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AITUTAKI LAGOON RESORT & SPA
Akitua Island, Aitutaki, Cook Islands.
“Aitutaki has indeed been capturing imaginations for many hundreds of years. Legendary Polynesian voyager Ru made landfall here well over a thousand years ago.
In 1789 Captain William Bligh and the men of the HMS Bounty were the first Europeans to arrive, reputedly bringing with them the succulent papaya.
In the 1950s a new wave of adventurer came by glamorous Solent Flying Boat for a leisurely refuelling stop along the fabled Coral Route, and a divine swim in the surreal lagoon waters.
Much more recently, the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler came, observing that: "Aitutaki is an exquisite atoll" with "the most vivid lagoon colors anyone has ever seen." The issue featured The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa on its cover, saying: "The Aitutaki Lagoon is the resort on the beach - nowhere could be more idyllic."
As the only resort directly on the world's most beautiful lagoon, The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa is truly blessed.
This exclusive all-bungalow resort is one-of-a-kind in many other respects also.
It is the only private island resort in the Cook Islands.
It is the only Cook Islands resort to offer that invention of incurable romantics ~ the Overwater Bungalow. And it is the only resort on Aitutaki with a truly Polynesian flavour, so you can truly savour what the South Pacific is famous for.
The panoramic views of super-natural Aitutaki Lagoon from your own personal paradise, The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa on Motu Akitua, will leave you breathless. Truly, deeply, madly breathless. And that indeed is the measure of a life well lived”.
Our Thoughts on Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa
At the northern tip of Aitutaki’s main island a long, narrow promontory curves off the main island towards the south-east. The airport is the main feature of this promontory. At the southern end there is a narrow passage known as the Ootu (full-moon) Channel and at the other side of this passage lies the beautiful Akitua Island, the location of Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa. Akitua Island is a perfect little tropical island for a resort location. Around 75% of the island is covered by a dense lovely tropical forest garden and the remainder is a broad white-sand beach which starts with a clear patch near the centre of the island behind the resort lobby and gradually tapers to a north-westerly point. The Resort bungalows are backed by groves of coconut palms, close to the lagoon on this expansive beach.
Access to the island is via a resort boat which virtually runs on demand between the beach in front of the Resort Lobby and “The Landing” on the mainland. The Resort comprises only 36 individual bungalows, but still provides 2 restaurants, an open-sided, Polynesian-style Wedding Gazebo and a full range of resort facilities including a fairly modest swimming pool, but it’s the island, the beach and the amazing, expansive Aitutaki inner lagoon that makes this resort such a great place to experience and enjoy.
And what a lagoon it is to enjoy. Aitutaki Lagoon Resort guests have complimentary use of snorkelling gear and kayaks. The Flying Boat Beach Bar and Grill has a deck out over the lagoon for sunset meals and snacks. In a shallower part of the lagoon, romantic couples can enjoy a table set up in the water and circled by flaming torches for an intimate dinner. The weekly “Legends of Polynesia” Island Show is usually held beside the lagoon and lagoon day cruises to uninhabited lagoon islands are a feature of any stay at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort. With the exception of the fabulous, huge Te Arau Royal Honeymoon Villa which is fully enclosed in a walled tropical garden, every bungalow has a view to the Ootu Channel or the Aitutaki Lagoon.
This is a magic place for a wedding, renewal of vows or perfect honeymoon.
Your Accommodation Options
As you arrive off the boat, the most obvious bungalows ahead of you and off to your right are Beachfront Bungalows, there are 14 Beachfront Bungalows which offer views over the Ootu channel to the mainland beyond. The Beachfront Bungalows end just before the beginning of the long sandy spit jutting out into the Ootu Channel on one side and the Flying Boat Beach Bar and Grill on the other. From the Flying Boat Beach Bar and Grill which faces Sunset Beach and the wonderful inner lagoon, there is a row of 9 new bungalows, the 9 Premium Beachfront Bungalows which offer views of the lagoon framed by the beachfront coconut palms. Next, and very close to the lagoon are the 5 Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows and furthest away, the 7 Overwater Bungalows from the veranda of which guests can literally jump straight into the lagoon. All accommodation is air-conditioned.
Room Categories
 Beachfront Bungalows
Spacious bungalows with natural wooden floors and Polynesian-style woven wall coverings and high ceilings. The beachfront patios with enclosed wooden deck, complete with sun-loungers, are open to the sky but many have overhanging coconut trees providing shade. Beachfront Bungalows are the closest accommodation to the Resort Lobby, pool and main restaurant.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 Adults or 2 Adults & 2 Children
Existing Bedding Configuration: 1 Super King or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bunk Bed
Premium Beachfront Bungalows
The newest accommodation type at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa. These spacious bungalows with their natural wooden floors and woven wall coverings have a lovely indoor/outdoor flow out on to a wooden decked veranda which is partially covered for shade. Set back a little from the water, the coconut palms surrounding the bungalows also provide shade as well as anchors for hammocks which are slung between the palms not too far away from your bungalow. The wide veranda contains 2 sun-loungers and a casual outdoor table and chairs setting. Each bungalow has an outdoor shower.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 Adults or 2 Adults & 2 Children
Existing Bedding Configuration: 1 Super King or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bunk Bed
Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows
Absolute beachfront, the Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows are a super size at 70 square metres total. They have been impressively arranged with the bedroom area raised up slightly over the separate lounge area. This gives uninterrupted views of the lagoon from both the bed as well as from the lounge. The high ceiling and the open plan of the bungalow results in a feeling of lightness and space, and there certainly is plenty of space. The lounge area is big enough for a lounge suite including a sofa and 2 easy chairs, an occasional table, a small dining table with 2 chairs and a desk and chair. The veranda is partially covered for shade and contains 2 sun-loungers and space for more. Hammocks are strung under the palms nearby.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 Adults or 2 Adults & 2 Children
Existing Bedding Configuration: 1 Super King or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bunk Bed
Overwater Bungalows
Magic! The Overwater Bungalows here are not the type that is accessed by walking down an often long pier out over the lagoon. These overwater bungalows are accessed directly off the land, while their sleeping and living areas are raised above the beach and their multi-level decks are totally over the deep lagoon. The land-based bathrooms are huge and back on to a private walled courtyard which is accessed via the indoor/outdoor shower.
These 90 square metre bungalows includes a beautiful veranda which has a thatched roof over one side for shade and is open on the other for sun-bathing. On this deck there is ample space for 2 sun-loungers and a 2-chair outdoor table setting. A lower deck is accessed down 7 steps and for ease of swimming access to the lagoon a short ladder is provided off the lower deck (most people just jump straight in off the lower deck!).
Maximum Occupancy: 3 Adults or 2 Adults & 2 Children
Existing Bedding Configuration: 1 Super King or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bunk Bed
The Royal Honeymoon Pool Villa “Te Arau”
“Named Villa Te Arau in honour of the favourite wife of legendary Polynesian navigator, Chief Ru, Villa Te Arau is designed for luxurious tropical living and features a draped 4-poster super-king bed, iPod + Bose sound dock, flat-screen TV + movies, DVD/CD player, air-conditioning, and ensuite with glorious open-air rain-shower. The private pool is flanked by a cocoon-shaped hydrotherapy spa in its own pavilion on one side and a romantic thatched daybed pavilion on the other, and a separate third pavilion houses the full designer kitchen with indoor/outdoor dining.
Fully enclosed in its lush private garden, the tropical-luxe Villa Te Arau showcases polished island hardwoods and black pearl-shell painstakingly worked by local craftsmen into beautiful flooring, feature furniture pieces and objects d’art used throughout the villa.”
This is a magnificent villa for a honeymoon. A family or 2 couples sharing need to be aware that there is only one (albeit fantastic) bathroom.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 Adults or 2 Adults & 2 Children
Existing Bedding Configuration: 1 Super King & 1 Queen Bed or 2 Single Beds & 1 Queen Bed
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bunk Bed
Check-in/Check Out
The hotel will make every effort to ensure your rooms are available at your time of check-in; however, the Hotel standard times and rates are as follows:
Check In Time: 2.00pm
Check Out Time: 10.00am
Cancellation Policy
 All cancellations must be made in writing.
If cancellations are effected between 30 - 15 days of scheduled arrival, a cancellation fee equal to 50% of total accommodation stay will be levied.
If cancellations are effected within 14 days of scheduled arrival including no shows, a cancellation fee equal to 100% of total stay will be levied.
The information on this page was correct as at 04 Nov 2011 and is subject to change without notice.
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