Motu-vation
Luxury in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
Written by Alyssa Statham
14 October 2024
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Motu Villas, Rarotonga’s latest offering to the boutique resort scene, seems almost too good to be true. It’s superb in every way and especially in its location making it one of the most peaceful places to stay on Rarotonga.
It’s tucked away along the edges of the lagoon, hidden like some secret the South Pacific has kept to itself for far too long. Ten self-contained villas, each more secluded than the last, wrapped in gardens thick with native flora—hibiscus, heliconias, the works. The owners, John and Rose Dunn, have peppered the place with their personal art collection, while a striking contribution from a 12-year-old local schoolchild in the reception is charming in its audacity, sitting comfortably beside a screen-print from Pacific artist Kay George.
The villas themselves designed for relaxation, but with the kind of sophistication that doesn’t need to shout.
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Air-conditioned, naturally, with the essentials—a spacious bedroom, living area, kitchenette, and bathroom. You’ve got your shaded balcony for moments of contemplation, or for staring into the middle distance while pondering life’s big questions.
Snorkelling, kayaking gear, and e-bikes are all thrown into the deal, so you can either dive into the lagoon’s kaleidoscope of sea life or cycle around Ara Tapu, Rarotonga’s 32-kilometre coastal road, with ease.
If physical exertion isn’t your thing, there’s always the freshwater pool, an honesty bar, and in the high summer, sunrises and sunsets that’ll knock your socks off, if you’re the type who wears socks to the South Pacific, that is.
The Dunns haven’t ignored the eco angle, either. Reusable water bottles, triple-filtered water, eco-friendly cleaning products, and e-bikes—it’s all there, quietly reassuring those who still feel a pang of guilt every time they see a plastic straw.
The Beachfront Villas are, naturally, the pièce de résistance with views of whales breaching and turtles drifting by as waves hammer the reef’s edge. Sun loungers on the front deck complete the picture. You can almost hear David Attenborough narrating it.
Inside, the one-bedroom sanctuary could have easily veered into clinical minimalism, but here it’s an all-white canvas, allowing vibrant artwork to do the heavy lifting. The starkness of milk-white walls is softened by the splash of traditional tivaevae quilts. Rattan furniture is the unsung hero, turning this space into something that feels like a perpetual summer retreat.
The kitchen is a simple galley setup: microwave, two-burner cooktop, coffee machine, and a fridge that contains a wonderful array of food including the breakfast basics: bread, milk, eggs; a bottle of wine, two beers and dip, cheese, crackers and nuts.
There’s also a luscious fruit bowl on arrival. A thoughtful touch, given the local store’s erratic hours and the fact that restaurants here aren’t exactly around the corner. If you don’t have wheels, consider your meal planning done.
Vaulted ceilings preside over a king-sized bed, and you get the best of both worlds: ceiling fan for those who romanticise the island breeze and air-conditioning for those who prefer to live in the real world.
The bathroom? Black and white tiles, glass bricks, double sinks, and mirrors large enough to provoke deep self-reflection. Monogrammed robes, plush towels, and eco-friendly toiletries reinforce Motu’s pledge to sustainability
The rooms are serviced daily, which means someone else makes your bed while you wonder whether to dip into the kidney-shaped pool or snorkel in the lagoon, where tropical fish and coral gardens put on a better show than any hotel swimming pool ever could. It’s one of the best stretches of beach on the island, after all—who’s going to argue with that?
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