Very aptly named, this beautiful adults-only hotel is situated on one of the most stunning beaches in Rarotonga—an island often overlooked by holidaymakers due to the slightly more challenging route from the United States. But trust me, this hidden gem, tucked away off the beaten tourist path, is well worth the journey.

If you tell people you’re heading to the Cook Islands, expect a few puzzled looks and a “Where on earth is that?!” But I guarantee that once they see your photos, that question will quickly change to “Omg, I need to visit!” And honestly, I’m not exaggerating when I say you won’t need a single filter for any of the pictures you take here—every shot looks like a postcard. The Cook Islands are truly a jewel of the South Pacific, and Sanctuary on the Beach offers an idyllic adults-only oasis on a pristine stretch of sand. I can almost guarantee you’ll be using your photos as screensavers for years to come.

Location and How to Get There

Now, this is where things can get a little tricky. Until recently, visiting the Cook Islands from the United States required travelling through Australia, New Zealand, or Tahiti—making the journey not only long and exhausting but also quite expensive. However, there’s now a game-changer: Hawaiian Airlines offers a direct weekly flight to Rarotonga’s international airport from Honolulu.

This is the route I took—spending one night in Honolulu before hopping on the short six-hour flight to Rarotonga. If time and budget allow, I’d highly recommend spending a few extra days in Oahu before heading to the Cook Islands. If you’re travelling that far, you might as well make the most of it and explore as many islands as possible! Plus, with the Rarotonga flight departing in the late afternoon, you’ll have an entire day to soak up Oahu before heading off. Just keep in mind that you’ll land in Rarotonga around 11 PM, so be sure to arrange your transfers with your accommodation in advance.

Another fantastic option is to fly via Tahiti, either before or after your Cook Islands adventure. Not only is French Polynesia my favourite place on earth, but with the islands being so close, it almost feels wrong not to visit both if you’re making the journey!

Once you arrive in Rarotonga, it’s just a short 15-20 minute drive from the airport—though your exact travel time depends on the local “traffic.” Rarotonga runs on island time, where no one is in much of a hurry, a mindset I fully embrace! With only one road looping around the island, your pace will depend on the flow of others—but trust me, slowing down and soaking it all in is part of the charm.

Check-in Process

Despite our flight arriving at 11 PM and not making it through customs and immigration until close to midnight, we were still warmly welcomed at the airport by hotel representatives eager to greet us to their beautiful island. Our passports were quickly photographed, and within minutes, we were whisked away to our hotel.

Our shuttle driver was fantastic—offering us a mini crash course on Rarotonga along the way. From cultural insights and transportation tips to the best local restaurants and must-do activities, she made sure we had all the insider knowledge we needed to make the most of our time in paradise.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the 24/7 reception team at The Rarotongan (the sister property of Sanctuary on the Beach) welcomed us with a friendly greeting. Since Sanctuary is the adults-only side, it has a more intimate feel and doesn’t have a round-the-clock reception, but both properties are connected, allowing guests to enjoy the amenities, dining options, and facilities of both resorts which was a welcome surprise!

The day before our arrival, we had received an email from the hotel staff asking about our dinner preferences, as they knew we’d be arriving late. To our delight, when we entered our room, we found a delicious spread waiting for us—pizza, French fries, and pineapple fried rice, such a thoughtful and much-appreciated touch after a long travel day.

Rooms

Sanctuary on the Beach offers two main room types: Beachfront Suites and Beachside Suites, with the only real difference being proximity to the beach. I actually had the chance to stay in both (completely unplanned, thanks to a delayed flight that resulted in the airline putting me up at the same hotel again – not a bad outcome, but that’s a story for another day!).

The suites are spread across two levels, and regardless of whether you’re on the ground floor or first floor, you’re guaranteed stunning views. The first-floor suites offer an elevated vantage point with a covered balcony, while the ground-floor suites provide direct beach access, you can literally step out of your patio door onto the sand. Each ground-floor suite also has a couple of sun loungers right outside, perfect for relaxing with a morning coffee or sunset drink.

A unique perk of the suites is that they come with their own set of snorkels and fins, which can be swapped for different sizes at the main reception, a great touch considering the incredible snorkelling right off the beach.

Inside, the rooms can be set up as twin beds or a king bed and come equipped with air conditioning, a television, mini fridge, kettle, and Nespresso machine. There’s also a table and chairs, a wardrobe with a safe, ironing board, and iron. The bathroom includes a shower, sink, and a selection of toiletries. One slightly quirky feature I noticed was the shuttered window between the bathroom and bedroom, which both of my rooms had—though I never quite figured out its purpose!

Overall, I found the suites spacious, functional, and comfortable, but the outdoor space was by far the highlight, nothing beats waking up to the sound of the waves and having the beach quite literally at your doorstep.

Food and Drink

Sanctuary on the Beach has one main restaurant and bar, but guests are also welcome to dine at The Rarotongan, the sister resort next door, for a bit of variety. While the menus are largely the same, the atmosphere and views differ, giving you the chance to mix things up during your stay.

Breakfast is served right on the sand from 7:00–10:00 AM at the main restaurant. Most rooms come with a complimentary tropical buffet, which includes fresh fruits, cereals, oatmeal, bread, pastries, jams, pancakes, cold meats, and cheeses. If you prefer something hot, there’s also an à la carte menu featuring full English breakfasts, omelets, scrambled eggs, and more.

A major plus was how attentive the staff were to dietary needs—on my very first morning, they already knew about my gluten-free restrictions and immediately offered me gluten-free bread and pancakes to supplement the buffet. A thoughtful touch! There’s also a selection of juices, coffee, and tea to accompany your meal.

I also tried breakfast at The Rarotongan a couple of times. While they had a slightly larger buffet selection, it was noticeably busier, with lots of families and kids around. However, the option to dine right by the water made it a lovely experience.

Lunch and dinner are served in the same restaurant, featuring an all-day menu from 11 AM until late. The menu offers a mix of traditional Polynesian dishes as well as Western favorites like pizza, pasta, and burgers. If you’d rather dine in your room, room service is available until 9 PM for a small fee. On our last day, we opted to enjoy lunch on our balcony while packing, which was a relaxing way to wrap up our stay.

A highlight of the week is Monday night’s “Island Night” at Captain Andy’s restaurant at The Rarotongan. This event features a huge Polynesian buffet and a live cultural dance show, offering a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the local traditions. Reservations are essential, and I highly recommend booking at check-in—we forgot and unfortunately missed out!

One of the biggest positives was that all menus clearly label dietary options, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and gluten-free adaptable dishes. This was a huge relief for me, as there was so much I could eat, and simple substitutions like gluten-free bread or omitting soy sauce made nearly everything accessible. Their gluten-free pizza was one of the best I’ve ever had!

Facilities 

While the beach is definitely the focal point of the resort, the stunning pool in the middle of the property feels like a hidden tropical oasis, and with a swim-up bar, there’s really no reason to leave. Just behind the pool, there’s a wall stocked with different-sized snorkels, fins, and reef shoes for guests to use. I highly recommend using the water shoes when wading out, as I heard reports of stonefish in the area, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. The snorkeling just off the beach is truly spectacular, and it’s worth trying even if you’re a beginner—the water is shallow, and there are so many beautiful tropical fish.

There’s also a tennis court, though I didn’t see anyone using it during my stay, possibly due to the intense heat wave we experienced. A number of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are located right on the beach, so you can simply pull one into the water and paddle out at your leisure. The waves break a long way offshore, so you’re almost guaranteed a calm and easy paddle. Guests also have access to the facilities on the Rarotongan side, which includes another pool, an air-conditioned gym (which actually had a decent amount of equipment, though some of it had seen better days), an activities hut, and guest laundry facilities.

One of the most useful amenities was the “Raro Gift Shop” by reception at The Rarotongan. Open 24/7, it’s not just a souvenir shop—it also sells snacks, cold drinks, beer, and wine, making it a great option for picking up last-minute essentials.

The only possible downside to this hotel was the WiFi situation. While I was glad that WiFi was available, you had to pay for it, which isn’t something I’m used to seeing at hotels these days. It might just be an island thing, and in the end, I didn’t use as much as I thought I would, but it’s something to keep in mind. During my stay, it was around $20 NZD for 5GB of data, and while I would have loved to disconnect completely, I did have work to do on this trip. The only real inconvenience was that when you pay for WiFi, it only works on one device, so if you have a laptop, phone, and work phone, you’ll have to purchase three separate plans. Not the end of the world, and honestly, I was just happy that WiFi was available at all.

Most guests seemed to spend the majority of their time in the water, whether in the pool or the ocean, taking advantage of the selection of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkels, and fins. With so many ways to explore the lagoon, there’s always something new to see. Turtles are often spotted in the mornings just in front of the Sanctuary’s beach, so it’s worth getting up early to try and catch a glimpse.

Activities

The hotel also offers a variety of daily activities, most of which take place at The Rarotongan. A schedule is posted on the board opposite reception near Captain Andy’s, so you can check what’s on each day. Some of the activities include island drumming and dancing lessons, ukulele lessons, pareu (wrap-around sarong) tying, palm-frond weaving, flower garland (lei) making, coconut husking shows, crab hunting, crab racing, guided village and nature walks, karaoke, trivia nights, and bingo.

For those looking to explore beyond the resort, the front desk can help arrange various day trips or assist with car and scooter rentals so you can discover Rarotonga at your own pace.

Service

I truly received excellent service during my stay at the Sanctuary. While the island itself may operate on “island time,” that certainly wasn’t the case with the service here. Food was always served quickly and with a smile, and every staff member I interacted with was an absolute pleasure to talk to—friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help. There was a genuine sense of pride in their country and culture, and I loved learning more about it through them. Many of the staff even remembered my name, which made me feel like I was among old friends.

Closing Remarks 

I really enjoyed my stay at the Sanctuary, it lives up to its name as a true sanctuary on the beautiful island of Rarotonga, a place that completely stole my heart. I loved that it was adults-only, beachfront, and private, offering a peaceful escape while still being just steps away from the livelier atmosphere of its sister resort next door. The staff truly made the experience for me, and I can’t wait for the day I can return to one of my new favorite places in the South Pacific.

Ready to book Sanctuary Rarotonga? Click Here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Cook Islands” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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