Where to Stay on Mitiaro: The 4 Best Mitiaro Accommodations [2024]

1. Divine Retreat

The most modern guesthouse/homestay on Mitiaro, Divine Retreat is the best option on Mitiaro for the discerning traveller (who, of course, doesn’t mind sharing the space of a guesthouse). Your friendly hosts, Junior and Cindy, look after you with a daily tropical breakfast each morning, while airport transfers are also included in your stay. They can also arrange meals and a vehicle rental for you – find out more about getting around in our Mitiaro Transport Guide.

With a convenient position in Mangarei village, the island’s one grocery store is just a two-minute walk down the road, ideal for making use of the guesthouse’s communal kitchen and sprucing up your own meals. Other communal areas include an inside lounge, a spacious deck with more lounging furniture and a communal bathroom. WiFi is available for a fee.

As for rooms, you have one ensuite bedroom, two bedrooms with a double bed and a shared bathroom, as well as three queen-sized beds on the deck with curtains for privacy (yes, you can sleep outside)! All in all, there are sleeping arrangements for couples all the way to large groups.

See how Divine Retreat compares to the 10 Best Guesthouses in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism

2. Nukuroa Guesthouse

A great option for couples, a couple of friends travelling together or families, Nukuroa Guesthouse offers affordable accommodation on Mitiaro. The guesthouse in Atai village is owned by the charming “Queen of Mitiaro”, Mii O’Brian, the oldest royal currently reigning in the Cook Islands, but her welcoming family run the operation on her behalf.

In the main building, the two-bedroom guesthouse has one room with a double bed and one room with twin single beds, all sharing a bathroom and an open-plan lounge and kitchen. There is also a separate two-bedroom holiday house in the garden, ideal for families to rent out as a holiday home.

Your stay includes airport transfers, all meals and help with arranging transport.

See more affordable stays like this across the Cooks in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism

3. Nane’s Homestay

One of the longest-running homestays on Mitiaro, Nane’s Homestay offers an irresistibly affordable rate with three meals a day included! The homestay is with Nane Pokoati, a local “mataiapo” (subtribe leader) whose infectious bubbly personality and local know-how will ensure a fun stay on the island.

There are no private rooms at Nane’s; just one shared communal bedroom in the large house. Guests will also share a bathroom, lounge and kitchen.

Learn more about all of the Cook Island’s homestays (hint: they’re mostly on Mitiaro) in The Best Homestays in the Cook Islands.

© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism

4. Vivian’s Homestay

Finally, Vivian’s Homestay consists of a traditional kikau bungalow, which sits in her garden in Atai village. The bungalow is made from woven panels of “kikau” (coconut palm) leaves, which makes the room airy but they can be weather-beaten, consequently inconsistent in their quality depending on how recently they have been maintained.

The bungalows have one double bed and one single bed with mosquito nets, while the ensuite is toward the back of the bungalow with a shower. Outside, you have a verandah with two seats. Alternatively, the are two free-standing concrete guesthouses, which aren’t as adventurous as the kikau bungalow but is perhaps more comfortable.

Your host, Vivian (Inangaro), or her family will look after you with three meals a day included, as well as can arrange a rental vehicle for you. She also arranges stays in other kikau bungalows across the island.

See more adventurous stays in the 10 Most Unique Accommodations in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

© Cook Islands Tourism