Paradise Cove & Samade

PARADISE COVE

The beach is right out the door!

This is the nicest budget accommodation we can find on the island, plus Craig and Laurene and kids will be staying at a neighbouring property. This is sunset side, with a lagoon and safe swimming but the primo swimming is in the central lagoon.
The price they have given us is $135 per night and includes airport transfers but not Credit card processing fee ( deposit is 2 nights per unit and works out to be $280.80 once credit card fee is added) 
For a family it will be $135 per couple plus $40 per child with a max of 2 kids, so $215 per night.
Just keep in mind that the garden suite is "cosy" with not a lot of extra room to move, but with a beautiful lagoon at your door step who wants to be inside anyway?

SAMADE

Samade Cafe and bar

I am just waiting on a quote from these guys.  Samades is located closer to the primo lagoon swimming, where the lagoon cruises depart from.  The units are not beach front as the Samade Cafe/Restaurant and Bar is at the beachfront.  Units look very slightly bigger than Paradise Cove and they are air-conditioned.

The price they have given us per couple for 5 nights is: $915
This includes breakfast for 2 for five nights (with dinner available at $25 per person)
Airport transfers and Credit card processing fee included

They are Laurene's picks for couples!!!

Vacancy for a Couple to share with Family

Are-a-matatui has beautiful and spacious accommodation, with a FULL kitchen and everything you need to cook if you want to.  Washing machine, all linen and TWO bedrooms each with its own bathroom.  For a family this is the best space you will find.
Rochelle (sister) and Craig's family are interested in staying here and sharing with another couple, for a total price of $460 per night (dividing the cost however you want to).

So you will be staying with Laurene's beautiful and entertaining nieces - Kaea and Elidi, you get all the extra space and all the extra bells and whistles like the full kitchen, washing machine etc for a little bit more than staying at Paradise Cove, which is lovely but doesn't have the space and extras.

Give it some thought, Craig and I and kids will be staying in the beach front Villa, and may also be looking for some roomies, so watch this space.

ACCOMODATION BOOKINGS

If you want to be a part of the group bookings at Paradise Cove, Ranginuis Retreat, Aretai or Are-a-matatui, please try to get back to me either by

1. leaving a comment on this blog, or 
2. emailling me laurene@munchkins.co.nz 
3. or laurenewilliams@hotmail.co.nz

If you just tell me I'll forget!

I know that this is a big thing to commit to so early on but I'd really like to make a tentative booking by the end of August at the latest so we can secure the accommodation, especially at paradise cove because I know most of our NZ travel agents recommend this place.

And of course if I have suggested you stay somewhere and you don't want to, that's fine!  The island is small but has a range of options for a range of budgets.  It is smaller than Raro for those of you who have been there, but because of its shape getting from one end to the other does seem a hike.  There is also no public transport, just feet, scooter, car or transfers.

Sue I haven't checked if the Araura School hall is available!  Check with Gene!!!! LOL :-)

THANKS!

FAMILY ACCOMMODATION

Aretai & Are-a-Matatui

If you are not staying at Paradise Cove with your children, or Ranginui's or Ootu, then this is where you should stay.

Aretai has 3 villas, 2 beachfront, 1 just behind.  They start from $300 for couple, then $50 for each extra person.  Full kitchen facilities, very spacious.  Great swimming and snorkelling beach, not on the central lagoon but has a beautiful sunset.  I have read amazing reviews about these places, that the hosts are incredible, with scones on arrival!

Our family are most likely to stay in the beach front Are-a-Matatui villa. Their other villa is just behind it and is $460 per night, 2 bedrooms each with their own bathroom.  very spacious and a slight step up from Aretai Villas.  The landscaping and private beach here is beautiful.  Not on the central lagoon side but beautiful and safe all the same.

I would love to have Scott and Fliss and family in one of these villas, Paul and Holly and kids in another, and Chelle and Craig and family in another.  Then all the cousins are close to each other, Sacha and her kids will be close by at Paradise Cove, and Ros, Gene and kids are pretty much next door.  Karl you would also squeeze in here pretty easily but if you prefer kid free space then Paradise Cove will be better and keeps you close to us - if you want to be!  At this stage the only other children coming would be your "big kids" Sonia.

I would also like to book these ASAP so please think carefully about your choices.

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa, Pacific Resort, Tamanu

These are all in the $400+ range, but you also get what you pay for! 
Ros, our resident local, tells me that
Pacific Resort is much more isolated, polished and has great warm, friendly and efficient service in comparison to the Lagoon Resort & Spa.
Tamanu is also supposed to be a little cheaper than the other two.  Bex and Richard stayed here and loved it, though sounds like they'll be staying at the Lagoon resort and spa this time.  They don't allow children.
Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa is the sister resort to the Rarotongan.  It has a "prestigious" position on the lagoon side.  It offers all the things you'd expect from a bigger resort. Definitely need to hire a scooter to see the rest of the island, or to get to Paradise Cove, Pacific Resort and Tamanu.  If you are feeling really indulgent they do over water bungalows!!!!

Please feel free to book these through your travel agent as they will probably give you the best prices.

Budget but Great Accommodation Options

Accommodation Options and Reviews

Craig and I have just sat down to review some of the accommodation options trying to work out what would be suitable for most people.

Factors we have tried to consider include

1. Price per couple or family
2. Proximity to restaurants or grocery stores for those wanting self catering options
3. If full kitchen facilities are available or kitchenette
4. Air Conditioning, ceiling fans and mosquito nets
5. Inclusions such as breakfast, scooter, cruises, pool etc
6. Use of kayaks, snorkelling gear
7. Location either on the beautiful inner lagoon or the sunset side of the island

For couples or singles our recommendation is Paradise Cove  

I would really like to book these ASAP.  There are 10 beachfront bungalows here for couples/singles, with garden suites just behind, and also 2 FAMILY units in garden suites that will accommodate 2 adults and 2 children.  For a Couple/Single just $150 per night for a FAMILY just $230.  I am confident that if we book as a group and soon we will get it even cheaper than this.

Its a 2-3min drive or 10min walk to Paradise Cove for restaurant eating and cocktails.  30min walk to town

Units are small, clean and tidy, definitely the nicest for this price.

The people we are thinking could stay here are:

• Sacha and Whanau
• Stace (portacot available!!!!)
• Mum Williams
• Kurt and Jess
• Karl (probs you could stay with Scott or Paul too)
• Mark and Steph
• Mel and Paul
• Leens and Rorz
• Bing and Rich
• Fee and Allan
• Excel crew
• Jackie and Keith
• Sue and Bob

This is actually most of the wedding crew!  So we would easily book the place out. Plus our family are likely to be staying next door at the Are-a-Matatui Villas, with a night or two at either the Pacific Resort or Tamanu both of which are close by and have bars and restaurants.

Ranginui's Retreat

This would be the only other comparable accomodation on the lagoon side, close to Ootu Beach, very close to Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa, Samades Restaurant, and also where our wedding cruise departs from.  Craig and I always thought we would rather stay at this part of the island because the lagoon here is like heaven.  But after reading some reviews on Trip Advisor there seem to be some drawbacks.  It is a long scooter ride to get to groceries/supplies.  One reviewer quoted $24 for a sandwich at Samades, and comparable prices at the Lagoon Resort and Spa.  So either its expensive eating out, or you need a scooter to access groceries to take advantage of kitchen facilities in your unit.  However they advertise a 

5 night package- $840 per couple, under 2s free and $40 per night for extra person

So for 2 adults and 2 kids (over 2) it works out to be $248 per night

A couple works out to be $162

The inclusions appear to be VERY good and make it excellent value for money. These are:

• airport transfers
• a lagoon cruise for 2 people
• scooter hire (not sure how long for)
• kayaks
• breakfast starter pack
• and it has a pool

There are 2 units with aircon but you pay extra for that, but the units are fully screened for mozzies.

We would also suggest to the above people to consider this option plus Scott and Paul's families especially if Craig's Mum and Steve stay at the Lagoon Resort and Spa.

Samade, and Ootu

Samade ($200 per couple per night for 3 nights) as you have read also has a bar/cafe/restaurant.  Craig and I have had dinner here and its location looking out over the Lagoon is AWESOME!  Though none of the accommodation is on the beach.  It seems over priced for what you get.  You would need a scooter or car to get supplies if not eating out.  Close to Lagoon Resort and Spa.  I have read that service here is not good.  On the PLUS side each unit is air conditioned.
Ootu can cater for a family at $350 per night.  Ootu is supposed to be "the beach" to be at.  It is near Samade and Lagoon Resort and Spa, so on the beautiful lagoon part of the island and where the cruises leave from.  It can accomodate up to 6 people ($425 per night)so could be a very good option for you WEBBER FAMILY.
Please don't consider Inano.  We have read so many reviews about the crazy lady that runs it, She asks for money for just about every little extra thing including use of kayaks, she also boils the water to sell to you, generally not good.

If you would like to stay at Paradise Cove or Ranginui's retreat please let me know ASAP and I'll make a group booking.  If you want to stay at the other options please make your own arrangements, but let me know what you are doing.