Wednesday 17 October 2012

Pacific Resort Aitutaki - review

I love this place. I've stayed here twice now, each time in the same Ultimate Beachfront Suite with the water just 10 metres from the bottom of the staircase down from the deck. We had our own loungers on the sand and on the lower deck and chairs on the top deck; a huge bed, lots of room, a double bathroom up some steps, and a double shower with glass walls looking into a private walled garden, where there was another outside shower. Bvlgari toiletries, not stinted. Bidet. It was very quiet, apart from the waves lapping on the sand and of course distant roosters crowing (impossible to avoid in the Cooks). Big screen TV (though few channels - pft, who cares?), aircon and a fan.
The gardens are lush and lovely, full of flowers, the entrance is elegant and cool with lily ponds and open to the air, and the equally open two-tier dining room allows everybody views over the sea to the western horizon. Breakfast is served there too, watched over by rowdy mynah birds alert for unguarded bread rolls. Down the steps is the beautiful infinity pool with its ferny waterfall, where you can go into a trance with your chin hooked over the edge, mesmerised by the surf breaking on the reef.

There's a bar near the pool, for cocktails, beer etc and lunch, and tables with umbrellas. There are loungers, a big round comfortable double sofa bed, and chairs looking out to sea. There is also a private dining table hidden amongst the rocks under a thatched roof that I bet has seen many a romantic proposal.
There are kayaks, snorkels and masks to borrow, and the lagoon, while not teeming, has enough fish and clams to keep the idle snorkeller happy, though I found the current quite strong. The sea is really warm. They have regular Island Night shows of singing, dancing and drumming, and fire dancing too - well done and worth seeing.

The staff were all lovely: friendly and cheerful, and happy to help. There's a spa, if you're not relaxed enough by the general ambiance.

Downsides? Nit-picking, really. The servicing of our room was quirkily random in what was done and when. The sheets were surprisingly low thread-count. The loop tape of musac in the dining room was a bit short - three repeats during one meal is at least one too many. I found the food just a little bland, though the ingredients were fresh. There are mosquitoes, alas - not the resort's fault, they do spray, and there are coils in the room; but you do have to watch for them when you're lounging on your deck.

I suppose that's how you know that you're not actually in Paradise...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Pamela,
Tell me please which Ultimate Beach Suite number you recommend ? T hanks

TravelSkite said...

Hi, Anonymous! The suite I stayed in (twice) was #300 - but although I haven't been in any of the others, I'm confident that they're all equally lovely. They certainly look so from the beach. Go there!

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