This Cook Islands Resort Promotes Pacific Art!

Set in the beautiful village of Titikaveka overlooking the lagoon, the MOTU Beachfront Art Villas is a great option for experiential and long-stay travellers. As the ‘Pacific’s first art resort’, the MOTU showcases Cook Islands’ art and artists to international travellers. Overlooking the silky white sand beach, the resort offers travellers a relaxed, peaceful haven close to most of Rarotonga’s sights and sounds.

What & Where are the MOTU Beachfront Art Villas?

In fact, this lovely gem will be familiar to repeat visitors to Cook Islands by another name – the Royal Takitumu Villas. Yes, those villas are the same, but with a huge refresh and renovation. Now, each of the spacious accommodations has gotten a refresh, as well as a new inspiration. From the Rarotonga International Airport in Avarua, the resort is set in Titikaveka Tapere – a little under 15 kilometres away. With a cab ride, the resort is just under 40 minutes away after collecting your luggage. In fact, we can safely say that after landing and picking up your bags, you can reach the resort, check in and snorkelling away in under an hour and 10 minutes!

Accommodations at the MOTU Beachfront Art Villas – What’s New?

The resort has limited its inventory to just 10 expansive villas. Each of the accommodations come with a choice of a split king bed or twin beds, an ensuite bathroom with shower, an open-plan living space with island-casual furniture, a self-catered kitchenette, and a balcony/porch outside.

After the rebrand, the bathrooms have been completely renovated with designer lighting and sanitaryware, besides being more accessible. Additionally, the balconies have now been upgraded to covered decks with outdoor furniture to soak in the Rarotonga island evenings.

Guests can choose between the Onu Lagoon View Villas, the Manutai Beachfront Villas and the Ariki Premium Beachfront Villas. Head over to our resort page for the MOTU Beachfront Art Villas to see more pictures of the accommodations, amenities and detailed room descriptions.

Dining in Rarotonga: A colourful, spirited affair

The MOTU Beachfront Art Villas come with a kitchenette, but the resort’s philosophy encourages travellers to step outside and sample the island’s many restaurants, bistros, cafes, and bars. Rarotonga has a superb collection of eating joints and watering holes which showcase the island’s Polynesian cuisine, international cuisine as well as fusion Pacific Rim fare.

Treat your taste buds to the flavours of Rarotonga by savouring local cuisine like ika mata, a delectable marinated raw fish; or rukau, a creamy taro leaves dish cooked in coconut cream. Your family can also experience the unique flavours of an umu, a traditional underground oven-cooked feast!

Activities and Experiences In & Around Rarotonga

The Muri Lagoon is a great place to while away days and more. Snorkelling, kayaking, or paddleboarding, discover a world of coral reefs and tropical fish of psychedelic colour variance beneath the surface. Then, adventure awaits as you embark on the Cross-Island Track, a thrilling hiking trail through Rarotonga’s lush interiors. You’ll tramp through enchanting rainforests, cross babbling streams, and conquer the Te Rua Manga (The Needle) peak. And finally, you’ll be rewarded with just heart-stopping beautiful panoramic views.

Also, travellers will inevitably stop by the Punanga Nui Market on a vibrant Saturday morning – it’s a time-honoured tradition by locals and visitors alike and is authentic Cook Islands culture. Stroll through the bustling market, pick out handcrafted souvenirs, and shuffle to the rhythm of live music while snacking on exotic fruits. And speaking of authentic Cook Islands culture, culture enthusiasts will spend an evening at the Vara Nui Village. Step into traditional thatched-roof houses, engage with friendly locals, and witness awe-inspiring performances of Polynesian music, dance, and mesmerising fire shows. There’s also a killer island buffet – just read all about it in our blog on Te Vara Nui.

Besides the beautiful Titikaveka Beach near MOTU Beachfront Art Villas, travellers can also check out the soft white sands of Aroa Beach, or Black Rock Beach! And when we’re talking about beaches, any long-stay traveller simply must pick up a daytrip or a couple of nights in Aitutaki. Yes, we also have a blog on the top things to do when on a holiday in Aitutaki.

MOTU Beachfront Art Villas: The Pacific’s First Art Resort

The resort and its’ family-owned trust says that it puts a large chunk of its profits back into the community. The trust also directly support the island people’s education and healthcare sectors. Check out our resort page for the MOTU Beachfront Art Villas, where you can stitch together a holiday for yourself. Or, head over to our Cook Islands holiday deals, where you can browse the latest holiday deals our South Pacific Specialists have made for this gem and other Cook Island properties. If you just came by the page and read it through – why, thank you! You can check out more Cook Island blogs, and read the ones we suggested above. And if we’ve convinced you to start hunting for good travel deals, why don’t you talk to our South Pacific Specialists at 1300 991 751? We’ll be more than glad to help you make a holiday deal just for you!