DAY ROOM
For your convenience The Rarotongan offers Day Rooms from 6am to 6pm, or any time in between, subject to availability. A Day Room may be the ideal solution for travellers on their way to or from Aitutaki or another outer island, and guests who have booked a Day Room enjoy the full use of their room (for example, free in-room movies) and the Resort’s facilities and services including complimentary Tropical Breakfast (available from 7am-10am), extensive Activities Programme, use of swimming pool, tennis courts, kids club, gym, kayaks, beach towels, snorkelling gear, reef shoes, sunloungers, hammocks and more. The minimum Day Room charge is NZ$95 per room for the first 4 hours. Thereafter each additional hour is charged at NZ$15 per hour until 6pm. After 6pm a full night’s accom-modation charge is incurred. Please contact the Front Desk at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa for further information.
DÉCOR & AESTHETIC
As a unique, character resort, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa is proud to showcase the skills and talents of local Cook Islands artists and craftspeople so that guests may feel immersed in a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary expressions of a true, yet original, South Pacific aesthetic.
A major project of the year 2000 was the design and production of the stunning brightly coloured panels and tivaevae - traditional Cook Islands quilts - hanging in the Lobby. The works were co-designed by fabric artist Andrea Eimke and the Resort’s Liz Raizis and Tata Crocombe, and produced by Andrea with the assistance of her seamstresses at her outer island studio, the Atiu Fibre Arts Studio (phone 33031), over several months.
Flowers are a central part of Cook Islands life and are used daily for personal adornment and to grace homes and buildings, especially during Tiare Week each November. As a tribute to the high esteem in which flowers are held in the Cooks, the Lobby features two works showcasing the beauty of flowers. Andrea Eimke’s painted panel encircles the seating area of the Lobby and shows off a procession of beautiful Cook Island blooms (the “Painted Neck Ei”) leading the eye to a spectacular tivaevae work – the “Island of Flowers”. This tivaevae depicts a gorgeous bouquet of tropical flowers often seen in season around Rarotonga. The flowers in the panel and the tivaevae include the Cook Islands’ national flower, the Tiare Maori or single-petalled gardenia (Gardenia taitensis), the white and pink tipani or frangipani (Plumeria obtusa and Plumeria rubra cultivar), the kaute or red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinesis cultivar), the bright orange and purple tiare parataito or bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), the bold red and yellow tiare parataito or hanging heliconia (Helicon rostrate), the purple taria or bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis), the bright red anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum), the Riri Iotepa or Christmas Lily (Lilium loniflorum cultivar), the patai or flamboyant (Delonix regia), the oketi or pink moth orchid (Phalaenopsis cultivar), and the fragrant Pua (Fagraea berteroana) introduced (like the Tiare Maori) by the early Polynesians into the Cook Islands from the Western Pacific about 2000 years ago.
Quilting was introduced to the women of the Cook Islands about 200 years ago by English missionaries. Since then it has evolved into a unique art form using patterns, motifs, emblems, icons and techniques specific to the Cook Islands. Tivaevae are generally produced by a group of women who cut and sew together in a circle, and the pieces become treasured heirlooms that are presented as gifts at times of celebration such as haircutting ceremonies, 21st birthdays and weddings, and are then carefully stored in glory boxes. The lady of the house will often use a tivaevae to drape across a bed or sofa intended for special guests, and tivaevae bedspreads and cushions are still seen in older homes. Sometimes treasured tivaevae are also buried with a close family member as a tribute to the deep love and high esteem in which they were held. There are several distinct styles of tivaevae embroidery and appliqué, and such treasures are rarely sold with few actually finding their way onto the market. The Cook Islands Tivaevae Society holds annual exhibitions of tivaevae on Rarotonga around October. The Society’s aim is to revive this time-intensive and skilled art that is not practised as widely among younger, more time-pressured Cook Islands women as among the patient mamas of old.
The Rarotongan’s Lobby, along with the TE VAKA Restaurant, Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill, Reef Fish Café, Treetops Verandah Function Room, Moko’s Kids Club, Aroa Beach Gazebo, walkways, guestrooms and the stunning Honeymoon Bungalow all feature the original works of lighting designers and decorative artists Jesus de Navaraaa and Hinano Marraud. Resort Managing Director Mr Tata Crocombe has a strong vision that The Rarotongan should showcase authentic and original South Pacific arts, and when he came across Jesus’ work in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, he invited him to The Rarotongan to complete a range of commissioned works. Challenging technical issues were overcome to create completely unique designs portraying the distinctive natural flora, fauna and culture of the Cook Islands, including graceful island maidens, fearsome gods, brilliant heliconias and hibiscus, iconic shapes such as the breadfruit leaf, kaleidoscopic reef fishes, and traditional Polynesian tattoo patterns such as those embedded into the walkways in the 600 and 700 villages, and using such authentic materials as black pearl shell and other tropical shells, coconut sennit, coconut sheaths and tropical hardwoods.
All the Resort’s guestrooms and suites feature the distinctive, brilliantly coloured artwork of Andi Merkens. When Andi and her family moved to Rarotonga from New Zealand in 1998, she was inspired away from her 25 years in graphic design into painting canvasses bursting with the vibrancy and lushness of the island. The pieces in the rooms include a work showing Mama Vaine Taripo of Titikaveka standing with a beautiful heirloom tivaevae (Cook Islands hand-embroidered quilt), and works specially-commissioned by The Rarotongan including “Te Vaka O Aroa” which incorporates two distinctive icons of the island – the vaka (or outrigger canoe) and a bright pareu (island-print sarong); Aroa of course being the name of this area, including Aroa Beach and Aroa Lagoon (the Lagoon of Love). A second commissioned work is called “Contended Cat” and features a tiger-coloured cat resting on a bright, tivaevae-draped sofa bordered by a vase of striking yellow lobster-claw heliconias. Prints of both “Te Vaka” and “Contented Cat” are available through the Pacific Art gallery in Muri for $100 each, phone Ella on 24 200 or 51 419.
Elsewhere around the resort The Rarotongan features another of the Cook Islands’ renowned art forms, carving. Carved staff gods, ceremonial spears, clubs and outriggers feature in the Resort porte cochere, TE VAKA Restaurant, Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill, Reef Fish Café, Treetops Verandah Restaurant and in the Games Lounge. The pieces come from the Resort’s own collections added to by more-recent commissions from Island Craft whose well-stocked shop showcasing the work of local carvers and craftspeople is located in midtown Avarua (phone 22 009), or purchased from the superb Beachcomber gallery on the outskirts of Avarua (phone 21939). The Resort’s own gallery of original paintings is located opposite the Hibiscus Hut and features works from some of the Cook Islands acclaimed artists.
DEPARTURES
Transfers to Rarotonga International Airport can be booked through the Front Desk. Pick-ups are normally about 2 hours prior to departure, but have been known to be as much as 4 hours prior, so do please check in advance with Front Desk. The bus picks you up from the Lobby entrance; please ensure you have your transfer tickets and voucher ready prior to pick-up. Please call Front Desk should you wish to have your luggage collected from your room in readiness for your departure; please give as much notice as possible of your need for assistance with the collection of your bags. Check-out is at 10am, however Late check-out may be able to be arranged until 2pm subject to availability; the charge for this service is NZ$95. When travelling from Australia or New Zealand, you will cross the International Date Line, meaning that you will ‘gain’ one day when you arrive, and ‘lose’ one day when you return. For further information or to book an international or domestic transfer, please dial Front Desk on extension “0”.
DEPARTURE TAX
International Airport tax is NZ$30 per person, and NZ$15 for children aged between 2 and 12 years. Children under 2 years are free of charge. Departure Tax may be pre-paid at the Westpac Bank any time prior to your departure, either in Avarua or at the Airport Branch.
DINING
At The Rarotongan there is an exciting variety of dining options available every night ranging from the delectable Dinner Specials Menu, the All Day Menu packed with classic favourites with a tropical twist, and the fabulous Theme Buffet Dinners complete with superb entertainment. The choice is all yours! Dinner from 6pm-9pm. Please call the Restaurant on 8020 to make your reservation. Minimum numbers apply for Theme Nights – please check your daily guest newsletter for updates on the evening’s dining options.
THEME NIGHT SCHEDULE
Monday
Tex Mex Buffet Night ~ with Crab Racing & Karaoke
Tuesday
Island BBQ Night ~ with Tamariki Manuia Fire Dance Show
Wednesday
‘Legends of Polynesia’ Island Night Feast & Show ~ with Orama
Thursday
Mama’s Pizza & Pasta Night ~ with Andre Tapena on Keyboard
Friday
Flame Grill Steak Night ~ with Rama Nui featuring the Always Group,
followed by The Rarotongan’s famous Friday NiteLife Tour (do the tour, buy the tee-shirt)
Saturday
‘Legends of Polynesia’ Island Night Feast & Show ~ with E Matike
Sunday – Brunch
Sunday Brunch ~ with Pacific Gospel Group, St Mary’s Music Ministry
Sunday Roast Night ~ with Guitar Soloist Tok
DISABLED & SPECIAL NEEDS FACILITIES
Most areas of The Rarotongan, including the gift shops, are accessible by wheelchair. The Resort also has wheelchairs available. If you require further assistance or information about our disabled facilities please call the Duty Manager, phone “0”.
DIVING
Rarotonga’s clear, warm waters with fantastic visibility and diversity of marine life make it excellent for diving and snorkelling. If you’ve never dived there are qualified instructors at several different dive operations around the island who can give expert tuition, and Rarotonga’s lagoons are a great place to learn (sure beats your local city swimming pool!). Outside the reef there’s a diverse range of diving including interesting drop-offs, a variety of hard corals, rays, sharks, turtles, whales, canyons, caves, tunnels ands shipwrecks. The reef drop-off goes from about 20-30 metres down to 4000 metres. Most diving is done at 5 to 40m where visibility is 20 to 60m (100 feet), depending on weather and wind conditions. Usual water temperatures range between 25-28 degrees Celsius. Another welcome feature of diving off Rarotonga are the short trips in purpose-built boats, often no more than 10 minutes to superb dive sites, and as the island of Rarotonga is circular there are almost always safe spots for diving with good visibility.
DENTISTS
If you require dental attention, please dial the Front Desk on “0”, or contact the dentists practising on Rarotonga directly on the following numbers:
Philip V Nicholas
BDS (NZ), Nikao Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm PH 20 169
Email: phil@pvkdental.co.ck
Dr Kaa Henry’s Dental Surgery,
Ruatonga (Avarua) Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm PH 29 605
Aroiva Akama,
Tupapa Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm PH 29 312
DOCTORS
There are a number of qualified private doctors resident on Rarotonga. If you require medical attention, our Front Desk staff can provide assistance with information or transportation arrangements; please phone “0”. Alternatively, you can contact the doctors directly on the following numbers:
Dr R Fariu Arapani, after hours or home PH 27 777
Akaoa Medical visits by arrangement
Clinic, Arorangi Mon-Fri 7.30am-1pm,
2.30-5pm, Sat 8am-12noon
Dr. Tamarua T. Herman PH 27 727
Cellular Phone PH 50 551
After Hours PH 23 427
Dr Wolfgang Mon-Fri 9am-12noon, PH 23 306 / 23 304
Losacker Or appointments by
(German-speaking arrangement
doctor), Avarua
Dr Teariki Matenga, Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm, PH 20 066
Tupapa Sat-Sun, 8-11am
Dr. T. Noovao PH 20 835
Dr. Oxana Makhno PH 29 691
MOB 55 987
Dr Tereapii Uka, Mon-Fri, 7am-8.15am, PH 20 835
Nikao 3.30-6.30pm
Dr Tereapii Uka’s Mon-Fri 9am -12noon
Medical Surgery and 1.30-3pm A/H 25 109
& Dispensing MOB 55 588
Pharmacy MOB 54 067
Tupapa Medical Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm, PH 20 066
Centre Sat 8am-11pm
Rarotonga Hospital is open 24 hours and there is a doctor on duty at all times in case of emergencies. There is a charge of NZ$40 for Visitor Consultations (extra charges apply for medication). The phone number at Rarotonga Hospital is 22 664, email aremaki@oyster.net.ck.
DRESS CODE
Comfortable and casual resort wear is an acceptable standard of dress at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. Swimsuits or bare chests are not appropriate in the Beach Bar or Restaurants after 6pm. For your safety, we recommend that footwear be worn at all times in and around the Resort.
Here are some suggestions for attire when attending:
Church: modest, tidy dress. For men, shirt sleeves and dress trousers/shorts; for women, longer-length skirt and blouse,
or a dress, preferably not sleeveless
Town: informal, casual and comfortable
Villages: informal, casual. Brief attire such as bikinis or
swimsuits should not be worn
Beach: topless sunbathing is not customary in the Cook
Islands and may cause offence
DRIVERS LICENCE
All drivers are required to have a current Cook Islands Drivers Licence. This is available from the Cook Islands Central Police Station in Avarua upon presentation of your own current licence, and costs NZ$10 (makes a great souvenir!). If you need to take a test for a Motorbike Licence there is an additional fee payable of NZ$6.
Police Station opening hours for Drivers Licence applications:
Monday to Saturday, 8am-3pm PH 22 499
DUTY MANAGER
A Duty Manager is available from 6am to midnight, 7 days a week, to assist you with any issues or matters of concern which you may have during your stay with us. For the assistance or services of a Duty Manager, please dial “0”.
DVD HIRE
You are able to hire DVDs to play in the comfort of your room from Front Desk. The selection includes over 100 titles and they cost NZ$9 each for a hire period of 24 hours.
Other DVD rental options around the island include:
D&D Rentals, Vaimaanga PH 20 004
Nikao Beach Video, Nikao PH 21 710
If you’ve brought (or bought!) a special CD, your in-room DVD player also offers the CD player function. Please call the Duty Manager if you require assistance, phone “0”.
