key reason we purchased the VIP package instead of normal rates, however the staff were incredibly helpful booking alternative arrangements for us at a nearby resort instead.

The rooms were spacious, airy and had everything you needed (aircon, balconies, insect screens, even broom and shovel for all the sand you'd bring in).

But the reason why I wanted to write this review was to thank two particular staff members who made our 5 day stay so enjoyable! We were served by Akuila and Meli almost everyday at the Sanctuary restaurant and bar and they were the most hospitable and lovely attendants I've come across in years. Akuila especially went above and beyond with a smile on his face many times when he was the only one on the bar serving multiple people at a time, sometimes till late in the evening and then would be back in the morning for training in reception. He is a an absolute asset to the Sanctuary/Rarotongan family and I look forward to returning in a few years to see him running the place with Meli by his side. No question was too difficult, they genuinely tried to get to know the guests by first name, room numbers and them as people - manaakitanga at it's finest.

So while we had a few hiccups, we were not concerned at all as we know Raro is still working through its Covid-19 kinks, and we were already relaxed on holiday, many many thanks to Akuila, Meli and the Sanctuary/Rarotongan staff for making our stay so memorable.