Raratonga Places to Stay?

We are sending my parents to Raratonga for their 40th anniversary next February (2009) - any suggestions for quality accomodations while they are there. My father is 68 years old, mother is 65. Thanks for any advice. Cheers

Hi Gordie, no problem giving you some suggestions, but I would like a little more information on what you are looking for for your parents. Price range?, ammenities?, close to restaurants, shopping? Are they looking for lagoon front? Will they be eating their meals at the hotel? Activities?

Papa Mike
Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook

Hi Papa Mike,

Thanks for the quick reply. My parents are looking to spend approx. $1000 for the week for hotel. In terms of meals, they want quality food (at the hotel and/or surrounding restaurants). No self-catering meals. They would like to be close to shopping. In terms of activities, they are seniors so they will limit themselves to sight seeing outings. Thanks again for your help.

Check out www.ck. I'd try to stay near or at Muri Beach, as several good restaurants in walking distance. But, there is always the island bus, pretty reliable. The lagoon on the west side is quite shallow (Arorangi area). Deepest and best is south end of Muri Beach, and suth coast (Titikaveka).

Also check www.tripadvisor.com .

Shopping is mostly in town (Avarua), but I would not stay in town. no beaches, and it can get noisy on the weekends. And town is only 15-20minutes from most places, as the island is only 20 miles around.

Do a day trip to Aitutaki if they can afford it.

Gordie - As Raro mentioned www.ck is a great source for lodging information. I also feel your parents would be better off in the Muri Lagoon area. The three I am suggesting are all small fairly intimate places that would provide a friendly good value for your parents. One of the problems with Muri is prices have risen in recent years and most don't fit your budget. I have a friend who has a couple of cottages just up the beach from Muri Lagoon, Shell & Craft Bungalows [www.shellbungalows.co.ck] On the edge of Avarua, close to a variety of restaurants is Paradise Inn [www.paradiseinnrarotonga.com] Over in the Black Rock Area, I would suggest The Cook's Oasis [www.cookislandsoasis.com/] is a good value close to the lagoon with restaurants in the area. I would also encourage your parents to take the round island bus, it is on time and a great way to meet the locals. Let me know if I can help you further.

Papa Mike

Edited by: PapaMike

Raro & PapaMike,

Thanks so much for your advice and for providing such great information. I will definitely look into the various options provided. Thanks again. Take care.

Yes, Terry Lamberts Shell Bungalows would be a good choice.

There are also rental houses, check that website. But if you book with Jetsave Travel, you'll pay an extra 25% over directly booking with the owners.

I like the Paradise Inn, have stayed there for months at a time, but it can get noisy if the chickens next door are in a "fowl" mood. But it's in walking distance to town, etc. No beach near there, however.

Papa Mike's tip for Paradise Inn is to soak bird seed in cheap bourbon, toss over the hedge. Roosters with a hangover seldom make noise. As Raro mentions no real beach at Paradise Inn, but a bit of sand and enough water to splash about at high tide, but what a killer deck for sunning and happy hour!

Papa Mike