Cook Islands Travel Forum

We are thinking of staying at the Shangri la cottages. Just wondering if anyone has stayed here?

Thanks for your help.

I was on Rarotonga last month. I visited the owner (Elliot Smith) at the Shangri-la Cottages, but I did not stay overnight there. I did not see the inside of a cottage.

Situated at the south end of Muri beach, they have good swimming beaches to the north (Muri) and good snorkling right to the south (up to Fruits of Rarotonga). So no need to take a bus to go swimming or snorkling and they have free kayaks for their guests.
They are close to the Sailing Club. There are some shops nearby and there are several places to eat out if you do not feel like cooking.

The grounds are well cleared and very well kept, which helps against the mosquitos.

Nice size swimming pool.

The cottages do not have beach/lagoon view. From some cottages you have a partial view of the lagoon (not much though IMHO). From the outside, the cottages look rather austere. They are set around the lawn and as they are rather close together, they offer no privacy if you are sitting outside on the veranda.

The owner is a walking encyclopedia of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. He has written a guide book to the Cook Islands, of which, I think, he still has some copies available for purchase.

I think their "Early Bird Special" is good value for money (although they do not cover maid service), but if you are dreaming of an exotic bungalow with a view from the porch of a white beach, turquoise lagoon and palmtrees, the Shangri-la cottages will be disappointing.

Thanks chinagazer

It sounds pretty much as I imagined . We have gone ahead and booked for a week ...seems like a good value.

We're thinking of renting a car . Did you notice if there are car rental places near by?

Yes, there is. If I remember correctly the rental company is Budget.
You can also rent a car upon arriving at the airport.

Thanks. I'll check it out .