21 Best Holiday Homes on Rarotonga

Topping our list of the best holiday homes on Rarotonga are two very affordable, family-friendly holiday homes at Te Etu Villas. Tucked away on the quiet backroads of Tupapa, these villas each feature a private pool, mountain views and open-plan living between the well-presented lounge, kitchen and dining area that opens up to the pool area.

"Te Etu Villa 1" has two bedrooms, while "Te Etu Villa 2" has three. All in all, Te Etu Villas shows guests that you don't need to be on the beach to have an enjoyable holiday in Raro.

Book Te Etu Villa:

• Te Etu Villa 1 on Booking.com
• Te Etu Villa 1 on Expedia
• Te Etu Villa 2 on Booking.com
• Te Etu Villa 2 on Expedia

Providing an unbeatable location and excellent value for money, Vaiakura Holiday Homes is a top choice for all types of travellers. Four holiday homes line the sandy shores of Rarotonga's sunset coast, ranging from an eight-pax four-bedroom holiday home to a more intimate one-bedroom studio.

Bask in lagoon views from the upper level of the multi-storey house and even go out and explore it with the kayaks provided. Like in most places in Raro, however, you'd better be okay with dogs coming to say hello.

Book Vaiakura Holiday Homes:

• Vaiakura Holiday Homes on Booking.com
• Vaiakura Holiday Homes on Trip.com

Cook Islands Holiday Villas manages four distinct properties across Rarotonga, catering to various group sizes and preferences.

Muri Lagoon Villa, a two-bedroom beachfront retreat in Muri, is perfect for up to four guests seeking direct lagoon access. Turtle Villa in Arorangi offers similar capacity with an extra bathroom. For larger groups, the Tuoro Holiday Villas comprise four separate four-bedroom villas in Arorangi, while Turangi Lagoon Villas feature two seaside four-bedroom units in Turangi village.

All properties boast modern amenities like BBQs, smart TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Your host, Paul, a characterful local famous for his hot sauce, ensures a genuine Cook Islands experience in these well-located, comfortable accommodations.

Book Cook Islands Holiday Villas:

• Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa on Booking.com
• Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa on Trip.com
• Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa on Expedia
• Tuoro Holiday Villas on Booking.com
• Tuoro Holiday Villas on Trip.com
• Tuoro Holiday Villas on Expedia
• Turangi Lagoon Villas on Booking.com
• Turangi Lagoon Villas on Expedia
• Turtle Villa on Booking.com
• Turtle Villa on Expedia

Onu Bay Holiday House is a spacious five-bedroom holiday home that comfortably sleeps up to ten guests, making it one of the more versatile self-contained options in the Arorangi area.

With two bathrooms, multiple toilets and flexible sleeping arrangements (the super king beds split into singles), the layout adapts easily to however your group is configured. All bedrooms are air-conditioned, so a comfortable night's sleep is guaranteed regardless of the season.

The kitchen is a genuine highlight: huge, well-stocked and equipped with an extra fridge/freezer and plenty of containers for leftovers or packed lunches. There's also a guest laundry with an additional washing machine, a large driveway and a private deck area to settle into at the end of the day.

Out front, your own private swimming pool and garden give guests plenty of space to spread out, while snorkelling gear, kayaks and bikes are all available on-site for those keen to explore a little further afield.

Try a slice of home-away-from-home paradise at Mama Taras Bungalows. Set back among the fruit tree gardens in the town of Muri, a small selection of contemporary bungalow holiday homes is available for families or groups of up to four.

Alternatively, enjoy an ultra-contemporary stay in the villa for up to six guests with its own private pool. Either way, you have your own space with self-catering facilities and are within a short walking distance of Muri Beach and its tours and restaurants.

Speaking of self-catering, check out alternative options in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations on Rarotonga.

Book Mama Taras Bungalows:

• Mama Taras Bungalows on Booking.com
• Mama Taras Bungalows on Expedia
• Mama Taras Villa on Booking.com
• Mama Taras Villa on Expedia

Tropical Sands offers a tranquil retreat for independent travellers seeking a quiet, self-sufficient stay in Rarotonga.

This self-catering accommodation, run by friendly Hawaiian hosts, features six rooms, including one family unit, and only accepts guests aged 12 and over. Nestled in the peaceful Matavera area, it's perfect for those desiring a low-key experience.

While the owners live onsite and can assist with tour bookings, the setup is mostly hands-off. Guests are expected to manage their own amenities, including emptying trash. WiFi is available via Starlink for a fee.

Bicycles are provided for exploring the island at your leisure. See more stays with bicycles in the 10 Accommodations in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands with Bike Hire.

Book Tropical Sands:

• Tropical Sands on Booking.com
• Tropical Sands on Trip.com
• Tropical Sands on Expedia

This ultra-modern three-bedroom villa in Vaimaanga is the choice to impress! Pacific Palms Luxury Villa features its own outdoor lap pool, which can be admired from the floor-to-ceiling windows of just about every room of the house.

It’s the ultimate space to entertain with an open-plan layout, including a spacious kitchen with a minibar. All you need to do is get supplies from Wigmore’s Superstore, one of the largest supermarkets on the island, which is a short stroll down the road.

Learn more in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Rarotonga.

Book Pacific Palms Luxury Villa:

• Pacific Palms Luxury Villa on Booking.com
• Pacific Palms Luxury Villa on Trip.com
• Pacific Palms Luxury Villa on Expedia

Either stay in one of the four four-bedroom villas of Paradise Holiday Homes or hire out the whole place for up to 32 people! With mahogany-lined exteriors and interior features, you'd better think “wood is good” at these holiday homes that offer a unique aesthetic on the island.

A highlight is your personal pool area with a Webber barbecue at the ready. There are oodles of space in each villa, while the property is set back away from road traffic, yet is only a kilometre from Titikaveka Beach.

Book Paradise Holiday Homes:

• Paradise Holiday Homes on Booking.com
• Paradise Holiday Homes on Trip.com
• Paradise Holiday Homes on Expedia

Coast Cook Islands offers a private and secluded beachfront retreat, perfect for families or groups seeking space and tranquillity. This luxurious villa sits on the water's edge in Turangi, close enough to Muri for easy access to activities yet far enough for serenity. The spacious property accommodates up to six people, with a minimum stay of six days.

The expansive layout includes a main villa and a separate studio, ideal for older children or teens wanting privacy. Guests can enjoy a private lap pool in the back garden and access to a white coral beach.

Extra touches like food platters and transfers can be arranged through your friendly hosts. With its high level of comfort and seclusion, Coast Cook Islands is the perfect base for longer stays, offering a true home-away-from-home experience in paradise.

Book Coast Cook Islands:

• Coast Cook Islands on Booking.com
• Coast Cook Islands on Expedia

In the heart of Muri‘s cafe scene, Maine Villa comprises a two-bedroom villa and a separate studio with simple yet contemporary furniture and fixtures. You might not be on the beach, but the gorgeous gardens and deck with a barbecue more than make up for the fact.

Other thoughtful provisions include a torch/flashlight, first aid kit and snorkelling gear to make use of at the Muri Lagoon just a short walk away.

Book Maine Villa:

• Maine Villa on Booking.com
• Maine Villa on Trip.com
• Maine Villa on Expedia

Off the beaten track in its own spacious grounds with views of the Rarotonga mountains and swaying coconut palms, Mata Manea offers a more isolated inland experience. The ultra-modern holiday home is all about open-plan living both inside and out, with the spacious kitchen spilling out onto your extensive covered deck.

Although it's out of the way, the two-bedroom holiday home is just a 10-minute drive from Muri and a short walk to Titikaveka Beach.

Book Mata Manea:

• Mata Manea on Booking.com
• Mata Manea on Trip.com

For those seeking their own quiet space on Rarotonga for an affordable price, take a look at Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio. The two-bedroom holiday home in Avarua has a private garden setting leading all the way to the beach.

For the price, it’s safe to say that the fixtures and furniture are rather basic but are functional enough for the non-fussy traveller. See more stays like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations on Rarotonga.

Book Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio:

• Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio on Booking.com

Arapati Holiday Homes manages the “Arapati” two-bedroom villa, which sits directly on the beach and fits up to six guests, while the “Henry Villa” sleeps a whopping 10!

There’s plenty of space for groups to relax between the spacious living room, outdoor kitchen, elevated deck and the beach. Close to the property is Wigmore’s Superstore. Needless to say, self-catering here is a breeze.

Book Arapati Holiday Homes:

• Arapati Holiday Homes on Booking.com
• Arapati Holiday Homes on Trip.com

Moments away from the conveniences of Avarua and Rarotonga International Airport yet directly on the sands of Nikao Beach, Nikao Beach Bungalows is the ultimate accommodation for a fly-and-flop holiday.

The spacious two-bedroom villas are a good go-to for families and groups, including a kitchen and a deck with a barbecue and plenty of places to lounge both inside and on the beach. Take advantage of the free-to-use kayaks and the outdoor shower so you're not dragging sand into the house!

Book Nikao Beach Bungalows:

• Nikao Beach Bungalows on Booking.com
• Nikao Beach Bungalows on Trip.com
• Nikao Beach Bungalows on Expedia

With two of the three bedrooms at this Rarotonga villa having direct access to the beach, you know you’ve found paradise at the Muri Beach Villa.

The spacious holiday villa is a good option for three couples travelling together or for large family gatherings, where you can enjoy the luxury of a private pool, sundeck with a barbecue, and Muri’s cafe and bar scene just a short walk down the beach. Check out more homes in paradise in the 20 Best Villas on Rarotonga.

Book Muri Beach Villa:

• Muri Beach Villa on Booking.com
• Muri Beach Villa on Trip.com

One house in Titikaveka and one in Vaimaanga, Natura Holiday Homes offers two large holiday homes on the south coast of Rarotonga - each with its own private pool. "Villa 1" is for up to 10 guests, while "Villa 2" is for six, both with modernly renovated rooms and homely furniture.

Explore the lagoon outside of your door with the stack of kayaks provided, while privacy can be enjoyed for your group at your private pool.

Book Natura Holiday Homes:

• Natura Beach Pool Villa 1 on Trip.com
• Natura Beach Pool Villa 1 on Expedia
• Natura Beach Pool Villa 2 on Trip.com
• Natura Beach Pool Villa 2 on Expedia

Two beautiful, design-driven holiday homes await on the back road of Vaimaanga at Casa Del Sol. Each home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms connected by a spacious alfresco living area.

There's also a lavish pool shared by the villas among the landscaped gardens. The property is ideal for families, featuring a tree house, sandpit, playground and trampoline on-site.

Book Casa Del Sol:

• Casa Del Sol on Booking.com

A spacious holiday villa that sits among gardens, a short walk from the Muri Lagoon, Te Vaiora Villa offers an excellent hideaway for couples or families of up to six. There are two separate bedrooms and an open-plan lounge/kitchen with high ceilings that leave the villa nice and airy.

The garden has loungers, kayaks, an electric barbecue, friendly chickens and a stream where you can spot eels and fish. What's more, all of this comes at a very reasonable price.

Book Te Vaiora Villa:

• Te Vaiora Villa on Booking.com
• Te Vaiora Villa on Expedia

On the sunset coast of Rarotonga and nearby one of the top snorkelling spots, Aora Beach, Betela Beach House offers a funky yet affordable accommodation with a mezzanine bedroom.

Enjoy a fruit basket on arrival and snorkelling gear included in your stay, while the stovetop, toaster, microwave and gas barbecue make self-catering a breeze. The location just off the beach is just the icing on top.

Book Betela Beach House:

• Betela Beach House on Booking.com
• Betela Beach House on Trip.com

This small yet modern private bungalow sits on the tranquil shores of Matavera. Frederick and Ngamata's Beach House is ideal for a couple of friends or family members travelling together, thanks to its twin bed set-up.

The layout is an open-plan studio with both indoor and outdoor lounging areas, a kitchen with a stovetop and a separate bathroom. Your holiday home instantly opens onto the sands with some of the best sunrises on the island.

Book Frederick and Ngamata's Beach House:

• Frederick and Ngamata's Beach House on Booking.com
• Frederick and Ngamata's Beach House on Trip.com

Managed by Rentraro, this huge property is ideal for a couple of families travelling together. Moana Oasis Villa features a lavish outdoor pool, a covered barbecue area, and is just a short stroll to the beach.

The split-level home offers plenty of space, while the high fence encircling the property keeps things nice and private. You have all you need for self-catering (apart from, you know, the food) with a contemporary kitchen with two fridge freezers and sliding doors connecting to the barbecue area.

Book Moana Oasis Villa:

• Moana Oasis Villa on Booking.com