Hilton HHonors - New Hilton Rarotonga (Cook Islands)

I came across an ad for the new Hilton Rarotonga in the QF inflight entertainment magazine today and was quite surprised to read about it. I haven't spent much time in the Hilton forum lately but a search didn't reveal anything on this topic either.

Has anyone heard about this project? Apparently they are selling rooms and apartments and have already sold 50% (you also get 28 days of personal use per year if you buy one). It's supposed to be the first 5-star hotel on the main island Rarotonga and should have a nice beach without corals for good swimming. Looked nice to me although I'm not sure about the buying option...

I recall back in 2000 and 2002 that there was an abandoned resort on Rarotonga close to Muri Beach, which appeared that it was never developed or opened as a hotel (seemed as if funding had run out, and things were left "as is"). Maybe this is the property that will become a Hilton?

Also, found this website:

http://www.rarotongaresort.co.nz/index.php

What's next for Rarotonga, high-rise condos? I will miss the good old days!

NICE!!! ONE MORE "FREE" vacation spot^ ^ ^

I saw that ad too. I'd take the opening date with a grain of salt.

As posted above there have been other hotel developments on Raro that didn't get completed after many years. Even when building has commenced I'd still be sceptical about an opening date. Ever heard of island time? The slower pace of life means things always take a lot longer than you'd think.

When I took one of the island buses earlier today I saw some "signs" for the Hilton Rarotonga Resort & Spa. They were mainly advertising the timeshares I believe.

Then I did a Google search and came up with the following links:

http://www.hiltonrarotonga.co.nz/

http://www.hiltonworldresorts.com/Resorts/Rarotonga/index.html#Rarotonga

Anyway it seems that the opening has been postponed to 2009 at the earliest.

Interesting reading about this project that was suppose to be a Sheraton first:

http://www.southpacific.org/blog/2007/12/hilton-resort-rarotonga.html

Almost two years ago I reported on this blog that the Tepaki Group of Wellington, New Zealand, was trying to revive the defunct Sheraton Resort on the the south side of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. In the meantime nothing much has been done on what Tepaki wanted to call the Captain Cook Resort, but now the McEwan Group of Auckland has been brought on board and the project is back on the front burner. Fletcher Construction is scheduled to begin work on January 15, 2008, or so they say.

.....

If the Hilton Rarotonga Resort and Spa really does open in 2009 as the developers proclaim, it will be the end of a long tale of scandal and corruption which began in 1990 when the Cook Islands Government borrowed tens of millions of dollars from Italian banks to create the country’s first five-star resort. By mid-1993 the government’s loan money had been siphoned away by Mafia-connected contractors and the sorry skeleton of the would-be Sheraton has stood adandoned ever since. Frankly, given the numerous other failed attempts to revive the project since 1993, I’ll believe the Hilton Resort Rarotonga when I see it. Caveat emptor.

Supposedly they should have some showrooms ready so maybe I should pay them a visit tomorrow before my flight out? The picture about the concrete that had been left standing on the site undeveloped for years on the above link is still on my mind, however.

Any updates on this property? I saw the info below on an old post and I found the attached presentation online.

http://www.hiltonrarotonga.co.nz/images/Hilton_brochure.pdf


SydflyMay 14, 07, 9:10 am
I came across an ad for the new Hilton Rarotonga in the QF inflight entertainment magazine today and was quite surprised to read about it. I haven't spent much time in the Hilton forum lately but a search didn't reveal anything on this topic either.

Has anyone heard about this project? Apparently they are selling rooms and apartments and have already sold 50% (you also get 28 days of personal use per year if you buy one). It's supposed to be the first 5-star hotel on the main island Rarotonga and should have a nice beach without corals for good swimming. Looked nice to me although I'm not sure about the buying option...

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Cisco KidMay 14, 07, 11:45 am
I recall back in 2000 and 2002 that there was an abandoned resort on Rarotonga close to Muri Beach, which appeared that it was never developed or opened as a hotel (seemed as if funding had run out, and things were left "as is"). Maybe this is the property that will become a Hilton?

Also, found this website:

http://www.rarotongaresort.co.nz/index.php

What's next for Rarotonga, high-rise condos? I will miss the good old days!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

yyliu88May 14, 07, 11:52 am
NICE!!! ONE MORE "FREE" vacation spot^ ^ ^

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Kiwi FlyerMay 14, 07, 9:50 pm
I saw that ad too. I'd take the opening date with a grain of salt.

As posted above there have been other hotel developments on Raro that didn't get completed after many years. Even when building has commenced I'd still be sceptical about an opening date. Ever heard of island time? The slower pace of life means things always take a lot longer than you'd think.

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holtju2Aug 13, 08, 1:12 am
When I took one of the island buses earlier today I saw some "signs" for the Hilton Rarotonga Resort & Spa. They were mainly advertising the timeshares I believe.

Then I did a Google search and came up with the following links:

http://www.hiltonrarotonga.co.nz/

http://www.hiltonworldresorts.com/Resorts/Rarotonga/index.html#Rarotonga

Anyway it seems that the opening has been postponed to 2009 at the earliest.

Interesting reading about this project that was suppose to be a Sheraton first:

http://www.southpacific.org/blog/2007/12/hilton-resort-rarotonga.html

Almost two years ago I reported on this blog that the Tepaki Group of Wellington, New Zealand, was trying to revive the defunct Sheraton Resort on the the south side of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. In the meantime nothing much has been done on what Tepaki wanted to call the Captain Cook Resort, but now the McEwan Group of Auckland has been brought on board and the project is back on the front burner. Fletcher Construction is scheduled to begin work on January 15, 2008, or so they say.

.....

If the Hilton Rarotonga Resort and Spa really does open in 2009 as the developers proclaim, it will be the end of a long tale of scandal and corruption which began in 1990 when the Cook Islands Government borrowed tens of millions of dollars from Italian banks to create the country’s first five-star resort. By mid-1993 the government’s loan money had been siphoned away by Mafia-connected contractors and the sorry skeleton of the would-be Sheraton has stood adandoned ever since. Frankly, given the numerous other failed attempts to revive the project since 1993, I’ll believe the Hilton Resort Rarotonga when I see it. Caveat emptor.

Supposedly they should have some showrooms ready so maybe I should pay them a visit tomorrow before my flight out? The picture about the concrete that had been left standing on the site undeveloped for years on the above link is still on my mind, however.

That brochure is very misleading. If it's the location I think it is, it is across the street from the beach. It was a pretty ugly building too. Raro isn't really suited for large chain hotels. There are a couple resorts there but most people tend to rent houses.

Any updates on this property? I saw the info below on an old post and I found the attached presentation online.

http://www.hiltonrarotonga.co.nz/ima...n_brochure.pdf





Here is a copy of a message received from the Hilton Rarotonga a few days ago:




Thanks for your enquiry

Due to the worldwide financial situation which has unfolded over the last 12 months, the construction of the hotel has been stalled.
At this stage there is virtually zero possibility of having a functional hotel this year.

Here’s a website with helpful info on other resorts in the Cook Islands, which may prove useful if you need to select a venue.
<http://www.cook.pacific-resorts.com>


kind regards
Steve XXXXXXXX
www.hiltonrarotonga.co.nz