Sunhaven Beach Bungalows

Sunhaven had the best spot of the three places we stayed in Raro, right by a beautiful beach. The bungalows are roomy enough and spotless, and with only a few rooms the place feels intimate. We ended up having nice chats with other guests. The owners are friendly and laid-back, and we'd come back and recommend it. One thing did bother me beforehand: I asked to change my booking from three nights to two because of a trip mix-up that was my fault, but they declined. We paid for three nights and stayed just two. Next time I'll check the booking details before confirming.

The rooms, grounds, and pool were all kept spotless, and the hosts made us feel welcome and looked after. It’s a magnificent place to stay, and we’d happily recommend it to anyone holidaying in the beautiful Cook Islands.

Utterly disappointing. The bungalow felt like a shed and was covered in flies. The owners seemed helpful at first, but after we were victims of crime they wanted nothing to do with us. My husband ended up in hospital. This island feels like “face off bay watch, body off crime watch.” If you’re white and look like you have money, be aware!

We had a great time with the hosts and would love to return. It’s a fantastic place for a break, with a comfortable bed, regularly changed linen, and fresh towels each day if you want them. The furnishings are a bit dated, but it’s well located for walking to pubs, cafes, restaurants, and more. We hired a scooter and loved it, and walking or running up to 4km one way to the next pub was easy. Two things let us down: it rained for all 10 days, and the Raro dogs bark, bite, chase, and get in your way all the time.