Here’s our May newsletter, interesting and helpful, full of useful snippets about what we have been doing, to assist you in making your visit to the Cook Islands even more memorable. And remember, please email me (or telephone...or Skype me) - Kathrine Reid (Sales & Marketing Coordinator) marketing@pacificresort.co.ck for even more personalised information and assistance.

Current Special Offers..... 

The following Special Offers are currently available from Pacific Resort. For a complete list of special offers visit our website and check under the Offers & Packages section www.pacificresort.com

Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Stay 5 Pay 4 plus more! - Pacific Resort Rarotonga (Based on dbl/twin share accommodation) Quote Booking Code: PRR-W02 Garden Suite from NZ$2,040 per couple per stay Beachfront Suite from NZ$2,420 per couple per stay (Available in other room categories upon request) Sale Period Valid to 31 March 2010 Travel Period Valid to 31 March 2010 Based on a Minimum Stay of 5 Nights: Standard internet rate inclusions Includes one free night Includes NZ$50 food & beverage credit per room per night

Wedding Special!- Pacific Resort Rarotonga $3,500 per couple per stay (Based on dbl/twin share accommodation) Quote Booking Code: PRR-W05 Sale Period Valid to 31 March 2010 Travel Period Valid to 31 March 2010 Based on a 5 Nights in a Garden Suite: Standard internet rate inclusions Includes 'Pacific Wedding Ceremony' package Includes upgrade to a Beachfront Suite subject to availability on arrival Includes a romantic dinner for two in your own private setting Includes a champagne breakfast for two Includes one free Snorkelling Cruise on Moana Roa per person per stay Includes a pareu (sarong) and shell ei

 
 
Pacific Resort Aitutaki

3 Night Value Deal - Pacific Resort Aitutaki from NZ$2,445 per couple per stay (based on dbl/twn share beachfront bungalow) Quote booking code: PRA-W01 Beachfront Suite from NZ$3,225 per couple per stay Beachfront Villa from NZ$4,410 per couple per stay Sales Period Valid to 01  September 2009 Travel Period Valid to 31 March 2010 Based on a 3 night stay: Standard internet rate inclusions Includes NZ$100 food & beverage credit per room per night Conditions: Based twin or double share basis Minimum three night stay Block out dates apply Other conditions may apply from time to time

5 Night Value Deal (Airfare) - Pacific Resort Aitutaki from NZ$4,075 per couple per stay (based on dbl/twn share beachfront bungalow) Quote booking code: PRA-W03 Beachfront Suite from NZ$5,375 per couple per stay Beachfront Villa from NZ$7,350 per couple per stay Sales Period Valid to 01 September 2009 Travel Period Valid to 31 March 2010 Based on a 5 night stay: Standard internet rate inclusions Includes 1 return airfare to Aitutaki on Air Rarotonga Conditions: Based twin or double share basis Minimum five night stay Block out dates apply Offer valid only on the following Air Raro flights  GZ613/618/620 Other conditions may apply from time to time

Pacific Resort Aitutaki
- "Kicks off 2009 with more Top Awards"

Trip Advisor 2009 Travellers’ Choice Awards

Pacific Resort Aitutaki has been chosen as a Best Luxury Hotel in the World & Best Luxury Resort in the South Pacific by TripAdvisor® in its 2009 Travellers’ Choice Awards! Now in its seventh year, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards honour the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best - real travellers.

Unlike any other hotel awards programs in the world, TripAdvisor® Travellers' Choice winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com and content from across the web.

As Pacific Resort CEO Greg Stanaway says; “This award provides further testament to Pacific Resort Aitutaki’s position as one of the world’s leading luxury resorts”. The list of accolades for Pacific Resort Aitutaki in recent years is extensive with the resort collecting the following awards in 2008 alone:

World's Leading Boutique Island Resort World Travel Awards Top 20 Resort - Australia & Pacific Conde Nast Traveller's Readers Choice Awards Luxury Island Resort World Luxury Hotel Awards Australasia's Leading Boutique Resort World Travel Awards Cook Islands Leading Resort World Travel Awards

Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
- Gaining Momentum as Rarotonga’s Top Luxury Villas

Five new Honeymoon Villas, each with their own private courtyards and Spa Pools, are in the planning phase at Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa. These Honeymoon Villas will complement the existing villas and provide the perfect love nest for couples who are looking for a totally private sojourn on Rarotonga. Construction of these wonderful new romantic hideaways will commence in early May 2009 and will be spread over a 9 month schedule with no disturbance to services and facilities of the existing complex expected.

Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa has already become a very popular luxury option in the Cook Islands and its early success has given us the confidence to now step up to the next level. Also scheduled during the development phase is an on-site administration office and day spa facility. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Pacific Resort Aitutaki
– New Restaurant Menus to Fire Up Your Palate

With very strong influences from local produce and seafood, Pacific Resort Aitutaki has launched a series of new menus. Aitutaki General Manager, Michael Shah together with Chilean Chef, Ricardo Gana, have created a wonderful array of dishes that are set to fire up your palate. “We want to capture the essence of the Pacific through the unique flavours of the region and infuse them into range of classic international dishes that sit comfortably alongside our truly local menu items", says Michael. “We are committed to showcasing the very best Cook Island experiences to our guests and we use every opportunity to do this including our menus.” The new menu features a range of Pacific Style dishes such as the classic Ika Mata and daily specials such

as Coconut Baked Tuna Fillets with a Guava and Mango Salsa or Slow Cooked Wild Pork Marinated in Kiva Ale. Michael has also re-launched the Pacific Resort Aitutaki wine list, extending the selection to include wines from Italy, France and the USA.  Michael says: “I have chosen some well-regarded international wines to reflect the internationality of our guests. We showcase some superb New Zealand and Australian wines but now offer a broader selection of Northern Hemisphere wines.  I have also expanded the list to include more choice of varietals such as Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Viognier.” Michael is on hand to discuss his recommendations with guests and to offer suggestions on which wine matches well with Chef Ricardo’s superb cuisine!

Aitutaki Tourism Industry
- Two New Land Activities Available on Aitutaki

You now have the option to enjoy two new land based tours while staying at the fabulous Pacific Resort Aitutaki. 

The Secret Gardens - Aitutaki’s Own Private Fruit Plantation Enjoy the unique experience of a personal tour by Owner Bill Tschan where he leads them on a journey of delight and discovery through his amazingly lush 3-acre tropical garden. These private gardens reveal Bill’s passionate affair with nature. His gardens are smothered with rare plants, flowering trees, bushes and vines from all over the world. Varieties are seasonal but the beauty, the colours and the different tastes are truly magnificent at any time. Guided Tours are conducted daily and last about 1.5 hours.
	Sacred Sites and Legendary Places  - the Ultimate Archeological Cultural Tour Aitutaki Discovery Safari Tours has added this new tour to their itinerary. Guests spend 3 hours with their own local Field Archeologist, traveling along trails used by the fierce warriors of Kakeroa, visiting the excavation site of an important temple (Marae) as well as visiting Mount Maungapu - the highest point on Aitutaki. This is an excellent and very informative cultural tour of Aitutaki for all age groups. Guests ride in a 4WD Land Rover with their guide providing commentary along the whole route. Tours operate Sunday to Friday.

 Pacific Resort Gets Serious about the Environment
- Green Globe Certification

As part of Pacific Resort’s longstanding commitment to improving the Health of the Planet we have applied to the Green Globe World Organisation for the Green Tick Certification.

This Certification will enhance our 'Mana' with all those who share a genuine concern about the state of Planet Earth, including global institutions, organisations and governments who share a similar commitment to nurturing the environment.

Green Tick Certification has some very stringent criteria including:

• Straws in bar service to be on request basis only
• Cleaning chemicals used must be certified by Green Globe
• All staff must attend a Green Globe training session
• Rubbish - Rubbish - Rubbish - strict adherence to Green Globe recycling policies
• Re-using of paper - if it’s ‘used’ it can be used again

In previous publications, you may have read about our initiative turning used cooking oils into ‘biodiesel’, which fuels our work vehicles. This initiative has been enthusiastically embraced by Green Globe as an extremely positive component of our certification.

Watch this space as we share our commitment to improving the health of our planet with you!

Cook Islands Tourism Industry
- Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards 2009

The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council, in association with the Premier Partner, Air New Zealand, Associate Partner ANZ Banking Corporation and The Bond, and with the support of the Cook Island Tourism Corporation, is hosting the Inaugural Cook Islands Tourism Awards. This first time Event is currently underway, working towards the Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday evening 24th July 2009. This Event engages the Cook Islands tourism industry with an opportunity to recognize industry excellence and foster better business. These awards will provide all Cook Islands operators with the opportunity to have their businesses independently evaluated and appraised.

A key factor of the process will be the critical evaluation of all entries, with confidential reports being returned to entrants for their consideration and subsequent fine tuning of their operations. The Cook Islands Tourism Industry has taken this initiative to help recognise industry and individual achievements, whilst building for the future! Look out for further information about the Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards 2009, or visit www.cookislandsindustry.co.ck for more information.

Other News Headlines

The Cook Islands is hosting three high profile sporting events in 2009

• The Under 21 World Netball Championships -11th to 21st August 2009
• The Mini South Pacific Games - 21st September to 02nd October 2009
• The 2009 Vaka Eiva - November 2009 (we are a major sponsor!)

News and Updates from Pacific Resort Aitutaki:

• Wedding Ceremony and Renewal of Vows packages are available year round from NZ$1,300. Click here to view our comprehensive 2009 Wedding Information Pack for Pacific Resort Aitutaki
• Special bonuses are offered to Honeymoon couples when staying at Pacific Resort Aitutaki
• Pacific Resort Aitutaki Tiara Spa offers a range of revitalising treatments from half hour sessions to a luxurious 4 hour Pure Indulgence treatment - see our website for more Spa treatment details
• Air Rarotonga offer two Sunday services between RAR and AIT, with the GZ617 AITRAR flight connecting well with NZ45 RARAKL
• Wireless Broadband Internet services are available in all rooms and public areas (charges apply)

Other News from Pacific Resort Rarotonga:

• Wedding Ceremony and Renewal of Vowels packages available year round from NZ$1,300. Click here to view our comprehensive 2009 Wedding Information Pack for Pacific Resort Rarotonga
• Special bonuses are offered to Honeymoon couples when staying at Pacific Resort Rarotonga
• Pacific Resort Rarotonga Kids Club - caters for children aged 6-13yrs and offers action-packed entertainment eg: coconut husking, octopus hunting in the lagoon. Babysitting services are available too
• Our renovations and soft furnishing upgrades at Pacific Resort Rarotonga are complete
• Wireless Broadband Internet services are available in all rooms and public areas (charges apply)

News from Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa:

• A charge back facility is available at Pacific Resort Rarotonga for guests who wish to dine at our resort while staying at Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
• Don’t forget! There are Single & Dual Key options for the Ultimate Beachfront Villas
• Staying 7 nights or more at Te Manava saves your clients an extra $300 per night, it pays to stay longer
• Wireless Broadband Internet services are available in all Villas (charges apply)

Other Snippets…

• Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa’s Compendiums and Guest Menu are available online at www.temanava.com - please download with our compliments
  
• Our traditional Cook Islands optimism remains intact, as we continue to enjoy good support from discerning travellers, those who are aware of what the Cook Islands offers as an affordable, authentic, Polynesian experience
  
• Need Pacific Resort assistance? Need a question answered?

New Zealand Representative: Melanie Hall (melaniehpacificresort@xtra.co.nz) Australian Representative: Allison Barclay (allison@revolvecommunications.com.au)

• Don’t forget about Sunday flights to Aitutaki - Great for building connections and programmes around NZ45/46
  
• Make sure you are up to date with the latest specials and information!
  Visit our website now... www.pacificresort.com ...or contact Kathrine ... marketing@pacificresort.co.ck