Kia Orana, and welcome to Amuri Sands, Aitutaki. We are a family-run business with 2 chalets on the beachfront on the west coast of Aitutaki, Cook Islands. We provide budget accommodation for your self-catering needs and are positioned near dining outlets and shops. The beach we are positioned on has some of the best snorkeling on the island. We look forward to you staying with us. Kia Manuia.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Indeed, Mark is a terrific host - friendly and very helpful. And Amuri Sands was perfect for us. Mark greeted us at the airport and after a few minutes down the road, we arrived at his property. The bungalow was neat, very clean, and comfortable, but the highlight is the beach front. The grassy street side of the bungalow gives way to the combed sandy ocean side dotted with tall palms. Beware falling coconuts. I grabbed one of the many coconuts laying about, and using the husker in the yard, had the pleasure of my first husk - I won no awards for speed or technique. Mark provides rainwater daily, which was on shortage while we were there due to very dry conditions, yet we never went thirsty and it was very delicious water. He also brings fresh fruit every morning - papaya was so good, fresh towels and supplies, and can tell you whatever you need to know about the island and where to get things. And it was easy to get things and explore the island because Mark knows a guy who rents scooters and happens to leave one at Amuri Sands. The water at Amuri is full of coral, good for a decent snorkel, but not deep enough for a good swim. Mark will tell ya where to go for that. The accomodations are simple and tidy with all that's needed; bed, washroom, kitchen, deck facing the ocean. Ultimately we weren't there much because of all the island has to offer. Eat fish n chips at Puffys up the street. Fellow Canadians, go see Sonya for an abundance of fresh fruit, or for whatever she's making for lunch. For 7 nights on a month long honeymoon in the South Pacific, we stayed here. It was our favourite stop and we wish we were there right now. Mark, we hope you're still there when we come back! Thanks for letting us be a part of your paradise. Craig and Sham.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed 4 nights at Amuri Sands and loved it. Right on the same side of the island as all the expensive resorts. Snorkeling straight out front of the unit was just awesome, so many different fish to see. The room was well appointed with a good kitchen that had 4 gas burners for cooking. Poppy dropped us at the bike rental and was very helpful even bringing us fresh local fruit one morning. The island passion fruit were sensational. We enjoyed a beautiful front row sunset that captivated us for half and hour with the changing colours of the sky and lagoon. The only negative is the units share a deck area which is screened off however our neighbours for the stay were smokers and their smoke drifted along the deck. I know there isn't much you could do to change this and for some it wouldn't be problem, however we are non smokers and found it took the edge off an otherwise perfect stay.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I spent 12 days here, and I wished it was 12 years. I loved it here and have thought about it ever since I left. The sunset every evening is so perfect, it really is quite breathtaking and hard to believe.
The two bungalows are situated next to each other, but not too close, you hardly even know anyone is next door. The rooms are nicely arranged and comfortable. There is a shower which has plenty of hot water. There is a small kitchen area for you to do some cooking, it really saves you money to bring some food with you and cook while you are there, that's what we did most nights. Besides, having dinner as you watch the sunset is really where you want to be anyway.
The property has beautiful flowers and lovely trees throughout and are landscaped quite nicely.
The water in front of the property is quite shallow, but if you are a fan of snorkeling, there is a channel where you can get out to deeper waters and see some of the fish that call Aitutaki home. Just watch out for the sea cucumbers, they are quite plentiful and quite gross. If you want to do some swimming, there is a deep water swimming spot a short walk down, and it was fun to go here for a quick dip. The beach out front is nice to sit and relax while the day just goes by, if you see 2 people the entire day, it's busy.
Mark was a great host. He assisted us with booking trips and helped us find the best snorkel and beach spots. He also greeted us upon arrival at the airport and had the most amazing smelling leis for us. Each day he puts a weather and tide report up, which is helpful in planning out your day.
If you are looking for 5-star luxury, this isn't the place for you. If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable accommodations while you are visiting this little bit of paradise, then you will be happy here.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So, I’ve wrangled with this review because I’m going against the grain here…I was trying to analyze if I was being too picky or had heightened expectations. We have traveled quite a bit and have stayed in places much simpler than Amuri Sands. It’s not about lack of luxury. My final conclusion boils down to: we were just never comfortable or able to relax here. And I will explain why…
What do most people do to relax at their hotel, villa, etc. when on vacation in a hot tropical location?
One thing would be to enjoy refreshing ocean breezes. It was so hot and still and the cottage is so set back from the water and sheltered, that no air moved. We tried to open the doors to get a cross breeze, but that just let in all the mozzies and there was still no air. Maybe you could turn on the fan and cool down that way, well there was a fan, but it was a teeny wall-mounted thing that only pointed at the bed and was barely strong enough to be felt from that distance. Okay, let’s have a cool drink and forget about all that. Oh, we need ice for a cool drink. That presented some problems due to the shoebox-sized freezer with the broken door. We bought a bag of ice and after some juggling and decanting into smaller containers; we were able to save about half of it. No worries, let’s just make that drink…in one of the two small juice glasses provided and head out to the deck to enjoy the view.
We’re on the deck now, and I’m hot and sticking to this hard plastic upright chair with mozzie coils burning on one side and the next door neighbor burning rubbish on the other and still no breeze…but there are mozzies! And we can’t even hear wave action to help us imagine we aren’t in the middle of Outback.
So, let’s head down to the water, shall we? Maybe if we sit down there, we’ll catch a breeze. Let’s go thru the house, around the back, then thru the palms that you MUST keep an eye on for falling coconuts and then you finally make it to the two loungers (the duplex unit accommodates 4) on the beach. They are so dilapidated, one of them we are afraid wouldn’t hold my husband’s weight. Well let’s cool down in the water. This requires laying down flat in one foot of water between coral and sand slugs. Nevermind….
Obviously, the weather and ocean conditions are not what are at fault here, and if you just want a place to sleep and take a hot shower, this should do it. But I think there are improvements that can be made to make the time you spend in at the home more comfortable. If you are experiencing bad weather and can’t go out on the lagoon or ride bikes around the island, or you are simply “sunned out”, you are going to be lying on the bed as the only comfortable place to be and hope that the electricity holds so the little fan will still spit out a bit of air. I think I expected better based on previous reviews and they were misleading. The pictures look exactly like I remember it. Look at them in the light of my review.
I do want to mention, we had no problems with the host or the booking process. That all went fine.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2014
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark was a fantastic host. Collected us and returned us to the airport. Very kindly drove us to the local shop after we arrived so that we could do some basic supplies shopping. Delivered fresh drinking rainwater from his own tank every day. Gave us fruit from his tree, cleared and swept the beach every morning. Mark was more than happy to offer advice, help with any booking or organisation, yet was totally invisible if we wanted privacy. Snorkelling off the beach was fantastic with plenty to see. Bed was comfortable, fridge was in excellent working condition, gas stove was pristine and in full working order, bathroom was clean with a lovely solar heated shower. Very happy with this accommodation, would definitely return and most definitely recommend it.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:There are 2 identical studios at each end of a joined balcony/deck. There is a movable privacy...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at Amuri Sands for 4 nights and had a great time there. The units are nicely built and furnished and in in the most idyllic location - the view from your deck is stunning, especially at sunset. The beach on which the units stand is a great place for swimming and snorkelling. Mark, the owner, was very welcoming and would give good advice on where to go and what to do, and would always drop off some fresh fruit in the morning - a really nice touch. Aitutaki is a small island and therefore everything is within walking distance if you're reasonably fit, although most people opt to hire a scooter. The only time I hired any transport was a bicycle to get to Ootu Beach on the other side of the island and that only cost $5 for the day! All in all, a great place to stay without paying the astronomical prices of some of the hotels on the island. Highly recommended.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for 8 days Dec2013 and had both units. The accommodation was clean and comfy, the deck perfect for relaxing and gazing at the view. Poppy looked after us and was extremely welcoming, hospitable and helpful. We had an amazing time and just loved the location with our own private beach. The tariff is excellent value for money and we were really happy with our choice. Definitely plan to be back, its truly paradise on a tropical island.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We recently stayed at the Amuri Sands and it was perfect for our family of 5. There are two bungalows/ chalets that are separate, but attached by a shared back deck. My husband and I stayed in one unit and put our three boys in the other. It worked out great! The kids had run of the beautiful grounds and stunning beach. We felt like we were on our own personal island! The units were clean and well cared for with everything that you would want for your stay.
Mark was away on holiday, so Poppy met us at the airport and took care us during our stay. From the fragrant lei greeting at the airport to the help in arranging tours and a rental car, Poppy was amazing! And the best part? Twice she brought us a big bucket of fresh passion fruit, paw paw and mango. Soooo good!
We highly recommend the Amuri Sands and will be back soon!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Amuri Sands for 3 nights in July 2011
Amuri Sands is a neat little building, build 2 or 3 years ago, split into two one bedrommed self contained units. They've got everything you'll need, small kitchen, fridge, stove etc. The bed is comfortable, there is a good shower with plenty of hot water, and a couple of fans. it's simple and basic, but clean and comfortable.
Its pretty much on the beach... There's a nice deck overlooking a few coconut trees which is all that separates you from the beach, which is fantastic. The water is warm, and the snorkelling is wonderful. Right on your doorstep you'll see plenty of colourful and varied fish.
Mark is an excellent host. He lent us masks and snorkels, and is happy to provide advice on where to go and what to do! He seems genuinely interested in making sure you have a good and relaxing time. As a lovely bonus, on 2 mornings he left fresh bananas and papaya on our doorstep for breakfast.
Amuri Sands has a great location. It's next to Etu Moana, and just down the beach from Taumanu Beach Resort, and from the Pacific Resort.
We'd totally recommend Aumri Sands as a comfortable, clean and convenient place to stay.
We recommend getting a scooter while you are on Aitutaki. There is a rental place down the road from Amuri Sands called Rinos, who rent scooters for $20 a day. They'll even deliver them to Amuri Sands.
There are a few basic stores in Aitutaki, so you can buy basic supplies, beers, soft drinks, ice cream etc. Expect to pay a premium tho, but not crazy expensive. One thing though... Aitutaki is a very religious island, so very little is open on Sunday's other than the resorts.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelled to Aitutaki for 7 nights with my partner, the island itself is the closest thing to paradise. Mark was away so Poppy looked after us, she made our stay that much better, helping us get groceries when we first arrived and providing us with an extra snorkel as we only had one. It was these and many other little things that really made it great. Amuri Sands is located on the perfect beach for relaxing and snorkelling. The accomodation is very good and much cheaper than the nearby resorts. We will definitely be go back to Aitutaki one day, and would definitely stay at Amuri Sands again.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Orana
Sorry for the late reply.
Refer to our web site for prices and they are the same all year round.
Type in aitutaki vacation or amuri sands for our web site and you will find our prices and specials.
Mark
No Island night at Amuri Sands but just along the beach at Tamanu Beach, they have an island night on Thursday with island buffet, dancing and fire show.
There are more places to choose from in the Aitutaki area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
amuri sands, aitutaki hotel aitutaki
LOCATION
Cook IslandsSouthern Cook IslandsAitutaki
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
