FAQs
Check-in time at Muri Retreat is from 14:00 PM, and check-out is until 10:00 AM.
Early check-ins and late check-outs can be requested. If available they are $25 per hour or $75 after 3 hours. For longer than 4 hours you will require to book an additional night.
We have free storage available and there are lots of things to do around Muri if you choose to wait for your room.
Please note: Rarotonga is a day behind New Zealand's time zone. Please check your flight arrival date and time carefully prior to booking your accommodation.
No, the Cook Islands are 1 day (23 to 24) hours behind New Zealand. That means you arrive in Rarotonga the day before leaving NZ and you need to book your accommodation accordingly.
Depending on your flight time back you will lose a day or two on the trip home to NZ.
For example; Flights leaving NZ on a Friday arrive in Rarotonga on a Thursday - the day before.
Outgoing flights leaving on a Friday arrive in NZ on a Saturday - or if they depart late on a Friday they can even land early on Sunday!
If you are travelling from a country other than NZ check the specific time difference applicable or contact us for help.
Always check flight times carefully when booking accommodation and ask us if you are unsure!
From the Island's airport you can get to Muri Retreat by:
- Pre-booked Meet & Greet 20-minute return transfer with Muri Retreat is $50 per person (recommended)
- Pre-booked return shuttle transfer with a private company. This can be booked by Muri Retreat and you pay the driver on pick up
- Pre-booked Hire Car
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walk :-)
Please contact us if you require assistance or prices.
Your closest beach and lagoon access is a 5-minute stroll away and is Muri Beach & Lagoon. At the end of Ambala Road turn right and cross the road.
Walk 30 metres until you come to a concrete post with a well-trodden path through the hedge and across an empty section with an old shed structure.
Here you will find an almost always deserted tropical white sand beach and a lagoon paradise. It has shade, safe swimming and great snorkelling off the end of Taakoka Island.
Taakoka Island sits just off Nautilus Resort and Simon, Denise & Jimmy often see turtles here.
Talk to us if you want to SUP or snorkel around here and we can advise or assist you.
Yes, this accommodation provides a private relaxed setting in the stunning tropical foothills just 500 metres from the beautiful Muri Lagoon.
While it has 4 apartments, each has its own outdoor space and the grounds have lots of space for everyone.
The pool and activity hut are shared spaces and are a great spot for a shared BBQ, a beer and a laugh while you cool off in the pool. You can choose how social or private you want to be while staying at Muri Retreat.
Note: Talk to us about booking out the whole 4 apartments and having Muri Retreat to yourselves. Families and friends love this option with 4 bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and your own space; while also having great shared spaces to mix and mingle. This must be booked in advance due to the demand for rooms.
Muri Retreat offers advice or bookings for the following activities & services (charges may apply):
1. SUP
2. Cycling
3. Hiking
4. Snorkeling
5. Diving
6. Fishing
7. Kayaking
8. Mini Golf
9. Walking Tours
10. Swimming Pool
11. Party Bus
12. Bike Tours
13. Cultural Nights
14. Dining Advice and Tips
Otherwise, you can book everything yourself or just do nothing and relax. The choice is yours at Muri Retreat ;-)
Yes, Muri Retreat has a pool. It is set in a lovely tropical garden and is very private from the rooms but also close to each of them.
It is a saltwater-treated pool that is gentle on the skin and body. The pool is maintained to a high standard and has a ladder for easy access.
It is located by the Activity Hut that is equipped with sun loungers, seats and chairs, a shared fridge/freezer and Weber BBQ. The BBQ has utensils, paper towels, cooking oil and salt & pepper.
We have a small library where books can be exchanged and will be adding some games, a dart board and Wifi capacity later in 2023.
Muri Retreat can accommodate the following group sizes: 8 guests with the current bed configuration of 2 guests per room. We can swap out for single beds if requested in advance.
The 2 upper-floor apartments Kukupa & Kaute have the option of adjoining via the covered verandahs.
Moko & Kukupa are also linked via a back door and stairwell, with Kukupa sitting over Moko. Moko has a large patio that can easily cater for 4 to 6 people to gather and dine.
Note: Onu, Moko & Kaute have super comfy couches that a single child under 10 years of age could sleep on.
Our apartments are designed & priced for 2 adults. Children over the age of 2 cost an additional $20 per day and please check that the space is suitable before booking.
For more detailed information, please check the accommodation option(s) breakdown on the accommodation page or contact us to discuss your requirements.
Muri Retreat is a 15-minute, 12 km drive to Avarua, Rarotonga's CBD. Please note the speed limit on the Island is 50Kms/hr so you can enjoy 'Island time'.
Buses run every half an hour and they will pick you up and drop you off at the bottom of Ambala Road. Just wave them down and enter with a big 'Kia Orana Driver'.
Hire cars and scooters are available in Muri. Best to pre-book as they can get sold out in the high season.
Bikes and E-Bikes can be hired and dropped off at Muri Retreat. We are happy to assist with this process.
No, rooms are set up without TVs but all can have TVs set up on request.
We have modern smart TVs and all are connected to Movies and TV series.
Onu, Moko & Kukupa have 43 inch Samsungs.
Kaute has a 55-inch OLED Panasonic.
Please let us know if you would like a TV and do consider your neighbour if watching in the late hours by keeping the volume down, thank you.
What our previous guests have said
5 Star! My Partner & I had an amazing stay set into the forest of Muri. A tropical island retreat like no other. The amenities were amazing and TV and
Marco | 5th August 2023, New Zealand
5-Star Great location and fantastic hosts The location was ideal for accessing different parts of the island. A quiet part of the lagoon was a 5-minute walk
Ella-Louise | 12th July 2023, New Zealand
5 Star. We had an awesome holiday in paradise and Onu fitted our needs perfectly for the 2-week stay where we could witness the local pigeon eating berries
Mike & Jizzy | 26th May 2023, New Zealand
5 Star. Simon’s place is really nice, tidy and comfortable. The views are amazing and the location peaceful and private. He was super friendly,
Julia & Pablo | 25th May 2023, New Zealand | Argentina
5 Star. The most accommodating and welcoming owners ever. Both Simon and Denise are the friendliest owners that I've ever had. Always checking up on you
Souhei Chan | 6th April 2023, New Zealand
5 Star! What an amazing stay - can't wait to be back! Stayed here for our honeymoon and birthday celebrations . What an absolute gem - Thank you Simon
Mr & Mrs Dandekar | 24th March 2023, United Kingdom
5 Star. I had a great stay of 9 nights with my boyfriend. The new owners Simon and Denise are super friendly and the place was clean, surrounded by nature and
Cecilia Elizalde | 3rd March 2023, Argentina & NZ
We stayed in the spacious Kaute apartment, which is one of 4 apartments in the Muri Retreat house. From the moment of welcome to the moment of goodbye our stay
David & Karen | 2nd March 2023, Belgium, Germany & NZ
5 Star. We booked Muri Retreat for 4 nights and it was such a great spot to stay and explore the Cook Islands. Such a beautiful private sanctuary with
Malanie & Michael | 4th Feb 2023, New Zealand
5 Star! Muri Retreat Apartments have new owners Simon and Denise. They took over ownership the day after we arrived. Friendly and very helpful. Could not of
Christine | 4th Jan 2023, New Zealand