Being a tourist mecca the Cook Islands has plenty of accommodation for visitors.

But, just to let you know from the outset, a five or four-star hotel on Rarotonga does not necessarily equate to a four or five-star hotel in London, New York or Melbourne.

Once you get past that mindset what you will find is clean, comfortable accommodation that will meet your needs.

Obviously the less you pay the further down the ratings you will drop.

You pay for what you get.

When we were in Rarotonga we stayed at the Edgewater Beach Resort, which is a short drive from the airport and the main town of Avarua.

The Edgewater has a big range of rooms and units at varying prices.

We had a lagoon view room and it was comfortable and clean. It had air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, Sky TV - very important for watching the Australian Football League and the news - tea and coffee-making facilities, a nice little balcony overlooking the pool and a good shower room.