Independent review for Club Raro Resort in Rarotonga Cook Islands

club raro resort hotel location picture

Club Raro Resort is Cook Islands conveniently located only 5mins from the main town of Avarua. An intimate and friendly resort offering 55 air-conditioned rooms including 15 Lagoonfront Rooms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A great place to enjoy a cooling dip and refreshing cocktail especially with the popular swim up pool bar.

Recommended For:
  • Couples, Families & Groups
  • Resort Style Holiday
  • Activities & Entertainment
Quick Facts
  • 55 Rooms / Oceanfront Location
  • Restaurant & Bar, Swimming Pool

Club Raro Resort Information & Facts

  • Hotel Location:    Beachfront, on main road, South Coast Rarotonga
  • Getting There:    10 mins by road from Rarotonga Airport
  • Unique Qualities:    Full service resort, close to town, great for whale spotting
  • Ideal for:    Couples, Families, Groups
  • Hotel Features:    55 Rooms, Swimming Pool
  • Dining:    Restaurant & Bar at the hotel - independent restaurants in Avarua
  • Children Policy:    All ages welcome: 2 under 12yrs share for free ; max 2adults and 2 children in some units
  • Local Attractions / Tours:    Whale Watching (May-Oct), Avarua Town, Mountain Tracks, Historical Marae
  • The Beach:   Poor - coral & pebble beach - good for beachcombing
  • The Ocean:    Average - coral bottom and small - not practical for swimming
  • Snorkelling:    Good - some nice coral heads and reef fish on outer reef
  • Other Activities:   Game Fishing

Room Information

The Standard Rooms are large and spacious and are surrounded by tropical gardens & mosaic pathways. The Standard Rooms offer all the necessary comforts and provide excellent value, especially for the tropical island family vacation if there are two children under 12. 

All rooms are air-conditioned /fan cooled and feature IDD phone, TV with satellite channels, radio/alarm clocks, refrigerator, tea/coffee facilities, room service, daily maid service and have private patios. Hairdryers are available on request at reception.

The six self contained rooms are air-conditioned and set in the gardens and are suitable for single travellers or couples for travellers of 2 persons. With a kitchenette to cater to their needs, all rooms feature IDD phone, TV with satellite channels, radio/alarm clocks, refrigerator, tea/coffee facilities, private bathroom with shower, hairdryers, safety boxes, room service, daily maid service and private patios.

These 20 Poolside Rooms are large and spacious and are surrounded by tropical gardens with verandas looking out to the fresh water swimming pool in the center. All rooms are air-conditioned/fan cooled and feature IDD phone, TV with satellite channels, radio/alarm clocks, refrigerator, tea/coffee facilities, private bathroom with shower, room service, daily maid service and private patios.

These rooms are suitable for single travellers, couples and small families - 2 rooms are inter-connecting for families.

All 15 Lagoon Front Rooms have views to the nearby reef and Pacific Ocean. Each room has a private sundeck and patios. All rooms are air-conditioned/fan cooled and feature IDD phone, TV with satellite channels, radio/alarm clocks, refrigerator, tea/coffee facilities, private bathroom with shower, room service, daily maid service and private patios.

Hotel Amenities

Club Raro Resort sits on a raised coastline overlooking the lagoon. There are steps leading down to a coarse sand / pebble which is great for beachcombing. The lagoon here is close to shore and not practical for swimming although there is good snorkelling off the reef's edge and this is a prime spot to spot humpback whales which come right up to the reef's edge less than 50 metres from the resort (May to Oct). There's a small swimming pool, tennis courts at the front of the property, a restaurant and large reception area with table tennis table. There's a large wooden decking area butting the oceanfront with palm trees, imported white sand and sun loungers making a great spot to relax. The resort is backed by stunning tropical mountains and its a short 2km hop into Avarua Town with its shops, restaurants, excellent bars and harbour for game fishing and lagoon cruises.

Club Raro Resort offers fantastic facilities so you can do as much or as little as you please, and the kids will never be bored. There is a tempting pool with swim-up bar, where you can take advantage of the free scuba diving lesson. Other amenities include currency exchange, laundry facilities, infant cots provided for free, Babysitting service (fee), car park, postal service, and 24-hour reception and security.

Meals are served in the Palms Restaurant and Bar, which also offers a la carte dining for lunch and dinner, and daily happy hour. There is also a second restaurant on-site; the Oceanfront Bar, where you can enjoy a meal and cocktail overlooking the beach. Open for lunch and dinner between 11am and 9pm, and with a daily happy hour 5-7pm. The very reasonably-priced menu offers evening dishes of steak, chicken and fish, and the all-day menu offers lunch dishes and kids menu of fish, sandwiches, pasta and burgers..

Scooters and bicycles can be hired on-site, and there is also a pool table, table tennis, tennis court and computer games. There's a full service Tour Desk and daily activities board (including snorkel tours and pub crawl for a fee).

All rooms are similar in interior design with queen size bed and single bed, air-con and fans and feature IDD phone, TV with satellite channels, radio/alarm clocks, refrigerator, tea/coffee facilities, room service, daily maid service and private patios. Hairdryers are available on request.