AITUTAKI LAGOON PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT
Akitua Island, Aitutaki, Cook Islands.
Our Thoughts on Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort
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 beautiful Akitua Island, the location of Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort. Akitua Island is a perfect little tropical island for a resort location. Around 75% of the island is covered by a dense picturesque 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 the groves of coconut palms close to the lagoon on this impressive 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. There are several smaller islands in the lagoon handy to The Resort and if you are just a little adventurous you can organise a packed picnic lunch, grab a kayak and paddle yourself out to one of these islands for a beautiful, relaxing and romantic picnic. 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 circled by flaming torches, set up in the water for an intimate dinner. The weekly “Legends of Polynesia” Island Show is usually held beside the lagoon. Day cruises to the more distant uninhabited lagoon islands are a feature of any stay at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort. With the exception of the fabulously spacious Te Arau Royal Honeymoon Villa which is fully enclosed in a walled tropical garden, every bungalow has a view out over the Full-Moon Channel or the legendary Aitutaki Lagoon.
This is a magic place for a wedding, renewal of vows or a perfect honeymoon.
If you stay a little longer you get the chance to explore all that Aitutaki has to offer by using the bicycles, the use of which is provided free to resort guests at the mainland landing. Hire cars and motor-scooters are also available for hire. Over the years, quite a number of small resorts and other tourist facilities have grown up in a cluster handy to The Landing so there is an opportunity for a little exploration on foot too.
There is a good list of complimentary inclusions at Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort:
● Daily tropical breakfast buffet
● Invitation to the Manager’s Sunset Cocktail party
● Use of stand-up paddleboards, Polynesian outrigger
canoe, kayaks and bicycles, snorkelling gear, sun
loungers, hammocks, beach towels.
● Beach Volleyball, use of gym, tale tennis, library
● Lessons on Island dancing, pareu tying, palm-frond
weaving, flower lei making, coconut climbing
● Giant Chess, Board Games and Guest Library
● Complimentary use of private ferry
7:00am to 10:00pm daily.
In late 2012 the whole Resort received a $2m upgrade and makeover. This included refurbishing all the accommodation with emphasis on the soft furnishings and bathrooms. All Public areas have been upgraded including Reception/Lobby, Restaurants, Beach Chapel and Beachfront Gazebos which are now ideal spots for all-day sunbathing and romantic, candle-light dinners by night. The Resort now has Wi-Fi access throughout. SpaPolynesia is air-conditioned and expanded and a new Gym has been added adjacent to the spa.
Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort was always a good resort, but you should see it now!
“What Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort Say About Themselves:
“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments which take our breath away”
If you’re dreaming of an overwater haven, then Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort is for you as it offers the ONLY Overwater Bungalows in the Cook Islands. This intimate adults-only (for guests aged 16 years and over) boutique bungalow resort is also the ONLY resort set directly on the World’s Most Beautiful Lagoon, Aitutaki Lagoon, offering the best views of Aitutaki Lagoon right from your bungalow. This beautiful resort is also the ONLY private island resort in the Cook Islands, yet is just a 2-minute ride by private ferry from the main island of Aitutaki – the perfect balance of seclusion and accessibility. Breathtaking lagoon views, champagne sand beaches, and the quintessential South Pacific experience – exclusive overwater bungalows – makes this a heavenly escape. At this idyllic romantic retreat feel free to laze in a hammock swaying above the champagne sand beach, slip into the
luminous lagoon, ease into a soothing massage at SpaPolynesia Aitutaki, and enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner together on the beach as the sun sets and the tropical moon and stars come out to play. There’s also a beach chapel for incurable romantics wanting to say ‘I do’ whilst in Aitutaki. Complimentary activities include stand-up paddleboarding at one of the best locations on Planet Earth for the sport. The essence of alluring Aitutaki.”
Our Specials:
Free Dream Honeymoon Special
Honeymooners staying at least 5 nights receive, with the compliments of Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort:
● A bottle of chilled Methode Champenoise.
● “HIs” and “Hers” Island Pareus
Conditions:
- Valid for stays all year
- Valid for stays in all accommodation types
- Only valid for stays of 5 nights or longer
- Proof of marriage within past 12 months at time of booking
- Honeymoon status to be established at time of booking
accommodation.
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 Full-Moon Channel to the mainland beyond. The Beachfront Bungalows end just before the beginning of the long sandy spit jutting out into the lagoon where the Flying Boat Beach Bar and Grill is perfectly placed on the other (outer) side of the island with views out over the whole lagoon. On the same side of the island as the Flying Boat Beach Bar and Grill running back towards the central facility there is a row of 9 new bungalows; these are the 9 Premium Beachfront Bungalows which offer full views of the lagoon framed by the beachfront coconut palms. Closer to the central facility but still on the outer side of the island and very handy to the lagoon are the 5 Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows followed by the 7 Overwater Bungalows from the verandas of which, guests can literally jump straight into the lagoon. All accommodation is air-conditioned. Tropical Breakfast is included in the nightly tariff (This may be excluded in some short-term special accommodation offers).
Room Categories (In ascending order of tariff)
Beachfront Bungalows:
Spacious, beachfront bungalows with an outlook over the lagoon to the O’otu (Full Moon) channel, 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’s lobby, pool and main restaurant. In the 2012 resort makeover, all the Beachfront Bungalows have been upgraded to the same standard as the Premium Beachfront Bungalows.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 Adults
Existing Bedding: 1 Super King Bed which may split into 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed may be added for a 3rd adult sharing
Premium Beachfront Bungalows:
The most-recently built 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 but still absolute beachfront with coconut palms surrounding the bungalows not only providing shade but also acting as anchors for hammocks which are slung between the palms handy to 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
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed which may split into 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed may be added for the 3rd adult sharing
Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows:
Absolute beachfront, the Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows are over 70m2 in area. 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. In the 2012 Resort upgrade the bathrooms in the Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows have been trebled in size with the addition of a romantic separate walled outdoor shower and the installation of modern “His and Hers” vanities.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 Adults
Existing Bedding: 1 x 4-Poster King Bed and 2 Single Beds.
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommopdated.
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 with adult children or 2 couples sharing need to be aware that there is only one (albeit fantastic) bathroom.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 Adults
Existing Bedding: 1 King 4-Poster Bed in the Master Bedroom Pavilion and 1 Queen 4-Poster Bed in The Pool Pavilion. Twin bedding is not available in the Royal Honeymoon Pool Villa.
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommodated.
Overwater Bungalows
Magic! The Overwater Bungalows here are not the type that is accessed by walking down a long pier out over the lagoon; these overwater bungalows are accessed directly off the land. While the sleeping and living areas are raised above the beach, their multi-level decks are built right 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. Each of these 90m2 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
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed which may split into 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Bed may be added for a 3rd adult sharing
Getting to and from Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort.
Domestic flights on Air Rarotonga between Rarotonga and Aitutaki are required and these will be included in package arrangements as required/agreed.
Aitutaki Lagoon Resort personally meet guests at Aitutaki Airport with a flower ei and provide an air-conditioned coach transfer on the short distance to the mainland ferry landing, followed by a short private ferry trip across the lagoon passage to The Resort. This service includes a fruit juice or drinking coconut drink on arrival at The Resort, unlimited use of the ferry during your stay and a return airport transfer at the end of your stay.
Private transfers are also available at additional cost and this includes exclusive-use private vehicle and ferry transfers, bottled water, flower or shell ei (garland), cold towel, methode champenoise and orange/coconut juice
Kids’ Policy
Aitutaki Lagoon Resort is an Adults-Only resort where only guests aged 16 years and over are accommodated.
Check-in/Check Out
Flights from Rarotonga and Aitutaki arrive in Aitutaki between 9:10am and 6:50pm depending on the day of operation.
Flights from Aitutaki to Rarotonga depart Aitutaki between 9:10am and 7:10pm depending on the day of operation
Standard check-in and check-out times:
Check In Time: 2:00pm
Check Out Time: 10:00am
Early Check-in and Late Check-out
Early Check-In (at a flat fee) between 6:00am and 2:00pm can be pre-arranged through Our Specialists. However, The Resort does not guarantee the early check-in will be in the same bungalow or bungalow category guests will ultimately occupy.
Late Check-Out up to 6:00pm on an hourly cost basis.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be made in writing.
Cancellations made between 15 and 30 days of scheduled
arrival incur a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the total
cost of accommodation booked.
Cancellations made within 15 days of scheduled arrival
including no shows, incur a cancellation fee equal to
100% of the total cost of accommodation booked.
Guests departing the resort prior to scheduled departure
date receive no refund or credit for unused
accommodation.
The cancellation policy is strictly enforced at this resort.
The information on this page is correct as at 14 August 2018 and is based on our supplier contracts which are valid for stays to 31 March 2019. All information shown is subject to change without notice.