15 Nov 2021
NZ Herald Hotel review: Rarotonga's Ikurangi Eco Retreat a Cook Islands sustainable stay
2 June, 2021
By: Maureen Marriner
First impressions: Ikurangi Eco Retreat is in the Matavera District of Rarotonga, on the northeastern side of the island. The retreat is largely hidden by lush foliage. A small car park with hedge-edged pathways leads to large, raised, safari tents.
Hotel history: The landowner, still living next door, started Ikurangi with three wooden ares, Polynesian-style studio rooms. The property was bought and expanded before the current owners, Alan and Vicky, took over in 2019, revamped the organic gardens and added zhoosh.
Need to know: Ikurangi is a glamping experience so guests have a getaway that doesn't compromise the environment.
Breakfast: A highlight of the stay. Our first day started with a smoothie of banana, strawberries and soursop, known apparently as island icecream; a chia pudding topped with nuts and dried fruit and salad of apple, very sweet banana, dragon fruit, star fruit, mango, guava and pawpaw. It was heaven in a dish. The next day: lemon bread with cooked bananas and a fruit salad, as above. The next ... etc, etc.
