RANGINUI’S RETREAT
Our Resort Report

OUR Thoughts on Ranginui’s Retreat, Ootu Beach, Aitutaki
The impressive location of Ranginui’s Retreat, the standard of management and housekeeping experienced here and the overall positive vibe of the place, we believe this property nicely fills a niche for those people seeking a budget-grade beach holiday on Aitutaki. 

So what do you get?  The bungalows are spread along the beach frontage of a sandy cove on one of the reef passes into Aitutaki’s Inner Lagoon. At the nearest point, you are only 150 metres across the lagoon from Aitutaki Lagoon Resort on Akatua Island; in fact, you can paddle a kayak out to and around “The Resort” in minutes but you won't be able to land. Ranginui’s bungalows offer pleasant, (if fairly basic) accommodation which is clean and comfortable and value for money.  You get a swimming pool, complimentary use of kayaks, use of a BBQ and snorkelling gear, room towels changed every day and a genuinely helpful on-site owner-manager. Housekeeping and linen change is provided twice a week on minimum 7 night stays.

Staying at Ranginui’s you are very close to 3 well-known restaurant/cafés at Aitutaki Village, which is almost next door, 100 metres away from Koru Café and The Boat Shed. Being located “on the mainland” means all of Aitutaki’s attractions are within easy reach.

Ranginui’s doesn’t pretend to be “The Ritz” but it is certainly worth considering by those people seeking a basic, clean accommodation base from which to enjoy the Aitutaki Experience.

What Ranginui’s Retreat Say About Themselves:
“Welcome to Ranginui's Retreat, Budget Aitutaki accommodation, Beachfront on the Aitutaki lagoon.    

Ranginui's Retreat Aitutaki accommodation is comprised of 8 self catering beachfront bungalows sleeping a maximum of 3 Adults each. Each bungalow accommodation offers ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water, in room fans kitchenette with fridge, microwave, cook top, utensils, rain water fountain and tea / coffee facilities.

Enjoy our fresh water swimming pool with views overlooking the Aitutaki lagoon. We also have a shop on site selling groceries, cool drinks and souvenirs.

Next door is the Samade Bar and restaurant, the Koru Cafe is just 100 meters away and has a great breakfast and lunch seven days a week, around the corner is the Boat Shed restaurant, known for its views and seafood delights.. Other restaurants are only a few minutes away by scooter.

Scooter and car hire is available on-site at very reasonable rates to our guests.

We can arrange Aitutaki Lagoon Cruises, Island Tours, Dining, Scuba Diving, Fishing, Island dance shows, and transport if required.

Ranginui's Retreat is located on Ootu Beach, at the southern tip of the peninsula on the main island of Aitutaki. This quiet part of Aitutaki, on a sandy dead-end road, is one of the popular picnic spots amongst locals with its excellent swimming beach and prime jumping off point to the local motus (islets.)

Ootu Beach is the gateway to the lagoon, Aitutaki's most spectacular tourist attraction. lagoon cruises to the tiny uninhabited islands and crystal clear lagoon depart right from our doorstep.

We are two minutes by road to the airport, ten minutes into Arutanga Town and there are several restaurants within two minutes stroll from our property.

Ranginui's Retreat is fast becoming known as the kick off point for kiteboarding on the Aitutaki Lagoon, you can literally start from our beach and work your way out to the sand bars where the wind tunnels in from the open Pacific. Kiteboarders can also catch a ride down the lagoon to one of the other motus for a day kite boarding. Want a transfer to one of the motus for a day of kiteboarding? Our onsite activities facilitator Wet & Wild will get you there in style.”

Minimum Stay Policy
There is a 3 night minimum stay policy at Ranginui’s Retreat.

Our Specials:
 Complimentary Return Airport Transfers
Guests are provided with complimentary arrival and departure airport transfers for most flights arriving/departing Aitutaki.  There is a small charge for transfers for any flight arriving/departing Aitutaki before 8:50am.

Your Accommodation Options
Seven Beachfront Bungalows are similar in size and layout; all have a small kitchen, open-plan Studio-style combined bedroom/living room and a covered veranda out front.  Two of the Bungalows are located each side of the swimming pool and every Bungalow has a great view over the lagoon to the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort on the other side of the lagoon passage. Two of the bungalows have air-conditioning as an option and these are generally those bungalows which are located away from the cooling lagoon breezes.  There is no difference in price between the air-conditioned and the non-air-conditioned units and air-conditioning can’t be guaranteed but, if available on arrival a charge of $14 per night is levied for air-conditioning.  All bungalows have a ceiling fan. Due to the location of this property, there is usually a good breeze blowing from the south-east, so air-conditioning is not really a big issue here. A Two Bedroom Beachfront Bungalow is a recent addition.

Room Categories
 Beachfront Bungalows:
 Beachfront Deluxe:
Bungalows have tiled floor and vaulted ceilings.  Each has a kitchen with sink, under-counter fridge, cook-top and microwave oven.  There is a reasonable range of kitchen utensils.
Beachfront Deluxe category is air-conditioned.
The bathroom is fairly modest in size with a shower and small vanity.  In 2 of the bungalows the toilet is a composting-style toilet which works well and we’ve never heard of any guest having a problem with the toilets once they get used to the fact that composting toilets don’t flush.
Maximum Occupancy: 2 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 Queen Bed
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding is accommodated.

 The Two-Bedroom Beachfront Bungalow:
Similar to Beachfront Bungalows but with a separate bedroom.
Maximum Occupancy: 5 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 Queen Bed plus 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 addition single bed may be added in the lounge area.

Getting To and From Ranginui’s Retreat
Ranginui’s provide complimentary arrival and departure airport transfers for guests. The airport is only 2 to 3 minutes away from Ranginui’s Retreat. There is a small charge for transfers for any flight arriving/departing Aitutaki before 8:50am.

A scooter is a great way to get around Aitutaki and there is a scooter hire facility on-site. 
Car hire is easily organised too.

Kids’ Policy
Children are welcome.
Children of any age are charged as adults for accommodation.

Check-in/Check-out
Check in time is 1200 noon
Check out time is 10:00am
Early check-in from 6:00am and late check-out to 6:00pm (when available) costs approximately 50% of the nightly tariff.

The information on this page is correct as at 09 March 2023 and is based on our supplier contracts which are valid for stays to 31 March 2024.  All information shown is subject to change without notice.