The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

“Best Family Holiday EVER”

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 h… more

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.

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“Second great time”

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

“Over priced over rated”

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 !!!