Muri Beachcomber
Twenty-two rooms, one lagoon frontage, free kayaks every single day
Muri Beach has long drawn Rarotongans and visitors alike to its calm, island-studded lagoon, and Muri Beachcomber has held a fixed address on its sand for decades as one of the area's established, family-run stays. Each has its own veranda and lounger set out front. It is a compact, self-catering operation rather than a full-service resort. Kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear and bicycles are free to borrow, and a daily breakfast pack and fresh fruit are left at the office. The lagoon here is shallow and sandy, safe enough for children to swim unsupervised close to shore, and snorkellers regularly spot turtles offshore. A market and a run of cafés and shops sit within walking distance, and the island bus stops at the gate. Watergarden Villas, tucked toward the quieter end of the grounds, are set aside for couples and often given as a complimentary upgrade to honeymooners. Muri Village itself keeps a working, lived-in feel rather than a resort strip. The result is a plain, well-run base on one of Rarotonga's better-known beaches, long favoured by returning guests.