sl

I was hoping that someone might be able to solve my dilemma. I've got my heart set on staying at the Aitutaki Pearl Beach Resort for a couple of days on my honeymoon! Unfortunately we can only afford one of the deluxe garden bungalows, but if it’s worth it, we might break the bank and opt for a lagoon view bungalow instead. Has anyone been there recently who could provide some insight, or even some photos! Apart from being closer to the lagoon, are the lagoon view bungalows more spacious/comfortable/private? Or should we save our pennies?

Thor

sl: I haven't stayed at the resort, because it is beyond my price range, but I have toured the property. Those that have stayed there will know better, but it seemed to me, everything is so close to the lagoon, that whether you are looking at it from your unit shouldn't be such a big deal. Simply go outside and walk a few feet. Happy honeymoon.

Holly

I haven't stayed there either, although it is on my list for the near future! However, we did stay in a garden bungalow at the Pearl Beach Bora Bora, and we actually loved it! We found it a lot more private, and it was such a short walk to the beach, it really didn't bother us not to be right on the beach. Good luck and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time regardless! Are you going to Rarotonga too? I just came across these new villas on the internet called Rarotonga Reflections and they look really luxurious - private pool, etc. You might check them out - I think about $250 US per night.

Peggy

We were there last May. Sprung for an Overwater though & of course loved it. I hate to say the garden bungalows to me were not that private & had no view since they were sort of clusstered together & everyone walks by them to go to the big restaurant. Maybe the "deluxe" is in a better location. The lagoon view were better & more private but small, tiny porch. I think the better choice if you can do it would be a beachfront. The lagoon view face the lagoon you cannot swin in though it is a short distance to the bigger lagoon. The beachfront are larger, have a big deck & face the huge lagoon with much better views, they are between the overwater & beach restaurant. The resort is situated on a small peninsula. I do have digital pictures & I can send you one or two at a time, since sending the files seems to take a lot of time. I'll have some time tomorrow so if you have posted the correct address, I will try to send them. My e-mail address is correct but we are in the middle of changing to DSL so it may not work or I will have a new one in a few days. Just post here for the time being. You will love Aitutaki!!!

Sarah

Thanks for the replies everyone. Peggy, that would be great if you could send some pictures when you have some time - my e-mail address is correct. We are staying on Rarotonga for 7 days before we head to Aitutaki - we're booked at Sokala Villas which we've heard great reports about.

Rhonda

Sarah, another resort at Aitutaki didn't get a good report from one visitor, published in out paper on Sunday. You may be interested:<BR><BR>http://www.smh.com.au/travel/0201/12/travel4.html

judy

We went to "Raro" 2 years ago and stayed at the Muri Beachcomber, a very nice place, small and quaint with very thoughtful owners that make you feel like family! We flew to Aitutaki for a 4 day 3 night stay added to our trip. At that time it was the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort but has since been bought by the Pearl Beach people. There were no "over the water" bungalows when we were there. We "splurged" and stayed in one of the five deluxe beachfront bungalows..."the turtle" suite. It was gorgeous!!! Had a little living room and you had to step up on a raised platform to the bedroom. By opening the sliding glass windows that took up the WHOLE front of the bungalow you could lay in bed and see a fantastic view of the lagoon right before your eyes, pretty amazing. I could easily get used to the rich lifestyle. Glad we had the experience even if we don't get a chance to do it again. There isn't alot to do on this island but they do have some excursions to some of the motus. We went snorkeling and ate lunch on "One foot" island. Made a stop at "Honeymoon" island which would be magnificent to be left on for several hours alone! Be care when in the water, while we were in Aitutaki one of the tourists there got stung by a stonefish. His leg was really swollen and red and kinda messed up his vacation plans. Hope I helped you a little.

Jackie

I stayed in a deluxe garden bungalow last May and liked it very much. However, if I were on a honeymoon, I would pay extra, if possible, for the lagoon or beach bungalow since there seems to be more privacy. However, you will love this resort and island no matter where you stay. Also, I saw the Sokala Villas and thought they looked great. Be sure to eat at the Flame Tree restaurant!. Congratulations and have a wonderful honeymoon.