Rarotonga is the largest and most populated of the Cook Islands – home to the main township of Avarua and the international airport. Lush and volcanic, it is dominated by spectacular mountain peaks and fringed with a brilliant turquoise lagoon and powder soft white sand beaches lined with coconut palms. As one of our clients favourite destinations we thought we’d do a blog on The Little Polnesian…a gorgeous ‘jewel in the Cook Islands necklace of pearls’.
Clean lines and sleek ivory interiors blend seamlessly with thatched roofs, local wood, and traditional hand-carved artistry to create a look which is not only unique and refreshingly stylish – but also distinctly Polynesian. Each of the bungalows (or ‘ares’ as they are referred to locally) is the enchanting epitome of Dorice and Jeannine’s modern interpretation of a local Cook Islands home – the result is an elegant contemporary retreat which bears all the hallmarks of the islands’ long-established culture, tradition and time-honoured architecture. There are just ten ‘Beach Ares’ and four garden bungalows known as ‘Pia Tiare’.
Romance prevails in the heavenly Beach Ares – each of which boasts a king-size bed facing the turquoise lagoon. Steps lead to a separate living area – and the bathroom comes complete with an outdoor shower and spa bath set serenely under the stars. The ‘pièce de résistance’, however, has to be the private deck with relaxing day-bed and gazebo – a peaceful sanctuary where you can linger for hours tucked away amongst the palms overlooking the picture-perfect pristine beach! The four ‘Pia Tiare’, which nestle amidst the lush tropical gardens, are slightly smaller than the Beach Ares and offer simple kitchen facilities.
Little Polynesian is located on a beautiful stretch of white sand at Titikaveka on Rarotonga’s south coast. The ‘marine protected’ lagoon offers safe swimming and snorkelling and the views are just breathtaking! Complimentary kayaks are provided for guests’ use and there is also a saltwater infinity swimming pool which appears to simply float into the lagoon beyond!
A tropical breakfast is included in your stay and delivered to your bungalow each morning. For lunch and dinner, the hotel’s café-style restaurant, which looks out across the ocean, serves mouthwatering cuisine. Of course, private dining on your verandah can easily be arranged.
The island of Rarotonga is well worth exploring – do as the locals do and rent a scooter or jump on the island bus. A ‘must’ for any visitor is an evening’s Cultural Show – a memorable opportunity to witness the Cook Islanders love for music and dance. Owner Jeannine has a passion for traditional dancing which has been passed on through the family … her daughters make regular appearances in the shows! Couples and honeymooners alike, seeking a little luxury combined with a touch of authentic Polynesian charm… will undoubtedly be captivated by the delightful warm hospitality of this irresistible intimate hideaway.
Ana and Dale visited The Little Polynesian in Spetember 2011…
‘Little Polynesian – Amazing. We got lucky and were upgraded to the beach-front bungalow…just incredible. It’s a small place so you get to know the staff and they are super friendly. It was just fantastic – proper island living.The old cliche of waking up to the sound of the waves being the best thing ever…is very true. And the beach/lagoon just outside our room was pretty amazing and great for snorkelling.
We highly recommend The Diving Centre for people looking to go for a dive, even beginners. The staff there were very professional and made us feel safe at all times Also, we found that scooters were great to get around and even though we got 2 punctures, it was always easy to get a new one pretty much instantly!’
