Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

AITUTAKI accomodation advice - best deals for under $300NZD/night?

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands

hi there,

seeking some advice/wisdom on choosing a great place to stay in Aitutaki for my wife and myself. we'd love to stay in a beachfront bungalow near the lagoon. the aitutaki lagoon resort looks amazing, but we just can't afford that for four nights.

we'd like to spend less than $300NZD/night. but we're looking for:
1. a place near a great beach where we can swim right after we wakeup in the morning. i understand some places are near the beach, but they aren't suitable for swimming
2. modern interior preferred, although not necessary

research has led us to these places thus far:
1. aretai beach villas
2. paparei bungalows
3. paradise cove

any recommendations out there?

Hi,
Aitutaki is a wonderful place! I lived there for a year Many years ago and last visited the place in 2000 !!! So The advice I am ggiving you is not up to date. BUT we are planning a month stay in Dec. and we have decided on the Aitutaki beach Villas. They are on the north west coast of Aitutaki which is by far the best side of the MAIN island to be on as the beach is the best from the north running down as far as the Pacfic resort ,after that the water become VERY shallow. ie. the lagoon in front of Tom's Cottage is not even knee high at HIGH tide!!
Of course the area of the lagoon where the Motus are is the most beautiful but that can be done on a lagoon tour. Also the west coast has less mozzies ,the north east side is CROWED with them!! But then again it depends on the time of year and weather!
Paradise cove have dug out a part of the lagoon in front of there bungalows so swimming should be better there!
My advice is for you to look a google earth and choose a place anywhere along the north west coast , another few reasons why I want to go to Aitutaki beach villas is because they seem very pretty and it is nearer the very few shops that are on the island , also it is in walking distance to the Pacfic resort so at night you can walk down the beach for dinner and Island night which is a MUST!!! (Monday and Friday night)
If you do choose Aitutaki beach villas it would be great to hear what it is like!!
Have a great time ,
Holly

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I stayed here for a week and LOVED IT

Aitutaki Seaside Lodges

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