Cook Islands
Cook Island Accommodation Guide

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There are almost 100 Cook Island accommodation properties, most of these on the main island of Rarotonga. There are just over a dozen places to stay on the lagoon island of Aitutaki, a 45 minute flight to the north of Rarotonga. Atiu is growing in popularity with discerning travellers and offers a handful of guesthouses.


Room rates vary from around NZ$140 per room for basic self-catering to up to NZ$750 for the deluxe beach front resort bungalows. Holiday homes start at about NZ$700 per week for a 2 bedroom house. Accommodation in the Cook Islands does get full throughout the year so it is wise to book at least 3 months in advance. Most hotels are obliged to sell only at the full rate (the rack rate) and don't offer Internet or direct booking specials - for the best deals try a south pacific travel specialist. Late minute specials are seldom offered. It is worth asking to reserve the unit nearest the beach front - some places have a standard rate for all units while others add a premium for beach front units.

Accommodation per room or unit per night in NZ$
1-100	100-150	150-200	200-300	300-400	400-500	500+

The majority of Cook Islands accommodation is self-catering bungalows or motels and private holiday homes around the main island of Rarotonga. There are about a half dozen resorts, only two of which has over 100 rooms. There are also a few small size motel apartments which offer the best value for money but few luxuries.

Most hotels blend in well with the environment and none are taller than the height of the coconut trees. Most properties are beach front of the coastal road although usually only a few of the rooms / bungalows are absolute beach-front. Those classified as "Garden" bungalows are set slightly inland from the beach. Some accommodation on Rarotonga on the mountain side of the coastal road and these are usually much cheaper even though the mountain views are often just as spectacular as those with sea views.

edgewater resort

muri beach

backpackers

sunset

Rarotonga accommodation is spread right around the small island. There are almost 100 individual accommodation properties, from small boutique resorts to self contained beach bungalows and holiday homes. There are only two large hotels with just under 200 rooms each, the third largest hotel has 67 rooms and villas and the fourth largest just 22 bungalows.

Most places to stay are located on the beach side of the coastal road although not always absolute beach front. Those on the mountain side offer better value for money and most have lovely mountain views and are never more than a five minute stroll to the beach. No building rises higher than the surrounding coconut trees and apart from Muri Beach and a few spots along the north west coast, there is no overcrowding. However, unlike other south pacific destinations, there is no real solitude on Rarotonga - it is an exciting busy little laid back island with lots to do and plenty of independent restaurants to sample the local fish.

Prices on Rarotonga are on the high side compared to its South Pacific neighbours. A luxury self contained beach bungalow will cost from NZ$300 per night, a resort room will cost from NZ$200 per night, an economy self contained bungalow from NZ$120 per night and a budget room for about NZ$50 per night. Most rooms sleep two people. Backpacker dorm beds go from NZ$16. One of the cheapest ways to go if you have a family is to rent a holiday home. These can be rented from NZ$750 per week and up depending on bedrooms, location and facilities.

Most properties offer a meet and greet service for international flights. It's worth checking ahead, especially as most flights arrive in the very unsociable early hours of the morning - a taxi then will cost from NZ$50 if you can get one.

Hot water is available even at the budget hostels and electricity is 24-hours a day. Internet connections are provided by many properties but there are independent Internet cafes around the island. The larger resorts have their own tour desks and even some of the smaller resorts have cars / mopeds on location for hire. Island nights which include dance performances and traditional feasts are offered by The Rarotongan and Edgewater Resorts and welcome outside guests.

Rarotonga Accommodation Search


Aitutaki accommodation is concentrated along the west / north-west coast of the main island and on the southern point of its protruding hook. These areas have the best swimming beaches around the island. The fringing motu have just a few places to stay - most are still completely uninhabited.

There are almost 20 individual accommodation properties in all, from small boutique resorts to self contained beach bungalows. There are only two medium size resorts - the largest, the new Pacific Resort, has 70 bungalows and villas and the next largest has just 30 bungalows. There are no backpacker dorms on the island although there is a good choice of budget rooms. Camping, however, is strictly prohibited. Most places to stay are located on the beach side of the coastal road although not always absolute beach front. No building rises higher than the surrounding coconut trees. Most properties will meet you at the airport if you have pre-booked but it's worth confirming this. For those arriving without transfers, the airport shuttle bus drops off at all hotels on the main island for NZ$10.

aitutaki lagoon

ootu point

pacific resort

sand spit

Prices on Aitutaki are on the high side compared to its South Pacific neighbours. A luxury self contained beach bungalow will cost from NZ$300 per night, a standard self contained bungalow from NZ$120 per night and a budget room for about NZ$30 per night. Most rooms and bungalows sleep two people. Budget properties do not always have hot water although all have electricity.

There are several independent restaurants around the main island, mostly on the east coast around the village of Arutanga Small trading shops can be found around the island and provide fresh produce and tin food for those on a self-catering holiday. For those staying on the offshore islands, you will need to take all provisions with you - even a supply of drinking water is recommended.

Aitutaki Resorts Search

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