LUXURY

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
TE VAKAROA RAROTONGA
Opened: March 2008.
Location: Muri Beach, Rarotonga.
OUR RATING: 9.3/10
TRUE NORTH
ON SALE!
Ambience/style: Modern apartment style units with
a beautiful blend of Balinese and Cook Islands furnishings.
Clientele: Mostly couples looking for time-out. Wedding
groups and honeymooners.
Awards: Watch this space.
Interesting facts: Te Vakaroa means ‘long canoe’. In
traditional times voyaging canoes were carved from
felled trees.
Room number: Three 1-bedroom villas and three 2-bedroom
double storey villas.
Room type reviewed: 2-bedroom double storey villa.
Room info: Spacious fully airconditioned units with living
area on the entrance level and bedrooms on the upper
level. Each unit features a full-sized, well-equipped
kitchen, laundry and large living/dining area with an
over-sized balcony extending out to views of the lagoon.
Modern yet relaxed furnishings with touches of Bali and
Rarotonga throughout. Bedrooms each have super king
size beds adorned with Egyptian cotton linen, small
balconies, shutters, insect screens, CD players, large
wardrobes and ensuites.
Villa master bedroom
Gym: No gym on-site but there are numerous under and
over water activities right on your doorstep.
Restaurants and bar info: No restaurant on-site but they
make up for that in other innovative ways. Neighbouring
Sails Restaurant will deliver meals from their menu straight
to your villa or order a BBQ picnic hamper or equest Te
Vakaroa’s specialist chef to prepare your cuisine in-house
- highly recommended! A tropical breakfast is delivered
daily to your villa.
Stuff for kids: No children under 12 years permitted.
‘X’-Factor: The large outdoor covered balcony extending
from the 2-bedroom villa is a premium spot to let the hours
tick by while the balmy breeze floats past and the palm
trees sway.
Indoor-outdoor flow
Bathroom: Each bedroom has an ensuite complete with
double vanities, shower, toilet and combination of Evolu
and Living Nature amenities. A third bathroom is located
on the living floor.
Business needs: WIFI Internet throughout and the office
will assist with any other requests.
Spa facilities: Not on-site but treatments can be arranged
at a number of private spas nearby.
What’s great: Love the full-sized bottles of wine in the
mini bar. Attentive and ‘more than happy to do anything
for you’ staff. I also loved the lush tropical courtyard-style
gardens once you step through the entrance gate - gave
me the feeling that I had entered a secret oasis! Location
is also ideal with local shops, scooter hire, café and deli in
close proximity. The property is secure at night with keypad
code access.
What’s not so great: The courtyards off the 1-bedrooms
don’t give as much privacy as the 2-bedroom villa balconies
but then you have direct access to the inviting pool and you
can get to know your neighbours easily.
Overall: A beautiful new resort offering a stunning location
and excellent facilities. The next best thing to having a
private villa with plunge pool (which comes at a price), Te
Vakaroa offers fantastic value for money and should be
considered for your next trip.
Editor’s tip: If going with friends, the 2-bedroom is excellent
value and has ample private space.
Website: www.tevakaroavillas.com
There has never been a better time to travel on the revered adventure-cruise ship True
North. Guests making early arrangements can now benefit from generous incentives
and, we have also increased our Previous Guest Bonus! So don’t delay - discover now
why our guests consistently remark “that’s the best holiday I have ever had”! All cruises
include frequent daily excursions and feature the True North’s unequalled style, modern
cuisine and an Australian crew. Multiple expedition boats (not zodiacs) encounter
wilderness in small groups and to add yet another dimension to adventure, the True
North sails with her very own air-conditioned helicopter!
Adventure destinations include Ningaloo and the Monte Bello Islands, the Kimberley, the
Rowley Shoals, West Papua, Papua New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, the Solomon
Islands, Sydney and the Hawkesbury River and, Kangaroo Island and the Eyre Peninsular.
North Star Cruises Australia
PO Box 654 Broome Western Australia 6725
Pool: 12m infinity pool overlooking Muri Beach lagoon Reservations: for information or enquiries please phone
with a warm Jacuzzi at one end.
Mondo Travel on 0800 955 655.
Telephone: (+61 8) 9192 1829 Facsimile: (+61 8) 9192 1830
Email: cruise@northstarcruises.com.au www.northstarcruises.com.au
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