The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

Needs updating looks it’s age , food was good , don’t bother with culture dinner night , $99 for a under average meal
Bars close 9pm 😔 pools ice cold
U must hire a bike or car before u arrive , it is a must have !!!

Don’t let the negative reviews put you off!

We stayed at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium from 14–21 July in a Beachside Suite, and I genuinely don’t understand why there are so many negative reviews for this awesome place.

From the moment we arrived, the staff were warm, welcoming and happy to help. The team were fantastic throughout our stay, and every staff member we interacted with seemed to genuinely care that guests had a great holiday (special shout out to Norman and Sheree for making our little girl feel so welcome).

Our Beachside Suite was spotless. Housekeeping came every day and did an exceptional job. The room was beautifully presented, well maintained and just steps from the beach. Waking up and being so close to the water each morning was incredible.

The buffet breakfast was honestly one of the best we’ve ever had. There was such a huge selection every morning including bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs , omelettes, pancakes, waffles, mushrooms, pastries, fresh fruit, cereals and plenty more. It far exceeded our expectations.

The resort itself is beautiful. The gardens are immaculate and obviously very well cared for. The pool is large, clean and perfect for families, with plenty of room for kids to play. The restaurant and bar area overlook the water and are beautifully designed, making it a lovely place to relax with a drink while watching the sunset.

The marine reserve is absolutely stunning. Even though we had an onshore wind for most of our stay, the snorkelling was still fantastic. There were so many colourful fish and marine life to see, and there were plenty of complimentary activities available if you wanted to keep busy.

This was also one of the most family-friendly resorts we’ve ever stayed at. We travelled with our four-year-old, and there was always something for her to do. The atmosphere throughout the resort was relaxed, safe and welcoming for families.

The only area I’d rate slightly lower was dinner at the resort restaurant. It was perfectly adequate and convenient after a long day, but we found there were better dining options elsewhere on the island. That certainly wouldn’t stop us eating there again when we wanted an easy night.

One thing that gets mentioned a lot in reviews is the Wi-Fi. Yes, it was a little patchy at times, but I was still able to work remotely while we were there. For one important conference call I simply switched to data roaming, which worked perfectly. Honestly, you’re on a small Pacific island with limited infrastructure, not in the middle of a major city. I don’t think that’s a failing of the resort. If anything, it’s a good excuse to put the phone down, grab a snorkel, go for a walk along the beach, or enjoy a cocktail while looking out over the lagoon.

I do wonder whether some of the poorer reviews relate to the difficult years following COVID, because based on our experience the resort is in fantastic condition. We can’t comment on the apartment-style accommodation as we stayed in a Beachside Suite, but if you’re considering that room type, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

Without question, this has been the best family holiday we’ve ever had. Beautiful location, wonderful staff, immaculate grounds, fantastic snorkelling and an atmosphere that made it very difficult to leave.

We’ll definitely be back.

Location

The setup with the restaurant & bar right on the water is amazing & the ability to swim right in front of the resort is awesome!!

Lots of activities, staff were great

Just got back from our second trip to the Rarotongan we really enjoy staying.
the breakfast is always great & lacking nothing and we love the staff always smiling and welcoming. Daisy & Norman were definitely a highlight

Gardens were nice. Staff were great.
Just weirdly setup resort.

Honestly, everything! Even more, front of house/ reception were always warm, welcoming and helpful. We love the team here.

Not worth the money. Highly rated resort, but rooms we had were very basic.
Didn’t have TV for 2 days
Wifi was terrible for whole stay.
Got the runs after first dinner night.
Breakfast however was amazing. Lunch menu pretty good too.
Bar service was ok, but no resort pool side table service.
If you’re on the beach, it’s along way to go to order a drink.
Staff were very good though.
Found the resort setup quite weird. Designed poorly imo.
Don’t expect a Beachside Room to actually be overlooking the beach.
No real welcome when we arrived, which I thought was customary in these parts.
Don’t get me wrong, the overall resort is very nice, just not worth the money.

娱乐项目多，热闹。

Loved all the activities and programs available. Great spot for snorkelling and very family friendly

Location, beach and snorkling

Another awesome holiday at our favourite resort. Our family had yet another memorable holiday at the Rarotongan. The staff were welcoming and professional, the gardens were beautiful and the location (beach and snorkelling) is perfect.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Island Night and love the substantial breakfasts included. The rooms are clean and tidy and the housekeeping staff are always approachable and friendly; nothing is a bother.
If you have a spare hour or so and want a break from the beach, try some of the free activities offered by the lovely staff at the activities hut. Our family have been for guided walks, woven hats and more recently tried coconut husking (Maraea is a wealth of knowledge and a great teacher!)
We're looking forward already to our next visit!

Lage Top für Schnorcheln. Saubere Anlage, nettes Personal.

The staff were very friendly.

It was private and large enough to not feel crowded