The Cook Islands are a collection of 15 islands, spread over 1.8 million sqkm of ocean, a few hour’s flight time north of New Zealand. The Cooks are the traditional, exotic, laid-back tropical island lifestyle without the development that has plagued a lot of other Pacific Islands. Island life still stops for church on Sundays, and the fastest moving transport on most beaches are the local kids riding horses bare-back.
Luxury Villa for Less
The main town and international airport is at Rarotonga. There is a jail - but it has no real fence. There is a single road, and therefore a single bus route, which circles the island in an hour or two. The town is home to half of the Cook’s population of 20,000 people – this is not a bustling, sophisticated location. But if you are looking for what you couldn’t find in Hawaii or Tahiti, the Cooks may be the tropical island destination for you.
Up until recently the downside of the Cook Island’s laid-back friendly atmosphere was a set of a rather tired, down-market accommodation options – almost all of which were in the 1970’s New Zealand motel style (if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve missed nothing).
The recent upgrading of the Rarotongan Resort and Spa has changed all that though. The resort itself is very pleasent these days, but the jewel here is the historic Tiare Taporo ‘Lime Blossom’ Villa, which is a private villa within the Resort. The historic house has been turned into a haven of luxury, total privacy and expansive exclusive facilities. And all at a price which may well surprise you, a lot.
Originally a sea capitain’s home the Villa’s verandah still provides an excellent place to contemplate life over a gin and tonic. The villa is built around a new freshwater swimming pool but also a separate spa pavillion and also a “bathing temple” complete with sauna a rain shower.
The pool area has a enough space to host your own private wedding or other function, but inside the villa is worth a peak too. The pavillion includes 3 bedroom suites featuring super-king, canopied beds, flat screen TV, air-con and ensuites. There is a formal living and dining room and a fully-equipped kitchen. The vila has up to the minute high tech fit out as well including home theatre, sound system and wireless internet access.
Guests also have access to all the main resort’s facilities which include restaraunts, bars, a kid’s club and world-class snorkeling straight off the beach.
Now let’s face it a lot of people would love to somewhere like this – but would you pay – for accommodation which can sleep 6 in privacy and luxury elsewhere in Asia or Hawaii I would say you be looking at $3000 and up. The Villa Tiare Taporo – less that US$1000 including breakfast and maid serivice. Why so cheap? The resort is priced in New Zealand dollars, like the rest of the Cook Islands, which make the Villa Tiare Taporo possibly one of the best value luxury destinations you’ll see anywhere.
