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Ashleigh B

Fantastic place to stay

5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 12 Dec 2022
Sanctuary on the beach was such a great pick for a relaxed holiday. We loved the option of have access to the Rarotonga but staying on the adults only side. The snorkeling is so great directly in front of the resort. With options of SUP and kayaking. The staff are so friendly and helpful, a stand out staff member was Meli! We loved coming back after being out to be greeted by Meli, always friendly and helpful.
We would definitely pick to stay here again!
Date of stay: December 2022
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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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.
Haimona Browne, Owner at Sanctuary Rarotonga-on The Beach, responded to this review
Responded 10 Mar 2023
Kia Orana,
Thank you for your kind review.
We are so pleased to hear you had an amazing stay and you enjoyed the warm hospitality from our team, in particular Meii.
Thank you again for choosing to stay with us and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Kind Regards,
Haimona Browne
Resort Manager
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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.
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    52 - 57 of 709 reviews
    Reviewed 10 December 2022

    AMAZING! Not only was the accomodation beautiful but the staff there are just wonderful. They make you feel so invited and treat you like family. We will 100 percent be going back to the Sanctuary Rarotonga

    Date of stay: November 2022
    Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    1  Thank CharINeil
    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.
    Haimona Browne, Owner at Sanctuary Rarotonga-on The Beach, responded to this reviewResponded 11 March 2023

    Kia Orana,
    Thank you for your kind review.
    We are thrilled to hear you had an amazing time!
    We thoroughly enjoyed having you as our guests and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
    Kind Regards,
    Haimona Browne
    Resort Manager

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 5 December 2022

    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.

    Date of stay: November 2022
      • Sleep Quality
      • Rooms
      • Service
    2  Thank TheTravellingFerret
    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.
    Haimona Browne, Owner at Sanctuary Rarotonga-on The Beach, responded to this reviewResponded 11 March 2023

    Kia Orana,
    Thank you for your kind review.
    Wow this was your fourth stay! We are so pleased you had another amazing stay and you enjoyed the warm hospitality from our staff.
    Thank you for continuing to choose to stay with us and we look forward to welcoming you back for the 5th time!
    Please email me directly before booking your next trip.
    Yours sincerely,
    Haimona Browne
    Resort Manager

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 30 November 2022

    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.

    Room tip: Ground floor for access to beach.
    Date of stay: October 2022
      • Value
      • Sleep Quality
      • Service
    1  Thank michelleaV4099BH
    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.
    Haimona Browne, Owner at Sanctuary Rarotonga-on The Beach, responded to this reviewResponded 11 March 2023

    Kia Orana,
    Thank you for taking the time to post a review of recent stay with us.
    We are pleased to hear you enjoyed the warm hospitality from our bar and housekeeping team.
    I have personally addressed your concerns with Leilani and she is very remorseful and apologetic for the inconvenience she caused for you.
    Thank you again for choosing to stay with us.
    Kind Regards,
    Haimona Browne
    Resort Manager

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 16 November 2022

    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.

    Room tip: Occasionally it can get loud at night when your room is closest to the pool/bar area
    Date of stay: November 2022
      • Value
      • Sleep Quality
      • Service
    1  Thank vanimmink
    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.
    Haimona Browne, Owner at Sanctuary Rarotonga-on The Beach, responded to this reviewResponded 11 March 2023

    Kia Orana,
    Thank you for taking the time to post a detailed review of your stay with us.
    We are humbled to hear that you enjoyed the warm hospitality from Akuila and Meli. They are certainly superstars of our resort. Please accept my apologies for the misunderstanding with your airport transfers. We have restructured our team in reservations and now have one person dedicated to airport transfers etc. Our Spa has also been opened now for some months as we have been fortunate to employ professional spa therapists from overseas.
    Thank you again for choosing to stay with us.
    Kind Regards,
    Haimona Browne
    Resort Manager

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 8 November 2022

    Awesome and friendly staff. Great food and drinks. The place was a little run down but that is understandable noting COVID and the recent big storm that wrecked havoc on the facility. It is being refreshed and is looking great with more and more being done everyday.

    Date of stay: October 2022
    Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    Thank 841kerryr
    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.
    Haimona Browne, Owner at Sanctuary Rarotonga-on The Beach, responded to this reviewResponded 15 November 2022

    Kia Orana,
    Thank you for your kind review.
    We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the warm hospitality from our staff.
    We recently welcomed Mark and Kerry as Resort Managers and they have been doing a great job getting our resort refreshed and looking great.
    Thank you for choosing to stay with us.
    Kind Regards,
    Haimona Browne
    Resort Manager

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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