CHECK-IN TIME
Check-in time is 2pm. When you check-in, please ensure that all your departure details have been confirmed with the Front Desk. Depending on room availability, it may be possible for you to enjoy an Early Check-in, and the fee for this service is NZ$95. Early check-in applies from 6am or any time thereafter until 2pm. This service is subject to availability and requires advance booking, however you are welcome to enquire at Front Desk upon arrival should a last-minute opening have arisen. Alternatively, if your flight arrives during the wee hours, you’d probably be best to reserve your room from the previous day (called Pre-registration) to ensure it is ready and comfortable for your arrival, ensuring you get straight into the groove of rest & relaxation from day one of your vacation.
CHECK-OUT TIME
Check out time is 10am. We appreciate your courtesy and co-operation in observing the check-out time so that we may prepare the room for our next guests. Late check-out after 10am may be arranged with Front Desk for NZ$95 until 2pm, and thereafter for NZ$15 per hour until 12midnight. Late check-out is subject to availability. Unless pre-arranged at the time of your reservation, late check-out cannot be confirmed at the Resort any earlier than 24 hours prior to departure. To arrange late check-out or other special requirements please contact Front Desk (press the icon or dial “0”). Please ensure your guestroom key or card is handed in at Front Desk at time of check-out.
CHURCH SERVICES & THE COOK ISLANDS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (CICC)
Cook Islands missionaries today work all around the world, and the role that early Cook Islands missionaries played in taking Christianity to other Pacific Islands established links with congregations in those countries which continue to this day. A visit to the historic Takamoa Theological College in Avarua gives one a glimpse into the life of those early missionaries. The College is near to a number of other notable architectural sights in the area, including a beautiful palace and sprawling grounds, a church and early graveyard, and the old London Missionary Society Sunday School built in the Spanish Mission style which today houses the Beachcomber art & jewellery gallery. The Takamoa Theological College today continues its tradition of training young Cook Islanders for pastoral duties with the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC).
Each Sunday Rarotonga’s beautiful white coral and limestone churches fill with the soaring songs of worship of their congregations. Visitors are most welcome to attend Sunday services, but please observe appropriate modest attire of shirts and long trousers for men, and longer-length skirts or dresses for women, preferably with short or long sleeves. A bus from The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa leaves at 9.30am Sunday for the Cook Islands Christian Church and St Mary’s Catholic Church, both in Arorangi. The bus fare is NZ$6 return, or NZ$4 one-way. A church donation will be much appreciated. At the conclusion of service you may well find yourself invited by the Pastor to enjoy island fruits and light refreshments in the nearby meeting hall with the congregation. For further information please contact the Activities Hut on 8061, or the Front Desk, dial “0”.
Travellers Tip! Sometimes there are recordings of the church singing available for sale at the door following the service. If you’d like to buy one as a memento they cost about NZ$20.
CIGARETTES
All Resort guestrooms and restaurants are non-smoking. If you wish to smoke, please step outside to do so. Please dispose of your cigarette butts thoughtfully (not in the gardens, walkways, decks or on the beach please!). Cigarettes can be purchased on-site at the Resort gift and convenience stores.
CLOTHES DRYING
There are clothes dryers in the Guest Laundries located near the following Resort accommodation villages: between the 300/400 ramp (up behind Salon VIVO), 500 ramp (up behind SpaPolynesia), and approaching the 700 village (overlooking the tennis courts). Please DO NOT place any clothing over the light shades in your guestroom for drying. This damages the shades and is also a fire hazard. Laundry machines and dryers are token-operated. Tokens for washing machines and dryers can be purchased from Front Desk for NZ$5 each, and Laundry Washing Powder sachets for NZ$1 each. Please contact Front Desk on “0” should you require further assistance.
A standard washing cycle takes approximately 45minutes. As a courtesy to other guests please retrieve your laundry shortly after completion of the washing or drying cycle.
COFFEE & TEA MAKING FACILITIES
Your Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa guestroom is provided with coffee & tea making facilities. For additional supplies, please contact Housekeeping on 8023, or after hours contact Front Desk on “0”. A range of coffees, hot chocolate and teas are also available poolside at Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill and from the Hibiscus Hut next to the Games Lounge and Activities Hut.
CONSULATES & EMBASSIES
New Zealand, Great Britain, France and Germany have diplomatic representation in the Cook Islands. For diplomatic assistance to other countries, the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration is able to contact respective representatives through the Cook Islands High Commission in New Zealand. Please note that Visitor Entry Permits for the Cook Islands are valid for 31 days. Visitors must be able to confirm proof of stay in accredited tourist accommodation when entering the Cook Islands.
The following countries also have formal diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands:
Australia Bosnia/Herzegovina
China Fiji
Iran Malaysia
Nauru Norway
Papua New Guinea Portugal
South Africa Spain
Republic of Italy India
Kingdom of Belgium The Holy See, Vatican City
Thailand Democratic Republic of Timor
Jamaica Cuba
Diplomatic Representatives
France |
Cassey Eggelton, |
PH: 22 020 |
Germany |
Tina Browne, |
PH: 24 567 or 20 165 |
New Zealand |
New Zealand |
PH: 22 201 |
Cook Islands |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration, Avarua |
PH: 29 347 |
Great Britain |
Mike Mitchell, |
PH: 21 080 |
COOK ISLANDS CULTURAL VILLAGE
For a fascinating insight into how the early Rarotongans lived you may like to join a guided tour of the Cultural Village which runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 10am. The Cultural Village is laid out as a number of ‘themed huts’ where you are guided from hut to hut, and the host of each hut – an island maiden, warrior, mama or papa – shares with you his or her expertise in a specific aspect of traditional Cook Islands culture including ancient Maori medicinal plants, a variety of fishing traps and techniques, coconut husking, fire-making, cooking, weaving, wood-carving, costume making, dancing and musical instruments.
The tour is followed by a feast of traditional foods accompanied by a show of dance, music and song, and concludes at about 1.30pm. The tour costs NZ$56 per person, including Lunch & Show, plus an extra NZ$4pp for return transfers to The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa if required. The tour has a minimum requirement of 20 people. Lois Sadaraka and her team also offer a highly informative Circle Island Tour for NZ$55 per person including transfers. Excellent-value combined packages including both the Cultural Village visit & the Circle Island Tour are also available for NZ$85 per person, including transfers. The Cultural Village was opened in 1988 and is an award-winning heritage tour.
Both the Cultural Village and Circle Island tours can be booked through the Front Desk at The Rarotongan, or you can call the Cultural Village direct on 21 314. Reservations are essential.
COOK ISLANDS BEER – MATUTU BEER
“To be a developed country you need your own airline, a national sports team and a local beer. At the very least you need your own beer.” Frank Oz
Brewing is a long established tradition in the Cook Islands, and a bush-beer drinking school such as those that the outer island of Atiu is especially famous for is called a ‘tumunu’. Here on Rarotonga, Matutu is a new boutique brewing company located in Tikioki, and crafts a number of enjoyable beers including ‘Mai’, a fresh-tasting, crowd-pleasing lager, and ‘Kiva’, an adventurous pale ale. Matutu beers are handcrafted in small batches by passionate brewers to enhance your Cook Islands experience, and we are proud to make these available for your enjoyment at our Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill right here at The Rarotongan. Such a shame Matutu beers weren’t around in Captain Andy’s day; one can well imagine a cool brew would have brought welcome relief to an ole sea dog with a mean thirst on a hot ‘gone troppo’ kinda day.
CREDIT CARDS
Major credit cards including MasterCard, VISA, Bankcard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted at The Rarotongan. Cash advances on VISA or MasterCard only of up to NZ$100 are also available to our-in-house guests from the Foreign Exchange Cashier at the Front Desk, with a service fee of 7.5%. Please note that only local Cook Islands ANZ eftpos cards are accepted through the Resort’s eftpos machines (international cards are not accepted). Please press the Front Desk icon on your phone or dial “0” for further information.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
International currency exchange and travellers cheque services are available at the Front Desk; press the icon on your phone or dial “0” for information. Alternatively you can exchange foreign currency at ANZ (ph 21 750) and Westpac (ph 22 014) banks or Western Union (ph 29 907) in Avarua.
