Muri Lagoon View Bungalows - Hillside Bungalow

I read a few of the negative comments about the Lagoon View Bungalows and despair at the comments some people will raise when this is clearly not advertised as a high end luxury property - yes you realise that also by the price you pay - and yet they fail to tell you that for a very reasonable rate you get very clean and well presented bungalows which are serviced every 3 days by the most welcoming and pleasant housekeeping team. You absolutely get views of the lagoon which, as clearly stated in the website - is a 10 minute walk to the Muri township. Given it is elevated - there is a driveway up but not (as described by one person) really steep. It is a slight rise for around 100m. As a hotelier myself and having managed 5-star Luxury Properties inn NZ over many years - I can honestly say that this property is value for money, clean, well presented and without doubt - a must stay. We have just spent 7 nights at the bungalows and would highly recommend if staying in Muri. Given all of the high end luxury resorts welcome anyone in - you can save money on your ‘bed for the night’ by staying at the bungalows and spend the money saved on some of the wonderful experiences Rarotonga offers - while still being able to frequent the resorts. My only comment would be to the owners - put a sign on the main road at the bottom of the drive- as one comment was correct in saying, it is difficult to find. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

MLVB are located on the hillside with a peep of Muri Lagoon. They are extremely difficult to find and I dont recall any instructions provided to assist. I had to stop and ask a few people and ended up going to Muri Beach Club for help as there is no sign on the road. Basically look for a sign that says Aroko Villas, directly opposite that is Aroko Drive, head up that road and almost at the top there is a sigh and the Villas are on your right. No one is there to check you in so look for the villa with your name on it. Villas are good size for 2 people and fully equipped to be self catering. The view from my Villa at the back was a bit disappointing but I think others had a better view. It's only a 5 to 10 min walk into Muri but take a flash light as it's super dark at night. Pack some ear plugs too as there are what sounded like a hundred roosters outside crowing all through the night. Apart that that it's a nice quiet, safe spot.

Firstly I would like to set straight several mistakes in other reviews. The walk up the hill is NOT steep nor is it a LONG walk. Secondly there is a view through the trees to Muri Lagoon. No it's not on the water, it has Muri Lagoon Views - just like the name says people! Roosters...yes there are roosters, there are roosters everywhere in the Cook Islands. Our name was on the door we walked in and the self contained cottage was spotless and modern. The bed is large, decor is polynesian interesting and new. The kitchen is highly effective with all you need and more. The bathroom was virtually new, well maintained with plenty of products and lovely pressure and hot water. We stayed on a night the Muri Markets were open so we opted not to cook. We walked easily to the markets, about 500 metres soaking up the atmosphere of Rarotonga (walking past many other dinner options and convenience stores and atms), enjoyed looking at huge scurrying crabs, local houses with the ancestors graves, chickens with tiny chicks, friendly dogs. I highly recommend Muri Lagoon View it over delivers, and the hill IS NOT AN ISSUE, thats just nonsense.

I had booked a bungalow for 7 nights. I only lasted less than an hour after check in! The photos must be very old as the bungalow didn’t look anything like them in real life. The whole place is very run down and definitely in the budget/backpacker category. I was told I’d have to pay an extra $50 per night for air con even though my booking clearly stated that air con was included. I had booked via Agoda so my payment for the 7 nights was non refundable but I honestly would have paid more than that to be able to get away from that place! I ended up finding a place just down the road for the same price but a million times nicer. I’m still having nightmares about the terrible state of the bungalows!!!