we had a great 18 day stay here!2 minutes by scootter from the beach gave us the best of everything - staying at the foot of the hills with coconuts ,pawpaws and mangoes all around and a swimming pool just out the door - or - down to the beach for a snorkel in the awesome lagoon or coffee at deli - licious cafe.
still getting the shakes , missing our daily morning smoothies made from the fresh fruit , delivered free every couple of days by our awesome hosts - steve and phoebe.
these 2 were great with heaps of info on what was to do and the best deals going from night life to cultural shows.
for a self catering option in raro muri retreat would be hard to beat and we'll definitely be back.

We loved our stay at Muri Retreat. Steve and Phoebe made us feel very welcome and the apartment was simple but very well equiped and the garden and pool are exceptional.

Ask Phoebe where her daughter Kaura is performing. She was singing for the diners on the beach at the Pacific Resort. A romantic spot on the lagoon good food too. For lovers of jazz she has a unique take on the old standards Summertime and Fever.

The only downside to the Cook Islands that we could find was mosquitoes but just make sure you take plenty of repellant

We really enjoyed our stay at Muri Retreat. Recommend you book the large room on the second floor - stunning views and a lovely balcony to watch the sunrise and sunsets. Also I think this room provides the most privacy. Unfortunately it rained for the first four days we were there, plus it was Christmas day and Boxing day so very little was open and we weren't able to rent a scooter until our third day. While the retreat is up the hill a bit it's really not that big a deal - 5 min scroll from the main road and Muri (where there's lots of restaurants etc.) I actually enjoyed the walk! Phoebe and Steve were really easy to deal with, fantastic hosts and even gave us a raincoat! We had five fine days and it was amazing... Raro is really special. If you're on a budget and don't mind a little walk, this place is for you.

I found with some discrepancies with a few of the reviews, and I would like provide detailed information to help out inquiring travelers. For my 9 day stay, it was a mixture of pros and cons, with most of the cons out of anyone’s control. The price on the room for the week was a very good deal and one of the main reasons why I stayed here. The initial communication I found was very good, as Phoebe returned my emails very promptly and she and Steve were delightful to deal with. The only unfortunate exception was I didn’t get my “handy guide” via email, but more importantly, there was a mix up when I arrived for my arranged airport transfer as my ride never showed up/or didn’t wait for me as I was one of the last to get out of customs.

The photos on the site are pretty much accurate, however the location of Muri Retreat is 500 meters from the main road, so if you can walk that in 5 minutes hats off to you. However why would anyone walk when you can rent a scooter or car if it is raining, for a minimal price. There are deals on the scooters if you take them for more than a few days as the daily rate will decrease making it worth your while to scoot around, rather than walking around, save the walking when you are in town. In addition, the walk to and from the main road is pitch black at night, and Ambala Road is extremely narrow, so a flashlight is necessary for safety if you care to walk it.

I took the room on the second floor as it provided the best views and far better privacy than the main floor rooms. The room was very spacious with a large L-shaped balcony. The bed was comfortable and the kitchen had decent cooking supplies and equipment. The bathroom had a nice starter kit to get me going, and I also brought some items with me as toiletries, supplies and groceries are expensive on the island.

I was under the impression that the Muri Retreat would be quiet, one of my main reasons why I chose it. In fact it was for most of the time, except when neighboring dogs would go on a barking tear. Keep in mind that there are several crazy roosters close around and they start crowing at any time they please and most of the day as well, so it is not uncommon to hear them from early morning to late evening, so bring ear plugs if you care to sleep in. In addition, you can hear the people in the other rooms, so hopefully you get quiet neighbors. There is a “no noise” policy which everyone adheres to which is comforting for people who like their quiet time in the late evening. For myself I had a difficult time sleeping as it was hot with 100% humidity and only a fan to cool me down so the windows were open 24x7, in addition I had to ensure my ear plugs were in to cancel out the early morning roosters and close the drapes due to the sunrise.

Many positives to mention here, as there is WiFi available which worked out well for me to periodically check my emails. There was a car port area to park my ride, and free laundry facilities on site, so it was nice to know that I could do a cold water wash a couple of times during my stay then just hang the clothes to dry on the balcony.

Both Steve and Phoebe were very sociable and top notch hosts as I had no issues with the service I received as they were both very accommodating. They recommended places to check out and dine, as well as arranged my airport transfer when I left Muri Retreat where the driver arrived on time to the minute.

In summary, the Muri Retreat is an excellent value for the money with exceptional service by the owner/hosts, the second floor rooms are spacious with great views, however a bit of a distance from nearby restaurants and the beach if you’re walking. In addition it was a bit noisy with the animals and sudden untimely appearances of geckos streaking across the walls, but overall good accommodations.

Tips to Travelers: Get a room on the second floor at Muri Retreat; forget walking, rent a scooter; join the community gym at Kent Hall for a $10 fee which is good for an entire month; best place to snorkel is across the street from “Fruits of Rarotonga”; go for lunch at The Mooring and go for dinner at the Wind Jammer; ensure you go to the market early Saturday morning!