Independent review for Akaiami Paradise, Cook Islands

akaiami paradise cook islands picture

Akaiami Paradise Cook islands offers a unique opportunity to stay on one of the outlying islands of Aitutaki Lagoon. Escape the crowds of Aitutaki Island and stay at this delightful lodge located on a quiet motu island within the lagoon, set on a gorgeous white sandy beach ideal for swimming and relaxing. Handcrafted bungalows and lodge at the original site of the Teal flying planes.

Recommended For:
  • Couples & Families
  • Excellent Beach
  • Good Snorkelling, Kayaking
Quick Facts
  • Minimum Stay = 3 Nights
  • 3 Bungalows / Beachfront Location
  • Restaurant

Akaiami Paradise Information & Facts

  • Hotel Location:    Beachfront on offshore uninhabited island in Aitutaki Lagoon
  • Getting There:    40 mins flight from Rarotonga Airport PLUS 30 mins by road / boat
  • Unique Qualities:    Peaceful uninhabited island in the heart of Aitutaki Lagoon - great beach
  • Ideal for:    Couples, Families
  • Hotel Features:    3 Bungalows
  • Dining:    Restaurant & Bar - no independent restaurants nearby
  • Children Policy:    All ages welcome: Child rates apply ; max 4 / 6 people in villa / lodge
  • Local Attractions / Tours:    Motu Islands, beachcombing
  • The Beach:    Excellent - fine white sand extending around island
  • The Ocean:    Excellent - sandy bottom, protected lagoon, ideal for swimming
  • Snorkelling:    Excellent - some coral and reef fish off from beach
  • Other Activities:   Kayaking

Room Information

The Beach Villa is best suited for couples. It has a quilted queen size bed and private en-suite bathroom with hot water shower. The beach villa is two units joined together by a wooden deck walk path. One unit contains the sleeping quarter and the other is the kitchen.
The Beach Lodge, site of the original TEAL terminal, is set about 15 metres back from the beach within the coconut grove with an unobstructed view of the lagoon and offers one enclosed bedroom with queen size bed, one large open-plan room (picture below), a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, entrance porch and covered outdoor seating area with BBQ. The Lodge is a spacious building, 8 x 16 metres (nearly 1200 square feet) with a fully equipped kitchen, including refrigeration and separate bathroom with hot-water shower. It very comfortably sleeps four, though extra beds can be arranged. The Lodge has electrical lighting, ceiling and bed fans (all solar powered) as well as kerosene lamps. Other than that, you will find no TV, no video, no radio; in fact, no gizmos of any kind are here to distract you from what you came to enjoy - peace and quiet on a spectacular, crescent-shaped, white sand beach.

Hotel Amenities

The beach infront of Akaiami Paradise extends along the front of the villas with a sublime swimming lagoon. This is a very secluded spot being on an uninhabited island along the fringing reef.

The TEAL Flying Boats of legend, plying the fabled 'Coral Route', landed in Aitutaki lagoon alongside this tiny uninhabited island to refuel aircraft, passengers and crew. Here, the original landowners have re-built and lovingly furnished the terminal building as the focal point of the resort.

Akaiami Paradise offers a distinctive class of accommodation and has been carefully hand-crafted using local timber with brass fittings, keeping to the original design of the old Teal terminal building.