The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

Hotels
•
Independent
8 (136 reviews)
Aroa Beach Marine Reserve, Arorangi, Ara Tapu Rd, Rarotonga , Rarotonga , CK
682-2-5800

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Facilities

Free beach cabanas
Boat tours nearby
Fitness facilities
Proposal/romance packages available
Express check-out
Arcade/game room
No single-use plastic straws
Comprehensive recycling policy
No single-use plastic water bottles
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great snorkeling
Friendly staff
Good food
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Room size discrepancy
Overpriced for quality

Categories

Cleanliness
6.71
Multiple mentions of bugs in the room and lingering sewage smells indicate cleanliness issues.
Service
8.68
Most staff were friendly, and the excellent service at restaurants was noted.
Location
9.22
The resort is situated in the best reef with fantastic snorkeling opportunities.
Room Quality
7.17
Complaints about room size and condition; not as represented in images.
Amenities
8.2
Amenities like snorkeling, pools, and kid-friendly areas receive positive feedback.
Value for Money
7.66
Perceived as overpriced compared to amenities and room quality.
Food and Beverage
8.21
Good food quality with variety at restaurants, although menus were repetitive.
Overall Experience
8.18
Overall a good experience with enjoyable activities for families despite some issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-16 22:29

Property Description

Escape to paradise at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, where crystal-clear waters meet luxurious comforts.

Unwind in Style
Indulge in one of our 104 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring modern amenities like flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, and complimentary toiletries. Each room offers a cozy haven after a day of adventure.

Culinary Delights
Savor the best of local and international cuisine at Captain Andy’s Bar & Grill, or enjoy a refreshing drink poolside. Our daily continental breakfasts are the perfect way to start your day in paradise.

Endless Activities
Relax on our private beach, dive into the outdoor pool, or challenge a friend to a game of tennis. With nearby attractions like Aroa Beach and Wigmore's Waterfall just minutes away, you’ll always have something exciting to explore.

Don't wait—book your unforgettable escape at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium today!

Important information:

  • Up to 17 children stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
  • Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: RAR

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • General

    Events/parties allowed

  • Check-in & Check-out

    Contactless check-out is available

  • General

    Cashless transactions are available

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 136 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.71
Service: 8.68
Location: 9.22
Room Quality: 7.17
Amenities: 8.2
Value for Money: 7.66
Food and Beverage: 8.21
Overall Experience: 8.18
A
Adam • couple • nz
9
2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
S
Sophie • couple • nz
4
2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
G
Gunhan • couple • au
10
Excellent
Pros:

Location

Cons:

No after hours eating options.

2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
A
Aimee • family_with_children • au
7
2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
M
Marg Bennett • extended_group • nz
9
Beautiful place with beautiful staff
Pros:

The complementary breakfasts were beautiful catering for every need from overnight oats to bacon and eggs to order. All of the staff at the resort were so kind and friendly. The snorkeling rite at the doorstep of the resort was breathtaking.
Cocktails and food was exceptional.

Cons:

Not charged so much to use the washing machine and drier.

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
T
TinaDanz • Family • Gold Coast, Queensland
10
An island paradise
Pros:

Absolutely amazing place to stay beautiful staff who made us feel so welcome , amazing views and great facilities. Beautiful food and lovely cocktails would not stay anywhere else.

2026-06-10 • via Tripadvisor
L
Loved_My_Stay2021 • Couples
10
Great Location
Pros:

Such a beautiful location - snorkeling was amazing right at the resort. Best buffet breakfast I have ever experienced and the Island Night was also amazing. Would love to come back!

2026-06-10 • via Tripadvisor
E
Elizabeth • family_with_children • au
10
Great stay for families of all ages
Pros:

It was on the lagoon very nice

Cons:

It was all good

2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
G
Glenn • family_with_children • nz
8
Excellent location right by the best snorkelling on the island. Amazing staff and cool beach front rooms
Pros:

Amazing lagoon and snorkelling right on your door step. Free water activities and gear. The staff were amazing! Buffet breakfast was great.

Cons:

The coffee machine at breakfast kept breaking down. The cost of the cultural night was far too expensive for our family.

2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
L
Lauren • family_with_children • au
8
Pros:

Location

Cons:

I didn’t realize how big it was

2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
C
Chris • solo_traveller • nz
10
2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
B
Barbara • family_with_children • nz
3
Pros:

The beach was lovely

2026-05-28 • via Nuitee
F
Fraser • family_with_children • nz
6
2026-05-27 • via Nuitee
S
Sherrie • extended_group • au
10
Great value, amazing access to lagoon and the staff were extra helpful.
Pros:

Wonderful for families. We ranged in age from 1YO to 77YO and everyone enjoyed this place!

Cons:

Perhaps needed a couple more power points in the rooms.

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
H
Happiness60443232751 • Couples • Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, Northland Region, North Island
4
Yeah - definitely Nah!
Pros:

I really don’t like posting a bad review, but honestly, this resort is not as dreamy as it sounds. We booked a Beachside Suite. Well what we got was a very small studio. Made a comment about the room and the comment was that they were out in what we had “supposedly” booked because their previous night was so busy! What? We’d booked a suite! So the next day the room we booked and got was about a metre wider but only half the wall. Still not a “suite” in our opinion compared to where we’ve stayed.
The storage area for clothes is pretty limited. Does not go with 2 people at all, let alone a family.
The Wi-fi is absolutely rubbish as knocks you out continuously. Try about 4-5 times when you can get it back again. Kids would not be happy.
The rooms are extremely tired, and considering the price you pay, you can find better. Pretty dirty too. Needs a major overhaul.
If the weather is not that flash, there are no overhangs on your deck to even sit outside. Many other resorts have that option.
Tried the buffet breakfast, definitely not that good compared to others we’ve been to. We decided we’d eat out at Beluga for a much nicer brekky.
Hey, the staff are friendly and it’s not their fault, but they have passed on to managers that guests have said you need to get Starlink, and it’s an absolute fact, but management are obviously too tight to spend the money. Such a shame.
Anyway, I am sorry to post this but I feel others need to hear. I read so many good opinions as we wanted to bring our family of 17 here next year, but that won’t be an option now.

2026-05-24 • via Tripadvisor
B
Bridget • family_with_children • nz
8
2026-05-23 • via Nuitee
G
GrandTour49276321698 • Family
10
Simply the best!
Pros:

Main purpose of visit was to take my daughter and two grandsons snorkelling. From the moment we arrived until (sadly) we departed the experience was memorable for all the right reasons. The breakfast buffet is the best I have ever had and a great way to start each day. The activities on offer are comprehensive and cater for all ages. Other reviewers have alluded to both the location and staff. Both are outstanding. I am reluctant to single out any staff member but Joe in the activities must get a special mention. His obvious love and care for the lagoon and it's inhabitants is remarkable. At 1PM each day he takes a group out snorkeling and fish feeding. Make sure you go. Every day we saw 4 turtles and were swarmed by myriads of colourful fish. I have seen better coral but that means a long trip to Indonesia-the coral in the Lagoonarium is still better than anything I have seen in Fiji, Samoa or Tonga.
All in all a memorable stay.
Meitaki ma'ata and kia manuia.

2026-05-18 • via Tripadvisor
S
S7946EItoma • Business
10
Fantastic place to stay
Pros:

I stayed here while in Rarotonga for work. The resort is lovely and the food excellent. The staff are friendly and obliging and the rooms and facilities were always spotlessly clean. I was told that the resort was at full occupancy during my stay but it never felt crowded. Wish I had more time to enjoy the beach and lagoon.

2026-05-17 • via Tripadvisor
J
jane • couple • au
10
Lagoon is amazing
Pros:

Location, staff, cannot fault anything

Cons:

Nothing, it was beautiful

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
M
Michela • family_with_children • nz
8
2026-05-13 • via Nuitee