Five-star Titikaveka Beach, Rarotonga
Little Polynesian Resort
Fourteen bungalows and studios on the white sand of Titikaveka, for adults only, with a saltwater infinity pool that runs out towards a protected lagoon.
Opens the hotel's own website. We have no arrangement with the hotel.
- Bungalows
- 14, for adults only
- Rebuilt
- 2006, on the site of a beach motel
- Lagoon
- Marine protected, kayaks free
- From the airport
- About 25 minutes, our estimate
The hotel
A motel turned into a village.
This was once the Little Polynesian Motel. In 1985 two Cook Islands sisters, Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid, a traditional chief, and Jeannine Peyroux, bought it. In 2006 it was fully redeveloped as a small resort. In 2016 it joined the Pacific Resort Hotel Group, which also runs Te Manava and Pacific Resort on Muri Beach. It sits on Titikaveka Beach on the south coast, facing a lagoon that is a marine reserve.
The bungalows borrow the high vaulted roofs of Cook Islands buildings, with mahogany floors and limewashed trim. A craftsman from Mangaia wove the ina ere sennit lashing, a pattern meaning to catch a star, and said nobody had done such work since 1891. The tikitiki tangata, men holding hands in peace and unity, recurs through the buildings. Furnishings are European, the carved details local, and the materials were sourced on the islands wherever they could be.
- The pool and the lagoon A saltwater infinity pool that seems to run into the lagoon, a marine reserve where kayaks are free to take out.
- Craft in the roofs Sennit lashing woven by a master from Mangaia, and carvings and motifs from the islands in every bungalow.
- A spa next door Treatments at Te Manava Spa, at the group's sister hotel close by.
Rooms & suites
Ten on the beach, four in the garden.
Rooms have high vaulted ceilings, hand-carved details and a deck or terrace. Breakfast is included.
- On the sand Beachfront Bungalow Ten of them, with a king bed facing the lagoon, a sitting room up a few steps, an outdoor shower, an open-air spa bath and a deck with a day-bed.
- In the garden Garden Studio Four simpler studios set among the palms, a few steps back from the beach.
Dining
One restaurant over the lagoon.
As described by the resort group and Luxury Escapes. Shown for information.
- Little Polynesian Restaurant Island produce with European influences Open-air over the lagoon, breakfast to dinner, open to visitors
- Verandah dining Private dinner Served on your own deck, arranged ahead
Recognition
Recognised in the islands.
- World Culinary Awards, Cook Islands' Best Hotel Restaurant 2026, also 2022 to 2024
- World Travel Awards, Cook Islands' Leading Boutique Hotel 2025
Good to know
Before you go.
- Guests Adults only.
- Breakfast A tropical breakfast is included in the stay.
- Lagoon The lagoon in front is a marine reserve, and kayaks are free to borrow.
Getting there
Flying to Rarotonga.
Rarotonga International is on the north coast near Avarua, and the resort is on the south side of the island: allow about 25 minutes on the coast road, our estimate. Private aircraft use the same airport, which is not open around the clock, so landing times are agreed in advance.
- Aitutaki 40 min
- Tahiti 1 h 50
- Fiji 3 h 30
- Auckland 4 h 20
- Sydney 6 h 55 long-range jet
Questions
What guests ask first.
- Can children stay at the Little Polynesian?
- No. The resort takes adults only.
- Do the beach bungalows face the lagoon?
- Yes. The ten Beachfront Bungalows stand on the sand, each with a king bed facing the lagoon and a deck with a day-bed.
- Is there a spa at the resort?
- No spa on site. Guests use Te Manava Spa at the sister hotel nearby, and each beach bungalow has its own open-air spa bath.
- Can SkyCourtage arrange the flight to Rarotonga?
- Yes. We arrange Business and First Class seats on scheduled airlines and private jet charter to Rarotonga, with one final price, our margin included. The hotel is booked with the hotel or through our booking partner.
Staying at Little Polynesian Resort?
Book the room, then the flight.
Rates and availability come from the hotel itself. For the journey to Rarotonga, a Business or First Class seat or an aircraft of your own: tell us the date and we come back with one final price, our margin included.
Opens the hotel's own website. We have no arrangement with the hotel.