Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa Rarotonga

Cook Islands , Rarotonga
Rarotonga, Ara Tapu, Cook Islands
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20 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2025

brent

The setup of the villas is awesome very calming and relaxing
Extremely lovely staff

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Aug 2024

Peter

The property was simply amazing. The weather wasn't the best, but we had everything we needed in our Villa so we didn't need to leave. The plunge pool was cool and refreshing but my wife preferred the spa - which she could heat up to whatever temperature she wanted.
Magical finish to our time in Cook Islands.
You could not want for anything more.
The WiFi is now free as well which was a pleasant surprise to what was advertised.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 Jul 2024

Anton

Staff were attentive when asked questions and got repair of kayak done quickly but broke after being fixed. Quite basic for 5 star accommodation. Very disappointed in breakfast. Three of us staying in two bedroom villa and got a croissant, juice and muesli with bowl of yoghurt to share. We got two bagels on one day to share for three and a muffin cut in half one day for three. No fruit and we were on a tropical island. Snorkel equipment was included but mouth piece was broken. Waking up to view every morning amazing and perfect location for villa on the beach. Overall we thought that it was very overpriced for what was presented.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2023

Yvonne

Beautiful facilities and close to Muri beach. Staff very friendly. Stunning outlook but quite windy although very warm. The pool and spa in a quiet and sheltered location. Would definitely return.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2023

Lucille

The villas were lovely and right on the beach and the staff were fantastic! Would absolutely stay again!

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2023

Brooke Sean Cunliffe

Property itself is great, but the breakfast options were pretty damn poor. When paying big $ for a villa, then breakfast options should match. But 2 slices of toast, packet of muesli and a couple of eggs, is piss pour tbh. Beach in front was average, not really a good seimming beach

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Private beach access, own pool and spa were fantastic. Lovely and quiet, extremely comfortable and beautiful view. We didn't want to leave.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

Our unit was in need of maintance
The position of the beach side u it meant in July it got no sun at all all day

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

25 Mar 2019

Rick

I hated the musty smell from the rock wall with mold. I complained and they said they would take care of it. I don’t know what they did or if they did anything because the odor remained. I kept the A/C and fans on with the windows open. That made the odor tolerable until the neighbor started burning yard clippings. Just another odor I don’t care for.
The staff, linens, bed, and shower were all comfortable but the mold was unforgivable. I don’t drink and I don’t normally get headaches. I woke up every morning with a headache

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2018

Graeme

December 2018 stay

Quite frankly, Rumours is fantastic. Of course they have the bonus of being right on the beach at Muri but wow, do they excel everywhere else too!
We were picked up from the airport and on the way to our villa, Andrew gave us the low down on what to expect, where to eat and other vital information. He was so accurate with his descriptions too. If he recommends somewhere to eat, it'll be good!
We completed our check-in in Spa Villa 6 itself and it was the most relaxed check-in experience I've ever had. Light hearted and fun but very informative. The only distraction was the view. Talk about a wow factor when you walk in to the villa and see that for the first time. It doesn't tire seeing it each morning either.
The villa is a lot bigger than we expected and extremely well maintained and cleaned to an incredibly high standard. We weren't expecting a four poster bed, let alone 2. There's a great well stocked kitchen with a full sized fridge.
We had a big bathroom (there's another upstairs with a laundry in it) with his and hers sinks, towels provided for both indoor and outdoor use and changed as often as needed. A deep plunge pool one side and the lagoon on the other. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment provided. A large deck for sunbathing and relaxing and even a hot tub.
Andrew and Belinda are brilliant hosts – visit them at Rumours and they'll certainly take care of you!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Treat it as a luxury motel. It is not a hotel.

Excellent. 5+ This was what we wanted even if rained out as we had taken reading material(although they have their own).

They rectified an unread email, promptly or else we would have had hiccups.

Suggestions for those that follow:

1) Consider flight times relative to Villa availability (2pm). At moment flight in from LA arrives at 6am odd. We paid extra to rent a day room and this recommended. In fact we moved right in, which of course was even better but given popularity this can not be guaranteed.
2) Use their pick up and drop off if jet lagged. You can rent a car in Muri Beach which is 15-20min walk for middle of stay.
3)Order the self catering breakfast the day before and have breakfast at dawn so you can get out to lagoon early if tide in
4)Order the lunch pallet day you arrive and store food in fridge if you do not need to eat it all that day
5)Rent a compact car if it might rain. Do the island on a rainy day. The 3 museums we did were worth seeing but only one (at Muri Beach) is up to modern standards. Remember most of island culture artefacts got exported to Europe by missionaries etc. The corner shops are open 7am to about 6pm. The food range on offer there is limited (4 sort of decent food shops on whole island, mainly imported NZ basics, and of course fresh topical fruit but Rarotonga bananas for example are not your supermarket size). Oranges might not look like much but taste excellent- much better than the Raro juice of 40 years ago in NZ.

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2018

Verified traveler

Nice Hotel close to the beach

A nice hotel in a good location . Go for a room with a full sea view, as ours had a partial view - which we knew - however we should not of compromised.

The hotel location is on the east side of the island and the wind was rather persistent so unfortunately the beach had limited use.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jul 2018

Stunning, private retreat

This property is truly exceptional. Each room has a private entrance and pool with a cascading waterfall. The beach is pure white sand and the lagoon is a stunning aqua-marine blue. Views are breathtaking. Belinda and Andrew went out of their way to accommodate us during our stay. The resort is a once in a lifetime destination. Highly recommend.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2018

Geoff

Great location of famous Muri Lagoon

We found that our stay on Rarotonga in the Cook Isles was a perfect location for our relatively short stay of nine days. The locals are so \"laid back\" and friendly. Our fellow tourists were mainly enjoying their stay as we were. No doubt, we will one day return and again enjoy the experience.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2018

Mario

Everything about our stay at Rumors was excellent. We were blown away by the villa and we can't say enough positive things about the staff. They were very attentive and went above and beyond if we had any questions or needed assistance. We can't wait to go back and if you are look for a great place on the beach in Rarotonga, with everything you could need and a staff that is like family, Rumors is definitely the place. Thanks Rumors for making our stay fantastic!

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2018

Shelley

Fantastic Experience

We stayed here for our Honeymoon. Belinda, Andrew & their staff were absolutely fantastic. We felt they went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. They organised a rental car & sightseeing for us. Transfers included, even though we arrived in the middle of the night & completed check in, in the car on the way. The Villa was fantastic, clean & well maintained. The views were also fantastic. We loved that it was beachfront, but high enough up that it was very private. Breakfast was delivered daily (we chose the self cook option) and the food was fresh & delicious.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2018

Verified traveler

Stunning Villa and Resort

Beautiful Resort with excellent customer service. Owners Belinda and Andrew are amazing and make you feel very welcome. Each villa is equipped with everything you need. Very, very clean, spacious and very luxurious. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Sep 2017

Verified traveler

Amazing!

We spent 4 nights at Rumours in September 2017. Belinda and Andrew were wonderful hosts and so helpful.

We stayed in Villa 1, and although you could not see the beach from our room, that didn't spoil our enjoyment at all. The 2-bed Villa was very spacious and immaculately furnished.

As other reviewers have noted, the beach is a little rocky, and not easy to swim right off the shore from the Villa. However, we knew this before we booked.

I would not hesitate in recommending Rumours for anyone wanting a luxury, and very private 2-bed location in Rarotonga.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2017

Old Dave

Luxury with superb personalized attention

Probably the most luxurious villas on the island right on the beach. Fully equipped with everything from kayaks to espresso maker. Complimentary sparkling wine and beer in the fridge and more snacks than I could consume on my stay.
What really made Rumours special was the personalized attention from management and staff from the time I made my reservation until the end of my stay. It felt like I was staying with friends, only possible at a place with few units. It is not just that they know your name - they each tell you theirs. As a first time visitor at peak season it was particularly helpful that they proactively reached out after I reserved to suggest and advise on booking activities which were fully sold out by the time I arrived.
Just a fabulous few days - best ever.

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2016

Rob

Walk out from villa straight onto a beach!

Villas clean, VERY private, private pool, right on the beach, excellent staff. Awesome.