Rarotonga, Cook Island: The best places to stay by Budget

0:01 [Music] when you're exploring the Cook Islands you'll likely find yourself on one of the two key Islands Rarotonga or aotaki most Travelers tend to make their base on Rarotonga given its larger size and abundance of accommodation choices in this video I'm going to present to you with three different options for where to stay on the beautiful island of Rarotonga we'll cover budget friendly familyfriendly and luxurious lodging choices so let's not delay any further let's Dive Right In I'd like to start by mentioning the

0:48 Black Pearl Beachside Apartments these budget friendly accommodations offer a comfortable stay with a three star rating my family and I stayed here for a night before our flight back to Hawaii the Black Pearl beach side Apartments offer three types of accommodations Garden View pool View and Cabana if you're considering the garden View option Prices range from $1 100 to $160 per night depending on the season of your visit to the island while there are more affordable options available on the island I highly recommend the Black Pearl Beachside Apartments due to their spacious and well-maintained rooms it's worth noting that the garden view rooms do not have air conditioning but there are ceiling fans and louvered windows that allow for natural ventilation one

1:34 of the highlights of this property is the centrally located s po making it easy to take a refreshing deep additionally there's a convenient store Cava just a short walk away perfect for picking up basic necessities during your [Music] vacation another Advantage is its proximity to two fantastic dining options the Shipwreck Hut one of rarotonga's best places to [Music] eat and the Mori Cafe which serves delicious lunch meals and is open on Sundays when many other restaurants are

2:26 closed however the most outstanding feature is the e easy access to a beautiful often deserted Beach just a quick stroll across arat tapu street and you'll find yourself on the shores of rarotonga's crystal clear turquoise Lagoon perfect for relaxation or a refreshing [Music] swim if you're traveling with children or a large group or family I highly recommend considering the ratan beach resort and lagunarium situated on a sprawling 6 acre beachfront property this is one of the largest resorts on the island while a standard room starts at 160 per night it's worth noting that you can book up to four bedrooms for larger groups though this comes at a

3:11 higher cost consequently the resort tends to attract numerous families with children it's important to manage your expectations when it comes to accommodations here it's not a luxury resort like a Hilton or a Four Seasons the room may appear dated and are relatively compact in some however they provide all the essentials you need including a comfortable bed a microwave oven a small refrigerator Ample Storage Space with an outside shower area it's quite a unique [Music] feature each morning you'll receive an activity schedule to help you plan your [Music] day now let's talk about the amenities

3:58 you can enjoy at this Resort first and foremost there's the on-site restaurant Captain Andy's Beach Bar and Grill which is open during Sundays an unusual convenient in Cook Islands where most businesses including restaurants typically close on Sundays the restaurant's prime location right on the beach offers stunning views of the Lagoon it serves breakfast lunch and dinner while you dine you can watch hundreds of Rift fish swimming in the shallow Waters just below the restaurant when you book your stay breakfast is included and served buffet style although the breakfast menu is somewhat limited offering pancakes a variety of bread and

4:46 pastries and some fruits it's generally sufficient you also have the option to order from an alart breakfast menu for lunch and dinner I particularly recommend trying trying the seafood dishes at Captain Andy especially the island fries which I adore and iamat a traditional Polynesian dish similar to Ceviche every Monday night the resort hosts a Polynesian show complete with an authentic polinesian meal for an additional fee guests have the opportunity to sample Island favorites like iamat Island potato salad made with sweet potatoes turmeric chicken and potato Curry

5:34 the traditional Polynesian dances showcased during the show are highly entertaining the far show being a particular highlight although it's a relatively brief presentation the resort offers a range of additional amenities for guests to [Music] enjoy the swimming pool while available for all guests tend to be primarily frequented by children as the water is not heated I attempted to take a swim in the pool but found the water to be quite

6:20 chilly for my liking however the children including my son seem unfazed by the cold water additionally there's a small Splash Zone located behind the main pool for kids to have some water fun for those looking for indoor activities there are pool tables available with one located right next to the main pool and another smaller one inside the kids club speaking of kids club they have the Moco kids club where children can engage in activities like table tennis watch movies and read books under the supervision of a trained staff but the standout feature of this Resort is its exceptional location within the crystal clear aroa Lagoon Marine reserve

7:08 this designation ensures that the Lagoon remains pristine and teaming with marine life as I mentioned earlier even snork Lake in just ankle deep water you can witness a multitude of tropical fish Venture a bit farther into the Lagoon and you'll encounter beautiful coral formations and schools of fish during my visit I had the incredible opportunity to observe some large fish and I even witnessed jackfish protecting eels there was also a giant black Triggerfish that seemed entirely unbothered by my presence the size difference between the trigger fish and the surrounding fish was truly astonishing this unparalleled natural beauty is precisely why I

7:53 recommend staying at the ratan beach resort and lagunarium for a more opulent and homely experience consider a stay at te vakara Villas nestled in [Music] murri muri stands out as a captivating and sought after tourist Hub where you'll find most of the islands Resorts taroa Villas offer an exclusive selection of only six villas with a one bedroom Villa priced around $250 and a two-bedroom suite at approximately $500 per night while may seem steep let me unveil the exceptional value you receive for your investment particularly by showcasing the amenities available in the two-bedroom Villa we

8:38 chose during our stay as you step onto the property you'll be greeted by a lush Garden that exudes a tranquil Ambiance during our visit we were pleasantly surprised to find a bunch of ripe bananas hanging near our stairc and they were generously offered for our enjoyment you come help yourself to bananas when you want bananas you just take it when you want once inside you'll discover an open concept living space that seamlessly integrates a sunning kitchen area adjacent to a dining table the comfortable Lounge area is adorned with Elegant seting Arrangements and a sizable 55 in TV as for me the most

9:24 remarkable feature is the private Veranda with outdoor seating providing a front r view of the iconic huri Beach and its Crystal Clear Lagoon venturing to the second level you'll find the bedrooms the bedroom closest to the stairs is furnished with two twin beds ideal for children and features its own Splendid [Music] bathroom the primary bedroom situated across from the kids room is not overly spacious but offers a comfortable queen-sized bed the property roast a generously sized he heated swimming pool and a jacuzzi both of which we thoroughly enjoyed during our stay additionally there are ample lounge chairs Cabanas and a Charming gazebo with comfortable

10:11 seating however the most outstanding feature of this property is its direct access to the stunning murri Beach and its Crystal Clear Lagoon truly an inviable privilege breakfast is included in your stay and each morning the staff delivers a delightful breakfast spread for guest to savor for lunch and dinner if you prefer not to prepare your own meals DEA caroa Villas is conveniently located within a short stroll of numerous dining options including the renowned moring Fish Cafe and the M Night Market a culinary Haven where you can sample local Delicacies from a variety of food stalls offering Seafood barbecue dishes and tropical fruits all at a very reasonable prices so there you

10:58 have it my top Rec recommendations for accommodations on the captivating island of ratonga in the Cook Islands if you're curious about the story behind our journey to Cook Islands click on the thumbnail I hope you enjoyed watching this video until next time travelers bye for now