See all properties
Apartment

Tropical Sands

Beachfront apartment for sun and fun

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Tropical Sands

Room
Private kitchen
Interior
Courtyard
Property grounds

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Parking included
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Muri Village (4 minutes away), Rarotonga
  • Muri Lagoon
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Te Vara Nui Village
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Muri Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Rarotonga (RAR-Rarotonga Intl.)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Choose your unit

View all photos for Villa with Garden View

Room

Villa with Garden View

  • 517 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Two-bedroom Villa

Room

Two-bedroom Villa

  • 1033 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Villa with Sea View

Room

Villa with Sea View

  • 861 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • 1 bathroom
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 2 Single Beds

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Living area

Coral Sands Apartments

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
9.0 out of 10, 73 reviews
Coral Sands Apartments

About the area

Ngatangiia

Located in Takitumu District, a neighbourhood in Rarotonga, Tropical Sands is in the suburbs and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Muri Beach and Aroa Beach. Maire Nui Botanical Gardens and The Perfume Factory are also worth visiting. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby.

What's nearby

  • Muri Lagoon - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Te Vara Nui Village - 4 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Muri Night Markets - 4 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Muri Beach - 5 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Tikioki Marine Sanctuary - 7 min drive - 5.7 km

Getting around

  • Rarotonga (RAR-Rarotonga Intl.) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Charlie's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Trader Jacks Bar & Grill - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Sails Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Shipwreck Hut - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Palace Takeaway - ‬11 min drive

About this property

Tropical Sands

Beachfront apartment for sun and fun
WiFi in public areas, laundry facilities and tour/ticket assistance are available at this apartment building. Self parking is free. Other amenities include a garden and a picnic area. Each apartment features WiFi and a furnished patio, plus a kitchen with a fridge and a stovetop. Added amenities include a private garden, a flat-screen TV and premium bedding. Housekeeping is available once per stay.
Tropical Sands offers 5 accommodations with a safe and complimentary bottles of water. Rooms open to furnished patios. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. Accommodation at this 3-star apartment has kitchens with full-sized fridge/freezers, stovetops, kitchenware and utensils and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include baths or showers, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

This Rarotonga apartment provides wireless Internet access (speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)) for a surcharge. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms. Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and a ceiling fan. An iron/ironing board and hairdryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided once per stay.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Amenities

Kitchen
Parking included
Laundry
Outdoor space

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: NZD 85

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and key retrieval information; access will be through a private entrance
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Key retrieval, private entrance

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Shuttle transfer per adult: NZD 25.00 (one-way)
  • Shuttle transfer per child: NZD 20.00 (one-way), from 12 to 18 years old
  • Cleaning fee: NZD 35.00 per accommodation, per stay.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for in-room wireless Internet: NZD 50 per stay (rates may vary)
  • Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: NZD 50 per stay (rates may vary)
  • Airport shuttle fee: NZD 25 per person (one-way)
  • Airport shuttle fee per child: NZD 20.00 (one-way), (from 12 to 18 years old)
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: NZD 85 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is professionally cleaned

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Tropical Sands pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Tropical Sands?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Tropical Sands?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).

What time is check-out at Tropical Sands?

Checkout is at 10 AM. Late checkout is available for NZD 85 (subject to availability).

Does Tropical Sands provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of NZD 25 per person applies.

Where is Tropical Sands located?

Nestled on the beach, this Takitumu District apartment building is 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Avana Harbour and 2 mi (3.2 km) from Muri Beach. Muri Lagoon and Koromiri are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Tropical Sands Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 74 out of 114 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 34 out of 114 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 114 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 114 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 114 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

9.4/10

Communication

Reviews

8/10 Good

Orrsrus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The nighttime hermit crab festival on the lawn was awesome. The grounds and folks that ran the place were nice. Beds and accommodations were not high end, but pleasant and acceptable. I’d stay there again.
Stayed 12 nights in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Irf

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rudy and Kanoi are wonderful hosts. The property is very well maintained and has many artistic touches.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Murray

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Value, Clean and comfortable stay!

Amazing experience in an amazing location! Great Value. Had the privilege of enjoying our morning coffee while watching whales play and breach just a short distance from the beach. Rooms are always spotless. Same as the property. Rudi and Kanoi are always helpful and friendly. Very close to a new grocery/gas station and walking distance to Muri. I am a happy return customer, and would recommend anyone visiting the Island to stay at Tropical Sands.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Stacey, Vancouver, BC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
For us, great location, bicycles were available for free and we took advantage to go exploring!!! Coffee down the block was great for breakfast and the gas station nearby had great selection for cooking at the room. Bacon, eggs, salad and chicken to name a few things. Bus stops right there so that is perfect as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Fantastic location for families or groups. Not 5 star, but friendly hosts and other guests make up for it!
Stayed 12 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Murray and Andra, Tropical Sands

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

What a great little gem!

Beautiful! Clean accomodations, up-kept property with a whole lot of personal touches from the owners. Great place to get away for a while, and close to Muri, probably the nicest beach on the island.
Stayed 12 nights in Oct 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gloria, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful beachfront cottage

We spent a week in the beachfront cottage (the nicest one) and loved it. The cottage is very private and is literally on the beach. It has a large deck overlooking the ocean, where we spent a lot of time listening to and watching the waves crashing. The beach is great for walking and collecting shells, but the coral makes it too shallow for swimming. There are only 5 rental cottages so it is a quiet, relaxing spot. The owners (Rudy and Kanoe) are very helpful and accommodating. The location is close to the restaurants and snorkeling in Muri, but you have to take the bus or rent a scooter. The cheapest rentals we found were Polynesian Rentals($15 per day), but if you don't have a motorcycle license you have to do a test in Avarua and pay $90. If you are looking for a perfect place to relax, we highly recommend Tropical Sands. It is very good value for your money.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A virtually private paradise

There is a reason that the tropical sands is rated high, it's worth the rating! The location and condition of the property is fantastic and the owners are lovely people. Would absolutely book again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Creative, Clean, and Comfortable

I stayed 2 weeks at Tropical Sands and enjoyed the time immensely. I had an upper deck waterfront studio that featured two superb views: Out one window was the raging Pacific crashing on the outer reef. Out the opposite window were the lush green inland high mountain peaks of Rarotonga. The accommodation was clean, comfortable. and had an artist's creative decorative touch throughout ... both in the room and out on the grounds. The owners are very interesting, (South Pacific) knowledgeable, and kind people who add to the pleasure of the stay. The location is good being between Muri Beach and Avarua townsite. Although, the beach at Tropical Sands is not swimmable, most visitors rent a scooter or a car, or take the local bus to wherever they want to go for the day.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place to relax

Great Welcome upon our check-in. flowers and sign to our cottage. Owners are very friendly. the decorations and grounds are excellent. the cottages are simple and work great for comfort and convenience. the beach is great for someone trying to see shells and coral.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dawn, Edmonton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Truly a paradise location!

We had the two bedroom villa with a full kitchen and all the amenities for a peaceful, relaxing stay in this immaculate beachfront complex. Artistic touches are everywhere you look throughout the property. The owners were welcoming, generous, attentive to all of our needs, and are a big reason this stay was so fantastic. There is a daily charge to have wi-fi in the room but the connectivity and availability made it worthwhile to have.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Liz, Vancouver

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Cozy bungalow on Rarotonga

Rarotonga is a beautiful island but very expensive. Tropical Sands is reasonably priced, nice comfy bungalows with kitchen so we could prepare some meals ourselves. The owners, Rudy and Kanoe, are amazing -- they are so welcoming and go out of their way to be helpful. We rode their bicycles all over, made the trip so great!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Value

Enjoyed our stay. Lovely hosts. Great sun and moon rises from the rooftop patio. Quiet and laid back. Very small operation.

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very friendly hosts. Beautiful location and view. Clean and comfortable room.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Angelina

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Unfortunately was without water one day, hot water another day due to work being conducted on another unit forgot to turn back on. In heavy downpour roof leaked beside bed. 3 singles travelling 2 had to share a double bed as no rollaway available. Was quiet except for roosters. On the seafront but not ideal to swim.
Stayed 11 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This is a beautiful resort within close distance to shopping, bus stops and driving distance to the nearest beach in Muri. You also get so see beautiful art done by local artists including the owners Kanoe and Rudy all around Tropical Sands and within the rooms. We had the best time and both Rudy and Kanoe were so welcoming and kind and helpful. Very clean rooms and they were eco friendly and sustainable with organic rubbish separated from general waste and plastic. This place is an artists dream with location close to the ocean so you get nature, sand, sea and art in a beautiful location. The best stay for us!. Meitaki ma'ata to Rudy and Kanoe we highly recommend Tropical Sands to anyone traveling to Rarotonga.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tessa

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had a wonderful stay at tropical sand and definitely would come back. Kanoi and Rudy were very caring, friendly and wonderful hosts. Grocery store and options to eat are within walking distance and we also saw whales at the private beach at tropical sand. It was just perfect. Thank you so much ! Best Wishes Paula and Tessa
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tessa Louise

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
We found it perfect for a quiet getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Nice hosts
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Lovely hosts, nice cabin very close to the beach and easily walkable to Muri.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Latesha

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had such a wonderful time here! Right on the beach with incredible sunrises & sunsets. Friendly, welcoming and helpful hosts. It's more rustic & authentic than staying in a big fancy resort, we really enjoyed it and can happily recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Das Hotel liegt nahe bei Muri Beach. Entweder in 4 Minuten mit dem Scooter oder in 20 Minuten zu Fuß. Rudy und seine Frau sind exzellente Gastgeber und können sehr gute Tips für die Insel geben. Unser Aufenthalt war trotz 2 Tagen Regen wunderschönen. Versucht einen der Bungalows mit Meerblick in der ersten Reihe zu bekommen. Der Blick ist klasse.
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely friendly, privately own resort with ATM, good ship and Petrol few min walk away. We booked 5 nights and after checking plenty of another hotels extended for another week)) Great value for money and super hosts.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was lovely,quiet and, safe. The bed was a little hard, lovely hosts, Rudy and Kanoe. Ngaa mihi
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

TOSHIKO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

ステキなお宿でした。

キッチンがあり、近くにストアがあるのでとても便利でした。 お庭やインテリアの飾り付けがステキで、手作りのようでしたが、とてもアーティスティックでした。 オーナーさんは、とてもフレンドリーでしたし、またぜひ宿泊したいです。
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019