Our lovely beach front room was exactly as pictured. It was clean & fresh & opened out onto the beach that provided possibly the best snorkelling on the island. The bed and bedding were perfect and the shower nice & hot after a long day in the water. Dining with your feet in the sand is always nice especially in the small intimate restaurant, & the dining & bar staff were very attentive. This was the adults only part of the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium but with full access to their facilities, we had the best of both worlds. The spa was beautiful & we highly recommend having a massage with the lovely Ari. The entertainers at their Island Night were incredible and the buffet dinner was delicious offering something for everyone. A special shout out to Aquila who at breakfast, not only remembered us from the other 150 people at Island night the night before but also remembered what drinks we ordered. That's service.

Please consider a designated smoking area away from the beachfront accommodation. When we opened the door and drew back the curtains we had everything we wanted and saved hard for. A beautiful view, sand & sunshine but unfortunately all the smokers gathered on the lounges out the front. The beach of all places is where we come to breathe in the fresh air, and most accommodation of your calibre have already taken these steps.

Staff and room was great !! the beach and the use of snorkle and SUP boards was great.

The breakfast was very average,,,,, no point in getting that add on... We ended up going to cafe's for breaky as it was much nicer,

The bar staff were welcoming and very friendly. They made our stay fun.

I gave the pool a lower rating, as it had green water and was un-swimmable for a few days, due (I understand) to chlorine being unavailable. I also slipped an fell and hit my head on the tiles at the resort during my stay (during a heavy rain storm) and needed to see a doctor late at night, we were simply directed to go to the hospital. We were told to make our own way there in the dark and pouring rain (the hospital is poorly signposted and no street lighting in area). Fortunately one of the bar staff who we had befriended took it upon himself to guide us there. I had slipped in their hotel, and injured myself there, and the response was inadequate and distressing. We would not have found the hospital ourselves.

There was one lovely gentleman who worked in the bar that was so friendly and lovely. The pool and swim up bar was great.

The room felt very enclosed with the walls and ceiling being made from the woven materials. Its on a beach so it should be light and bright. The bedroom was small, and my partner felt that she couldn't boil the kettle as i was lying in bed with my head not even a metre away from the kettle. Also, trying to find the resort was very confusing. We could see the signs for the Rarotonga resort but not the Sanctuary, it was very confusing. When we were trying to check in, it took forever as only one staff member was on, and she was helping someone in the shop. We tried to get our bags onto a trolley, and two workers were sitting there on the phones, and as there is a slight step up into reception, this was very hard, and half of our luggage feel off the trolley.

The staff were amazing, well most of them. Especially Watson, Mele and Lotte. The housekeeping staff were great too. Some receptionist were good. One was a bit disappointing. The activities staff were mostly great except for 1. We enjoyed the view form our room. It was nice that the equipment was free.

The breakfast was disappointing, considering how much we pain. When we booked there was no cooked and uncooked. And our relatives got cooked whilst some of us got uncooked despite booking in January for a July stay. Swimming pool could be warmer. The Sanctuary guests should be able to get their towels at the Rarotongan activities hut. Happy hour prices were better at other resorts. Transport did not turn up for transfers but we were initially given a charger till we queried. The iron was not too great.

Customer service was great! Great bar and restaurant. Loved the beachside villa and waking up to the view of the ocean every day.

Continental Breakfast was $25 and underwhelming.

The Sanctuary was beautiful and quiet, we loved how peaceful, and tranquil the beachfront access is and the in room amenities offered, such as snorkel gear!

We had dinner at the Sanctuary restaurant which we found we weren’t offered menus or tables service after being seating for 10+mins , I had to order at the bar. The food we ordered was the Island style fish and chips and Fish Sandwich, the fish and hot chips tasted like it was microwaved and been sitting for hours. For the price guests pay may need to look at the quality of food being offered.

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.

Amazing location with spectacular views from the rooms. Love the activities provided by the resort and the dual use of the Sanctuary and the Rarotongan. Food and drinks were great. Amazing range of fruits for breakfast. Swim up bar and pool were great places to either relax or socialize. Although service at times may be seen to be slow (other reviews), it's Raro time!!!! Relax, sit back and enjoy! Keep an eye out for Ringi and Aisake, they are the personalities of the place and couldn't ask for better service!

Music could be more consistent around the food areas.

the staff, location, room and value for money.

food was okay but not great. look to eat out more often than not if you are looking to stay there and want something better than okay.