The Islander Hotel

Stopped here for lunch. Excellent burgers, (chicken & beef). Sat by the edge of the dinning area looking out to sea… lovely. Staff were helpful and the price ok for this type of environment.

If you want a quiet relaxing stay on the island, this is not the place.
Rooms are comfortable enough and clean, staff are very friendly,.
The room we were in had large windows with obstructed beach views. The obstruction is the Bar and bar tables! … We are unable to open our curtains without drunk bar patrons looking directly on our room.
The bass from the bar music finished at 11pm on Sat (fair enough for a bar) and then began again at 8am on a sunday morning.
Now it’s Sunday night and they are still going on so loud at 10pm even though hotel staff advised it would close at 9pm.
If you are looking to stay in a nightclub this is the hotel for you.
Otherwise DO NOT BOOK AT THIS HOTEL.

Clean and comfortable week long stay with friendly welcoming staff. I was worried about loud nights at the Hula bar but they all finished at a reasonable time. The hotel seems to have had renovations done and the glass is thick to block out most of the noise. I enjoyed my time here in the Cook Islands and appreciated the hospitality from all the staff at the Islander — did not encounter a grumpy one, contrary to the reviews below.

We booked the islander for an overnight stay before our flight back to Australia from Rarotonga. Really comfortable rooms and very clean. The restaurant was lovely. It was great well priced meals. It’s only a walk across the road to the airport so very convenient.

Its a 3mins walk across the airport. Staff were great and friendly ♥️ room was amazing, clean and comfy though the TV is not working but its alright as the internet works really well. I cant move on with their foods, all the food that we ordered were superb and big portion (thumbs up to the chef for cooking good food)
Maraming Salamat and Mabuhay.

We didn't stay overnight but spent the day eating and drinking waiting for our 9pm flight out. This was the perfect spot for this as they have a pool which we used, and enough rooms in the bathroom to change out of your wet stuff before walking across the street with your luggage. Yes you can put your luggage aside here, big bonus. Food was great, but like many places in Roratonga, check your bill carefully. Our $80 bill had to be vetted… The actual bill was $38. No issue, but on island time. Go here, have a great time.

What a lovely place and lovely staff. The Islander is straight across the road from the Rarotonga airport. After I checked in for my flight, I decided to come have breakfast, not realizing that they don't serve breakfast after 10:00 a. M. However, they graciously seated me and brought me a wonderful plate of eggs Benedict. Thank you so much.

Incredible amenities across the street from the airport. Great place to hang out while waiting for a layover. Reasonable priced drinks and food. If.
I come back, I will make a stay out of it!

We went for cultural night and it was an amazing experience! The performers were incredible and their passion for their culture shone through. The buffet food was the best meal we had on the island and everything was super fresh and plentiful.

The Islander represents itself accurately on it's website so we knew that we'd be getting a very basic room, in an older hotel, that was walking distance from the airport. As we were flying in at 11:30pm and leaving at 10:00am the next morning this hotel worked well for us. When we arrived, the hotel was quiet (bar closed) and we were provided a key to our room. We knew in advance there would be nowhere to eat so we planned accordingly. However, we should have purchased bottled water at the airport as there was none available at the hotel, though the person on duty did offer to get water from the bar area. The room was clean, bed comfortable and the strong shower was great. We loved having breakfast overlooking the ocean and all of the staff members were friendly and efficient. As guests who had "breakfast included" we could choose between 6 different items on the cook to order menu which was a nice hearty alternative to continental buffets you find elsewhere. Food was tasty. Overall, it met our expectations and we left satisfied. Would I spend my entire Rarotonga vacation at this hotel? No. Was it a good choice for an airport convenient overnight stay? Yes!

Not the best experience, however it works for a budget friendly accommodation, that are not fussy and like constant music. If you’re looking for peaceful wave watching, this is not the place! The food is amazing, the morning male waiters are great and friendly. Them & the chefs are the main reason I didn’t give this place a 1 Star. The room cleaners are lovely and friendly, they have a aircon running in the rooms so the temperature is perfect. Also they have aromatherapy in the room. Unfortunately that’s where it stops. Their are small red ants in the room, and found a cockroach running away after we opened our door. There is no designated parking so when you’re trying to come home on Fri — Saturday etc you’re stuck waiting for the 2 party buses to leave and hoping someone leaves so you can park your car. If you’re in the way, they will bump your car. The bathroom mats are cream and not white, which it originally was, really should change it to a colour other than white. When we first arrived the check-in lady point we us to go to the bar, the bar lady politely took us back to the front desk and it felt awkward as they communicated. The entrance is not really friendly, gives backpacker vibes. The other thing there is no female available to provide massages, only a male. From what I can see this is cheapest massage prices on the island, I decided to pay more and have it elsewhere. The check in lady thought it was rather odd that I didn’t want a massage from a male.

If you’re looking for a budget friendly place, I would recommend The Islander. Not the most attractive entrance, and bar could use a serious upgrade. The waiters are lovely and the chef is amazing! The food is large portions and so darn yum! I had guests attend from other resorts just for the breakfast and dinners. It is not very kid friendly, however the room attendants are so friendly and interacted with both my daughters. I never saw anyone using the pool as it’s awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant. The music occasionally goes over 11pm, but mostly 11:15pm they are done and the lights shut off too. Lots of locals enjoying themselves here. What I find annoying is the parking, our rental car was scraped in the car park one of the team warned us to be aware that they will knock the rental cars. The rooms are clean, large and nice mini fridge. The TV needs an upgrade and the shower but other than that I love the air purifier! Brilliant. Will add more once we leave.

It's a run down 2 star motel, definitely not 3 stars.
1) Tried to charge a drinks bill to my room. So difficult and inflexible. Wanted me to go to room and get card/cash.
2) The island night at $95 is way overpriced for repetitive dance routines and a below par buffet dinner.
3) Requested late check out on check in. It was never confirmed. Upon leaving was charged $50 for late check out. Should have been advised on both counts. Btw first time in 35years of business travel that I have been charged a late check out fee! Says it all.
4) On final morning went for breakfast at 10.15. I had checked the compendium in room beforehand which clearly stated breakfast was served until 10.30. Was immediately told breakfast was no longer available as kitchen was closed! Waiter kindly went and checked but came back and said not available. I immediately went to front desk and was told breakfast finishes at 10. I said the literature in room says 10.30. Response just a shrug and we will get compendium changed! I insisted that was not acceptable. Response nothing to do with me go to the bar/restaurant manager! Spoke to restaurant manager who again said breakfast was no longer available. I produced the compendium as proof that service was until 10.30. Finally they agreed to serve me breakfast as if they were going out of their way and doing me a favour. THE ATTITUDE OF STAFF LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED.
5) The noise from the Hula bar is very loud with techno music being played until 11pm.

The islander hotel & spa was kind to give us a place to sit, eat and relax while we wait for our late flight to arrive. Super friendly staff, jumped in the pool and it was so refreshing! The dining outside had a beautiful view of the ocean, would recommend whale watching while you’re out there! Music was chill and calming not too over the top and not too quiet either! Our favourite though was the dog, George, who just laid next to us and had a big snooze! They held our bags and luggage’s for a small fee which was excellent! Also, located right next to the airport which provides easy access for when you arrive to Raro and leave. 10/10 food options and spectacular pricing! Would definitely recommend and we will be back! 100/100 experience. Thank you Islander Hotel 🐕

2/8/25 Last night before leaving. Parked our bags for the day and spent our last day exploring. Rooms clean and tidy. Hot water pressure lovely. Had a drink and saw a whale breech in the ocean from the balcony. Had a beautiful omelette and coffee for breakfast. Definitely stay again.

Visited a couple of time this time to Raro and always enjoy our experience. Lovely restaurant with one of the best ocean views on the Island. Food is great with a wide variety of options and value for money.
Husband has an hour long message with Alex and said it was one of the best he’s had. We both will booking next time we are back in the Cooks.
This place is worth a visit when you are in this wonderful paradise.

Had a meal here last night before our 10 pm flight. It was really good! 2 x steak and 1 x sashimi and 1 x fish and chips. Lovely service. Great spot to park your cases and get the last little bit of raro vibe before you leave. Definitely recommend.