Swap winter chills for beachside thrills
Whether you want a romantic getaway, or are ready for a family holiday in the tropics, this luxury Raro retreat fulfils your wishes, writes Torika Tokalau.
The place
Pacific Resort Rarotonga is part of the Pacific Resort Hotel Group’s 41⁄2 and 5-star luxury and boutique beachfront island resorts in the Cook Islands.
The location
The resort is something straight from a postcard, perfectly located at Muri Beach, fringed with coconut palms, a soft white sandy beach, and overlooking stunning tropical lagoon waters.
It’s a 20-minute drive from Rarotonga International Airport, and nestled between lush tropical rainforests and beautiful waters.
All 64 rooms, suites and villas overlook tropical gardens or the beach and lagoon.
The space
The resort is laced with rich Polynesian decor, influenced by local culture in its unique architecture, landscape and design. A comprehensive renovation has just been completed. The year-long closure of international borders allowed full remodels to all guest rooms, including new furniture, floor and wall coverings, and bathrooms.
It has also improved its outer space, which includes work on the restaurant, bar and pool.
The room
I stayed in one of the premium beachfront suites, and I was so impressed by the space, with the soft sandy beach literally a step outside your door.
The room was styled with Polynesian decor, and has an impressively large lounge area and a massive king bed.
It had the usual hotel extras, such as a fridge, coffee- and tea-making facilities, television, hair dryer and iron, as well as an airconditioning unit, and a fan that was perfect because it does get a little hot and humid in the tropics at night.
Stepping out
Set foot outside the resort, and you will see a little village of souvenir shops, hair, makeup and nail salons, car rentals, a local dairy and more. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to venture out into town just yet.
The Punanga Nui Cultural Market is close by, with handcrafts, clothing and handmade quilts, fresh fruits, scented candles, soaps and more.
And there are heaps of tourist activities to take advantage of, including the turtle sea scooter safari with Ariki Adventures, Raro Buggy Tours, and a day trip to Aitutaki, a 45-minute plane ride from Rarotonga, where you will find the world’s most beautiful lagoon.
Or stay a night or two in Aitutaki at Pacific Resort Aitutaki, the only five-star resort on the island. You will not be disappointed.
You won’t run out of food choices in Rarotonga. There’s fresh seafood and local delicacies at the market, Mediterranean food at Antipodes Restaurant, or the famous wet burger at Vili’s Burger Joint.
Take cash if you can, especially at the market and the souvenir shops, but your credit card will also get a workout.
Verdict
A luxury haven. The resort is beautiful, its location perfect and the staff are friendly and welcoming. You can’t fault the service in Rarotonga. It’s perfect for couples and families, and the resort has a free kids’ club for guests.
Essentials
Pacific Resort Rarotonga’s current deal is from $2700 for five nights in a standard family room. Visit pacificresort.com/prhg-rarotonga.
Highlight
The beach. Muri is beautiful, and you can spend hours on the beach, with a book and a cocktail from Barefoot Bar. I also loved how they can serve breakfast early, quite handy for those with activities planned. The breakfast restaurant opens at 7.30am, but you can request food for half an hour before you head out, or for a continental pack delivered to your room the night before.
Lowlight
I wish I had time to check out the lunch and dinner. I ate out most days because I had booked lots of activities, but if the breakfast is anything to go by, I’m sure the other meals are delicious, too.