An Incredible Stay at Pacific Resort Aitutaki

In May of 2015, Ben and I embarked on a long dreamed about journey to the beautiful island on Aitutaki. When I was doing research for the island, one resort kept popping up as a must-stay - the Pacific Resort Aitutaki. The more I researched the island, it seemed perfect - quiet but not isolated, upscale but also comfortable. Typically when Ben and I travel, we stay at properties within the company that he works for. However, we do tend to go places beyond the sphere of corporate travel locations which force us to try new brands and options. We can report that this one lives up and even exceeds the expectations.

Pacific Resort Aitutaki only has 27 guest villas spread out over 19 acres, so you'll never find yourself jockeying for beach chairs or avoiding the crowds in the lagoon. For those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life (even if you already live on a tropical island), look no further - this is the true embodiment of luxury island travel.

Rooms

Ben and I stayed in bungalow #700, which was an "Ultimate Beachfront Bungalow." This spacious room included a giant indoor bathroom that featured a shower with a glass window that looked out into our own private outdoor shower. If you can afford the splurge, opt for this category, not just for the interior comforts, but for that outdoor shower, all of which are well worth it.

Water Activities

One of the (many) perks of being a "resident" of the Pacific Resort is the access to free water props, such as kayaks and snorkel gear. Right in front of the resort is an aquatic playground with various areas to see fish in different stages of development. There's even a map to help orient you to where and what you're seeing below the lagoon's surface.

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Dining

Considering the fact that Aitutaki is not necessarily a hot bed of gastronomic notoriety, the food at the Pacific Resort Aitutaki is surprisingly yummy. We stayed five nights, and overall there was enough of a selection at their in-house restaurant Rapae Bay Restaurant for more upscale, formal dinners that not only impressed us with their options, but also the execution. We also opted for the weekly Island Night, which featured a sumptuous buffet and Polynesian dancers. The resort also features room service, as well as a small poolside restaurant and bar. Considering how small the resort is, there are plenty of options for everyone.

A really cute touch that the resort offers is naming a their "Cocktail of the Day" after a newly arrived guest. Because we were the only new people checking on our day of arrival, we were pleasantly surprised to see the "Cohen" drink featured on the in-room newsletter and by the bar. We found it to be a fun way to add an even heightened welcome to the resort, as well as a thoughtful way to build a community with the guests.

The pièce de résistance, though, was the surprise dinner Ben set up for me for my big 34th birthday. The resort set up a Bedouin style tent along a quiet stretch of beach at sunset and provided a server to help bring our dinner. It was as romantic and as magical as it appears, and it will be one of the most memorable dining experiences we've ever had.

The cake was a nice touch, but way too much for two people. Thankfully, the staff accepted it back, and we hope they were able to enjoy it as much as we did.

Overall, the Pacific Resort Aitutaki is the type of luxury getaway that you dream about. No, the huts are not over the water like you see in some island destinations, but the level of care and comfort you receive while you're here makes up for any perceived loss. We enjoyed our time here immensely and were bummed to leave. Hopefully someday we'll return, and if we do, we would not hesitate to stay at this beautiful resort again.

Maybe we'll see you there?