Top Hotels in Cook Islands Motels
Top Things to do in Cook Islands
5 Motels in Cook Islands: Best hotel deals for 2023
If you're sitting at your desk having Robinson Crusoe daydreams, the Cook Islands might be a great vacation place for you. It doesn't get much more remote or more beautiful—what with the perfect beaches, deep jungle and coral lagoons. Each of the 15 islands seems more breathtaking than the last.
Things to do in Cook Islands
1. Maina Sunset
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
Bring your reef booties
Reviewed By Nicole MMaina (aka: Honeymoon Island) is everything everyone says about it. Beautiful, pristine, white beaches, crystal clear warm shallow waters etc. etc. I think what you might not be prepared for is all the coral. There are very few spots over Maina Island that are just sand. The rest is filled with scattered bits of the dead coral. It's not unattractive - but it rips your feet apart. So bring reef booties if you want to get the most out of your time on this island :)
2. Ranginui's Retreat
Overall Ratings
4 based on 104 reviews
Ranginui's Retreat Aitutaki accommodation is comprised of 8 self catering beachfront bungalows sleeping a maximum of 3 Adults each or 2 adults and 2 small children. Each bungalow accommodation offers Queen size beds ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water, in room fans, kitchenette with fridge, microwave, cook top, utensils, rain water fountain and tea / coffee facilities and fully screened rooms.
A hidden gem ... love it
Reviewed By avee8orRanginuis is a great location, a hidden gem of Aitutaki. We've stayed here a number of times before but it is the first since they renovated and it made such a difference. It is walking distance to Koru cafe, The Boatshed and the Blue Lagoon Restaurant/Bar. The main lagoon cruises leave just a short walk from the bungalows and KuteKute water taxis will pick you up from the beach in front of the bungalows. The beach is the best swimming beach, good width to the channel, good depth to the swimming beach though there is a current during the tides, but the sandbar means you can get from depth to shallow really quickly. The changes since our last visit; - New concrete paths provide access to all bungalows - The bungalow sizes are bigger they reconfigured them by moving to an open air shower (accessible through the bathroom) - The water pressure is much better - UV water filtering makes for drinkable water in the bungalows - New BBQ on the decks - New beach furniture (loungers/love seats) - Heat pump/Air conditioning (at an additional cost) - Can get rental scooter or Car We really enjoyed staying here before, but it has certainly gone up a notch since then, really good quality accommodation at a fraction of the neighbour across the water. Well done Steve and Lani
3. Rino's Motel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 52 reviews
Located right on beautiful white sand beach with superb sea view, Rino's Beach Bungalows offer a personal flavor to your vacation. All apartments have cooking facilities, ceiling fans and refrigerators. This is an obvious bonus for families traveling with children. All rooms have patios overlooking the beach and lagoon where you can catch the stunning Aitutaki sunsets. A short walk to shops and services. Rental vehicles also on-site.
Dishonest management refuses to refund $238.83 admitted overpayment
Reviewed By Richard GI stayed at Rino’s in August, 2019. I paid one night’s reservation beforehand. At Rino’s I paid an additional $431.20. Months later, I checked my records. I had overpaid $238.83. I contacted Rino’s and provided the documentation. Jenny confirmed the overpayment and said my card would be reimbursed. It wasn’t. I have multiple emails from Rino’s promising repayment but none was ever made. Rino’s then began to ignore my requests for a status/reimbursement. When I finally sent an email, after over a month of being ignored, that I would review Rino’s, I received a prompt response from Jenny that I would be reimbursed and could I wait two weeks. I agreed. Well, its been well over two weeks with no refund and my emails are again being ignored. In addition, a woman I met on the flight over had been promised a room with an ocean view. She was given a dreary room with no view. Instead of reducing her bill for the lesser room, all they would do was give her a “free” day of scooter rental. The place itself was outdated and mediocre at best. The deck furniture had a wasp’s nest and I was stung twice before I found it and had it sprayed.
4. Central Motel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 41 reviews
The Central Motel as it name implies, is in the centre of our main town Avarua. It is ideal for visiting consultants, business people, company representatives and tourists who like to be in town and still only a short bus,scooter,bike or car ride to fabulous beaches.We have 14 rooms and a small conference room. Our rooms have IDD phones, T.V's, fridges, toasters, kettles, mini bars, tea/coffee making facilities, fans and en-suite.There is a Spa pool to cool off in after meetings or just to cool off!We also have our own WiFi facilities for guests.The Central Motel is only 10 minutes from the airport and is within easy walking distance of most government offices/agencies, shops, restaurants, café, banks and museum and libraries. We can arrange car/scooter hire, tours and outer Island flights and tours. We have airport transfers and all our guests are met personally.
Its not the same place it was
Reviewed By avee8orFirstly, I had stayed here 2 or 3 times before when Nigel ran the place, It was good then, it looked like the photos youo see here, it was located well for me because it's just behind the Land Court so very handy for my purposes back then. Today: Rating - Terrible Why Terrible - Reason 1. No maintenance, upkeep, care for the property seems evident any more. It's overgrown courtyard makes it dark, damp and uninviting. The gates into the property are dilapidated and worn as is the rest of the place (definitely not like the photos anymore). Reason 2. The rooms are very underwhelming, adequate as in it has a bed but not super clean (I've stayed in worse) but as described in the previous "terrible" review, the amount of bugs, ants, cockroaches was significant and likewise I used the whole can of fly spray on the first night with the associated debris of bodies including unfortunately the little ghecko which obviously couldn't keep up with the bugs. Reason 3. Couldn't pay electronically as the machine was broken. So had to go off and get extra cash. Not too big of a problem but I tried to pay each day with the same he's just coming to fix it. It's sad, I've liked it on previous stays, I booked it because Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on the corner of the street and I needed to go there, but I have to say the previous Central Motel and the current are two completely different places, Polar opposites, 180 degrees opposed. It is a very sad place now sorry to say.
5. Kiikii Inn & Suites
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 86 reviews
The KiiKii Inn & Suites is locally owned and operated, lending it an intimate, comfortable feel. The KiiKii is not a five-star foreign-owned resort, which gives the place its unique charm. It’s laid-back and local, and a great place to meet people. The KiiKii Inn & Suites front yard offers one of the island’s best, most consistent breaks for surfing – and the hotel’s got an outdoor shower and a pool for post surf-session recuperating. The KiKii Inn & Suites has a range rooms and prices that can accommodate students and budget travelers, but it also offers deluxe waterfront rooms from which you can watch whales breach during winter and outrigger paddling teams racing through the water throughout the year. Whether you’re backpacking on a budget or looking for a safe, family-friendly environment, you won’t be disappointed with KiiKii Inn & Suites Rarotonga.
Only suited to motor tourists
Reviewed By kiwipkI can't fault the motel (as it would be better named) itself; but location makes it difficult. Unless you want to cook for yourself, options in the area are very limited. There is no beach; but a great swimming pool. The location is ocean side except there is no beach. This means you had to catch a bus to the beach . Bus service was limited. Reduced from 2 per hour to one per hour. Units were older. Ironically with outdoor wooden chairs inside and cheap plastic chairs outside. The cleaners were cheerful and helpful - though not sure why they switched the fridge off one day? If you want a beach holiday, better to move further south where both restaurants and beach are in easy walking distance.
