rarotonga - travelinc...the ‘drums of our forefathers’ night show receives about four or five...

October November 2013 A TRAVELinc Supplement

Cook IslandsRarotongaYour Guide To The Destination

http://www.cookislands.travel/NZ

Cook Islands

Tropical home away from home 3High times for dance show 4Highland heritage 5Straight to the Sands 6Island Discovery reinvented 7Save on activity combos 7Cruising with Koka 8Events with personality 10Special events add to appeal 11Sporting Edge 11High quality, family friendly 12Sheltered at Sunset 12All grown up 13Last touch for Palm Grove 14New apartments for Club Raro 14Adults only double combo 15

Rarotonga (Photo by David Kirkland)

Cook Islands at a glance

A TRAVELinc Supplement

Published by ProMag Publishing LtdWritten by Ashleigh GilchristEditor: Stu FreemanGraphics: Gary CovichPrinting: Image Centre

2 travelinc Cook Islands oct/nov 2013

Accessible and friendly… Rarotonga is home away from home but on a tropical island

(Photo by Craig Owen)

‘It’s an easy and relaxing destination for kiwis to enjoy,’ says West.

‘It’s small enough to navigate around yourself, the accents are the same and the currency is the new Zealand dollar. these things are comforting to kiwis and it makes rarotonga a home away from home for them, only on a tropical island.’

kiwi arrivals into the Cook Islands have seen double-digit growth (percentage wise) year on year for the last three years, says West, although this calendar year saw ‘a couple of blips’ early on.

‘However, august and september have rebounded very well and that’s on the back of strong arrivals in the last half of 2012,’ says West.

Aitutaki and beyond

West says dispersal beyond rarotonga continues to be one of the biggest challenges

for Cook Islands tourism, with a combination of both agents and travellers not being familiar enough with what’s on offer in aitutaki and beyond.

‘the vast majority of visitors stay on rarotonga, and we find that the people who choose to do a day-trip to aitutaki usually wish they’d stayed there for a couple of days.

‘that’s where we need to help the trade communicate that there is a range of accommodation on aitutaki, from two star to absolute five star luxury – which means you don’t need to be a five star client to enjoy time there.’

West says a ‘beautiful combination’ would be four or five nights on rarotonga and around three nights in aitutaki.

‘We want to make people aware of the two, three, four star options, we need to continue to show the range available.’

Keeping familiar

For the past year, the new Zealand office for Cook Islands tourism has been marketing the destination as ‘rarotonga and aitutaki’ but featuring the universal Cook Islands logo, as opposed to just using the term Cook Islands in collateral.

‘kiwis tend to be more familiar with rarotonga than they are with the term Cook Islands,’ says West.

‘In fact, 75% of Google searches for the

WIde appeal

Delicious food adds to the Cook Islands’ appeal (Photo by Craig Owen)

Tropical home away from homeEasy to get around, user friendly and a sense of familiarity are key factors that make Rarotonga appealing for New Zealand travellers, says Cook Islands Tourism general manager New Zealand, Graeme West.

travelinc Cook Islands oct/nov 2013 3

WIde appeal

destination (out of new Zealand) are for rarotonga, versus Cook Islands, so it makes sense. looking at the airlines, they promote rarotonga, so it’s a natural progression for us to market the most two popular islands and include the Cook Islands logo for association.’

West confirms more initiatives for agents to become or remain familiar with Cook Islands product, including a new sales ambassador who will call on retail agents to provide answers to any questions on selling the destination.

the ambassador will call in on agents in the greater auckland area on a weekly basis, and will set up training sessions if an agency would like an early morning update.

‘agents can benefit from the ambassador representing the destination in an unbiased capacity,’ says West.

other opportunities for agents include famils in March and april 2014, as well as self-

famils for agents (and their partners) where they can ‘experience the destination as though they’re a holidaymaker’, (albeit with some site inspections included).

Food and beverage

West defends any notion of high food and beverage prices in the Cook Islands.

‘there have been perceptions in the past that eating and drinking here can be expensive, but it works out to be around the same as you would expect in new Zealand. In fact, you’d pay more for a beer at a bar in auckland.

‘the quality of food is high and you’re not going to spend your life savings when you get here. In some pacific Islands, you can risk being slaughtered when you eat out at a restaurant.’

Paddle boarding in the Cook islands (Photo by David Kirkland)

‘We achieved full occupancy (250 guests) every night for two months during the peak season, bar two nights,’ says sales and marketing manager Morag ryall.

‘We advise to book well ahead to avoid disappointment.’ ryall points to an american tourist who showed his gold card and offered to pay an extra $100 to get a seat on the day.

‘obviously we couldn’t bump someone else out to let him in,’ says ryall.

With 15 females, 10 males and 15 drummers performing on a rotating basis, ryall says te vara nui’s dance troupe is one of the biggest on the island.

Guests can choose the overwater night show, or do the combo that also takes in

High times for dance show

Travellers visiting Rarotonga in the high season shouldn’t wait till the last minute to secure a spot in the popular Te Vara Nui Village dance show and buffet dinner, with the three-year-old attraction reporting full capacity for almost every one of its Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday shows in the 2013 peak season.

Enjoying an evening at

Te Vara Nui

the two-and-a-quarter-hour village tour, an interactive experience where local artisans and craftsmen teach visitors about the polynesian history, ancestral fishing, traditional medicine preparation and legends and beliefs.

Corporate functions

te vara nui’s three ‘are kai’ (restaurant venues) mean corporate functions can be held at one or all of the spaces available, and exclusive buyouts of up to 250 guests can be made on the show’s ‘off nights’.

ariki (125 pax) and Moana (85 pax) are positioned either side of the overwater stage allowing guests to sit close enough that they can dangle their feet over the lake’s edge for prime viewing of the dancers. the ‘are vai’ (waterfall) restaurant (45 pax) is set slightly further back from the stage, but sales and marketing manager Morag ryall says the space is still popular for wedding groups or delegates who can have their own intimate space to enjoy the show, with the view on to the cascading waterfall a focal point.

notable corporate events held this year include Westpac celebrating 25 years on rarotonga, with 200 guests enjoying the dance show and canapés throughout the night, the Chief of police Forum, and the Mastercraft kitchens conference group out of new Zealand bringing 50 delegates.

‘We can offer set menus, buffets, canapés, whatever the client requests,’ says ryall.


www.moanasands.co.ck

Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel & Villas, Rarotonga offers the perfect island escape and provides comfortable spacious Beachfront Studios or 2 Bedroom Beachfront Villas each offering spectacular ocean views. With a long stretch of white sand beach and an iridescent lagoon right at your doorstep there is no better place for you to experience a truly magical relaxing holiday. At Moana Sands we invite you to unwind and enjoy our little piece of paradise.

Check out the great Moana Sands specials for travel through to the 30th June 2014!

Contact your preferred wholesaler for details.

the ‘Footprints of our ancestors’ tour will allow visitors to prepare their own plates from the umu (underground earth oven and the Cook’s version of the Maori hangi).

‘We will handle the three hours of cooking in the umu so that guests can arrive and get involved by making their own coconut cream for their meal, including the husking and grating,’ says tutu pirangi, daughter of Highland paradise

founder raymond pirangi snr.‘they can also try drumming lessons, ukulele

playing and learn different ways to tie the pareu (sarong).’

Highland paradise’s point of difference to other cultural shows on the island lies in its authenticity, says pirangi.

‘We keep it as real as possible so that it’s not just an entertaining show, it goes into the history

Highland heritage

A new, more interactive day tour will be launched soon at Highland Paradise.

of how our ancestors lived and survived on this very site 600 years ago.’

Highland paradise has been awarded number one cultural attraction in the Cook Islands for the last two years at the air new Zealand Cook Islands tourism awards.

the ‘drums of our Forefathers’ night show receives about four or five bus-loads of hosted roundtrip transport making the drive up the steep hill to the 600-year-old sacred site of the tinomana tribe.

after a 30 minute tour of the 25 acre village site, the are kariori (entertainment house) hosts guests for the sit down dinner.

‘our guests get a choice of two welcome cocktails (one has a ‘kick’ and one doesn’t) and arrive to a traditional feast of cooked fish, pork, chicken, taro, kumara, arrowroot, chop suey and seaweed flown in from aitutaki,’ says pirangi.

UNESCO status

Highland paradise has recently applied for the sacred village to be recognised as a UnesCo World Heritage site.

‘We presented the application at a conference in March and have been selected as a potential, we’re waiting to hear if we have been approved,’ says pirangi.

CUltUral at traCtIons beyond tHe beaCH


http://www.moanasands.co.ck

on tHe beaCH

Straight to the Sands

A new in-house transfer operation means guests at Moana Sands Hotel and Villas can now be at their resort in less time, ready to enjoy the white sandy beach that the resort is known for.

‘previously we used raro tours but our position on the southern Coast meant our guests tended to be one of the last drop-offs, so with our own 16-seater van, it means they can arrive straight to the beach from the airport,’ says general manager ngawai Walden.

Moana sands Hotel has 17 beachfront units (12 studios with kitchenettes on level one and two, and five larger deluxe studios on the top level). about four kilometres along the beach are the two-bedroom Moana sands villas, three with beach access and three with balconies.

‘the villas are only five years old and were built because the interconnecting studios at the hotel were always being optimised. now they make a great option for dual couples who make use of the two bedrooms and shared bathroom and kitchen, or wedding groups and guests with special occasions who can have the whole six villas to themselves for as long as they want.’

Walden says the villas have exclusive use around ten to twelve times a year.

‘We had a group at the villas in July who were here for a 40th wedding anniversary. the anniversary couple were both a relatively older couple but still got out and did things, including the Cross Island Walk.’

as well as weddings and anniversaries, Walden notes 50th birthdays have been quite

popular at the villas this year.

At your fingertips

Within the same complex as Moana sands Hotel is the sands restaurant, previously the paw paw patch and now under the ownership of tony and kelly boullivant, previous owners of Café salsa.

‘tony and kelly have been here a long time and have a strong reputation for all the products they deliver,’ says Walden. ‘the sands itself has always had a good name.’

Guests at Moana sands villas have the convenience of Coco latte café, the pacific art store, and Wigmores supermarket across the road.

‘Wigmores is great because they grow their own fruit and vegetables,’ says Moana sands general manager ngawai Walden.

In addition, the yellow Hibiscus restaurant at palm Grove is within easy walking distance, as is vaima restaurant 80 metres away. Moana sands villas can arrange complimentary transfers for villa guests to dine at the sands restaurant.

Earlybird at Moana Sands

there is still time to take advantage of Moana sands Hotel’s earlybird offer – a stay seven, pay five deal if booked before november 31, 2013 for travel before June 30, 2014. the offer applies to all room categories at the hotel.

Moana Sands guests arrive to their resort quicker with a new in-house transfer service

Moana Sands… true beachfront


oUt and aboUt

‘It needed reinventing, we have so many return visitors so it changes things up for those that don’t want a re-orientation style tour,’ says robert skews, managing director of turama

Island Discovery reinvented

The New Year will see a revamp of one of Raro Tours’ most popular products – the Island Discovery Tour.

There is more to Rarotonga than relaxing on white sand

beaches with cocktail in hand, and Raro’s Ultimate Tours card has combined four land, sea and culture

activities for visitors to experience one and save

on the other three.

Perfumes of Rarotonga

Having fun on a night out with Going Troppo in Rarotonga

Raro Safari Tours

For example, guests who experience te vara nui village can save $10 per vehicle with Coconut tours’ jungle quad bike experience, which crosses streams and rugged terrain offering a ‘90% off-road adventure’, or they can save $5 per adult on a glass bottom Muri lagoon experience with koka lagoon Cruises (see pages 8 and 9 for more on koka).

the Ultimate tours card also offers a $5 discount per adult for raro safari tours and its 4x4 inland tours that let people ‘discover the real raro’ with mountain safari excursions. the discount for te vara nui is $5 off the show or $10 off the combo (both show and cultural village tour).

the discount cards need to be stamped by one of the four operators in order to take advantage of the discounts. Morgan ryall, sales and marketing manager for te vara nui village says package details for 2014 will be released by december.

Save on activity

combos

pacific travel Group, parent company of Island Hopper vacations, raro tours, tipani tours, dMCk and Weddings Cook Islands.

the three-and-a-half hour circle island tour will have less of the sites and history and more activities, involvement and interaction, allowing participants to be immersed into the lives of local producers and providers.

the tour will visit rito rarotonga, producers of cold pressed virgin coconut oil used to make

cosmetics, soaps and cooking oils (think lime or chilli infused oils for cooking steak or fish).

other tour stops include the workshop of tokerau Jim and the craftsmen behind stunning rarotongan shell and pearl carvings.

skews says the standard tour can be tailored for any sort of group, extending the standard schedule to take in lunch or add products.

Going Troppo

raro tours will soon add another bus to its new Going troppo tour, a pub-crawl style product targeted at wedding groups, hens’ nights and stag dos.

the Friday night tour takes advantage of rarotonga’s bars remaining open until 2am, with all participants receiving their first cocktail free, each equipped with a flashing drinking device and a plastic ei – ‘that also helps the group to be easily identifiable,’ says skews.

He adds that Going troppo has a ‘safe and classy’ feel to it.


oUt and aboUt

Cruising with Koka – more than a decent snorkel

Currently catering to around 40 guests, with a second boat the company will take that total to around 85, proving its popularity as a half-day activity since it began operating three years ago.

‘We’ve had excellent feedback from our customers,’ says manager serena Hunter.

‘We’ve been number one Muri attraction on tripadvisor for the past two years, and it’s all down to our crew. aside from a great snorkelling experience, they’re entertaining everyone throughout the trip and are proud to share their Cook Islands culture with the visitors.’

Customers will concur – it’s hard not to feel totally at ease, welcomed and merry as head tour guide, Captain Morgan, introduces the crew; driver Captain octopus, the cook – aptly named Captain Cook, coconut tree climbing extraordinaire Captain awesome, and the rest of the chirpy string band.

being immersed into the friendly Cook Islands culture is an integral part of the cruise, ensuring that it is, as Hunter asserts, so much more than

An impressive coconut tree climbing demonstration is part of the tour


oUt and aboUt

Koka Lagoon Cruises, the popular lagoon cruise tour in Muri, Rarotonga, will be expanding its business with a second glass bottom boat in 2014.

a snorkelling experience around the beautiful marine reserve in titikaveka.

the family owned business makes sure to invest back into its own community too.

‘a portion of all our sales goes into a marine conservation fund to ensure the upkeep and preservation of the lagoon environment,’ says Hunter.

as the boat heads to the reserve, Captain

Morgan explains the surrounding motus (islands) and the meaning behind their names, including sacred island Motu taakoka, and what appears to be an ‘almost sacred’ island, Motu koromiri – ‘it’s 99% untouchable’, as Captain Morgan humorously puts it.

the three-and-a-half hour cruise takes in ‘45 Cook Islands minutes’ of quality snorkelling, amidst an abundance of tropical fish, getting up close to giant clam enclosures, and if you’re lucky (is that the right word?), you’ll catch a glimpse of roger, the lagoon’s local giant moray eel.

George, a local dog, might also make a visit, making the eager doggy-paddle all the way from the beach before climbing on to a coral reef, hoping for a feed – be assured it makes quite an amusing photo opportunity.

When the boat is moving, crew members sing traditional Cook Island music, make the art of coconut husking look easy, create amusing forms of sunglasses, hats and watches out of the kikau plant and pareu (sarong) tying demonstrations,

Prime glass bottom boat viewing

an enjoyable combination making for a very interactive boat ride.

by this time, appetites need whetting, so the boat makes its way to Motu koromiri, where the crew set up a delicious fish bQQ feast and performs an impressive coconut tree climbing show before returning guests back to the departure point on Muri beach.

In addition to daily lagoon tours (excluding saturdays), koka lagoon Cruises also caters to private tours for wedding and conference groups, usually in the afternoon when public tours aren’t operating but arrangements can be tailored to suit.

Koka Lagoon Cruises has proved itself

as a popular Muri Lagoon activity since

it began in 2010

Tropical fish are in abundance in the marine reserve in Titkeveka

Local dog ‘George’ often makes the swim from shore to boat


edwards says sanctuary is one of the highest wedding producing resorts on the island and he treats every couple, client and group as an opportunity to produce a different experience from the previous.

‘In my three years of wedding planning, I’ve found that brides are like thumbprints in that they all demand something different,’ says edwards.

there are the meticulous, carefully planned weddings, and then there are the spontaneous – edwards has managed a range.

‘We had one couple recently who walked in off the street and had a spur of the moment wedding with just the two of them. In that short noticed we set up a simple romantic little spot for them on the beach.’

For a high profile trade event last year, edwards says the resort ‘really turned it on’.

‘I’ve never seen the resort do so much for so few people. We had dancers standing on the waterfalls as guests arrived, a progressive dinner throughout the resort, it was really special.’

Team building and functions

Conference groups at the rarotongan receive the same devoted attention from edwards and his team.

When it comes to activities, they can compete to win the resort’s own aroa beach olympics, which includes beach volleyball, coconut bowling, tug-o-war and blindfolded food tasting challenges.

‘If conference groups travel with their family,

we can provide a range of events for the whole family, not just the adults. We’ve had a tie breaker between a conference group where the winning point rested on the shoulders of a seven year old.’

edwards says the resort’s spot is popular for sunset cocktails, even for outside guests.

‘We’re on the sunshine coast of the island so without sounding biased, we do have the best sunsets and other people around the island come in this direction to enjoy a cocktail at sunset.

the conference centre has a capacity of 150-theatre style, with overflow available in te vaka restaurant.

Adults only haven

the rarotongan was split in two sections on valentines day, 2010 to officially form adults-only sanctuary rarotonga, and since then the dual option has been very well received, says sales manager victor edwards.

‘sanctuary has performed exceptionally well since we introduced it three years ago. the branding and name worked so well, guests knew that when they arrived at the resort, it really would be a sanctuary and a retreat for them.’

Events with personalityWeddings and special events held at the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and adjacent Sanctuary Rarotongan will be sure to have their own personalised touches, if sales manager Victor Edwards has anything to do with it.

BlueWater Grill, Sanctuary Rarotonga-

on the beach

A new waterfall pool has been built at The Rarotongan

oCCasIons

sanctuary has 48 beachfront suites and one honeymoon suite, and guests can enjoy dining at the blueWater Grill, or at the various dining options next door at the rarotongan’s Captain andy’s beach bar & Grill, reef Fish Café and te vaka restaurant.

Pool upgrade

the rarotongan beach resort & spa midway this year welcomed a complete makeover of its pool located beside Captain andy’s beach bar & Grill.

the feature swimming pool has now been transformed from a traditional‐style plaster‐and‐paint finish pool to an eye‐catching azure pool with cascading rock waterfall.

six new cabanas let guests enjoy al fresco poolside dining, and snorkeling and scuba lessons can be held in the pool.


The Vaka Eiva competition is in its 10th year

speCIal events

Special events add to appeal

‘there are definitely properties here that can really turn it on for this market.

‘Weddings are also a fantastic market for agents to sell around. We have around 700 weddings a year out of new Zealand alone. the resorts all have their own wedding planners so they can handle all that detail, the opportunity for the agent lies in booking the travel for the family and friends.’

West also points to key events on the Cook

‘at 277 rooms, edgewater is the largest resort on rarotonga, our closest rival being the rarotongan and sanctuary at 157 rooms combined,’ says edgewater’s general manager bob taylor.

the resort’s three-bedroom villas, set on the beachfront, sleep six guests, making an affordable option for sports teams and extended family getaways.

‘If a family is bringing their in-laws for example, we can host them quite easily with that room type.’

In late 2013, edgewater will host a netball group from singapore, the sevens rugby World Cup qualifying pacific ocean teams, and several teams from the vaka eiva paddling competition – a major sporting event in the Cook Islands, this year marking its 10th anniversary.

From a conference and incentive perspective, Cook Islands Tourism general manager New Zealand Graeme West says travel agents can tap into the market further by recognising key corporate clients that they know have offshore meetings or incentives.

Sevens in Heaven at BCI Stadium

Islands sporting calendar that have traditionally seen a surge in visitor numbers and present another opportunity for travel agents.

paddling competition vaka eiva (november 22 to 29) is in its 10th year and will see the largest field of competitors yet with more than 1000 paddlers from around the pacific and further afield competing over a week before the round raro relay races on the Friday. the competition ends in aitutkai with the popular

‘Motu to Motu’ race – ‘it’s paddling in paradise’, say organisers.

‘as well as vaka eiva, there is the sevens in Heaven rugby tournament, where agents can take the initiative of contacting clubs in their region and facilitating their travel,’ says West.

Rarotonga’s largest accommodation provider, Edgewater Resort and Spa, is well adept to catering for sports groups as well as conference clients wanting enough choice for identical room categories.

Kiwi favourite

new Zealand representative for edgewater, Mike Hogan of Hogan and associates, says new Zealand continues to be a strong market for the property, with continual growth and strong numbers.

‘the resort appeals to kiwis due largely because it has a relaxed feel about the resort, it’s great value for money plus there is a range of accommodation types that suits all budgets – from the garden rooms right through to the beachfront villas,’ says Hogan.

‘the resort has strong branding and is well known within the new Zealand market sector, so even during dips in overall visitor numbers to the Cooks, we seem to hold our own well.’

Sporting EdgeEdgewater Resort & Spa beach and poolside area – the resort hosts many sports teams


‘We certainly have something for everyone, and we’re one of the few true resort style properties on rarotonga that is family friendly,’ says singh.

located on Muri beach, pacific resort Hotel has 64 rooms ranging from studio rooms and suites to two and three bedroom villas.

singh says the resort’s newest room category, the premium family rooms, are ‘cleverly placed’ by the resort’s pool. ‘this end of the resort is segregated in a way, so even if we’re at 100% occupancy, it doesn’t seem like it.’

Captain tama’s lagoon Cruizes is based on the same Muri beach stretch, about 50 metres along,

‘We only accommodate children over 12 years old so families aren’t huge for us – that’s why people come here because they don’t need to worry about dunking in the pool and that sort of thing,’ says Colleen darby.

she says the resort’s expansive lawn that meets the beach is a point of difference to most rarotongan resorts, with the pagoda making a neat spot for wedding ceremonies, and a large marquee in the neighbouring section used for wedding receptions.

High quality, family friendly

Sheltered at Sunset

Four-star Pacific Resort Hotel is open to families, making for a great selling combination, says Akshay Singh, general manager sales, marketing and reservations.

plus the resort also offers its own private snorkel cruise, Moana roa, for around ten to 15 people.

the kids club activities on offer are outdoors based, from stand up paddle boarding and kayaking to ukulele lessons.

around 90% of pacific resort rarotonga’s staff are local Cook Islanders, says singh.

‘so from the start of a guest’s stay, they’re being served by locals, so they enjoy a truly polynesian experience.’

More awards for ‘jewel in the crown’

Further north, pacific resort aitutaki is the ‘jewel in the crown’ for the pacific resort Hotel Group, says singh.

‘In its ten years of existence, the property has won 70 awards.’

recent accolades include australasia’s best property and Cook Islands’ best property in the villa category at the 2013 World travel awards, and the HM award for best property in the south pacific.

the only five-star property on aitutaki, pacific resort aitutaki has 27 bungalows, villas and suites.

‘It’s total luxury, from bvlgari bath products to elevated views where you can see whales breaching,’ says singh.

true to its name, guests flock to the beach around 6.30pm to enjoy the sunset, cocktail or beer in hand.

represented in new Zealand by sandi reily simmons of black pearl Collection, sunset resort has 35 self-catered units, including 21 studios (seven of which are beachfront) and the rest one and two-bedroom apartments.

sunset resort is home to anchorage restaurant (open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner), two swimming pools and two bars including the drum beat poolside bar, popular for pre-dinner cocktails.

despite the range of facilities, the darbys say most guests tend to do what the Cooks are best for – getting out of the hotel and doing things.

‘It’s not like some destinations, where people tend to stay and relax in their resorts, although of course you can do that here. In the Cook Islands, you’re encouraged to get out and about, and the scooters are reflective of that.

‘the beauty of the Cooks is that you can scooter around the island, pull in and have a beer somewhere, do some adventurous activities, and the next day decide to relax on the hammock and read a book.’

aCCoMModatIon Update

Premium beachfront suite,

Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Lawn meets beach - popular wedding and function

location at Sunset ResortCantabrians Colleen and Tim Darby have managed Sunset Resort (set on the North West corner of Rarotonga close to the airport) for two years, and say the resort, with its sheltered destination, is popular for couples, honeymooners and seniors.


rarotonGa plUs – onto aItUtakI

All grown up

new Zealand based director of sales and marketing, liz raizis, says the move to exclusively adults-only is a ‘natural part of the resort’s evolution’.

‘the resort has gone from strength to strength – named as one of the world’s top 12 private Island resorts by american Islands magazine, and in the World’s top 50 resorts by australia’s GetaWay tv show.

‘plus our multi-million makeover has transformed it into an all-beachfront, five-star resort,’ says raizis.

Garden bungalows (originally the lead in accommodation type) no longer exist, leaving in their place new manicured gardens. the new entry-level accommodation for the resort is now the beachfront bungalows, which have all been upgraded to the standard of the premium beachfront bungalows (with location being the only difference). the premium range directly face the ‘million dollar’ views of the aitutaki lagoon, while the beachfront bungalows face the Full Moon Channel, with the lagoon to their left.

bathrooms in the deluxe beachfront bungalows range have trebled in size, with separate large outdoor showers, toilets and new ‘his and hers’ vanities installed.

Completing the $2 million rehaul is the installation of wifi accessibility in all bungalows and public areas, an expansion of spapolynesia aitutaki and new adjacent gym, an upgrade of the kitchens at both Flying boat beach bar & Grill and bounty brasserie, and the re-equipment of crockery, glassware, linen throughout.

a project in conjunction with the Cook Island Government environment service has also seen a revamp of the beach and lagoon areas next to the resort’s private island, Motu akitua.

Candlelit dining in the new beach gazebo at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa will begin operating as an adults-only property from April 1 2014, following a recent $2 million upgrade to all aspects of the resort.

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa’s overwater bungalows, the only

overwaters in the Cooks

New Adults-Only from 1 April 2014!

Akitua Island | Aitutaki LagoonCOOK ISLANDSP (+682) 31 200 | F 31 [email protected] www.AitutakiLagoonResort.com

5-star Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa is Adults-Only from 01 April 2014!

Resort has enjoyed a $2million makeover – looks stunning!

The ONLY resort directly on Aitutaki Lagoon – the World’s Most Beautiful Lagoon.

The ONLY Overwater Bungalows in the Cook Islands.

One of the World’s 12 Best Private Island Resorts – US ISLANDS magazine.

Perfect for Honeymoon, Wedding and Anniversary celebrations!


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developMents

‘the unfulfilled demand for larger self contained units has been our challenge,’ says resort manager derek Webb. ‘the company will benefit from this additional new category targeting long stays and families.’

the new apartments are currently being built on the site of the function hall, which traditionally hosts island nights, weddings, concerts and conferences, however Club raro is ‘focusing on its sales strengths’ in the lead-in, three star category.

the spacious 10 studio units will ‘fill the void in the inventory’, offering air conditioning, ensuites, data connection and movies on demand with three interconnecting rooms.

the 60-room hotel has also recently welcomed a new kitchen at the palms restaurant & bar, having moved from the site of the function hall.

all 13 beachfront studios will be fitted out with new bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, ranch sliders and refurnished floors by mid February 2014.

‘the refurb will mean a much more modern, higher end standard as the items involved in the renovation are currently in their original state,’ says palm Grove owner betsy eisler.

the final stage will complete around $500,000 worth of developments since 2012, including all bungalows receiving new furniture, a swimming pool upgrade and a refurbishment of the 13 garden studios set amongst hibiscus and tipani flowers.

palm Grove has six

room categories, each reflecting a unique construction and different build period of each.

‘the property opened in 1978 with just two units, now with our beachfront and garden options, we’re often referred to

as an interconnected village,’ says eisler.

Friday happy hour is popular at palm Grove’s restaurant and bar, the yellow Hibiscus, with all guests welcome to complimentary beverages from 4.30pm to 6pm, and live

music between 5pm and 8pm.While couples make up the majority of

palm Grove’s business, the resort is also family friendly, with the two and three bedroom garden bungalows or the beach villa popular options for families or groups.

the secluded white sand beach in the enchanting area of vaima (on rarotonga’s southern coast) make an ideal wedding spot, and palm Grove’s full service wedding coordinator can take care of all the details, from flowers and photography up to the marriage licence and celebrant.

Club Raro will have 10 new studio-style self contained units by the end of the year, adopting a new market for the hotel.

Last touch for Palm Grove

Palm Grove, in Vaima on Rarotonga’s southern coast

the new restaurant kitchen has lifted the quality, speed and presentation of food, says general manager derek Webb.

‘the new kitchen has increased revenue from speedy service and quality in the food delivery. Guests are dining in more. there is no boundary between the kitchen and the dining area and the interaction with the chefs gives a friendly personal feel to the ambience of the

restaurant.’Continuing to

serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, palms restaurant has introduced a new menu, created by the head chef and new sous chef, dheraj Chand, who has worked in other pacific Islands for the past 10 years, including restaurants in the five star market.

With 26 bungalows spread across five acres, Palm Grove is set to begin its final phase of a three-stage refurbishment programme.

New apartments for Club Raro

Club Raro’s new sous chef Dheraj Chand and head chef Sumit Kumar

Club Raro will have ten new self contained apartments by

the end of 2013

Beachfront studio


aitutaki lagoon resort & spa will go adults-only as of april 1 2014, making the property the ‘natural combo partner’ for couples staying at its already adults-only sister resort, sanctuary rarotonga-on the beach, says director of sales and marketing, liz raizis.

‘the combo means couples can enjoy a child-free romantic escape at both resorts when they combine them for a rarotonga-aitutaki holiday, wedding, honeymoon,

Adults only ‘double combo’

Showing off - Te Vara Nui

anniversary or milestone birthday celebration,’ says raizis.

‘aitutaki lagoon resort & spa has always been a wildly romantic destination for couples. In fact GetaWay show host Catriona rowntree even called it the Most romantic place on earth. so, by going officially adults-only it means that couples can now be absolutely assured the resort will be child-free during their romantic escape, honeymoon or elopement.’

WeddInGs

Edgewater Resort and Spa is popular for weddings

Nuptial transport Te Vara Nui style

Wedding at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa

te vara nui village sales and marketing manager, Morag ryall, says island nights such as te vara nui are becoming increasingly popular for international visitors having their wedding receptions in the Cook Islands.

‘they want their guests to experience the Cook Islands culture while they’re here, so te vara nui is the perfect way to combine that with great entertainment and a delicious buffet dinner.’

For wedding groups that want to fully embrace such culture, te vara nui can arrange

the edgewater resort & spa provides affordable and varying options for wedding couples and their guests requiring accommodation.

the resort offers two wedding packages where the wedding couple can begin their planning and build from there with their own personal wedding planner. the tipani package includes a beachside ceremony with decorative archway, tropical flowers and basic ceremony requirements (marriage license and certificate, stereo system, complimentary bottle of bubbles etc), while the more extensive Jasmine package offers the same inclusions plus a photographer, string band, canapés and cocktails for the bride and groom, and wedding cake.

edgewater has recently released the 2014/2015 wedding info kit. a package that has proved popular for the market for several years means wedding couples receive the tipani package for free simply by booking seven nights or more in a beachfront deluxe suite or higher, or if their family and friends travel and book a minimum of 84 paid room nights, the bride and groom receive the tipani package and seven nights free accommodation.

‘We have just released our new all inclusive package,’ says groups, events and weddings manager Heather rorani. ‘It caters for the bride and groom and 30 of their close friends and family, including the tipani package, a five night stay for the wedding couple and a private reception buffet dinner for the whole group. ‘there is plenty of space for groups travelling together – they can hang out together but they don’t have to be in each other’s pockets the whole time,’ says edgewater’s new Zealand representative Mike Hogan of Hogan and associates.

‘the size of the resort is one of the key features as we have enough room to accommodate larger wedding groups (and conferences) yet the service is still personal.’

Options at Edgewater

for the bride and groom to arrive by traditional vaka (canoe) including a warrior and maiden welcome.

te vara nui’s three ‘are kai’ (restaurant spaces) each offer different capacities to view the dance show. the largest, ariki, is known as the royal restaurant and can seat up to 125 guests, providing direct views of the central stage, while Moana (waterfront) restaurant sits opposite and accommodates 80 guests, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and making for a spectacular island wedding.


For further information, please contact: Cook Islands Tourism Corporation 91 St Georges Bay Rd,Studio 11, level 3Parnell, Auckland1052New ZealandPh: (09) 366-1106em [email protected] www.cookislands.travel

Photo by David Kirkland



rarotonga - travelinc...the ‘drums of our forefathers’ night show receives about four or five...

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