The Black Pearl Beach Side Apartments — Hotel in Arorangi

We had a very enjoyable stay at Black Pearl. Paul is always very helpful, Rangi awesome, and other staff helpful too. Lovely super clean pool and covered bbq area, rooms very spacious and very clean. Across the road from good snorkelling area, short walk to Aroa Beach for swimming. Nice morning walk to Beluga Cafe each day, a good store almost next door.||Wifi - buy Vodafone data next door, reasonable reception at Black Pearl.|If you are a very light sleeper, some noise from dogs and roosters at night - every house on Rarotonga seems to have two friendly dogs and there are almost no fences. On the main road but next to no traffic noise at night, bus stop right outside.||Our recommendations - day trip to Aitutaki pricey and worth every cent, Vaima restaurant also pricey and worth every cent, book ahead and request table on the beach. Favourite cafes Lazy Trout, Beluga and LBV in Muri. For lunch - Charlies, Maire Nui gardens, Falafel Shack. Dinner - Vaima, Yellow Hibiscus, Muri night markets,...

Upon arrived we were greeted in our room by several displays of flowers, which was very nice.

Our room was nice and clean and only a few steps away from the pool, and the beach was just across the road. The staff were very friendly and helpful, we had our towels changed several times during our stay. We noticed in the portfolio on the room table that the lodge had recently won a local award. We had a frequent guest of the local cat, Rio. She loves milk !

The bus stops right outside the lodge it makes getting about very easy.

The property was very quiet during stay with people only staying a few nights. Most of the time we had the pool and loungers to ourselves. They do have a Wi-Fi hotspot, but we never used.

There are loan free reef shoes, and snorkels, and mask available.

Next door is a local shop that has a very limited selection of food items, and a few DVD’s, and internet access. They also sell petrol.

The only little flaw was bad communications between the lodge and our transfer back to...

Our time at The Black pearl was OK. Janelle and Paul were helpful and gave good recommendations, they couldn't help the weather! Receptionist Rangi was the best and she and the beachfront bar down the beach helped to make our stay more enjoyable. The rooms were fine, clean and tidy and it was nice to be able to cook ourselves a meal.|However there were little inconveniences that were missing that would have been appreciated.....like a complimentary shampoo (sorry, we don't travel with bottles of shampoo and shower gel!) and a bus shelter that actually gave shelter. Info about the Bus App on arrival would have been a great help too as it would have saved us several long waits in the rain (other tourists gave us that information).|We also would have appreciated Paul NOT weed whipping around the pool while guests were using it and NOT lighting the fire across the road while the wind was drifting stinky smoke directly into our room. Unpleasant to say the least....