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(Adults Only 18+ years) 4* Situated on the famous Muri beach overlooking Rarotonga’s famous pristine lagoon, our modern ‘adults only’ 18+ resort opened in 2018. Moana Sands Lagoon Resort offers 24 deluxe studios and suites spread across two levels (ground and first floor), a large spectacular swimming pool, cabana, sun lounging deck, kayaks, guest laundry, Hibiscus Spa and the contemporary and stylish Laguna Restaurant & Bar. (note: restaurant is open to outside visitors with children aged 10yrs +). All rooms come complete with modern amenities: - air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, safe, refrigerator and hair dryer. A handy shopping hub is located just a couple of minutes’ walk. Close by is famous Muri, home to the island’s lagoon cruises, night markets and a huge variety of restaurants. During your stay why not try one of Papa Ben’s famous donuts, located just down the road. This little store is a local icon, having been in operation making donuts for nearly fifty years! Wifi vouchers are available for purchase at reception. With our south-easterly aspect, you have the perfect vantage point to wake up to one of our stunning sunrises. Our resort is truly the perfect choice for those seeking a romantic, child-free, tropical escape in our island paradise.
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We had room 712 It was awesome! right on the beach and full access to pool and kayaks. The resort is super chill and there was only 4 rooms full out of the 24 when we were there in January. The staff is super friendly especially my little friend from Poland who works the front desk! The restaurant on the property is actually not owned by the resort. The food was just o.k in my opinion there are better on the island but that is part of my other reviews! I would highly recommend this resort if you are looking for a newer place to stay!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Claire McErlane, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 16 Mar 2021
Kia Orana! We're so happy to read your feedback of our resort and our staff! We look forward to hopefully one day seeing you again here in our little piece of paradise!
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We had a couple of days at Moana Sands after a week at the nearby Pacific Resort, so we are comparing it to a much more expensive and potentially one of the best in Rarotonga. Moana Sands is smaller and more compact, but is also an excellent spot and better value. The rooms are clean and bright (brighter than Pacific Resort), and have a great view out to the sea. The swimming pool is very close to the room, and the sea only a little further. The snorkeling is better at high tide at Moana Sands, and there is snorkeling gear and a few kayaks (not as many as at Pacific Resort) and it isn't too far to kayak out to the island in the lagoon. The shower was nice with little bottles of shampoo and shower gel. Plenty of towels provided for the frequent dips in the pool and sea. WiFi required a voucher but speed was fine and reasonable cost ($10 special for 15 GB). There is a charge to use the laundry facilities ($5 token for wash and $5 for dryer - there was no charge for laundry at Pacific Resort). Continental breakfast was fine, not as wide a selection as Pacific Resort, but they did have nice muffins. Cooked breakfast available on request for additional charge. There isn't much parking in front of the hotel, but plenty on the grassy area opposite (free from coconut trees). Water is filtered (at Pacific Resort it was necessary to get drinking water from one of the outlets around the hotel). As with many of the hotels on the island, there are massage and spa that can be booked, which my wife used once during our stay. Overall, a great spot to which we would love to return one day. It doesn't have the lovely grounds of Pacific Resorts, but is equal in most other respects and is much better value for money.
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Date of stay: February 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Rooms 710 to 712 closer to the water on ground floor, or 722 to 724 on upper floor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Moana Sands Group, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Kia Orana Thank you for your kind review, the team are delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay here in the beautiful Cook Islands. Meitaki ma'ata e kia manuia
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From the moment we were greeted at the airport to the moment we checked out, the service at this resort has been excellent. The facilities, including a beautiful pool, the location - walking distance to Muri town and our room - spacious with a balcony overlooking the pool and the lagoon were beyond our expectations. We used the kayaks to paddle to the nearby island for snorkelling which was like swimming in an aquarium with a huge variety of fish. We treated ourselves to a hot stone massage at the resorts spa which was amazing. Our stay included continental breakfast at the Laguna restaurant which was deliciously simple with juice, tea/coffee, fresh fruit, cereals, toast, cheese and locally grown tomatoes (menu of cooked options available at very reasonable prices). Highly recommend this adults only hotel and hope to come back again.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Recommend the day pass or the 10 ride pass for the bus.
Te Ara museum and Marie Nui Gardens are...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Moana Sands Group, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Kia Orana Thank you for your kind review, the team are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us here in the beautiful Cook Islands to celebrate your daughters birthday. We hope to welcome you again in the not too distant future. Meitaki ma'ata e kia manuia
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During our recent stay at Moana Sands Lagoon, we encountered a mix of positives and negatives that left us feeling quite underwhelmed, especially when compared to other tropical destinations we’ve experienced in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Positives:
• Our room was spacious with beautiful views overlooking the pool and the ocean, which was a highlight at sunrise • The availability of snorkels, fins, and reef shoes for guest use was a nice touch, allowing for easy exploration of the ocean’s beauty. • The provision of a free washing machine and dryer added convenience to our stay. • The barista coffee in the restaurant was notably good, and the inclusion of soy milk was appreciated. • The staff generally displayed friendliness and a welcoming attitude. • The hotel’s location, just a short walk from a handy small shop and the necessity for transport, emphasizes the need to hire a car, which can be quite an adventure in itself.
Negatives:
• The overall atmosphere of the hotel was lacking. There was no background music and minimal staff interaction, which contributed to a somewhat soulless experience. • The bar’s happy hour was disappointing, offering no happy hour prices and limited opening hours that did not cater to guests wishing for daytime cocktails by the pool or even lunch options. • A personal instance that highlighted the lackluster service was when requesting ice; being told to fetch it myself from the bar and then feeling like an inconvenience merely for asking. • The closure of the bar and restaurant on Sunday (and unexpectedly the following day) was a significant inconvenience, leaving us without on-site dining options. • The fact the restaurant is is a separate business to the hotel with a limited offering does provide a bad customer experience and doesn’t reflect well on the hotel and the way customers think of the Moana Sands brand.
Overall: Moana Sands Lagoon oozes potential but seems to be doing the bare minimum for its guests. As a no-kids resort on a tropical island, the expectation for a relaxing and indulgent experience, including cocktails by the pool, was not met. With some effort to enhance the atmosphere, service, and amenities, Moana Sands could truly become a standout destination. Until then, it feels like a missed opportunity to deliver a memorable guest experience.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We (2 couples) have just returned from 10 wonderful days here. We loved everything about it. The very spacious, very clean rooms with a gorgeous view, the inviting pool area, the location - fairly easy walk to Charlie’s, Mooring Fish Cafe, night markets and several bakeries/cafes - the cocktails, and especially the staff. Mere and Vinnie in Laguna for breakfast, dinner and drinks were outstanding - warm and friendly, and always interested to hear about our day. Leilani at reception couldn’t have been more helpful, with great suggestions for restaurants etc, and help with bookings and confirmations. We would love to go back there one day, and will be recommending it to friends!
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Moana Sands Group, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Kia Orana Thank you for your kind review, the team are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us here in the beautiful Cook Islands. We hope to welcome you again in the not too distant future. Meitaki ma'ata e kia manuia
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This was our second stay at Moana Sands Lagoon. A well appointed property with great staff that are super friendly and knowledgeable.
The rooms are spacious. All have views to the lagoon. The upper floor rooms having the superior views. The cleaning crew do a great job with the rooms being incredibly clean.
The breakfast (complementary) is basic but acceptable. There are a number of menu items that can be ordered (charge able), which are well presented and tasty.
The pool area is spacious.
The lagoon is only a few metres away.
They have water sports gear available for use, free of charge.
We had a late flight and as they were busy, we’re unable to secure a late check out. That being said they made. Room available to us so we could shower and change before heading the airport. We were also ble to utilise the resorts other facilities even after check out.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Moana Sands Group, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Kia Orana Thank you for your kind review, the team are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us here in the beautiful Cook Islands. Meitaki ma'ata e kia manuia
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We stayed for a week in the lagoon suite...a room with a lovely view and plenty of space. It also has a nice big deck to sit out on. Breakfast was included but really needs a bit more thought and attention to detail. The coffee was so weak I ended up bringing a plunger to breakfast to have a good brew. Bread and cereal choices were both extremely poor and again I ended up buying some grainy bread at the supermarket and bringing it along each morning to make toast. The resort is adults only which is a big plus if you are not travelling with children and makes for a peaceful stay. The other improvement I would suggest is that there needs to be more sun loungers. Only 7 loungers around the pool for the entire resort is not really good enough. Otherwise it was a very pleasant stay, staff are very helpful and nice. The beach is good and the location is handy to Muri Beach and across the road is a supermarket and a great takeaway fish and chip shop.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovely place to stay. Very clean and modern. Leilani who checked us in/out was amazing. So friendly and helpful. Only scooter parking onsite, but across the road there is a huge area for car parking if you've hired a car. Our room 712 Beach Suite was huge! Quiet aircon, wonderful shower, spacious and comfy bed/pillows. Great view over the beach. Location is close to everything in either direction i.e cafes, restaurants, shops, Muri Markets etc.. They had a great assortment of reef shoes, goggles, fins etc to go snorkelling. The entire complex is very well maintained from the impeccably kept gardens to the great pool area and contemporary styled rooms. If you want peace and quiet away from the maddening crowds and kids, then this is the place for you. It may not have all the razzle dazzle and hubbub of the bigger resorts but I'd take quality over quantity any day. There is nothing 'tired' about this place - it's modern, clean and well kept and we will be back for sure.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have visited Rarotonga over 10 times in last 15 years and we now have our new favourite place. It used to be The Little Polynesian but we preferred our stay at this resort. The girls at reception were super friendly and nice , our room the Lagoon Suite had awesome views and was spotless with a very comfy bed. The restaurant served very nice food but it the two young men who gave outstanding service which made our meals there even better. They were very prompt on serving drinks and cleaning tables and always worked at a fast pace. Thank you team for making our stay fantastic and we have already booked for next year so we look forward to seeing you all then.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Moana Sands Group, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Kia Orana Thank you for your kind review, the team are delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay here in the beautiful Cook Islands. Meitaki ma'ata e kia manuia
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This is a great resort with great location on the beachfront and easy access to lots of places nearby for tours, dinners, snorkeling etc. Resort has really spacious rooms and lovely pool and restaurant. Staff are really helpful and everything clean and tidy. Easy to go straight out onto beach or wander along to Muri Beach for cafes or tours/shows. Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:All rooms good - looks straight onto pool
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Moana Sands Group, Marketing at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Responded 2 Aug 2021
Kia Orana John H Thank you very much for your kind review. We really are very lucky to have so many fun activities and dining locations nearby and we are also delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us. We look forward to seeing you again in the beautiful Cook Islands sometime soon Meitaki ma'ata e kia manuia
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Papamoa, New Zealand594 contributions268 helpful votes
Hi there . We bought a Vodafone voucher either at reception or the dairy across the road . The dairy on some days had a special deal which was a lot cheaper than reception . The WiFi worked OK in our room . Cost was pretty reasonable.For us only $10 a day for adequate MB Cheers Graeme
Feilding, New Zealand86 contributions10 helpful votes
Yes, internet was available free. Airport transfers also included. Local restaurants are within easy walking distance (We loved Aqua!). Also consider the NIGHT MARKET open several nights act week, and handy to resort. Excellent food at good prices.
There are more places to choose from in the Muri area.
PRICE RANGE
$388 - $456 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Cook IslandsSouthern Cook IslandsRarotongaMuri
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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