We spent ages researching where to stay in Rarotonga & got a deal online with itchyfeet to fly pacific blue & stay in Edgewater. It was quite a comparable deal, but upon arrival realised why! Unfortunately we'd booked shocking hours to fly(not great for a child) and the flights with Pacific Blue were very average, this was chosen due to meeting budgets. Don't do this! We have since chosen to pay a bit more to fly with Air NZ (much better!!) We had a very unfriendly welcome which we were shocked at, staying in a very average room, very much like a backpackers style. The airconditioner rattled & didnt work, the toilet run through, the walls were paperthin, you could hear everything next door. And roosters crowed from about 4am onwards. The 2nd night there were major parties nextdoor at 2am i finally had to ph and complain cos my son was also kept up. went to reception the next day and asked if could please move or upgrade, they said no! I even said I am willing to pay anything, I was genuinely upset, still refused me. Asked to see manager and all they did is change our room to another garden (lead in) room. This amenities (if any) in this room worked, but was so below average. The customer service and rudeness was genuinely upsetting. The pool area was OK, by day 5 we had to complain that the pool needed cleaning. Another family also complained as some of the locals who worked at the poolarea were in the pool and pushing all the kids out! All the of the staff were just SO rude!'happy hour', my cocktail took 30minutes to arrive! We visited the Rarotongan which was lovely and we wished we had booked there. We loved Rarotonga island and the beaches are lovely. Our friends stayed in the new part of Edgewater and that seemed lovely. Beware though of the old tired noisy part, book in the new part if you wish to stay here.Note get towels and snorkelling gear early in the day. Make sure you go on the island safari tour. Enjoy your trip in Rarotonga as long as you have good accomodation you will love it!

I have spent a month and half trying to organise to have my wedding at the Edgewater. I was appointed a wedding co-ordinator who only contacted me after I complained out the lack of communication. I wrote email after email sending all of them to the accomm manager, the wedding co-ordinator and also to the general Edgewater email. I was patient and just kept resending them!! I am living in Perth AU and have family travelling all the way from Ireland and New Zealand and really want this day to be a memorable one. I found myself getting stressed out and not enjoying organising my special day. Im lucky I didnt part with any money although my wedding co-ordinator did ask me for a deposit for the ceremony even though I was supposed to be getting it for free!!!! I still didnt get an explanation for that! I tried to book my mother and brother into the hotel and I think Im still waiting for confirmation on that!! I dont know what their problem is and I really dont think they are capable of running a business. My wedding party is a group of 40 people, most staying in Rarotonga for 2 weeks and they are a hungry and thirsty crowd. I have now brought my business elsewhere and am very happy with the girls I am dealing with. The stress and strain has lifted from me...Im getting married in March and Im sure Ill be writing wonderful things about my new helpers... from an Irish bride to be.. Brighid
ps I just wrote in the dates I stayed because it wouldnt let be post the review yet.. I havent been to Raro yet!!

I returned for my fifth stay at the same resort and enjoyed it as much as ever. Originally I had gone with my late husband booking through travel agents and had always been impressed with the friendly faces and helpful service. Last year I arranged directly with the airline for myself and a group of friends who also agreed it was a wonderful place to stay. The hotel always seemed to allocate a better room than expected which immediately put us in a relaxed frame of mind. This year I arranged for myself and friends directly with the hotel. We could not believe our eyes when we were given the BEST rooms in the hotel!!
The Island nights and Barbecue are superb with wonderful dancing and excellent food. The staff are attentive to your needs without being 'pushy' and are always willing to give that little extra if asked for. Live music is played many nights of the week which gives a very festive feel to the evening.
The hotel is located on the sheltered side of the Island and we met many people who were staying at more expensive resorts who had come to enjoy 'our' part of the lagoon which was nicer than where they were. We visited some of the other resorts during our stay but did not feel that we would have a better holiday at any of them.
I can thoroughy recommend this resort to anybody contemplating a visit to Rarotonga who likes a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Rarotonga was so beautiful & I would definately go back but I don't think I would stay at the Edgewater, The cleanliness was below avearge particularly in my first room, aparently a Beachfront Deluxe, I moved to a garden room after 3 days which was cheaper & much cleaner.
I asked for my aircon to be fixed for 3 days to no avail.
Pool was dirty but that wasnt too important as the beach was heaven so the pool is really only good for kids anyway.
I think staying in a smaller more boutique place on the other side near Muri beach would definatley be the go!!