The Best Rarotonga Resorts with Private Pools

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5th August 2022

Is your first thought when we mention luxury accommodation in Rarotonga, somewhere to stay with a private pool? A pool for you and no one else? If it is, then curl up for a pleasant read about the beautiful, posh, and upscale Rarotonga resorts with private swimming pools that are available around the island. We'll also learn about the best adults only resorts and private villas in Rarotonga, just because we can!

The 15 tiny islands that make up the Cook Islands, also referred to as the Jewels of the Pacific, are dispersed across two million square kilometres of ocean. Rarotonga is the largest landmass of all the Cook Islands and is known for its white sandy beaches, waters that range in colour from blue to turquoise, gorgeous waterfalls, and craggy hills.

What better way to take advantage of this tropical island paradise than to stay at one of the best resorts in Rarotonga, complete with luxurious accommodation and your very own heavenly private pool?

Sea Change Villas

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Beach Front Villas at Sea Change Villas. Image credit: Sea Change Villas, Rarotonga.

First you must choose from either a Beach Front, Garden View or Lagoon View Villa. Then imagine yourself taking a dip in your own private pool before drying off on the sun lounges in your sheltered private courtyard.

Either way you can’t go wrong with Sea Change Villas, located on the southern side of Rarotonga positioned on the shores of Titikaveka Lagoon. It’s a chic, intimate resort, which is a great alternative to some of the bigger resorts on the island.

Sea Change Villas offers 15 boutique villas, all with their own private swimming pools. Mix that with their outstanding customer service and you’re in for a holiday to remember. Each of the elegant villas have been designed with a lot of thought and care to ensure your total privacy.

Dine at any of the local restaurants close by or opt for in-room dining options including tropical breakfasts, picnic lunches, sunset BBQs and platters.

Due to its location, no matter the room type you opt for you can be sure of enthralling panoramic lagoon views and that trademark Cook Island white sand. Tropical fish are yours to view while either snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. The beach is also ideal and safe for swimming.

Sea Change Villas is tucked away on its own secluded white sandy beach with breathtaking panoramic lagoon views making it one of the best private villas in Rarotonga!

Nautilus Resort

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Nautilus Beachfront Are' with sea view. Image credit: Nautilus Resort.

Private saltwater swimming pools are what the Nautilus Resort Rarotonga is all about.

This eco-friendly resort offers 17 freestanding luxury Are’s or Villas. With palm trees a-plenty, this boutique beachfront resort is set against a stunning mountain backdrop. Nautilus Resort features a quintessential Cook Islands setting but with luxury in the detail, down to the UV treated and filtered water on tap in each room.

For families there is even a dedicated Kids Concierge free of charge, which is simply a divine option for parents needing a well-deserved luxurious break. Perhaps book yourself into the on-site spa, rest and relax on your private deck with your own personal sun loungers, take a dip in your private plunge pool or try out the infinity pool. Clever how the illusion of everlasting water from pool to sea seems to make you more relaxed!

The dining is something special, as the Nautilus Restaurant is award winning and delivers a refined Polynesian inspired dining experience. Your meals can be taken in the main dining room or enjoyed casually with beachside patio dining. All with views over that infinity pool you might have been in earlier, white sand beach and the intoxicating lagoon waters.

Leave the real world behind and indulge and relax in the pristine beauty of this tropical island oasis - one of the best resorts in Rarotonga!

Rumours Luxury Villas

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Rumours Beachfront Villas Private Pool. Image credit: Rumours Luxury Villas, Rarotonga.

Consider Rumours Luxury Villas while contemplating luxurious private pool resort options in Rarotonga. The utmost amount of privacy, relaxation, and pampering can be found in their villas.

This upscale adult-only beachfront resort is an 11-minute walk from Tikioki Beach and 15 kilometres from Rarotonga Golf Course.

Two-bedroom villas are equipped with kitchens, espresso machines, and living rooms, as well as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, private pools, and decks with a barbeque. Upgraded villas include direct beach access, movie theatres, hot tubs, and hammocks – how lush!

Shuttle service and welcome gifts are among the freebies, which is a lovely touch. Breakfast is available for a fee and there are also kayaks and snorkelling equipment available for you to use, as well as a full-service spa.

The staff is welcoming, helpful, and will go above and beyond to make sure your holiday is everything you want it to be.

There are so many incredible features that make Rumours Luxury Villas one of the best resorts in Rarotonga, but the standout would have to be waterfalls off rocks flowing into the pool either side of the entrance bridge to your own beachfront private villa.

All in all, Rumours is definitely one of our favourite choices when it comes to luxury accommodation in Rarotonga.

Te Manava Luxury Villas and Spa

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Te Manava Luxury Villas and Spa - Ultimate Beachfront Villa. Image credit: Turama Photography.

This unique beach resort has it all: a 5-star villa retreat and an idyllic beachfront location. Each villa has a full kitchen and a private swimming pool.

Plus, views of Muri Lagoon can be enjoyed from this beautiful Rarotonga-style luxury accommodation. Te Manava Luxury Villas and Spa offers 13 self-contained villas, all modern and exquisitely decorated, with one-, two-, or three-bedroom options.

Te Manava Luxury Villas and Spa is ideal for those who value independence and privacy while relaxing in luxurious surroundings. This simply stunning resort, located on the sands of Muri Beach and overlooking a beautiful crystal-clear lagoon, is ideal for your island getaway.

Te Manava Spa features internationally trained therapists and a peaceful water garden setting.

With no on-site restaurant, each Te Manava Villa has a beautifully appointed and fully equipped kitchen where guests can prepare meals or snacks using the many local ingredients and food products available at markets and food stores.

When you're here, stock your refrigerator and pantry with your favourite food and beverage items so you can enjoy the taste of fresh produce grown in a tropical paradise.

If you don’t feel like cooking every day, all Te Manava guests are also Pacific Resort Rarotonga guests, so you can charge your food and drinks to your Te Manava Villa account when you dine at Sandals Restaurant and Barefoot Bar at Pacific Resort. In addition, there are numerous dining options in nearby Muri Village.

Some other larger resorts with private pools worth mentioning are:

Crown Beach Resort & Spa - Some of their villas and suites feature private swimming pools, so worth looking into if you wanted a bigger resort so you can make the most of their facilities.

Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium – This 4-star, full-service family-friendly Raro beach resort offers a few options of suites or villas with private pools. Located on Aroa Lagoon which offers great snorkelling, the resort also has a fantastic restaurant, a kids club, a spa and much more!