Location: On the western side of Aitutaki in the village of Amuri, less than 10 minutes from the airport. Aitutaki itself is a mere 18sq km (fractionally smaller than Rangitoto) and lies 260km north of the largest island in the Cook Islands, Rarotonga. It’s accessed via a 40-minute flight.
Style: The self-described “casual luxury” of Tamanu is a fitting summation of the 22 bungalows (plus one villa) that make up this small, family-run resort. Thatched rooves, local artworks, tropical gardens and an emphasis on open-air that extends to private outdoor showers.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s serious about do-nothing relaxation of the sunbathing and snorkelling, cocktails and books variety. Or you could do the opposite and be like me and use it as a base for running the annual “Pursuit In Paradise” Aitutaki Marathon! (Seeing as you asked, I did the half marathon, and yes, the rumours are true that my time was so generous everyone assumes I must’ve done the full marathon).
First impressions: It’s impossible to separate my first impressions of Tamanu from my first impressions of Aitutaki. As in, the sight of Aitutaki shortly before landing is like a Google image search of the word “paradise” come to life. The popping turquoise of the lagoon, the paper-white of the sand, the green of the tiny dots of the deserted islands – this place is worth all the hype. Tamanu, with its lagoon-front location, was an extension of that feeling from the skies.
Rooms: I was in a 1-bedroom bungalow right next to the resort’s pool, with a separate living area large enough to use as a second bedroom if travelling with children. There’s a day bed in the living area as well as one on the verandah, and an indoor bathroom if you somehow tire of showering under the stars.
