Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 (census 2006).
Cook Islands' Parliament buildings, as well as the international airport, are located on Rarotonga. Because it is the most populous island, Cook Islanders may often be referred to as Rarotongan, but they may in fact come from one of the other 14 islands in the group, such as Aitutaki or Mangaia. This is similarly the case in the Society Islands where many refer to local inhabitants as "Tahitians" simply because Tahiti is the most populous and most famous island of the group. Rarotonga is also a very popular tourist destination with many resorts, hotels and motels. The chief town, Avarua, on the north coast, is also the capital of the Cook Islands.
The island of Rarotonga stands over 14,750 feet (4,500 meters) above the ocean floor. The island is 20 miles (32 km) in circumference and has an area of 26 square miles (67.19 km²). At a depth of 13,000 ft (4,000 m), the volcano is nearly 31 miles (50 km) in diameter. Te Manga, at 2,140 ft (658 m) above sea level, is the highest peak on the island.
The island is surrounded by a lagoon, which often extends more than a hundred yards (meters) to the reef, then slopes steeply to deep water. The reef fronts the shore to the north of the island, making the lagoon there unsuitable for swimming and water sports, but to the south east, particularly around Muri, the lagoon is at its widest and deepest. This part of the island is the most popular with tourists for swimming, snorkelling and boating. Agricultural terraces, flats, and swamps surround the central mountain area.
Along the southeast coast off Muri Beach are four small coral islets within a few hundred meters of the shore and within the fringing coral reef. From north to south, the islets are:

1. Mo tutapu, 11.0 hectares (0.042 sq mi)
2. Oneroa, 10.6 hectares (0.041 sq mi)
3. Koromiri, 3.0 hectares (0.012 sq mi)
4. Taakoka, 1.7 hectares (0.0066 sq mi)

The interior of the island is dominated by eroded volcanic peaks cloaked in dense vegetation. Paved and unpaved roads allow access to valleys but the interior of the island remains largely unpopulated due to forbidding terrain and lack of infrastructure.
A large tract of land has been set aside in the south east as the Takitumu Conservation Area to protect the islands' native birds and plants, especially the endangered Kakerori, the Rarotonga Flycatcher.

Transport
There are three harbours, Avatiu, Avarua and Avana of which only Avatiu harbour is of any commercial significance. Avatiu harbour serves a small fleet of inter-islands and fishing vessels and cargo ships regularly call from New Zealand. Large cruise ships have to anchor off shore.
Rarotonga is encircled by a main "ring" road - Ara Tapu - that traces the coast. Three fourths of Rarotonga still are encircled by the ancient inner ring road - Ara Metua. This approximately 29 km long road was constructed in 11th century and for most or all of its whole length was paved with large stone slabs.Along this ancient road are located several important marae, including Arai Te Tonga - the most sacred shrine in Rarotonga. Due to the mountainous interior, there is no road crossing the island. Rarotonga only has two bus routes: Clockwise & Anti-Clockwise. Although they have bus stops, the bus drivers drive around picking up anyone they see and dropping them off when the passengers want them to.
Rarotonga International Airport is the international airport of the Cook Islands with Air Rarotonga operating inter-island flights, daily flights to Aitutaki, regular flights to Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro and occasional flights to the remote Northern Atolls of Manihiki, Tongareva (Penrhyn) and Pukapuka.

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Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands, north of Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital (main village) is Arutanga (Arutunga) on the west side.
Aitutaki is an "almost atoll". It has a maximum elevation of approximately 123 metres with the hill known as Maunga Pu close to its northernmost point. The land area of the atoll is 18.05 km², of which the main island occupies 16.8 km².The Ootu Peninsula, protruding east from the main island in a southerly direction along the eastern rim of the reef, takes up 1.75 km² out of these 16.8 km² for the main island. For the lagoon, area figures between 50 and 74 km² are found. Satellite image measurement suggests that the larger figure also includes the reef flat, which is commonly not considered part of a lagoon.
The barrier reef that forms the basis of Aitutaki is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides 12 kilometres in length. The southern edge of the triangle is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands (including Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua).
The western side of the atoll contains many of Aitutaki's important features including a boat passage through the barrier reef allowing for anchorage close to shore at Arutanga. Towards the south of the side is a small break in the barrier reef, allowing access for small boats to the lagoon which covers most of the southern part of the triangle. Further to the north is the bulk of the main island. Its fertile volcanic soil provide tropical fruits and vegetables. Two of Aitutaki's 15 islets (motus) are also volcanic. The rest are made of coral.
Aitutaki Airport is located close to the triangle's northern point. There is an area suitable to land flying boats in the southeastern part of the lagoon.

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Pacific Resort Aitutaki

Star rating : 5 stars
Rooms : 28
Nightly rates from : $647

Hotel Description
A magnificent relaxing spot and at the same time plenty of activities: Garden Tours, exploring rock pools, kayaking around the islands and plenty more.

Room Facilities
Air conditioning
Automatic wake-up call
Connection for laptop
Direct dial phone
Hairdryer
In-house movie
Mini bar
Radio
Television
Trouser press
Voltage 240v

Stand alone Beachfront Bungalows, approx. 46 square metres in size, featuring a private outdoor sundeck with spectacular views. All bungalows are air-conditioned, have king size beds, IDD telephone, TV, CD stereo system, in room safes, ceiling fans, indoor bathroom, indoor and outdoor day beds, hair dryer, mini bar, beach shower. Wireless Internet boradband is available in all rooms and public areas.

Hotel Facilities
1 floor1 outdoor pool
Baby sitting
Beauty parlour
Car rental facilities
Earliest check-in at 12:00
Laundry facilities
Porterage 24 hour
Room Service from 7:30 to 21:30
Shop
Small sized lobby
Travel agency facilities

Restaurant:
Restaurant serves local food. It is overlooking the Aitutaki Lagoon, the swimming pool and the beach.
Lobby:
Small lobby.
Exterior:
Thatched roof cottages spread through the gardens.

Hotel Policies
Check-in:13 00
Check-out:11 00

• Address

Pacific Resort Aitutaki
Amuri, Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Telephone
+682-317-20

Location
Waterfront/Beach
4 kms to city centre
7 kms to the nearest airport (aitutaki)
Close to the beach
The resort is located on Aitutaki Island, part of the Cook Islands. It is the only luxury resort in the Cook Islands. Aitutaki Lagoon is a magnificent lagoon with tranquil blue waters and changing colours throughout the day, a magnificent sight to observe. The island was settled many centuries ago by the explorer Ru, who brought his family and began the initial development of this island.

some photos for Pacific Resort Aitutaki
Exterior:


Lobby:


Guest Room:


Restaurant:


Outdoor Dining:


Swimming Pool:


Swimming Pool:


Swimming Pool: