The Edgewater Resort, Cook Islands. Any impressions?
 

I am planning a trip to the cook islands for snorkling and beach relaxation. Planning on staying at the Edgewater Resort anyone been there?? Good or Bad!

I stayed there one night before my flight back to the USA. I had ants in my room including ants frozen in the ice cube tray in the fridge. When I asked the desk clerk to get someone to kill the ants or to give me a can of insect spray, she said that the housekeeping staff had gone home and that there was nothing I could do about the bugs. The same desk clerk also gave me the wrong time for the shuttle to pick me up for the flight home. If I hadn't doubled checked, I would have missed my flight. About the ants...Luckily, I ran into a woman cleaning rooms who very happily sprayed my room. The island has more attractive and interesting resorts and better beaches. But, other than the desk clerk, the staff was nice. We met some very nice New Zealanders at the pool. We also saw a very ineresting wedding on the beach where the bride was preceded down the "aisle" by a chanting Maori warrior.

We were in Rarotonga last May. Stayed in a villa at Pacific Resorts & Villas on Muri Beach, best beach on the island & I believe the best resort. We also stayed 3 days at the Rarotongan, which was great also, though smaller rooms & larger resort. Depends upon your budget. The Edgewater would not be a choice in my book. If it was cost, I'd rather go with the Beachcomber on Muri Beach, small bungalows near the beach & much better snorkeling area, though windy alot, lots of windsurfers. There are 3 motus off Muri beach that you can actually walk to at low tide or boat over. Lots of area for exploring. Rarotonga is a great experience, the island is clean & the people friendly. You'll have a great time.

<BR>Stayed here five yrs. ago - okay, nothing special and not a great beach. Trying now to decide for April between the Rarotongan and Pacific Resort. Help? <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the info, what is the bus schedule around the island really like?? <BR>is it useful or should we consider renting a car? Any good things to say about the Edgewater?

The bus schedule is great. There is a clockwise & anticlockwise schedule so you don't have to circle the island just hop on the right bus. Seems they were every 15 or 20 minutes. Cheap & clean. We rented a car & motor scooter also but after they were flooded out in a torrential rainstorm, we only had a few days left & used the bus system. Edgewater is not horrible & I'm sure you'll have a good time. I'm probably overly picky & do care about our accommodations since that is part of our romantic getaway.

Thanks once again, have been looking into the Muri Beachcomber and like what we see evan thoughthe price is more than the Edgewater. All the info about snorkling suggests the muri beach area and since that it is our main focus why not stay there. I appreciate the help.

Just returned 2 days ago from a fantastic 2 weeks in Rarotonga. Visited the Edgewater and found it to be OK but nothing special. It does have a good Island Night and a dive shop. Many people diving were heading to the water near Muri at Fruits of R aratonga so maybe Muri beachcomber is better but its not a hotel and doesn't have the hotel type of amenities such as a restaurant, duty free shop ,tennis courts, gift shop etc that Edgewater has

In answer to Marge's question I would suggest the Pacific Resort. We toured both hotels. The Rarotongan is having some much needed repairs and painting in the public areas. The rooms look tired and are to be redone sometime soon with new furnishings, linens etc. The Pacific looked in a much better state of repair. I'm not sure I'd pay extra for their beachside rooms though. I thought the garden ones were nicer. Actually I stayed in the Manuia Beach and preferred it . It was truly georgeous and the people running it couldn't have been friendlier.