Rarotonga: Sea Change Villas

Lonely Planet Review

Polynesian setting meets European style in these impeccably-appointed villas, all traditionally thatched, lavishly-equipped and free-standing; guests can choose from garden and beachfront units, but if you're going to splash out you might as well opt for the beachfront ones, which have quite possibly the most romantic sundecks on the entire island.

Sea Change is one of those places that really pulls out all the stops to make your stay truly memorable. The interior design is more South Kensington than South Pacific (think luxury king-size four-poster beds, glass-topped dining tables, home entertainment systems, flat-screen TVs, stainless-steel fridges, fully-furnished lounges and super-private pools). The open-plan villas are effortlessly chic, using earthy tones and traditional materials to offset the more contemporary design elements, and the beachfront units have ultra-stylish sliding patio doors looking right out onto the powder-white sand. The garden villas aren't quite as jaw-droppingly gorgeous as their seafront cousins, but they make most of the other places on the island look downright dowdy.