20 Best Holiday Homes in Rarotonga 👒 [2024]

Find the Perfect Rarotonga Holiday Home or Private Holiday Rental

Forget the bustling resort holiday; enjoy your own space with one of the stunning holiday homes on Rarotonga. The compact island in the South Pacific has many options when it comes to private holiday rentals and holiday home complexes, offering both budget and luxury and both family-friendly and couples’ hideaways. We’ll guide you through some of the best with this list of the top Rarotonga holiday homes!

Before we begin, however, be sure to bookmark The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga and 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga for more holiday-planning wisdom.

1. Te Etu Villas – The Best Budget Family Holiday Home 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.

Check Te Etu Villa out:

20 Best Holiday Homes in Rarotonga 👒 [2023]

2. Vaiakura Holiday Homes – The Best Value Holiday Home on Rarotonga

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 better be Ok with dogs coming to say hello.

Check Vaiakura Holiday Homes out:

3. Muri Beach Villa – The Best Holiday Home on Muri Beach

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.

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4. Mama Taras Bungalows – The Best Holiday Homes in Muri

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 are 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 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.

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5. Tropical Sands – The Best Budget Holiday Homes on Rarotonga for Couples

Scattered among picturesque tropical gardens yet footsteps away from Matavera Beach, Tropical Sands offers a small selection of holiday homes on Rarotonga for small groups. Owned by a couple of artists, the three units and their gardens with a pavilion have creative touches adding to the tropical ambience of your stay. In terms of amenities, the holiday homes have a full kitchen, a barbecue, laundry facilities and bikes available. See more stays with bicycles in the 10 Accommodations in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands with Bike Hire.

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6. Pacific Palms Luxury Villa – The Best Holiday Home on Rarotonga with a Pool

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.

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7. Paradise Holiday Homes – The Best Holiday Home on Rarotonga for Large Groups

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 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.

Check Paradise Holiday Homes out:

8. Maine Villa – The Best Private House Rental on Rarotonga

In the heart of Muri‘s cafe scene, Maine Villa consists of a two-bedroom villa and a separate studio with simple yet contemporary furniture and fixings. 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.

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9. Mata Manea – The Best Inland Holiday Home on Rarotonga

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.

Check Mata Manea out:

10. Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio – The Best Cheap Holiday Home on Rarotonga

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.

Check Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio out:

Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio on Booking.com

11. Arapati Holiday Homes – The Best Holiday Home for Self-Catering on Rarotonga

Arapati Holiday Homes manage 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.

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12. Nikao Beach Bungalows – The Best Beach Holiday Homes on Rarotonga

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!

Check Nikao Beach Bungalows out:

13. Muri Lagoon Beachfront (Cook Islands Holiday Villas) – The Best Luxury Holiday Homes on Rarotonga

Cook Islands Holiday Villas manages a range of private holiday rentals on Rarotonga, all of which stick to a standard of contemporary elegance. Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa is their most popular offering sitting on the shores of Muri Beach with kayaks and SUP boards at the ready. Tuoro Holiday Villas is a collection of four holiday homes with access to a central swimming pool, while Turangi Lagoon Villas are two contemporary holiday homes with a shared pool.

Check Cook Islands Holiday Villas out:

14. Natura Holiday Homes – The Best Rarotonga Holiday Home with a Private Pool

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.

Check Natura Holiday Homes out:

15. Casa Del Sol – The Best Luxury Family Holiday Home on Rarotonga

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.

Check Casa Del Sol out:

Casa Del Sol on Booking.com

16. Te Vaiora Villa – The Best Holiday Villa on the Muri Lagoon

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.

Check Te Vaiora Villa out:

17. Betela Beach House – The Best Rarotonga Holiday Home for Snorkelling Holidays

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.

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18. Nirvana Cottage – The Most Romantic Holiday Home on Rarotonga

A cute wee holiday home ideal for couples or solo travellers, Nirvana Cottage offers an utterly private stay among its own gardens. The white coral sands of Vaimaanga are a short walk away, as is Wigmore’s Superstore should you want to make use of the bungalow’s well-equipped kitchen. There’s also a small verandah where you can relax under the shade.

Check Nirvana Cottage out:

19. Frederick and Ngamata’s Beach House – The Best Holiday Home for a Couple of Friends

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.

Check Frederick and Ngamata’s Beach House out:

20. Moana Oasis Villa – The Best Family Holiday Home with a Pool

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.

Check Moana Oasis Villa out:

Moana Oasis Villa on Booking.com

More Holiday Homes on Rarotonga

That’s it for our list of the best holiday homes on Rarotonga but is by no means the end of our advice! Check out these other guides to help plan the perfect Raro getaway:

Finally, if there’s anything that we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide and 30 Tips for Travelling in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Contact Robin via our contact page