Dave_R

My wife and I are going to the Cook Is in April . We want a kitch/ette, close to beach, love to snorkel, must be very clean & quiet (i.e. no kids would be a plus), prefer to have restaurant on site or nearby. We can't afford the top end resorts so are considering mid-range. They all look nice on the web but we would appreciate any trip reports from those who have stayed at any of the following:

Muri Beachcomber
Palm Grove
Little Polynesian

Any other suggestions also welcome. thanks!

LordBalfor

My choices would be (in order):

1) Palm Grove (particularly if you choose a beach bungalow).

2) Little Polynesian.

3) Muri Beachcomber.

Stayed in a rental house just a hundred yards or so east of the Palm Grove so we swam everyday for a week in the same general area. Water conditions and snorkeling are great (even saw an octopus - within 2 feet of shore). Not sure if the units have a kitchenette, but there is a small restaurant.

Have you considered renting a house? There are 3 great lagoonfront places side by side just east of the Palm Grove. All have cooking facilites and I suspect they will cost you less than staying at a resort.

BTW: We've posted trip reports (which cover the swimming snorkeling in the area of our rental house (and thus the Palm Grove)) here:

http://www.epinions.com/user-lordbalfor/show_~content

Also posted photos of the area (including a couple of shots of the Palm Grove) here:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lordbalfor

Muri Beachcomber is a popular place for families so you may want to take that into account.

Ken

Kiwi_acct

Dave

We stayed at the Palm Grove a few year back and found it to be a great place to be based. The larger of the units (the one by the pool) has effectively a full kitchen so if you want to self cater its all there. A bonus is that there is convenience store - Wigmores which is nearby, a pleasant stroll or motor scooter ride (Palm Grove rents these out at reasonable rates as well).

The beach there is excellent. Do note however that the complex is divided in two by the main round Island road with the pool and small restaurant on the "land" side. The road though could hardly be described as busy, there are just not that many people living on Rarotonga.

Another idea if you are moderately fit is to hire bikes and ride round the island. The road is flat as a pancake and traffic is light. There are well spaced facilities around the island to stop at to by a drink or if on the south/southeast coasts of the island the opportunities to dive in for a swim abound.

When in Avarua, the main town, drop into Trader Jacks for lunch. Have the fish (any fish) should be great.

You might want to check out http://www.cook-islands.com/ as this lists pretty much all the accomodation in the Cooks not just Rarotonga.

If you are going there it is worth spending a couple of days on Aitutaki as the lagoon there has to be seen to be believed. It is the definition of south sea tropical atoll - brilliant.

Good luck with your travels.

Dave_R

Thank you, both, for your suggestions. After reviewing the web sites we settled on the Pacific Resort in Roratonga. Thought we'd go up-scale for a change as we are spending quite a bit for this trip and don't want to be disappointed. In Aitutaki we are booked at the Are Tamanu.

Do you have any comments (pro or con) about either of these resorts?

LordBalfor

Good choices. I think you will be satisfied. At the Pacific Resort be sure and wade over the to the motus. Muri Lagoon is very beautiful. Not too many fish in the immediate area, but it's great for swimming and playing in the water. Not a big fan of the food at the Pacific Resort, but there are saveral other well-regarded places to eat in the area (notably "Sails" and the "Flame Tree&quot.

If you've checked out the links I posted you'll know how much we liked the Are Tamanu on Aitutaki. Lots and lots of fish.

Ken