Rarotonga, and to a lesser extent, Aitutaki, have a good choice of accommodation, from the luxurious to the very basic. As you might expect, on the other islands, tourist accommodation is very limited. This page is a mix of personal recommendations and a means to search yourself to find just the right place to stay. The search tool is provided by a trusted and recommended partner site.
If you're after a top hotel property on either Rarotonga or Aitutaki, I can personally recommend the Pacific Resort. The accommodation service, staff and facilities are superb. Incidentally, my friend Mal (see below) built the infinity swimming pool at the Aitutaki property. Have a look at the picture bottom and right and you see how it seems to merge into the lagoon itself. And US visitors might like to know the Pacific Resort Aitutaki is where the presenters of Survivor Cook Islands stayed when they were filming series 13 of the reality show. The Aitutaki resort has also won a host of awards including Best Island Resort in the world at the Oscars of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards.
If you're thinking about a visit to MAUKE - the most easterly of the Cook Islands - click here for pictures and information on Tiare Cottages which I can personally recommend as a place to help make your stay on this magical island even more special.
Right: One of the cottages, outside and in
Right: One of the cottages, outside and in
ATIU has probably the widest choice of accommodation after the most visited islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Atiu Villas (top left) are set in beautiful gardens and there's even a swimming pool and restaurant. I can certainly recommend them, although the rooms could do with a bit of a facelift in my opinion.
A really excellent alternative though is to stay in the private home (lower left) of Marshall and Jeanne Humphries. They built it themselves on Jeanne's family land. There's the added advantage of being treated as a personal house guest, and I can vouch for the fact it's a fantastic home. Marshall is also very knowledgeable about his adopted island and even if you don't stay with he and his wife, you must make a point of going on his island and cave tours. I recommend the trips very highly. You can find out more details about both by clicking here.
A really excellent alternative though is to stay in the private home (lower left) of Marshall and Jeanne Humphries. They built it themselves on Jeanne's family land. There's the added advantage of being treated as a personal house guest, and I can vouch for the fact it's a fantastic home. Marshall is also very knowledgeable about his adopted island and even if you don't stay with he and his wife, you must make a point of going on his island and cave tours. I recommend the trips very highly. You can find out more details about both by clicking here.
OUTER ISLANDS CHOICES
RAROTONGA AND AITUTAKI
for a place to stay
SEARCH FOR YOUR OWN PLACE IN PARADISE
If you're looking for accommodation in the more remote islands, I would suggest you contact Tipani Tours who have been local specialists in travel and accommodation for more than 30 years.
Alternatively, when you're in downtown Avarua, pop into the offices of Jetsave Travel who have a whole host of packages, or ask Melynnda and her colleagues to tailor make a trip for you.
Alternatively, when you're in downtown Avarua, pop into the offices of Jetsave Travel who have a whole host of packages, or ask Melynnda and her colleagues to tailor make a trip for you.
