Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach (Adults Only)

Great service, easy place to switch off and relax in. Nice food.

Had another wonderful week at the Sanctuary.... always stay there when I visit Rarotonga.... staff so friendly and helpful.... room with a wonderful view... amazing swimming and snorkeling.... sunsets and menu and entertainment.... love this place!!

I was booking 6 days and paid for the booking. When I added one more day, I was charged for the extra day and there changed my paid booking and charged 400$ more for a fully paid up booking and refused a refund. The Hotel self is in need of an up date The breakfast is poor and cheap spam style ham, small amount of fresh fruit Dinner comes out of the same kitchen as next door due to this chips cold and a long wait The only highlights are the staff very friendly and the snorkeling. The Hotel is not worth the price as special when they rip you off

we stayed for 6 nights booking a ground floor beach view room. At the airport they check you in to the hotel so all you need to do is pick up your room key on arrival at the hotel. we stayed in the adults only hotel which seemed fairly quiet when we arrived. we were told we could go to the sister hotel next door to share facilities. In each room there is an A - Z compendium about the hotel which is about 60 pages long. In the compendium it states each room has a microwave but we didnt have one. The room seemed as decribed although in places the ratten effect wall coverings looked dirty and simply dated. There were holes where previous cupboards had been removed. The one bedside table looked dirty and mouldy and the table lamp plug looked singed! we just didnt use it. Large king size bed which I found too hard. There was a settee which had a broken leg, a table and two chairs. There was a lot of funriture for the size of the room which made it cramped and difficult to manouevre. The bathroom had louvre doors whch opened abov ethe bed head(?). The inbuilt single wardrobe housed iron and ironing board, broom, dustpan, safe, 3 drawers and can of ant spray. These were the only drawers in the room, which needed another set really. You got dressing gowns but if you were larger than size 12 they didnt fit. wifi was 20 usd for 10 days for 1 device only, so it was expensive if you were staying only for a few days adn it was intermittent. However, you could save money by not having your room cleaned so got a 10dollar credit for each day which you could use at the bar or on wifi etc. aircon worked well if a bit noisy. Mini bar fridge (payable) was barely cold, small kettle with instant coffee and creamer. There was an ice bucket which you could take to the bar and take back to your room. The house keeping staff were wonderful, very friendly and helpful. The gardens are beautifully kept and the entire complex is very clean. overall all staff were helpful and friendly.There was a decent pool with swim up bar and it was warm too, much warmer than the lagoon. Breakfast was complimentary for us, even though everyday we had to sign a slip for 48 dollars. Breakfast comprised cereal, toast, small croissants, cheese slices, tinned fruit pancakes, plain yoghurt, tea and coffee. we went to the sister restaurant as the tables in adult side were set on sand, and were often crawling with ants. we found other meals were pricey compared to outside restaurants and ate out every day after the first day where food was better. Outside the villa, the sand is gritty not soft but there are fantastic views of the lagoon, with sunbeds for each villa. sadly there was a problem with ants over the sunbeds, and patio, no wonder they gave you a tin of ant spray . snorkelling in the lagoon was fantastic with multiple species of fish, stunning royal blue star fish etc. there was free to use snorkel equipment in each room although we had taken our own. you do need to use wa

Amazing !!! From the moment we arrived it was relax time. Super friendly from the airport transports, to check in, servicing of rooms etc etc, nothing too much trouble. Great activities at the sister site The Rarotongan which you can fully access anytime. Access to lagoon from the wee beach was brilliant. Excellent spot to watch the fabulous sunsets. Bed super comfy. Will definitely stay here again next visit to the island :).

Sanctuary Rarotonga wasn't just a hotel, it was a portal to an underwater wonderland! Stepping onto the beach felt like entering a postcard – pristine sand, cerulean waters, and waves gently breaking on the distant reef, leaving the lagoon within a serene, crystal-clear embrace. The snorkelling here was like swimming through a living kaleidoscope. I'm talking clouds of butterflyfish flitting like stained glass wings, and even a majestic moray eel peeked out from its coral castle. Every dive was a new adventure, with countless colourful surprises waiting to be discovered. Speaking of adventures, the pool area was our own private oasis. Sheltered from the wind and sun's warm embrace, it offered the perfect spot to cool off between snorkelling escapades. And let's not forget the swim-up bar – our happy hour haven with delicious cocktails that quenched our thirst and matched the vibrant hues of the surrounding reef. But Sanctuary's magic extended far beyond its stunning location. The resort's restaurant was a culinary gem. Fresh, flavourful dishes at reasonable prices – what more could a sun-kissed explorer ask for? And those island-inspired cocktails? Let's just say they were the perfect sunset companion. The true heart of Sanctuary, though, was its incredible staff. Friendly, helpful, and always going above and beyond, they made us feel like cherished guests. Check-in and check-out were as smooth as the lagoon itself, and free parking and a nearby bus stop made exploring the island a breeze. Kayaking and paddleboarding were included in our stay, adding an extra layer of excitement to our island adventure. We paddled across the glassy lagoon, feeling like true explorers navigating a turquoise sea. Plus, having snorkels, fins, and beach towels in the room meant we were always ready to dive into the underwater paradise whenever the urge struck. Our room was a cozy haven, decorated with a charming island flair. The comfy bed was perfect for resting after a day of exploration, and the air conditioning was a godsend on those balmy Cook Islands nights. Sanctuary Rarotonga wasn't just a vacation; it was an experience that left us yearning for more. Whether you're a snorkelling enthusiast, a cocktail connoisseur, or simply seeking island serenity, this place has something for everyone. It's a haven of friendly faces, crystal-clear waters, and unforgettable memories. We can't wait to return and write another chapter in our Sanctuary story!

We stayed for 3 nights at the end of June. We'd booked one beachfront and 3 beachside rooms. The beachside rooms all got upgraded to upstairs beachfront rooms which gave amazing views across the lagoon. Our room was downstairs and we stepped directly out onto the beach which was beautiful. Each morning we ate the continental buffet breakfast which had a wide selection. On our first night we went to the Island night which was loads of fun. Really glad we did it. Umu food is delicious. We also ate dinner at Captain Andys Bar and Grill and were very happy with the food. We loved all the included activities- snorkeling (which is great in this part of the lagoon), kayaks, paddle boards. Would definitely stay again. The only things i found fault with was there was no free wifi in public areas and the alcohol content of the cocktails was very strong!

We had an amazing week at The Sanctuary over new years. The resort was exactly as described, a laid back place to relax and get away from it all. We definitely stayed on our adults only side of the resort which was much more chill than the main resort. The rooms have everything you need and there's super easy snorkling right out the front. The highlight was definitely the staff who made us feel so welcome. Huge thanks to Emosi, Illy, Aku and Sake!

This place was fantastic to stay at, from the staff who go above and beyond for you, to the managers they are fabulous, to the rooms, the bed so comfortable, to the crabs that came to visit us, to the snorkeling & canoeing, to the meals from Head Chef William, who came over to our table and introduced himself, he is awesome, to the swim up bar & the amazing cocktails. We really can't fault anything about this place. We loved it so much last year, we have booked to come back in October 2024 for our 21st Wedding Anniversary.