10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2025]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com
10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2025]

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com
Last Updated: 7 June, 2025

The Most Stunning Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Enjoy a fully functional holiday with all you need in a self-contained accommodation at one of the many gorgeous holiday apartments in the Cook Islands. All of the apartment-style accommodations in the Cook Islands can be found on the island of Rarotonga, so our list stays exclusively on that holiday hotspot.

Nevertheless, we have compiled a variety of apartments to suit a range of styles and tastes, from luxury holiday apartments to humble budget offerings. Check them out in the list below!

Table of Contents

1. Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments

Get the experience of a resort with the convenience of a holiday apartment at Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments. Located in the village of Vaimaanga, each of the 10 apartments overlooks a deck-lined swimming pool and the lagoon.

Apartments are modern with a simplistic design that features Polynesian artwork. There’s also room to relax at the on-site Hibiscus Spa – see how it compares to the 10 Best Spas in Rarotonga.

Book Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2023]© Moana Sands Beachfront Villas

2. Avana Waterfront Apartments

Strewn along the northern edge of the Muri Lagoon at the historic Avana HarbourAvana Waterfront Apartments is a good go-to for travellers who want to experience some fishing during their stay with charters departing right from the accommodation’s jetty (or just enjoy feeding the fish off the jetty).

Couples and small families will find everything they need in the studios and two-bedroom apartments, while the three-bedroom apartment is best suited for larger groups and families with an occupancy of up to six. You have a full-size kitchen at your disposal with a dishwasher, as well as kayaks available.

The apartments are quite compact and less airy than others around Rarotonga, with some signs of wear, but they’re ideal for non-fussy travellers seeking affordability, a great location, and the bonus of a swimming pool.

Book Avana Waterfront Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2025]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

3. White House Apartments

Stay close to Aroa Beach, one of the top snorkelling spots in Rarotonga, at White House Apartments. Ideal for families and large groups, the two-bedroom apartment and villa offer the complete home-away-from-home experience (but better) with a swimming pool and the marine reserve of Aroa Beach just 100m (110 yards) down the road.

The apartments are light, airy and can sleep up to six or seven adults. Enjoy the use of your own barbecue, as well as free snorkel rental. Check out more stays like this in the 10 Best Resorts for Snorkelling in the Cook Islands.

Book White House Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2023]© White House Apartments

4. Mai’i Villa Apartments

Perched on the mountainsides of Muri is the commanding four-level building of Mai’i Villa Apartments. While the crisp-white contemporary building is a sight in itself, the views from here are breathtaking.

There are three apartments, including a penthouse, and a shared swimming pool at this ultra-modern, well-appointed accommodation. Guests are provided breakfast condiments to make the most of the large kitchens, while large flat-screen TVs go alongside the artwork adorning the walls should you need additional entertainment.

Book Mai’i Villa Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2025]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

5. Vaima Beachfront Apartments

These contemporary boutique apartments in Vaimaanga are right on the beach where you can step out of your apartment and feel your toes in the sand. Each sleek and modern apartment at Vaima Beachfront Apartments is tastefully decorated and fits up to four guests across a large double bed and two singles.

Your well-equipped kitchen has a stovetop, microwave and dishwasher, while one of the largest supermarkets, Wigmore’s Superstore, is within walking distance. The only downside is that the room rates are perhaps a little on the “too high” side.

Book Vaima Beachfront Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2023]© Vaima Beachfront Apartments

6. Herons Reef Holiday Apartments

More like a holiday home than an apartment, you can’t get too hung up on the technicalities of staying at Herons Reef Holiday Apartments. The price is just too good! Stay at one of four affordable self-contained holiday homes complete with kitchens, spacious lounges and covered decks with views of the mountain and footpaths to the beach.

The apartments are on the sunrise side of Rarotonga, making for a wonderful place to start your day.

See alternative accommodations like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

Book Herons Reef Holiday Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2023]© Herons Reef Holiday Apartments

7. Aroa Kainga Bungalows and Apartment

Enjoy an affordable stay, excellent services from your host and amazing snorkelling within walking distance at Aroa Kainga Bungalows and Apartment. The bungalows and studio apartments are ideal for up to three people looking for a stay where sorting out your own meals and relaxing come easily.

The snorkelling hotspot of Aroa Beach is a short walk away, while dining options at The Rarotongan and Sanctuary provide more holiday highlights within easy reach.

Book Aroa Kainga Bungalows and Apartment:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2023]© Aroa Kainga Bungalows and Apartment

8. Coral Sands Apartments

Discover seaside serenity at Coral Sands Apartments, a collection of seven boutique self-catering apartments nestled on Rarotonga’s picturesque sunset side. Just a short walk from Arorangi Beach, these well-furnished accommodations offer an ideal balance of privacy and community.

Five one-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments surround a central swimming pool, providing a refreshing oasis. While each apartment is fully self-contained, guests can also enjoy socialising in the lush gardens or around the communal barbecue area.

You’ll love the convenience and comfort of this tranquil retreat! Check out more stays like Coral Sands in the 20 Best Family Accommodations on Rarotonga.

Book Coral Sands Apartments:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2025]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

9. Ariki Bungalows

Ariki Bungalows offers a unique adults-only experience in Rarotonga for guests 18 and over. This intimate property features just three humble yet comfortable rooms, perfect for independent travellers seeking a quiet and sociable atmosphere.

You’ll love the honesty bar for drinks and the BBQ area, where communal BBQ nights are common during high season (the owners bring salads while guests grill their own meat). With free WiFi, an on-site sauna, and a laid-back vibe, it’s an excellent budget-friendly option for those wanting a more personal touch in their Rarotonga stay.

Book Ariki Bungalows:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2025]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

10. Kakera Villa Apartments

Four swanky holiday apartments across two storeys await at the Kakera Villa Apartments just north of Muri. There’s room for everyone at these one, two and three-bedroom apartments, some of which are kitted out with private plunge pools in sun-soaked courtyards.

Kitchens are well-equipped, some with a dishwasher, while the contemporary decor brings modern holiday living to Rarotonga. If you are enticed to stick around, long-term rates are available.

Check Kakera Villa Apartments out:

10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands [2023]© Kakera Villa Apartments

More Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Now that you know about the best holiday apartments in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, see how they compare to other styles of accommodation in the following lists:

Finally, if you haven’t yet found the perfect place to stay in the Cook Islands, go back to square one with Where to Stay in the Cook Islands: The Best Cook Islands Accommodations.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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