Where to Stay on Rarotonga: The BEST Rarotonga Accommodations 🐬 [2024]

Where is the Best Place to Stay on Rarotonga?

Welcome to your ultimate guide on where to stay on Rarotonga! Here, we’re not just covering the best side of Rarotonga to stay, including Muri, Arorangi, Titikaveka or Avarua, but we’re also listing the best Rarotonga accommodations in each area.

What is the Best Side of Rarotonga to Stay on?

For beaches and watersports, the best side of the island of Rarotonga to stay on is Muri Beach (east coast) or Titikaveka (southeast coast). For some of the best resorts along with amazing sunsets and whale watching, the west coast, Arorangi, is the best side of Rarotonga. And for shopping, dining and historical sightseeing, you’re best to stay on the north coast around Avarua.

In this guide on where to stay on Rarotonga, we go into further detail about these places to stay, as well as recommend some awesome off-the-beaten-track places to stay on Rarotonga.

The Top 10 Accommodations on Rarotonga

Before we dive into this complete guide on where to stay on Rarotonga, we thought you’d find it helpful for us to list our top 10 Rarotonga accommodations and where to find them.

Magic Reef Beach Bungalows – Arorangi (west coast)
Pacific Resort Rarotonga – Muri Beach (east coast)
Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa – Titikaveka (southeast coast)
Manuia Beach Resort – Arorangi (west coast)
Little Polynesian Resort – Titikaveka (southeast coast)
Muri Beachcomber – Muri Beach (east coast)
Rarotonga Daydreamer Escape – Vaimaanga (southwest coast)
Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa – Muri Beach (east coast)
Mama Taras Bungalows – Muri Beach (east coast)
The Edgewater Resort & Spa – Arorangi (east coast)

The list continues in the 20 Best Resorts on Rarotonga and The Top 50 Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Where to Stay on Rarotonga: The BEST Rarotonga Accommodations 🐬 [2023]

Rarotonga Accommodation at Muri Beach (East Coast)

Muri Beach is one of the most popular tourist hubs on Rarotonga, bustling with cafes and restaurants, tour operators – particular watersports and lagoon tours and the regular Muri Night Market. It is also often seen as the most picturesque side of Rarotonga to stay on due to its four motu (islets) jutting out of the lagoon. Accommodations capture the views from the beachfront or on the hillsides.

More About Staying at Muri Beach

What’s Muri good for? Beaches, watersports, sunrises and swimming.
What to do there? Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruise, kayaking, snorkelling, Arore Trek, SUP tours, kitesurfing, Avana Point historical site, Te Ara Museum and more.
Where to eat? Rarotonga Sailing Club, LBV, Deli-Licious, La Casita, The Rickshaw, Muri Night Market and all of the resort restaurants! See The Food Guide to Rarotonga for more details.

The Best Resorts at Muri Beach

Pacific Resort Rarotonga – One of the best in Rarotonga
Nautilus Resort – Resort with luxury villas and restaurant
Muri Beach Resort – Mid-range eco-resort
Ocean Escape Resort & Spa – Eco adults-only resort
Muri Beach Club Hotel – 18+ resort.

See the 20 Best Resorts on Rarotonga and 10 Best Hotels in Rarotonga for more information on these properties.

Luxury Accommodation in Muri

Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa – Villas with private pools
Nautilus Resort – Resort with luxury villas
Te Vakaroa Villas – Luxury villa complex with shared pool
Crystal Blue Lagoon Villas – Large self-contained villas
Mai’i Villa Apartments – Apartment complex on the hill.

Learn more about these properties in the 5 Best Luxury Villas on Rarotonga and 10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Mid-Range Accommodation in Muri

Rendezvous Villas – Two villas by the beach with pools
Avana Waterfront Apartments – Self-contained accommodation
Muri Beachcomber – Self-catering accommodation by the beach with bikes
Mama Taras Bungalows – Inland holiday homes complex
Kura’s Kabanas – Holiday homes by the beach
Manea on Muri – Apartment hotel with pool by the beach.

Check out the 20 Best Villas on Rarotonga and 20 Best Family Accommodations on Rarotonga for extra details on some of these properties.

Cheap Accommodation in Muri

Aremango Guesthouse & Cottage – Cheap private rooms
Ariki Bungalows – Adults-only apartments with shared pool
Muri Hillside Guesthouses – Budget holiday homes
Lulu and Shane’s Island Retreat – Tiny house.

Head to the 10 Best Budget Accommodations on Rarotonga for more information on all of these Rarotonga accommodations.

Holiday Homes in Muri

Muri Beach Villa – 3-bedroom home with a pool
Villa Maria – Luxury holiday home on the hill
Maine Villa – Holiday home in town
Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa – Sleek 2-bedroom villa
Te Vaiora Villa – Reasonably priced 2-bedroom home.

More details on these holiday homes can be found in the 20 Best Holiday Homes in Rarotonga and the 25 Best Villas with a Private Pool in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Rarotonga Accommodation in Arorangi (West Coast)

Stretching from Black Rock in the north, all the way down the west coast to Aroa Beach in the south, the Arorangi district covers a large area of Rarotonga. The whole coast is one long sandy beach – although not ideal for swimming apart from Aroa Beach.

Needless to say, Arorangi is not as compact as Muri, so you may be within walking distance of only a few restaurants, tour operators and attractions. However, Arorangi is home to some of the best resorts on Rarotonga, is where the most whales are seen offshore in the whale season and, of course, gets the best sunsets.

More About Staying in Arorangi

What’s Arorangi good for? Sunsets, whale watching and resorts
What to do there? Raemaru Trek, Discover Marine and Wildlife Eco Centre, Tumutoa Tours, Ariki Adventures, Highland Paradise, art galleries and more.
Where to eat? Beluga Cafe, OTB, Flying Turtle Cafe, The Pacific Fish & Chip Shop and all of the resort restaurants! See The Food Guide to Rarotonga for more details.

The Best Resorts in Arorangi

The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium – One of the largest resorts on Rarotonga with tons of facilities at Aroa Beach
Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach – Adults-only version of The Rarotongan
Edgewater Resort & Spa – Largest resort on Raro, tons of facilities
Manuia Beach Resort – Adults-only boutique, popular restaurant
Crown Beach Resort & Spa – Adults-only with two restaurants
Castaway Resort – Adults-only with a popular restaurant
Sunset Resort – Two pools and a good restaurant.

Learn more about these resorts in the 20 Best Resorts on Rarotonga.

Mid-Range Accommodation in Arorangi

Magic Reef Beachfront Bungalows – Eco-resort with EV rental
Aro’a Beachside Inn – Self-contained bungalows and beach bar
Serenity Villas – Adults-only villas
Coral Sands Apartments – Self-contained stay with shared pool
Arcadia Retreat – Adults-only colonial villas with shared pool
Lagoon Breeze Villas – Luxury self-contained apartments
White House Apartments – Holiday homes near a snorkelling beach
The Black Pearl at Puaikura – Motel-style stay great for families.

Check out the 20 Best Villas on Rarotonga and 20 Best Family Accommodations on Rarotonga for extra details on some of these properties.

Cheap Accommodation in Arorangi

Rarotonga Backpackers – Dorms and units on the beach
Backpackers International Hostel – Dorms and private rooms
Reefcomber Sunset Beach – Self-contained units by the beach.

Head to the 10 Best Budget Accommodations on Rarotonga and 6 Best Motels on Rarotonga for more information on all of these Rarotonga accommodations.

Holiday Homes in Arorangi

Betela Beach House – Nearby snorkelling at Aroa Beach
Moana Oasis Villa – Modern home with private pool
Tropical Retreat Rarotonga – One-bedroom with private pool
Sunset Quay – 4-bedroom with a pool by the beach
Vaiakura Holiday Homes – Multi-storey homes on the beach
Iro Luxury Retreat – Sleeps up to 25 guests!

Learn more about these stays in the 20 Best Holiday Homes in Rarotonga and the 25 Best Villas with a Private Pool in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Rarotonga Accommodation in Titikaveka (Southeast Coast)

Titikaveka is increasingly becoming one of the best places to stay on Rarotonga due to its excellent swimming beach with a marine reserve, on which many Rarotonga accommodations are located.

The proximity to Muri Beach means that those who stay here are not too far away from the action – some even within walking distance of Muri. There are also a couple of cafes and the Mairie Nui Gardens that are among some of Titikaveka’s own attractions.

More About Staying in Titikaveka

What’s Titikaveka good for? Swimming, snorkelling and going to Muri!
What to do there? Mairie Nui Gardens, kayak and SUP hire, the day spa at Raela Villas and more.
Where to eat? Charlie’s Cafe and all of the resort restaurants! See The Food Guide to Rarotonga for more details.

The Best Resorts in Titikaveka

Little Polynesian Resort – Adults-only 5-star resort
Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel – 3-star resort on the beach
Moana Sands Lagoon Resort – Adults-only resort between Muri and Tikioki Beach.

Find out more about these resorts in the 10 Best Boutique Resorts on Rarotonga and 10 Best Hotels in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Luxury Accommodation in Titikaveka

Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa – Upscale villas with private pools and spa
Little Polynesian Resort – Adults-only 5-star resort
Motu Beachfront Art Villas – Eco-villas with e-bikes
Sea Change Villas – Adults-only couple-centric villas.

Learn more about these accommodations in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations on Rarotonga and 20 Best Villas on Rarotonga.

Mid-Range Accommodation in Titikaveka

Raela Villas Tikioki – Adults-only villas with a spa
Makayla Palms – Well-appointed beach villas
Whitesands Beach Villas – Good-value villas for families
Bella Beach Bungalows – Cute self-contained bungalows on the beach
Paradise Holiday Homes – Holiday homes with a private pool
Sands Villas – Characterful hexagonal villas
Raina Holiday Apartments – Affordable self-contained apartments.

See how some of these accommodations stack in the 20 Best Family Accommodations on Rarotonga, 25 Best Villas in the Cook Islands and 20 Best Holiday Homes in Rarotonga.

Rarotonga Accommodation in Vaimaanga (Southwest Coast)

Also on the south coast, Vaimaanga boasts some excellent swimming beaches (just be mindful of the dangerous passages), as well as proximity to attractions like the Papua Waterfall. Another benefit of staying in Vaimaanga is Wigmore’s Superstore, one of the largest supermarkets outside of Avarua, which makes staying in the self-catering accommodations here all too simple.

More About Staying in Vaimaanga

What’s Vaimaanga good for? Swimming, beaches, turtle swimming tours, inland waterfall and grocery shopping
What to do there? Turtle swimming with Snorkel Cook Islands, drive or hike to the Papua Waterfall, hiking the Cross-Island Trek and more.
Where to eat? Pick up grocery supplies from Wigmore’s – see A Guide to Supermarkets in Rarotonga for more information.

Mid-Range Accommodation in Vaimaanga

Rarotonga Daydreamer Escape – Garden bungalows by the pool
Palm Grove – Family-friendly bungalows by the beach
Moana Sands Beachfront Villas – Apartment hotel with a pool
Vaima Beachfront Apartments – Modern apartments on the sands
Te Ava Beach Villas – Beachfront and garden villas for two.

More details on these accommodations can be found in the 10 Best Holiday Apartments in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands and 20 Best Family Accommodations on Rarotonga.

Holiday Homes in Vaimaanga

Casa Del Sol – Upscale holiday homes sharing a pool
Nirvana Cottage – Character cottage for couples
Mata Manea – Modern inland holiday home
Pacific Palm Luxury Villa – Holiday home with a private pool.

Check out all of these holiday homes in our 20 Best Holiday Homes in Rarotonga.

Where Else to Stay on Rarotonga

Rarotonga accommodation is not just exclusive to the holiday hotspots, as the capital, Avarua and its surrounding suburbs also have some delightful holiday accommodations. For those looking to stay a little “off the beaten track” or find cheaper accommodation, you may want to consider the quieter side of the island, Matavera.

About Avarua & Nikao + Where to Stay

On the northern coast of Rarotonga are the nation’s capital, Avarua, and the suburb of Nikao where Rarotonga Airport is located (west of Avarua). Staying in this area means close proximity to a variety of grocery stores and restaurants, as well as fishing and boat tours at the Avatiu Harbour and historical sites, souvenir shopping and the Punanga Nui Market within Avarua.

Nikao Beach Bungalows – Family-friendly bungalows on the beach
Black Rock Villas – Self-contained villas with a shared pool
Rainbow Villas – Permaculture garden villas
Rarotonga GolfSeaView – Inland villas
Central Motel – Central Avarua location with cheap rooms
Boaza Place – Holiday home with a private pool
Tuoro Holiday (Cook Islands Holiday Villas) – Sleek holiday home.

About Tupapa + Where to Stay

East of Avarua is the suburb and village of Tupapa with good advanced surfing, beaches and proximity to town.

Club Raro Resort – Affordable adults-only resort
Ocean Spray Villas – Self-contained apartments
Kiikii Inn & Suites – Affordable rooms and a shared pool
GT – Rarotonga Fishing Lodge – 6-bedroom holiday home
Te Etu Villas – Affordable villas with a private pool
Nevaeh Holiday Home – Private holiday home with pool.

About Matavera + Where to Stay

Stretching up the northeast coast of Rarotonga, the district of Matavera is a quieter side of the island in terms of tourism. It has a few historical sites, hiking trails and villages with churches and small convenience stores. The swimming is not good here due to the reef being so close to shore but the sunrise is magical.

Ikurangi Eco Retreat – Glamping tents with a pool
Turangi Lagoon (Cook Islands Holiday Villas) – Upscale 4-bedroom villa with private pool
Te Puka Estate – Large group accommodation
Tropical Sands – Holiday cottages with art in the gardens
Herons Reef Holiday Apartments – Affordable self-contained holiday homes.

The Best Accommodation on Rarotonga: Accommodation Categories

By now, you’ve probably realised that Rarotonga has accommodations appealing to all types of travellers and that here, at Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we’ve ranked all the best! Browse Rarotonga accommodation by category using the following links:

Plan more of your trip according to different travel styles using The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga.

More About Where to Stay on Rarotonga + The Best Rarotonga Accommodations

Woah! Well done for making it this far in our guide to the best Rarotonga accommodations. By now, you probably have a good idea of where to stay on Rarotonga, so plan the rest of your trip with these guides:

Finally, if you’re still unsure where to stay on Rarotonga, go back to square one with our guide, Where to Stay in the Cook Islands: The Best Cook Islands Accommodations.

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.

Contact Laura via our contact page