Property grounds
Check availability

Reviews of Moana Sands Lagoon Resort

3.5 out of 5
Moana Sands Lagoon Resort
Muri Beach, Rarotonga

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 64 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 64 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 64 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 64 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 64 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Hayley

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spacious, well appointed rooms
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Skye on 5 Apr,2024
Thank you very much for your feedback Hayley.

10/10 Excellent

Shaun

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Having a full size fridge, a sink, cutlery and crockery in the room is really good. The combination of hotel and semi self catering works so well.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Skye on 5 Apr,2024
Thank you very much for your feedback Shaun.

8/10 Good

Karen

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Skye on 5 Apr,2024
Thank you very much for your feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room and view amazing. The staff were awesome. All our meals were delicious. Many of us would have liked the bar to be open in the afternoon. We will certainly return.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Murray

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay, lovely room, friendly staff, good value dining & quiet with no kids 🙂
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Skye on 9 Nov,2023
We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with Moana Sands Lagoon Resort.

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely spot
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Skye on 19 Oct,2023
Thank you for your feedback

10/10 Excellent

kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
very friendly and helpful staff great rooms beautiful pool and beach would highly recommend
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Skye on 19 Oct,2023
Thank you for your feedback

8/10 Good

Carol

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pleasant and quiet, lovely staff in restaurant and front desk. Spacious room (the deluxe). Comfortable bed and great shower. Cons: Not enough reading light for reading in bed (every hotel room everywhere). Other guests walk right by the big glass door. The included continental breakfast was very ordinary.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Skye on 19 Oct,2023
Delighted you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Giovanna

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were spacious, clean, and comfortable. The bathrooms were amazing! Great waterpressure, clean, large mirrors, and great lighting. The resort is in walkable distance to several Must-Eats & Attractions: The Night Foodmarkets, La Casita, Nautilus, Love Coffee Cart, Vibe,... The list is endless and so, so, so yummy! The beach is directly accessible from the hotel, and if you go snorkeling there, you are likely to see turtles. Don't recommend going at Lowest Tide, as the water is so shallow, that you have to walk ages before you are more than knee deep in. IMPORTANT: Wear Reef Shoes!!! The Corals can be very sharp, and there have been reportings of Stone Fish, although I did not see any myself. The included continental Breakfast is very basic, but sufficient, if you just want a quick cuppa and a musli before heading out for bigger ventures. However, their freshly baked Muffins in the mornings are a MUST HAVE! Take one to go, or munch on the spot! So Yum! Their Breafkast Menu a la Carte (at extra cost) is amazing though, and well worth the price, if you were planning on going out for paid brekky anyway. Their dinners are good, but dinner service was VERY slow. Which is fine, we're all on vacation - but there are so many other fantastic restaurants in the region, and the Night Food Markets are a definite must, whenever they are open, so we only ate in the Laguna once when the Night Food Market was closed and we were too lazy to walk - so it may have been a once off.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Skye on 22 Aug,2023
Thank you very much for the feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms are large & tropically decorated, very clean & have a slanted lanai for a lovely lagoon view. On site restaurant has a nice variety of breakfast & dinner options. Although the building itself isn’t the iconic bungalow style prevalent in Cook Islands, the newness of it elevates it.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Skye on 22 Aug,2023
Thank you very much Jane for the feedback.

10/10 Excellent

corey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I stayed 3 nights at this property. It is very clean and quiet, with nice ocean and pool views. Breakfast was good and staff at the restaurant were friendly. The property is only a 5-minute drive to the Muri night market. Perfect stay!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Tony

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The beach was too rocky and was windy while we were there
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jo

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A beautiful resort that caters to your every need, the rooms are quiet, large, and comfortable, all with an ocean view, they have a stunning swimming pool, and options to borrow snorkeling gear and kayaks, with some of the best reef snorkeling just on their doorstep, their staff went the xtra mile to make sure we were happy, and helped book taxi’s and restaurants for us, we walked up to Muri beach markets, bars, restaurants , and tourist cruises, and the bus will stop outside, I highly recommend Moana Sands Lagoon Resort.
Stayed 9 nights in May 2023
Response from Skye on 19 May,2023
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Skye on 19 May,2023
Delighted you enjoyed your stay

10/10 Excellent

Yui Han Jeremy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is quite convenient considering that it’s right next to the Muri Beach and night market. The hotel is quite new looks like they have been renovated recently and room is clean as well as having some super friendly and proactive staffs. It is that good value for money!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Skye on 19 May,2023
Thank you very much for your feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Lee

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were amazing, accomodating and so friendly. The facility was really clean and oresented well. It is close enough to a lot of activities.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Skye on 6 Apr,2023
Thank you maata for your feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Valerie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff of this resort are outstanding. Our room and view were wonderful. We look forward to returning again soon.
Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2023
Response from Skye on 17 Feb,2023
Kia orana; thank you maata for your feedback. Delighted you enjoyed your stay with Moana Sands Group.

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome location right on Muri Beach
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Skye on 16 Feb,2023
Thank you for your feedback. Delighted you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Thanks
After each interaction with staff I came away with the thought “wow, they’re so nice.” The on site restaurant was convenient and they managed to fit us in as we didn’t know about needing reservations. The staff were knowledgeable of the area and always happy to answer questions and have conversations. The availability of kayaks, snorkelling sets, reef shoes, etc was brilliant. Overall great stay, thank you.
Sunrise
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Skye on 16 Feb,2023
Thank you for your feedback. Delighted you ejoyed your stay with us.

8/10 Good

Andrea

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely stay in very convenient location. Staff were very accomodating. Loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Skye on 16 Feb,2023
Thank you very much for your feedback.

4/10 Poor

Jeremy, Wellington

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
One of the most expensive properties on the island. Definitely well over priced. Advertised as adults only but no idea why. Only had a pool and free snorkle gear and kayaks for use on the ocean. No other facilities. Bar only open after 5pm. Food was terrible. Worst service experience ever. Repeatedly brought food over frozen, when given back were told kitchen staff were unhappy about it. Meals were told to be on the house but we're unedible, still had to pay for drinks even though Initially told on the house. Place has no features worth paying for, compared to other places in Raro. Welcome was non existent, no info given about Raro or the hotel or anything. Do not recommend at all. You will easily find better.
Response from Skye on 13 Jan,2023
Kia Orana Jeremy; so sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your stay with us at Moana Sands group. Many of our previous guests has thoroughly enjoyed their stay at our resort property. In regards to the pricing; we consider this a reasonable charge for a 3.5 star rating property.Unfortunately in regards to your complaint about the restaurant; please be advised this is out of our control as this entity is privately owned. However we do apologise for their service.Mary; who was rostered on the day; has a bubbly personality with a lovely smile with a welcoming attitude. If there's a group of 10 or more people arriving at once; she would have welcomed everyone together and provided information on the property and the amenities; restaurant hours etc. If you weren't paying attention; you will have missed all of this information. In the reception area we have phamplets on display on any information you require to assist you in enjoying your stay whilst on the island. Meitaki maata

10/10 Excellent

Greg

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location in Muri Beach with very friendly staff, good restaurant and clean spacious rooms
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Reia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful area and beach, clean hotel and helpful staff.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

TL

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Alwyn

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Neil

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome Front of Staff and lovely housekeeping Staff, the Restaurant Staff and Food was Amazing, Enjoyed every minute of our Stay.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Value for Money!!
We had no idea that the room would have such a great view!! Beautiful!! The room itself was very spacious, modern and spotlessly clean with a very comfortable bed. The free breakfast was simple yet very adequate. The wait staff were fantastic and friendly. The dinner menu was small, yet everything was beautifully presented. The Ika Mata was the best we’ve ever tasted 10/10 for that! We totally enjoyed our short stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Skye on 23 Jul,2021
Kia orana Sarah; thank you so much for your feedback. We delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us at Moana Sands Group.

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent Start to our Raro Trip
This is place is truly a gem. Excellent service, deal of a happy hour & great location. Phoebe helped us book bikes and gave us great advice via the front desk. Kayaks & snorkeling gear was provided but weather was too windy for us to use. Restaurant has okay breakfast included but good dinner. Room was spacious and bathroom was recently redone. We were on the bottom floor & enjoyed being able to just walk out to the pool or bar. Very quiet and relaxing. We would recommend staying here, and we hope to return soon!
view from lounge chairs
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a great experience staff were friendly & great location
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations Manager on 14 Feb,2020
Kia Orana Anonymous, Thank you very much for your feedback. We are delighted you had a fabulous stay at Moana Sands and we met your expectations. We hope you would consider us again in the future and wish you all the best.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great , clean and modern property . Needed tap repairs and not enough instructions for using the TV and cold showers as the hot water took a long time to come through. You really needed a hire car to go around the Islands and need to book tours before you arrive as they were always booked out.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Skye on 14 Jan,2020
We appreciate and thank you for your feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Wayne Sheard - General Manager on 14 Jan,2020
Kia Orana, Thank you for the rating you have given your recent stay at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort.

8/10 Good

Elliot

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Two night short stay
Stayed for two nights in November post wedding at a villa. Staff were all very nice, and upgraded us to the suite (2nd floor, closest to beach) which had a great view. Pool was big, all amenities clean and tidy. Personally I think it’s a bit expensive for the accomodation
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations Manager on 21 Nov,2019
Kia Orana Elliot Thank you for your time to leave a review. We are happy you enjoyed your stay with us and would be delighted to welcome you back in the future. Kia Manuia & Regards

10/10 Excellent

Evelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Small, quiet 24 roomed adult only hotel with pool and restaurant. Food nice, staff friendly and helpful. Rooms spacious, most with lagoon view. Would choose again if I came back.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019
Response from Wayne sheard - GM on 2 Nov,2019
Kia Orana Evelyn, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. Your comments are appreciated and I look forward to hosting you again should you return to Rarotonga.

10/10 Excellent

Sam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very tidy and clean location/ resort. Right beside the main highway. Ocean facing with great views from the lagoon-view rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations on 29 Oct,2019
Kia Orana Sam Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a feedback. We are delighted you had a great stay with us and we fully met your expectations. We hope you will visit us again in the future and wish you all the best.

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations on 14 Oct,2019
Kia Orana Kathleen Thank you very much for taking time to leave a review. We are happy you had a fantastic stay at our Resort and have met your expectations. We would be happy to welcome you back in the future.

8/10 Good

Kevin&Julie, Auckland

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations on 30 Sept,2019
Kia Orana Kevin & Julie Thank you very much for your time to leave a feedback. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us at Moana Sands and hope you will consider us again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations on 23 Sept,2019
Kia Orana Anonymous Thank you very much for your feedback. We are very happy you enjoyed your stay with us at Moana Sands and hope to welcome you again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely loved that it was adults only, very quiet and peaceful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 13 Jun,2019
Kia Orana, Thank you for the review on your recent stay. Great to see we ticked the boxes in you having a relaxed vacation. I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Regards Wayne

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a really great time at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort. The property is brand new and the staff are excellent. We received a room upgrade and loved it! Note: If you're flying Jetstar beware that they delay flights often. We ended up missing our first nights accom.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 13 Jun,2019
Kia Orana, Thank you for taking the time to Rank and Rate your stay. I am pleased you liked the upgrade which we did to make up for your flight issues and we had the 1 room availability. Your staff comments re-enforce to the Team that efforts are noticed and appreciated. Thank you again and I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Regards Wayne.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved this hotel, really new, modern and good TV channels. Close to Muri shops and nice beaches. Great food and drink - top quality!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 12 Jun,2019
Kia Orana, Thank you for posting a review of your stay and the generous Ranking. Your comments are valued and used as a training tool to confirm to our Team their work and efforts are appreciated. Thank you again and I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Regards Wayne.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 29 Apr,2019
Kia Orana, Thank you for posting a satisfaction score. This feedback is valuable in monitoring our guest satisfaction. I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Regards Wayne.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely wonderful service from the staff. Loved the room and the view as well. Would definitely recommend staying here
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 29 Apr,2019
Kia Orana, Thank you for taking the time to post a review. Your feedback is valuable to us in reinforcing to my Team they are doing an awesome job and their efforts are appreciated and noticed. Thank you also for your recommendation and I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Regards Wayne.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great little resort with a restaurant attached. Brand new snorkeling/water sport equipment, nice pool and places to relax. Staff were lovely and very helpful
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 29 Apr,2019
Kia Orana, Meitaki Mata (Thank You) for your review. Your comments are valuable in reinforcing the praise the Team receive and shows their efforts are appreciated. It is a pleasure to deliver and maintain the new facilities we are all proud of. I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Regards Wayne.

6/10 Okay

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Clean, Modern hotel and rooms - But bad Air Con
Nice hotel, modern rooms, nice pool... but sooo hot, and I mean hot. My friend and I spent 3 weeks in traveling throughout the South Pacific before our stay here, and this was the hottest night we had. The Air Con barely worked. Service was good albeit a little weird. When the front desk assistant realized my friend and I were extending our stay in Raro for a few more days but didn't have a hotel booked, she was very persistent on us staying at the hotel. Once she realized we booked a different hotel her whole mood changed. But overall it was ok.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations on 28 Mar,2019
Kia Orana John Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. We are very sorry the Air-con in you room didn't work as it's best during your stay. Just recently we have serviced all Air-cons in every room. However we hope you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to accommodate you again in the future. Best regards

10/10 Excellent

K

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best hotel that we have stayed at to date. Staff went above and beyond. Location was amazing. Hotel was brand new, clean, comfortable, quiet. We would definitely return. Spa services were top level.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Wayne Sheard - General Manager on 9 Jan,2019
Kia Orana K, Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your comments are valued and I am glad we were able to make your stay a memorable experience. I look forward to possibly hosting you again in the future. Have an awesome New Year and best wishes

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good sized rooms, great access to beach. Kayaks and snorkeling gear was a bonus
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 4 Dec,2018
Kia Orana, Meitaki for taking the time to post your review. Your comments are valued as it reaffirms we have things right. Regards Wayne.

10/10 Excellent

Ben, New zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Modern high class resort, very close to a nice part of the lagoon and nearby restaurants. Having air conditioning in yhe rooms is a noce touch
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Sabine Vogel - Reservations on 21 Nov,2018
Kia Orana Ben, Thank you very much for taking the time for a review. We are glad you have enjoyed your stay with us at Moana Sands Lagoon Resort and would be delighted to welcome you again in the future.

6/10 Okay

Jules, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Compendium needs to be updated, as the restaurant offered and advertised a lunch menu but was not open at lunchtime. New security locks on doors had apparently been added recently and had a don’t disturb red light when latch is turned that is only visiabe to room service staff via a security card, replacing the don’t disturb door hangers, this needs to be explained to guests on arrival as rooms are not serviced if security lock is turned. Boulders in front of Hotel jeopardises one Safety to walk down to the lagoon. High Louvre windows over back door and toilet have no curtains and when guests are climbing the stairs ones privacy is compromised as there is a clear view to inside our room from certain places and the placement of the large mirror opposite the toilet meant the louvred window had to be closed at all times. Very noisy outside the back when guests made their way up the metal stairs late at night. Dinner meals were amazing, however the continental breakfasts need upgrading. Most staff were very friendly and approachable.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Wayne Sheard - GM on 4 Dec,2018
Kia Orana Jules, Meitaki for taking the time to review your stay with us. As explained when you talked to me about the compendium issue that this was being addressed but as the Compendiums are printed in New Zealand there is a delay in the turnaround time. The boulders are in place for protection against any high seas we may encounter during adverse weather and stairs were in the process of being built. Now in place and hand rails only to be fitted. The louvre issue is being addressed, again delays with supply. Not sure what the noise on the stairs was as we only have concrete stairs and landings. The Laguna Restaurant is Leased out separate but the Breakfast issue has been raised with the Leasee and is being addressed. Thank you again for your comments and I look forward to hopefully hosting you again in the future for a more favorable experience. Regards Wayne.

10/10 Excellent

Janine, Auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great new boutique resort for adults. Staff very friendly and helpful. Lovely view over the lagoon.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Wayne Sheard - General Manager on 25 Oct,2018
Meitaki Mata Janine for taking the time to review our property and service standards. These are valuable in reassuring the staff their efforts are appreciated by you our valued guests. I look forward to hopefully hosting you again in the future.