Castaway Resort

We returned home a week ago and are already looking forward to returning to Castaway for our seventh time in October. Castaway has become our home away from home. If you're looking for a place to completely wind down you'll find it at Castaway. On a previous visit to Rarotonga we were invited by friends to stay at Muri but we were totally disappointed because of the wind on that part of the island. On each occasion we have stayed at Castaway, we have noticed there is very little wind. We are always made to feel very welcome at Castaway, from Ginelle who serviced our room each day and did a wonderful job, to Minnie and his crew down at the restaurant and beach bar and to General Manager Anita and Queenie and Jennie in the office. Nothing was ever a problem. We feel one of the major benefits at Castaway are the in-room kitchen facilities, particularly if you feel like having bacon and eggs for breakfast or dishing up a quick lunch or dinner. Also we have always found the restaurant offers top class food and service when we feel like dining out. One of the highlights of dining at Castaway is to take in the sunset while having a pre-dinner cocktail. It truly feels like paradise. Counting down the days till we return in October.

Castaways over-promised big-time & under-delivered!! We booked for a special occasion & they did not follow through! See below correspondence from them after I asked if they could make my husband's 60th special. “We would be happy to book your group for Wednesday 14th May as we have live music on that evening from 6-8pm. I will book your tables from 5pm. But you are welcome to come earlier as Happy Hour starts at 2pm to 6pm. Congratulations to the 60th Birthday person – we can do a dessert treat for the birthday person, or if you would like to order a cake, we can have one made onsite for NZD$60 (8inch round) or $80 (10inch round). Let us know a preferred flavour, the wording for the cake, and what colours are preferred” Come cake-time … none of the staff knew about this - WT ….. !

In a shocking state. We wanted to walk straight out but had no option but to endure our room for three nights. The staff are still excellent and the food very good but we all felt sorry for them having to work under new owners who have let this place turn into a run down, dirty, boring, dump. Castaway had a good reputation for quite some time under the previous owners. But now it has lost its appeal big time. You can’t go down for breakfast anymore, instead you get a miserable bit of food to have in your room. Wilson’s bar is gone and there is no atmosphere at all. Such a shame. Our room wasn’t clean one of the bathrooms was disgusting it had stains and in ground dirt all over the tiles. The fridge didn’t cool our food and had to be removed as it was out of order. The dishwasher was falling to bits on the bottom so we didn’t want to use it incase it broke down as well. The power kept tripping out so you couldn’t have too many appliances on at once. The stairs up to our room are dangerous and almost falling to bits. The pool was grotty and it needed a good clean. The TV didn’t go at all. I was very embarrassed that I took my friends to Castaway, it was not in this state 2 years ago. It is no longer a resort and I would not recommend it to anyone.

I have been to Rarotonga a few times now but this time me and my daughter stayed at Castaways beach resort we stayed in a poolside room each for 14 days. I have to say we loved every moment of our stay. The rooms are very clean, you have your own cooking facilities if you choose to stay in and cook. They supply you with breakfast essentials which was great. Having the pool right outside your door was a blessing because it was so hot. I have to tell you they have the best cocktails on the island there. We had a few from different places but they all seemed to taste the same like they topped the drink up with a lot of pineapple juice but at castaways they know how to make a great cocktail. There restaurant food is delicious you have to go there. The staff are what really brought our whole experience to the next level. They are all so friendly, helpful and funny they really make your stay a memorable one. You haven't seen the last of us Castaways.

Reasonable pricing. Excellent customer service. Rooms are clean and serviced daily. The restaurant and bar has the best food and cocktails. The staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. They entertained the baby of our group for the duration of our dinner reservation. Best experience.