2 Top Places & Hotels (2024)

Hope you’re ready for an unforgettable island holiday! If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to stay in Cook Islands, then you’re exactly where you need to be!

I researched the top 2 islands (although there are 15, these are the main 2 touristy ones) and found the best hotels in each of those places, all listed from more to least expensive.

In short, Rarotonga is the best place to stay in Cook Islands as that’s where you’ll find the international airport, a wide range of hotels and lots of tours and flights to the other islands.

But make sure you check out the other island too and the bonus where I included more islands that you can visit.

The Cooks islands are a hidden gem, however they don’t offer lots of hotels so I’d recommend booking yours in advance!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Already want to book your hotel? Then check out this short list which has the top accommodations, all set in Rarotonga:

Check out this map that will help you visualize all the places where to stay in Cook Islands that I will talk about in this post:

1. Rarotonga – where to stay in Cook Islands for the first time

Welcome to the main hub of the Cook Islands that’s home to the only international airport (map) on the islands.

Rarotonga is perfect for those of you who are visiting the islands for the first time as it has a couple of big and small resorts, stores, and plenty of things to do. Luckily, it has connections via flight or boat to some of the other islands that are more remote (and only 1 or 2 guesthouses where you can stay).

Rarotonga’s main town, Avarua is located in the Northern side of the island, it’s home to the airport and it has lots of supermarkets, souvenir shops and some great restaurants as well.

However, not many tourists stick to this town as there aren’t so many amazing beaches, except Black Rock beach (map) where usually locals hang out.

I’m sure you’ll probably want to explore other parts of the island too and luckily you’ll find buses (you can learn more about it here) but you can also rent scooters or cars if you’d like more independence. Some tourists use bikes as well as the main roads are flat. But taxis are also available on the island. You can usually ask the staff at your accommodation to point you to a good company.

The Cook Islands are known for their amazing snorkeling conditions so definitely had to the beaches in the South part of the island, especially in the Titikaveka (map) and Tikioki (map) areas where the beaches are amazing!

Although water sports are the “it thing” here, you should definitely try some of the other activities like learning about the local brewing, going hiking in places like The Needle (map), which looks incredible and seeing the stunning waterfalls like Wigmore’s Waterfall (map).

Other accommodation options in Rarotonga

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Since this is the main place where to stay in the Cook Islands I decided to add a couple of extra hotels that you can check out, in case the ones above are booked out:

• Muri Beach Club Hotel ($$$) – this adults-only hotel offers a spa center, an outdoor pool and room service.
• The Edgewater Resort & Spa ($$) – set right on the beach, this resort comes with an on-site restaurant, a spa and rooms with rattan furnishings.
• Ocean Spray Villas ($$) – an amazing villa with stunning waterfront views, 3 rooms and free parking.
• Club Raro Resort ($) – enjoy your trip at this adults-only resort that has a pool, a restaurant and a bar.
• Bella Beach Bungalows ($) – great bungalows set on a private beach area that have a sun terrace.

Things to do in Rarotonga

• Enjoy the sun on Black Rock beach
• Go snorkeling on Tikioki Beach
• Explore the Maire Nui Gardens and Cafe (map)
• Hike to see The Needle
• Enjoy the views at Wigmore’s Waterfall
• Go for a swim at Muri Beach (map)

2. Aitutaki – best place to stay in Cook Islands for couples

Welcome to the second-most visited place in the Cook Islands!

Aitutaki is home to a regional airport (map) set on the Northern part of the island, that receives flights from Rarotonga! So if you want to get here, you’ll probably have to fly into Rarotonga and from there take a regional flight to Aitutaki.

The flight takes around 50 min and lots of people choose to visit Aitutaki as a day trip from Rarotonga. But if you have the chance, I’d highly recommend spending a few nights here.

It won’t be long before you fall in love with Aitutaki. This island is absolutely gorgeous and such a great spot for those planning a romantic getaway in the Cook Islands.

Although smaller, Aitutaki is a bit different as it’s made up of the main island and some smaller ones, plus a few lagoons and a reef.

Aitutaki’s lagoon is known as one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world!

In order to see the lagoon in its full glory, you can take a lagoon cruise. The Vaka Cruise is one of the most popular ones and they offer hotel pick-up, snorkel gear and some other things too.

Just like in Rarotonga you can rent a car, a scooter or a bike to get around! And there are also some taxi companies that the hotel staff can help you find. However, unlike Rarotonga, there isn’t a public transport system here.

Aitutaki’s main town is Arutanga and that’s where you’ll find a couple of shops, as well as some restaurants and accommodations.

While here make sure you take a boat to the famous One Foot Island (map), which looks unbelievable with its turquoise waters and sugary sands. A stop here is usually included in the Lagoon cruise, but double-check.

Other accommodation options in Aitutaki

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Here are a couple more hotels for you to check out in case the ones above are sold out:

• Pacific Resort Aitutaki ($$$) – this 5-star luxury hotel offers some incredible beachfront bungalows, an outdoor pool and a spa center.
• Tamanu Beach ($$$)  – an amazing accommodation with 2 swimming pools, a private beach area and a spa center.

Things to do in Aitutaki

• Go on a Lagoon Cruise and snorkel away
• Explore Arutanga town
• Visit One Foot Island
• Relax on Ootu Beach (map)
• Grab a coffee at Tavake (map)

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BONUS: Best places to visit in the Cook Islands

As I mentioned earlier, there are in total 15 Cook Islands. But most tourists stay on Rarotonga and Aitutaki as these are the most developed ones with plenty of facilities for visitors.

However there are a couple more islands that you can visit either by boat or by jumping on a quick flight (most take up to 1h to 2h). I wanted to list the 3 main ones that you can visit during your holiday, and included a short snippet of what the island is known for!

• Atiu – known for its caves and birds, you can take lots of bird-eco tours, cultural and also cave tours
• Mangaia – only a 40 min flight away from Rarotonga, this island is known for its fossilized cliffs, hidden caves and naturally formed staircases
• Mauke – set an 1h and 30 min flight away from Rarotonga, this place is known as a garden island due to its abundance of wildflowers        

FAQs about where to stay in Cook Islands

🔝 Which part of Cook island is best?

Rarotonga is one of the best places in the Cook Islands! This island is home to the international airport, lots of hotels, amazing beaches and incredible snorkel and diving spots.

🏝️ What is the best side of the island to stay in Rarotonga?

The South side of Rarotonga is the best place to stay on the island as that’s where you’ll find some amazing beaches and fun things to do.

⚖️ Is it better to stay in Rarotonga or Aitutaki?

It depends. I’d recommend staying in Rarotonga if this is your first time here and then maybe visiting Aitutaki since it’s only a 50 min flight away.

📅 How many days should I stay in the Cook Islands?

Since it’s such a remote location I’d recommend spending at least 7 days so that you have time to go island hopping, relax and explore all the attractions on your base island.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Cook Islands

Who’s already dreaming about sugary beaches and otherworldly sunsets?

I hope this guide on where to stay in Cook Islands helped you decide which island to pick.

Don’t forget that it’s important to book your hotels here in advance! There isn’t a wide variety of resorts here, so it’s better to secure your spot early!

If you’re still not sure which accommodations to pick, here are my top 2 favorite ones both located on Rarotonga island:

Enjoy your island adventures and as always I’m still around if you have any questions on the Cook Islands. Just drop me a comment below and I’ll answer as soon as I can.

Safe Travels,

Victoria

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