Award winning Ikurangi Eco Retreat is the Cook Islands first purpose-built eco accommodation and glamping hotel created to give visitors to Rarotonga the option of a getaway that doesn't compromise the environment. Set amongst organic tropical gardens and local plantations with dramatic mountain views, get back to nature and indulge in a luxurious eco escape like no other. All guests enjoy a complimentary daily tropical breakfast delivered to your room featuring the organic fruit abundant on our property. Expect chia seed pudding with cacao nibs, bircher and island smoothie, croissants with smashed avocado - just to name a few. Also included is free bicycle hire to explore the island. Day and night markets, shops and dining options are only a short cycle away. Onsite reception and tour desk is open 7 days with friendly local advice on all the island has to offer. Centrally located in the north-east, we are 400m from the ocean reef, 5km from the main township of Avarua and 4km in the opposite direction from Muri and the best swimming beaches in Rarotonga. Being set back from the lagoon ensures our retreat and guests have a minimal impact on our marine environment. Ikurangi Eco Retreat is an intimate boutique resort with a total of four Luxury Safari Tents and three Tropical Are. Think luxury in an ultra-romantic tropical setting. NB: adults only 12+.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Overall we have given Ikurangi a "very good" rating or 4/5. We deducted 1 star because: 1) tent appliances and facilities are dated and need replacing (see photo of basins for example). 2) Whilst off the beaten track a little, is not as quiet as promoted. There is a fair bit of road noise and not to mention the Roosters who do not know what time it is and crow all night long. Tent 4 which we stayed in overlooks the carpark and reception which we really did not like. For future bookers - Tent 1 has the bath whilst 2, 3 and 4 have showers. We were charged an extra night for late arrival /early check in (at 2am) and the charge was about $120 more than we paid through Expedia. That was explained as we received discount from Expedia but as Ikurangi say they will price match, they did not. It felt like we were being charged for the fee they have to pay Expedia which spoiled the overall experience a bit. There is a lot of rubbish laying at the back of the tents. Breakfasts were different each morning delivered to tent around 8.30am with carton juice, fruit compote mostly and thick coconut yoghurt. Highlights were having Molly the dog and Possum the cat on-site. Always nice to have animals around even all the chickens and roosters. Ikurangi is a bit overpriced for what is offered and "eco" is a bit of a stretch with plumbed mains water and electricity without a solar panel in sight. Hosts Alan and Vicki were pleasant enough. That all said, we would recommend staying here (just not T4).
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Needs an outdoor deck light
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A very peaceful location in beautiful surroundings (with minimal disturbance from the local friendly roosters who can be very vocal during the night in other parts of the island!) Our hosts Alan and Vicki gave us a great introduction when we first arrived and took time to explain many things of interest about Rarotonga. Bikes and helmets were provided for exploring the island, and snorkeling gear was also available for one of the most amazing "must do's" in Rarotonga. The Are was spacious, comfortable and clean and was a great home away from home with good mountain views of Ikurangi summit. It even came with a few adorable nocturnal geckos (available in several sizes!) who like to visit after the sun has gone down. We did overlook the fact that there are limited kitchen facilities in the Are, which was a challenge for us being predominantly raw vegans in the off-season (June) for most of the local tropical fruits, but Alan and Vicki were very accommodating in helping us with a work-around. Alan's complimentary breakfasts were beautifully presented and very tasty and it was a credit to his abilities as a chef to cater for our dietary requirements with such variety and yumminess! A big THANK YOU to you both, Alan and Vicki, for an enjoyable stay, for being great hosts, and for being so approachable and willing to help out as and when the need arose.
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you enjoy a good mountain view, lush greenery, and fresh air, this is the spot for you. We stayed in one of the safari tents and had no problem either cooling down or warming up the inside for our comfort. Breakfast was delivered each morning by one of the owners (former chef), and was so so good every morning! They make every effort possible to provide an eco-conscious experience for guests, from environment-friendly soaps, reusable containers, food scrap collection for composting, to a composting toilet. The bus can be caught just a short 5 min walk down the road, and a great burger joint is a 20 min walk (we went there twice!) We really enjoyed our stay at Ikurangi thanks to the owners, Vicki and Alan, as well as the resident animals Molly and Possum!
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The bus makes the whole island accessible, but know that hours are quite limited on Sundays so...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you enjoy peaceful, calm, and serene surroundings - this is the place for you. As a couple, we wanted to enjoy all the island activities but also have a place that is quiet and private. The tent is very generous in size and uncluttered - but still with everything you need...a fab outdoor bathroom and great deck - where you enjoy the outdoors (night and day) and still have shelter. The pool, bikes and water gear all for free! Your hosts are knowledgable, and super helpful and the daily service is friendly and unintrusive....the kai is perfect.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paradise on earth, what more can I say? I arrived late in the evening but even then Vicky and Alan made my arrival warm and welcoming with the information map etc. I stayed for 5 nights in a bungalow and another 2 in a safaritent. Both are so nice and beautiful, well equipped with for example a fridge, spacious rooms, nice beds and really clean bathroom. The outdoor bathroom in the safaritent is really an advantage, taking a shower unerneath the sky full of stars, nothing can beat that. The place is nice and cosy with a couple of bungalows and tents, the beautiful garden and the swimmingpool which is a nice place to relax after your cross island trekking. Every morning Alan will wake you up with his "goodmorning goodmorning breakfast is ready", and what can be better than that lovely fresh made breakfast with fruits, juice, baked banana, eggs, porrigde. Every morning it's another surprise what you'll get and that makes the experience here even more special. When you're looking for a lovely, nice, peaceful, quite and most beautiful place on earth to stay just don't look further and book Ikurangi Eco Retreat. My 7 nights here where amazing and no doubt about it I will stay here again once I'm back on the Cooks. Thank you Vicky and Alan for your warmth and hospitality and hope to see you soon!
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicki and Alan C, Owner at Ikurangi Eco Retreat
Responded May 5, 2023
Kia Orana Nynke, thanks so much for your detailed review. It's a bit tricky deciding between our two distinct room types so we are glad you enjoyed both! If you ever decide to visit our side of the world again, you would be most welcome at Ikurangi. Kia Manuia, Vicki & Alan
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amazing place. If you are looking for a peaceful tropical escape, we highly recommend a stay here! We stayed 7 nights and loved the clean, relaxed and beautiful space. Our 'are' was spacious with a private porch and multiple zones to relax in. Breakfasts were incredibly tasty, nutritious and filling. Each one unique, using fruits grown in property and catered easily to gluten free. Alan and Vicki (and Molly the friendly small dog) are great hosts, provided an informative welcome, very helpful with bookings and advice on restaurants, activities etc. Bikes and snorkeling gear were provided, plus a sunday yoga session. We hired a car which was cheaper than taxis and gave us freedom to see the whole island. We loved the eco friendly touches from composting to freely available drinking water and their support for local conservation initiatives. 100% recommend
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicki and Alan C, Owner at Ikurangi Eco Retreat
Responded Sep 16, 2022
Kia Orana guys, thanks for taking the time to write an informative review, we appreciate it. We do our best to ensure each and every guest gets the most out of their entire holiday and after a busy day out exploring, Ikurangi is the place to come home to for peace and rest. Come visit us again! Kia Manuia, Vicki & Alan & Molly dog
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We stayed at Ikurangi Eco Retreat in January 2023 traveling with my wife and two children (young adults). The rooms were extremely comfortable and although no air-con was installed, this was not necessary as the room design captured the prevailing winds and there was always a comfortable and cooling breeze through the room. The gardens surrounding our rooms were lovely and well maintained, the pool was refreshing, and the view of the rain forest from our balcony was spectacular. Every morning Alan delivered breakfast to our balcony which was always different and always yummi. Vicki was always happy to provide advice on things to see and do and made a number of bookings for us. Travelling with young adults I confess that we were initially slightly worried that the location was a wee bit isolated, however we soon sorted out how the island bus service operates and where to catch it from - using the bus, we travelled all over the island visiting restaurants, bars and other attractions including great snorkeling at multiple different locations. For shorter trips, the bicycles supplied proved really handy. Overall, a wonderful place to stay in Rarotonga.
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Date of stay: January 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicki and Alan C, Owner at Ikurangi Eco Retreat
Responded May 5, 2023
Kia Orana, thank you for choosing to stay at Ikurangi for your special family holiday and for taking the time to write a review. Our location is great for those looking for tranquility while still being handy to all the attractions Rarotonga has to offer. We are very pleased you all enjoyed yourselves! Kia Manuia, Vicki & Alan
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Our mountain-view cabin was a true retreat...comfortable bed, kitchen facilities, well-appointed bathroom, and sitting areas (indoor and outdoor). The retreat is located in a very quiet residential area, a 5-minute walk off the main road. The grounds are lovely with a salt water pool and a yoga/workout studio space. Bikes and snorkeling gear/reef shoes are available for use. If you are missing your pets, cat Possum and dog Molly are available for pets and company. Breakfast is provided every day by Alan, a chef/restranteur. Very tasty and healthy! Vicki and Alan provide a great orientation and will help you book tours (definitely do Oz the AquaMan turtle tour). Just amazing! We can't wait to go back. Rarotonga is a wonderful place to unplug! Absolutely nothing!!!
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I were grateful to find availability at Ikurangi Eco Resort when our previously arranged accommodation fell through at the last minute. We enjoyed our stay and appreciated the resort's concept of sustainable tourism. Our tent (Number 4) was privately located in a corner of a beautiful tropical garden, and our hosts, Vicki and Alan, went out of their way to look after us. However, the furnishings and amenities were showing signs of wear, and after several nights of interrupted sleep due to the flapping of our tent in the wind we could not help questioning its 4-star-hotel rating and price tag. In conclusion, while we appreciated the efforts and kindness of our hosts, we believe there is better value to be found elsewhere on the island if you book early.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My Partner and I wonderful stay at Ikurangi Eco Retreat. The place was impeccably clean and the outdoor showers added a lovely touch to the experience.
The hosts were incredibly helpful, assisting with organizing trips and even arranging a thoughtful birthday surprise.
The breakfasts were different every day and offered a nice healthy start to the day!
The location is not beachfront, but the beach is not that far. The location makes you feel like you are tucked away in the hills and isolated, when in fact you are only a couple of minutes walk away from the bus stop and a couple of minutes drive away from the local town.
A great alternative to the resorts that the island offers.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia orana. We can arrange your room to have two twin beds instead of a king if that suits? Please make a note of this when booking. There is no extra cost for this.
Kia Manuia
Luan
Kia Orana and thanks @selwynhuts for your answer also! As mentioned all windows and doors in tents have high quality mosquito netting which still allow the lovely seabreeze to drift through your room. Hope to see you soon!
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