Reviews of Avarua Escape, Rarotonga
Avarua, Avarua, Cook Islands
#2 of 7 hotels in Avarua
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 29 apartment reviews
9.2Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
9.6
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Comfort
9.2
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Location
9.6
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Facilities
9.2
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Staff
9.7
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Value for money
9.4
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Free WiFi
10.0
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Showing 1 – 25
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Reviewed: 2 April 2025
Thomas
Australia66 reviews15 helpful votes8.0“More culture-history than sun-surf”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 5 nights
* Dim lighting in living-dining area makes reading impossible * Aircon weak for cooling bedroom overnight * Some creepy-crawlies entry due to recent fumigation outside * Scarce street lighting and aggressive dogs if walking after dark
* Convenient location to bus, banks, shops, museums, markets * Supportive hosts, with practical advice and assistance * Starter coffee-making and breakfast stuff ahead of shopping * Excellent wifi for computer and media access * Swimming pool made up for distance from beach
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 17 March 2025
Michael
Australia20 reviews8.0“Tropical getaway”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 9 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Driveway was blind on the corner...needs a trim
Great location..pool nice...
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 18 December 2024
Rachel
New Zealand2 reviews2 helpful votes10“Perfect homestay vibe🌸”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
I regret not checking into Avarua Escape sooner!!! I booked a one night at Club Raro resort for my first night stay in Raro - it was so hectic there especially while checking in/out, the staff seemed very overwhelmed and it was a bit of a wait to be assisted. Not even a small complimentary carton of milk for the complimentary tea/coffee/sugar in the room 😆
Check in/out was a breeze! So impressed with this little hidden gem! Tucked away in the back roads Secluded and private but still so close to town and within walking distance to shops, bus stop, café + the market. Lovely homestay vibes. Friendly and helpful host. The unit was clean, tidy and had everything I needed to enjoy a relaxing holiday + it also included a few little extra treats like - milk, slices of bread, jam, butter, fruit, cereal, tea coffee, sugar.The unit came w a few other essentials like bug repellent, fly spray, sanitizer. A water cooler in the unit saved me money on buying bottled water Also, the tap water is safe to drink there 🙂 Very spacious for a one bed unit. Helped myself to the fruit trees on the property - mango & starfruit 🥭 Pool was nice to cool off in after a walk to town. Access to the washing machine and dryer. The weather was crazy for a short period and the lovely Jody reached out to check if I was ok and offered me a ride to where I was going. I felt safe here as a solo traveler 🙂 I have reccomend this accommodation to friends and family and I will definitely be booking another stay here! The sooner the better! Thank you Avarua Escape and hosts Bruce and Jody xx
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 3 December 2024
Aaron
Cook Islands1 review10“Awesome 👌”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 9 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nil
WELCOMING HOSPITALITY, FLEXIBILITY, ACCESSIBLE
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 11 November 2024
Shaazreen
Fiji5 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
At night it was usually all black out outside. Sensor lights were okay but would appreciate if there was a solar light that was on full time
Friendly owners, complimentary breakfast set, location
Stayed in November 2024
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Reviewed: 19 October 2024
Crighton
New Zealand4 reviews1 helpful vote8.0Very good- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 8 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
plastic wine glasses would prefer table and chairs over breakfast bar lighting in kitchen/lounge very dim
handy location to bus stop and restaurants
Stayed in October 2024
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Reviewed: 25 September 2024
Rocky
Australia3 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 9 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
N/A
Friendly staff
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 14 September 2024
Olivia
United Kingdom19 reviews2 helpful votes10“Peaceful yet close to everything”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
I liked everything!
I travel pretty much non stop and this is one of the best accommodations I have stayed in. Communication was good before arrival, check in was easy, the space was really clean with good facilities and thoughtful touches. The hosts are so welcoming and helped me out with suggestions, booking tours and hiring a bicycle. Shops, cafe, market and bus stop nearby. I'd love to stay here again.
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 14 September 2024
Ros
New Zealand6 reviews1 helpful vote10“Well-designed apartment, in lovely relaxing grounds and great location, with kind helpful hosts.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
Incredibly relaxing accommodation in beautiful gardens with a pool, in a central location only a short walk from everything in Avarua. Lovely kind hosts, who went out of their way to enhance our stay. Apartment well-designed by people who had clearly thought about every need.
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 8 September 2024
Bill
New Zealand14 reviews2 helpful votes9.0“Rarotonga is a friendly,restful and relaxing destination which is what we wanted and Avarua Escape was accommodation tha”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 9 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
All good.
Large area,well equipped,convenient to town,very helpful hosts.
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 21 August 2024
Mirlande
Canada1 review10“Hidden gem, wonderful hosts, free wifi”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 5 nights
Nothing. Everything was perfect. Free Wifi, washer and dryer, pool, good location, wonderful hosts
Very good location! Jodie and Bruce went above and beyond to ensure we had the best time and we were comfortable. Always responsive and available to help!! They totally participated in making our honeymoon memorable. They will be forever in our mind !
Stayed in July 2024
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Reviewed: 29 June 2024
Whiu
New Zealand2 reviews10“Fantastic and calming. Loving hosts that we absolutely loved”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
N/A
Hidden secret gem in the middle of town but you would never tell
Stayed in June 2024
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Reviewed: 3 April 2024
Ann
New Zealand6 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
Absolutely wonderful accommodation and hosts. I do not even know where to start as we didn't just like everything about our stay, we loved it. I can not highly recommend enough. Beautiful location and accommodation, the most amazing hosts, we have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We can not thank you enough, Jodie and Bruce, for going above and beyond in every aspect of our visit/stay. We can not wait to come back again.
Stayed in March 2024
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Reviewed: 16 February 2024
Scott
Canada7 reviews10“Jodie and Bruce (Macka) are absolutely wonderful hosts who go out of their way to make you feel welcome and completely a”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 12 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
This property is close to everything and exactly as described and shown in the pictures. Walking distance to nice restaurants, bus stop and grocery store.
Stayed in February 2024
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Reviewed: 5 November 2023
Smith
New Zealand1 review10“100% exceptional stay”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Everything was perfect
We can not express our gratitude enough to our amazing hosts, Jodie and Macca. Every recommendation they made for food, tours, and nightlife activities were exceptional. The Avarua Escape was perfect for us, a beautiful, quiet, and serene setting, perfectly located with all the amenities, and the pool was perfect and private. we can't wait to come back again Meitaki maata
Stayed in November 2023
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Reviewed: 29 October 2023
Christine
New Zealand2 reviews9.0“Very comfortable stay for work in a handy location.”- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 6 nights
My only suggestion for improvement relates to the lighting in the living area for the apartment I stayed in. The lights were very dim and this made it difficult to work at night and even see if I had cleaned the dishes properly.
Great location, walking distance to some good restaurants. Really comfortable apartment and it was great having a separate bedroom, the private entrance and the lush garden. The hosts were friendly and easy to talk to. I would definitely stay again.
Stayed in October 2023
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Reviewed: 24 October 2023
Harry
Canada41 reviews4 helpful votes10“Relaxing experience!”- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 8 nights
N/A
The garden and nearby shops and beaches. Had a very relaxing time. There is a filtered water dispenser so I had plenty of water. The hosts made sure I had great experience and dropped me off to the airports!
Stayed in October 2023
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Reviewed: 2 October 2023
Vicki
New Zealand5 reviews8.0“Our stay was lovely , the unit was great”- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 20 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The coach was not very comfortable and the light in the dining area could have another shade or a standard lamp in behind the couch in the corner would make reading so much better
Stayed in September 2023
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Reviewed: 11 July 2023
Lorenz
French Polynesia1 review9.0“Wonderful experience. I would love to stay there again at my next trip to Rarotonga”- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 10 nights
The light on the main room ceiling is too dim, due to the thick white non-transparent plastic screen. I had to take the screen off to have comfortable reading light im the room in the evening. No big deal, but I would recommend installing a transparent screen instead, as the light bulb itself is quite strong.
Very convenient location, 5 minutes walking distance to all the main shops and restaurants in Avarua town. Quiet, secure and comfortable location. Very clean and spacy apartment.
Stayed in July 2023
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Reviewed: 15 December 2024
Natasha
New Zealand11 reviews7.0“Was a great location private and spacious.”- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 6 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Great facilities
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 21 March 2025
Ngaoa
Cook Islands1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
There are no comments available for this review
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 26 October 2024
Megan
Australia3 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
There are no comments available for this review
Stayed in October 2024
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Reviewed: 27 July 2024
Luciano
New Zealand2 reviews9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
There are no comments available for this review
Stayed in July 2024
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Reviewed: 17 May 2024
Monica
Australia1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • One-Bedroom Apartment
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
There are no comments available for this review
Stayed in May 2024
Showing 1 – 25
