Room check: Club Raro Resort, Rarotonga

One of the attractions at Club Raro Resort in Rarotonga is the swim-up pool bar - one of only two on the island. Photo / Supplied

Laura Hutchins is blown away by the hospitality at a three-star Cook Island resort.

Getting there? Club Raro Resort sits on the edge of a coral beach on the northern coast of Rarotonga, just a 10-minute drive from the airport.

Check-in experience? It felt more like a welcome home party than a hotel check-in. We were greeted by what looked to be the entire staff. I'm not sure who was more excited to be there, the staff or us. The floral lei and bottle of cold water on arrival were nice touches.

Room? We were in 249, a newly refurbished lagoon-front room. For a three-star resort, this room was a lot more than I expected. These rooms are adults only and come with spectacular views across the Pacific Ocean. It was quiet, clean and had everything we needed, including a comfortable super-king bed and a separate bathroom. Yes, there is a TV. But let's be honest, it's the islands. We didn't turn it on once.

Toiletries? Nothing fancy, but enough to wash the sand away at the end of the day. Large soap dispensers in the shower. The best bit was the brown facecloths especially for makeup removal. I despise having to use pristine white washcloths to clean my face.

What's in the neighbourhood? Rarotonga is small, so everything really. You are only five minutes' drive from Avarua, with its popular bars and restaurants such as Trader Jack's and Whatever! bar. Only 10 minutes' drive in the other direction is the white sand of Muri Beach. Here, you will find a host of tourism operators; our favourite was Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes. Past Muri, you'll find Fruits of Rarotonga; the beach in front is a great spot for snorkelling. Don't forget your reef shoes.

Noise? For me, I had the rumbling of my husband snoring. For everyone else, it's perfectly peaceful. These rooms are tucked away from the rest of the resort.

The good? Club Raro Resort has one of only two swim-up bars on the island. Base yourself poolside and make sure you order a Toblerone cocktail or three. The on-site restaurant also does a beautiful ika mata (raw fish dish), if you want to try local cuisine. The staff are what make this resort so great. Everyone from the manager to the cleaner happily stopped for a chat and offered tips on where to explore or to eat. And they're all locals so we found their advice invaluable.

The bad? Everything is closed on a Sunday in Rarotonga, even Air Rarotonga doesn't fly. So make sure you have stocked up on supplies and plan for a relaxing day at the resort. Which isn't really a bad thing. You can hire bikes or snorkel gear from the resort reception, which will provide entertainment for the kids.

Price? Rooms start at $186 a night. A lagoon-front room will cost you $262 a night. There are regular deals on the website.

Value for money? In this case "you get what you pay for" doesn't apply. I can't believe it's only three-star.

Perfect for? Couples who want an island getaway on a budget.

Would I return? Absolutely.

CHECKLIST

Club Raro Resort is in Tupapa, Avarua, on the island of Rarotonga. Phone: 00682 22415.