LUXURY

Pacific Resort Aitutaki
at a glance
The drive from the airport is a short five
minutes in an air-conditioned shuttle,
providing a pleasant reprieve from the
pool that offers a selection of light meal
options and delicious cocktails providing a
comfortable alternative to the restaurant.
Te Manava
at a glance
Category: Beach Resort
Villa reviewed: Ultimate Beachfront Villa
balmy temperature outside. Pacific Resort,
part of the Small Luxury Hotel Group,
is situated in 19 acres of lush tropical
gardens and spans 2.5 kilometres of pure
white sand beach. With just 27 beachfront
accommodation choices, all rooms feature
thatched roofs, large private sundecks,
polished wooden floors and super kingsized
beds.
For daytime lazing, the pool is the perfect
sun-drenched option. With comfortable
loungers, shade umbrellas and towels
provided, it’s the ideal spot to relax whilst
enjoying the expansive views across the
lagoon. The staff are attentive and will
make sure you are well hydrated in the hot
tropical sun with a steady supply of cool
water. And of course, to really ease in to
Te Manava
Luxury Villas & Spa
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Category: Beach Hotel
Villa reviewed: Residential Three Bedroom
Beachfront Villa
What’s great: The small number of villas
spread over19 acres means that the
resort will never be overcrowded and you
will often feel like you’re the only person
staying there.
What’s not so great: Hard to find when the
setting is so perfect.
Editor’s tips: For that extra special touch,
book a beachside dinner in the setting
sun. The staff take great pride in the
presentation with flares, candles and
flowers, the food is divine and the setting
couldn’t be more perfect.
Rate: From NZ$895; AU$715 per bungalow
per night. From NZ$1395; AU$1120 per
night for Ultimate Beachfront Villa.
Website: www.pacificresort.com
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
Location
Villa size
Villa interior
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Hotel pool
Business needs
Recreational facilities
“...candles flicker through
the darkness and the flares
along the waters edge
reflect in the infinity pool.”
Our villa was nestled in a volcanic rock
face, with private stairway access to the
white-sandy beach below. Furnishings
were ornately designed and reflected the
local culture through colour and style.
All rooms have air-conditioning. The
bathroom, a key feature of the villa, was
marble finished, with a shower facing in
to an enclosed private garden (which also
included an outdoor monsoon shower for
a luxurious treat at the end of the day).
Of special interest were a complimentary
locally made pareo and the Bvlgari
cosmetics provided for guests’ enjoyment.
The fresh flowers, picked daily, added to
the tropical atmosphere.
As with any five-star resort, there is
a comprehensive room service menu
available, but the restaurant is in such a
stunning location it would be a shame not
to savour the views. Situated above the
infinity pool and looking out across the
lagoon through swaying palm trees, it’s fair
to say it holds the most impressive dining
view on the island. A local band plays each
evening, the wine list is comprehensive and
the food is of a high standard.
island life, the cocktail list is hard to resist
and a perfect complement to lounging by
the pool on an exquisite tropical island.
While the beach by the resort is safe and
suitable for snorkelling, as with most lagoon
beaches it is reasonably shallow. Kayaks
and snorkelling gear are available for hire
and it is well worth heading out beyond the
shallows to experience the natural beauty
of the marine life. We were fortunate to
see giant clams just a few hundred metres
offshore and the friendly tropical fish
provide hours of entertainment.
Further out in the lagoon is a diver’s
paradise. Accessible by small boat,
the water is pristine and the brightest
turquoise and full of incredible marine life.
No visit to Aitutaki would be complete
without experiencing the white-sandy
beaches in the middle of the atoll and the
picture-perfect `Robinson Crusoe’ islands.
With several tour companies offering a
range of options, the staff at the resort
will recommend one and make all the
necessary arrangements.
For comfort and style and a holiday in an
unspoilt piece of paradise, Pacific Resort,
Aitutaki is an ideal choice. The resort has
won a host of awards, including 2011 Best
Small Hotel (Asia Pacific), 2011 Best Small
Hotel (Cook Islands), World’s Leading
Boutique Island Resort – World Travel
Awards 2010, 2009, 2008 and made the
The Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa complex (managed by Pacific Resort Hotel Group)
consists of two remodelled garden villas; each with a private pool, five villa suites and
four beachfront villas, where the luxury level goes up a notch.
Entry to the Presidential Villa is through
a hand-carved wooden gate, which
opens onto a stunning walled courtyard
reminiscent of a luxury Balinese villa. The
attention to detail and use of quality
materials is instantly apparent with
the inlaid marble tiling and the large,
L-shaped private pool that borders the
covered walkway to the villa. It’s fully tiled
in gorgeous natural river stone with lava
rock edging.
The three-bedroom villa is built over
two levels and measures a capacious
560m 2 including courtyard and decks.
The exterior is a rendered plaster finish
with natural thatch roofing. Inside, this
place is beautifully fitted out and will
not disappoint even the most discerning
traveller. Cool polished marble flooring
combines beautifully with extensive use
of dark teak and native timbers. The
ground level contains a spacious openplan
dining area with seating for six and a
stylish lounge area with super size plasma
and Cambridge Audio (i.e. very high spec)
surround system.
We loved the interior furnishings,
especially the Indonesian inspired pieces
and the exquisite artwork. Ceilings are
over-height, creating a pleasant feeling
of space, while the woven, natural
style summons up a warm and inviting
ambience. Full-length wooden shutters
slide back to expose the prime, elevated
beachfront setting, with the lagoon
literally a few steps away.
The resort has won awards including 2011
International Hotel Awards Winner for ‘Best
New Small Hotel’ Asia Pacific (Construction
& Design) and World Travel Awards 2010
for World’s Leading Island Villas.
If you want to visit Rarotonga, and want
to do it in style, this is the place.
What’s great: The overall quality level of
the villa and outdoor entertaining areas as
well as the prime beachfront location on
probably the best lagoon on the island.
What’s not so great: The romantic covering
on the four-poster bed restricts a bit of
airflow from the ceiling fan that is located
directly above – easily fixed though.
Editor’s tip: Make sure you pay the little
extra to book one of the newer beachfront
villas. If possible go for the Presidential
option – it really is worth the extra cost.
Rate: From NZ$600; AU$480 per villa per
night. From NZ$1500; AU$1200 per night
for Presidential Suite.
Website: www.temanava.com
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
Location
Villa size
Villa interior
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Villa pool
Business needs
Spa facilities
As evening falls, the resort takes on
Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the South Pacific
Recreational facilities
Value for money
a magical look as strategically placed
candles flicker through the darkness and
in the 2011 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice
Awards. This is international luxury with
Value for money
the flares along the waters edge reflect
in the infinity pool. There is a bar by the
A piece of tropical
91.5% paradise with
stunning views.
98 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource.
a very relaxing ambience – the ultimate
island escape.
92%
Location, location,
location... hard to
find a better one
on the island.