Sanctuary Rarotonga-On the beach - Adults Only

The staff were brilliant, and I miss the place already. Our room was clean and comfortable, with a good bed, sauna, AC, fan, hot tub, and a good shower and bathroom. The food selection on site was limited, though what we had was good. Ask the staff about other options and trust their judgment. You can decide while sipping cocktails in the pool. The snorkelling right outside was the best on the island for us, with fish and turtles most days. Keep that in mind before booking costly snorkelling trips or turtle safaris. They can be fun, but they aren’t really necessary. They’ll collect you from the airport, so there’s no need to book another transfer. Best holiday I’ve ever had. What a place.

You step out of your room and are straight onto what we thought was the island’s best beach, with fantastic snorkelling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The staff were friendly and helpful, and Aquila the bartender was funny and made great cocktails. We loved the delicious included buffet breakfast, the menu food, and the local beer on tap. For an adults-only holiday, the name Sanctuary fits this resort perfectly.

We snorkelled in the beautiful shared lagoon every day, often twice when the tide allowed. The rooms were comfortable and well appointed, with a lovely view, and the resort was generally well maintained, though it isn’t new. During our five-day stay, the pool was always murky and dirty and needed a thorough clean by someone who could get the water clear. Breakfast was great with lots of choices, but dinner was hit and miss. The staff were always friendly and helpful. You could walk next door to the sister resort for other options, though there were plenty of kids there. I’d have liked a pool table or something similar, as our resort only had the pool, bar, and restaurant. Still, we had a nice stay.

The snorkelling was outstanding, and the swim-up bar was great. The breakfast buffet was one of the most extensive I’ve had, with something for everyone. We stayed for a week, and the team made the experience special. I’ll probably struggle to choose somewhere else on the island now. Thanks for a memorable week!