5 Best Resorts for Conferences in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Last Updated: 7 June, 2025

The Best Resorts with Function Rooms and Business Facilities in the Cook Islands

Make a statement and “wow” your delegates with a conference, seminar or business event in the Cook Islands. Home to the country’s only international airport, Rarotonga is your go-to for conferences. The island is home to some stunning resorts with conference venues and rooms to cater to all attendees.

Meanwhile, the odd resort with conference facilities can also be found further afield on the stunning lagoon of Aitutaki. Wherever you choose, we’ve compiled the top resorts to get you closer to organising the perfect event in this list of the best resorts for conferences in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

1. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

A stunning location on Aroa Beach and an impressive upstairs venue, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium is well worth considering for your conference or business event in the Cook Islands. The “Treetops Verandah Function Room” boasts fantastic views of the coconut trees, the beach and the ocean beyond.

The space is extremely versatile and can be transformed into a conference or seminar set-up complete with a podium and microphone, whiteboard and projector, TV and more. There’s plenty of space for tea/coffee breaks, break-out meetings and/or a business lunch.

Find out more about the rooms and facilities of The Rarotongan in the 20 Best Resorts on Rarotonga.

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5 Best Resorts for Conferences in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

2. Crown Beach Resort & Spa

A favourite go-to for conferences and corporate functions (and also in Rarotonga), the Crown Beach Resort & Spa offers excellent conference facilities and accommodation less than a 10-minute drive from Rarotonga Airport.

Their conference room caters to between 10 and 150 delegates, with the venue spilling out onto a central courtyard and break-out rooms offering plenty of space for workshops and networking during lunch breaks, where catering, too, can be arranged.

As for the accommodation, it’s an adults-only resort, ensuring the right tone is set for business, while the large pool, two restaurants and bar allow for entertainment. Learn more about the audio/visual technology and the extensive facilities for conferences at this resort in the 10 Best Events & Conference Venues in the Cook Islands.

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3. Edgewater Resort & Spa

The largest resort on Rarotonga, Edgewater Resort & Spa offers the most comprehensive list of services and venues for corporate events, as well as guest rooms. Choose from either the “Are Vananga Conference Centre”, which can seat up to 120 delegates with its own self-contained “Conference Administration Office”, the “Te Kou Board Room” for up to 12 people, the “Umu Hut” as an open-air alternative or “Marae Tai”, their sand deck by the sea.

There is also an array of catering options, from finger foods to buffet dinners, while audio-visual equipment, WiFi, additional rooms, event managers, free parking, pre-function venues and more are also available. Learn more about staying at this resort in The Top 50 Resorts in the Cook Islands.

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4. Nautilus Resort

A luxury resort on Muri Beach, Nautilus Resort is a worthy consideration for intimate seminars with their 20-pax boardroom set-up or a conference with up to 50 seats in a theatre-style set-up. Anything larger can be arranged at the resort’s poolside marquee.

Most conferences, however, take place in their private function room, which leads onto a beachfront terrace and is equipped with top-of-the-line audio-visual tools. The accommodation here is among some of the most luxurious villas on Rarotonga, but the location at Muri means that there are plenty of alternative accommodation options nearby should you need them.

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5. Tamanu Beach Resort

For hosting events in Aitutaki, turn to one of its largest resorts. Tamanu Beach Resort offers several indoor, outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces for all sorts of functions and events. They are a popular resort for yoga retreats, but cater to most types of functions, including business meetings in their fully enclosed conference room.

Lush plants enhance the resort’s tropical ambience, while a charming beach hut is a hub for water sports, private dining, and beach massages.

Tamanu’s beach concierge program is a standout feature, designed to boost the confidence of first-time or hesitant snorkellers through guided sessions. This service helps guests relax and better observe marine life, enabling them to enjoy self-guided snorkelling throughout their stay.

To complement its water-based offerings, Tamanu has developed two coral gardens directly in front of the resort, further enriching the snorkelling experience. With options for island buffets, cultural dancing, and beachfront venues, your event at Tamanu is sure to be unforgettable.

Learn more about the resort’s villas in the 10 Best Resorts on Aitutaki.

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More About Resorts for Conferences and Business Events in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Now that you know the top resorts to look at for organising your conference, business meeting, seminar or event, check out alternative accommodations with event facilities that may be able to cater for business needs:

Finally, if you still haven’t found a convenient place to stay or need more accommodation options for your delegates, be sure to peruse Where to Stay in the Cook Islands: The Best Cook Islands Accommodations.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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