Kia Orana Hotel Group Expands Cook Islands Boutique Accommodation Options

Everything is on track to enable the Kia Orana Hotel Group to become “a one stop shop for all accommodation requirements in the Cook Islands,” said Louis Enoka, Resorts and Operations Manager.

The one year old business, a division of the Wellington-based Tepaki Group of Companies, operates a chain of boutique resort properties on the main island of Rarotonga and is finalising plans to manage and eventually purchase and upgrade several intimate resorts on the neighbouring islands of Aitutaki and Aitu.

The group’s most recent acquisition is Aquarius by the Ocean, a purpose built ‘budget boutique’ hotel.  Located on the beach, the 11 room property is a 2 minute walk from the Rarotonga International Airport and a 15 minute walk to population 2000 Avarua, the island’s administrative centre and main town. 

[Pictured: The Aquarius by the Ocean offers both 3-star and back packer accommodation in a new purpose built property.]

The Aquarius is the lead-in boutique hotel for all of our packages.  It’s perfectly sited to offer the first night and last night accommodation for tourists or act as a transit hotel between connecting flights as it’s so convenient to the airport, he said. 

As well, there’s another advantage of this lagoon-sited hotel; it offers 25 bunks with shared facilities.  Aquarius “presents a new approach to back packing around the globe”, he added. 

Since acquiring the Aquarius by the Ocean in August the group is able to offer accommodation from back packer to four star.  

The group’s flagship property, the Manuia Beach Boutique Hotel is located on Rarotonga’s sheltered ‘sunset coast’.  The recipient of the ‘Best Hotel’ in the Cook Islands World Travel Awards 2003, the Manuia has 24 duplex Polynesian style bungalows which lead to an infinity pool back dropped by the reef protected lagoon.

A refurbishment program that started this week is expected to be finished by the end of the year. 

[Pictured: The beach fronting Manuia Beach Boutique Hotel is the flagship property for the Kia Orana Hotel Group.]

In addition to upgrading soft furnishings and adding decorative cultural artefacts to rooms, all bathrooms are to be expanded with the construction of an open air private shower area, said Mr Enoka. 

Located within walking distance of the Manuia, the Castaway Beach Villas is the third property that has been added to the Kia Orana Hotel Group portfolio within the past 12 months. 

Slotted just below the Manuia in price, this 12 unit boutique hotel with six pool units, four beachfront villas and two 2 bedroom pool suites is more suitable for families, he said.

Offering 22 units in a combination of studio units and 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom pool villas, Lagoon Lodges is more suited for young families as the property is more affordable, he said.

The quiet resort located in 5 acres of lush tropical gardens has views of extinct forested volcanic peaks in one direction and a sweeping beach in the other. 

The Lagoon Lodges is fully self catering though like at all other Kia Orana Group properties a substantial continental breakfast is included in the tariff.

The fifth property in the group, the Manea Beach Villas is set for a total rebuild expected to be complete within six months. The boutique resort currently has six self contained air conditioned villas sited on the edge of the Muri Lagoon on the south coast of Rarotonga.

While no comparison can be made with the density and diversity of facilities found in a much larger tourist centre in Hawaii, the Muri Beach area – perhaps said with tongue in cheek – is becoming known as the Waikiki of the Cook Islands!

While property refurbishments progress at the five properties on Rarotonga attention is being focussed on new developments in Aitutaki and Atiu. 

[Pictured: Set to receive a boutique Kia Orana development in the next few months, Aitutaki is most noted for its spectacular lagoon accessed by daily cruises.]

The contract to manage the Esma Beach Villas was signed this month with negotiations to purchase the three unit self contained property expected to be finalised by November.

Located on the northwest side of Aitutaki near the upgraded airport and the island’s sole 9-hole golf course, the plan is to build 12 upmarket beach front units within the next six months.  

Meanwhile, negotiations are underway for the management – and purchase within three months – of the six unit Kia Orana Bungalows and the six room Kopeka Lodge.  Both accommodation centres are located on the emerging island destination of Atiu. 

A 50 minute Air Rarotonga flight northeast of Rarotonga, Atiu is a fossilised raised coral isle noted for its extensive cave network and the unusual Kopeka, a swift-like bird that navigates by sonar like a bat.  Atiu is also the only place in the islands where coffee is grown on fertile volcanic soil plantations.

The three new acquisitions on Aitutaki and Atiu mean that we will own and operate eight properties in the Cook Islands by February, said Mr Enoka.

A Kia Orana website being developed under the banner “Experience Cook Islands with Cook Islanders” will reflect our goal to be a one stop shop for accommodation, he added.

In tandem with the group’s commitment to own and operate an octet of boutique properties by February is the dedicated objective to provide a convenient and affordable surface transport connection between the three islands within the same time frame. 

The Tepaki Group is negotiating the purchase of a 130 passenger boat which will be used to provide a fast ferry link between Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu. 

Currently located in Tahiti, the ocean going craft is being licensed and readied for inter island travel.

Mr Enoka projects a seven hour travel time between Rarotonga Harbour and Aitutaki.  We are initially looking at a figure of NZ $100 return for guests staying at any of our five existing properties in Rarotonga, he said.  The price would be higher for ‘walk-in’ passengers.

It’s not our intention to compete with Air Rarotonga’s existing air services to the outer islands.  We feel we can actually compliment current travel options by allowing passengers to fly one way and take the return fast ferry service, said Mr Enoka. 

Our objective is to “make the islands more accessible” and develop fly/cruise packages using our expanding portfolio of resort destinations, he said. 

This list of boutique properties includes future environmentally sensitive developments on two small isles in the southern Cook Island group.  Neighbours to Atiu, the infrequently visited cave-dotted isles of Mauke and Mitiaro are likely to be the next in line for boutique Kia Orana Group resorts.

Of course, the pace of development is dependent upon funding.  Currently we have around 100 investors who are partners in our success.  But we are still seeking additional overseas investors to fund further expansion plans.

Expressions of interest can be sent via email to [email protected], he said.

The Kia Orana Group has expanded so rapidly in the past 12 months that we haven’t even had time for a formal launch of the brand.  With all major resort and transport developments in place by early 2008 that could be a most opportune time, he said.    

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor