After a hectic week of festivities on the main island of Rarotonga, we escaped for a few days of bliss to Aitutaki and the Etu Moana. The resort is as fabulous as everyone says but it is the small extras and attention to detail that make it truely superb.

I would really like to thank the staff there for helping us out with trying to get Origin tickets online (there is no broadband on Aitutaki only dial up which is challenging when you only have a small window to buy tickets!), offering advice on restaurants and going out of their way to look after us - even on the last day after we had checked out!
They are truely deserving of the excellent reviews and the awards they have won. You won't be disappointed - though you will need to book a fair way in advance as they have a high occupancy rate (each villa is very private and you never feel crowded) - trust me you won't want to miss out.

By far the best place we have ever stayed, and Aitutaki itself is beautiful and untouched by developers. Let's hope it stays that way.

I am one of those people who read the reviews of Tripadvisor and am used to seeing multiple great reviews with a sprinkling of negative reviews. For the most part Etu Moana has excellent reviews so my standards were high for this hotel.
I am happy to say the hotel lived up to its reputation. I stayed in Villa 6, next to the pool. Originally I was not pleased about being next to the pool because of noise levels, privacy, etc. I could not see the pool area from the bungalow, but did have a great ocean view. It never gets loud because people are usually at the ocean instead of the pool and either way, it would be a max of 16 or so people if everyone met there at once.
The staff was wonderful, they are more than willing to talk and answer questions about anything. David, the grounds keeper, is the local historian and artist, he is fun to talk to about Aitutaki stories and general island info. All the ladies at reception are great at offering up places to eat, dishes to try and how to get there. Jim and Jo-Anne, the owers are very approachable to talk to and ask questions as well.
I would recommend this hotel to anyone thinking about visiting Aitutaki.
I personally did not notice more of a mosquito problem at the hotel than any other place on the island. I came prepared with insect repellant and still got bit, but no worse than any other tropical island I have been to.
The locals are all great and will wave at you when riding by.
Some restaurant suggestions:
JK's Bar and Cafe, recently opened. Items ranged from 10-18 NZD and the portions are big
KuKu's Cafe, burgers started at 6 NZD
Tauono's
Tapuna's
Try an island night somewhere as well

Just as everyone has said, the cabanas were very nice, the staff was wonderful and the location was idyllic. However...the mosquitoes were horrible! My husband and I stayed in several different places on the island during our stay there and even came back to Etu Moana a couple of times for various reasons. Each time the mosquitoes were easily 3 or 4x worse there then anywhere else. The only possible explanation we could come up with was that Etu Moana has much more lush vegetation than the other hotels and thus had less of a breeze going through it. I enjoy 'roughing it' during vacation but having to vigilantly and immediately close the door and screen every time I entered the cabana then try to kill the half dozen who slipped in with me was really annoying.

In addition there were birds that patrol around during breakfast everyday. If you get up to go back to the buffet for more fruit or whatever, they will jump on your table and ruin whatever you have left. Not a big deal, but something to be aware of.

Firstly a big thank you to everyone who has placed entries on this site. You were all right of course. Etu Moana has a big reputation now which it lives up to. We celebrated 25 years of mostly married bliss on the beautiful island of Aitutaki. It was so nice to see Roger and Hayley our fellow West Country Brits tie the knot. A special place to do so. Sadly during our 3 week stay in The Cook Islands we were only able to stay at Etu for 5 nights. Ours was a late booking and we did well to get that. I will not add to the comments of others regarding standards at Etu other than to endorse them entirely. I particularly enjoyed chatting to David the gardener who is a walking storehouse of Aitutakian history. Both human and natural.
What were the other highlights.
1) The people of Aitutaki. They are extremely friendly to say the least. We were unable to walk anywhere without being offered a lift or advice. And no they did not try to sell us anything. We remember Reverand Puna who gave us an impromptu tour of his lovely island. Mostly we remember the endless waves from people who maybe did not know that only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid day sun.
2) Church. We broke the usual trend and went to the Free Church and were welcomed by the local congregation. A joy to see both old and young paticipate wholeheartedly in the service. They certainly know how to sing and dance.
3)Getting a reasonable meal out is not hard. Our favourite and not much mentioned was Kukus cafe. A fishburger with huge yellow fin tuna fillets to die for. Cheaper to eat here than buy from a shop and all freshly made. We ate in many places and this was by far the best value.
4) A Beau Geste style walk along the beach to the Boat shed. Even a marriage made in heaven can be strained under certain conditions.
5) Of couse The Lagoon. Just how many shades of blue or was it green are there. It must be one of the natural worlds wonders. The motus are beautiful. Honeymoon Island and its red tailed tropic birds was a highlight. We had motu kitiu the most remote island to ourselves for 4 hours where I snorkelled and saw the clams.

The only discordant note is of course the curse of the tropics, our old friend Mr Mossie. David calls them the Aitutaki army and they can be formidable. The South of the island around the Marae is a stronghold and on Motu Kitiu they had the cheek to bite through my shirt. We didn't suffer too much as we took precautions. Lots of repellent and using a net at night gives peace of mind.

Don't let that put you off, just plan for it and it wont be too big a problem. Aitutaki and its people are well worth the effort of getting too. The final view from the plane as you depart takes the breath away. Aitutaki weaves its spell. I never go back to the same place, but there are always exceptions to the rule.

Bob and Bev Salter

Bratton, Wiltshire, England.