Meet Brett Baudinet: The Vision Behind The Grand Resort

Realising a dream and lifelong passion for luxury tourism and hospitality by bringing a new era of five-star accommodation to the Cook Islands.

Brett Baudinet, Owner and CEO of The Grand Resort

Brett Baudinet’s dream is to fill a gap in the Cook Islands, with a resort that raises the standard of luxury accommodation. Drawing on decades of family experience in tourism and hospitality, and his own international career as a professional tennis player, Brett recognised an opportunity to introduce a true five-star resort that offers the level of refined luxury that many global travellers are used to, while complementing the island's natural beauty.

A Lifetime in Tourism

Hand made long impressive gold chandelier in The Grand Resort's reception area

Growing up in a family deeply involved in hospitality and tourism gave Brett an early appreciation for exceptional guest experiences. His professional tennis career then took him to some of the finest hotels and resorts around the world.

These experiences shaped his understanding of what luxury travellers genuinely value:

·         Personalised service

·         Thoughtful design

·         Seamless technology

·         Exceptional dining

·         Relaxed sophistication

·         Authentic local experiences

Those lessons, and inspiration from Las Vegas, were incorporated into the design, and became the blueprint for The Grand Resort.

"The Cook Islands have always had extraordinary natural beauty and genuine warm hospitality. What they lacked was an internationally recognised five-star luxury experience."

Why Build a Luxury Resort in Rarotonga?

Tourism and demand for additional accommodation in the Cook Islands is growing rapidly.

“Record visitor numbers bring both opportunity and responsibility. Our focus is not simply on increasing volume, but on attracting higher-value guests, opening new markets and delivering a premium experience while respecting the island’s infrastructure.”

This approach helps deliver greater economic benefits while remaining mindful of the island's infrastructure and environment.

Creating a New Standard of Luxury Accommodation

The Grand Resort three level building with long Grand Canal pool, looking towards the lagoon.

Every aspect of The Grand Resort has been carefully designed to deliver an effortless luxury experience. Designed for the modern luxury traveller who values quality, privacy, and a seamless level of service.

Highlights include:

Absolute Beachfront Location

Located directly on one of Rarotonga's most beautiful beaches, guests enjoy panoramic lagoon views and spectacular sunsets.

The South Pacific's Longest Lagoon Pool

The resort features a spectacular 110 metre long swimming pool connecting:

• Swim-up suites

• Swim-up pool bar

• Beachfront access

• Tropical gardens

Guests can literally swim from their suite to enjoy a cocktail without ever leaving the water.

SKYBAR

The resort's rooftop SKYBAR offers:

• 360-degree island views

• Sunset cocktails

• Premium tapas

• A sophisticated evening atmosphere overlooking the lagoon.

World-Class Dining

Dining is central to the guest experience. Guests can enjoy: 

• Blu Restaurant – refined beachfront dining celebrating Pacific flavours with international influences

• Dolce Café – artisan coffee, pastries and casual dining overlooking a dramatic three-storey waterfall

• 24-hour in-suite dining

• Signature Grand Canal water fountain nightly shows

Technology That Makes Luxury Effortless

Intuitive technology enhances every stay. Guests can manage almost every aspect of their holiday through in-room tablets, including:

• Restaurant reservations

• Room service

• Spa bookings

• Transport

• Island tours

• Guest services

The result is a seamless luxury experience with minimal effort.

Sustainability Built Into Every Decision

For Brett, luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. From the construction phase onward, the resort has been designed to minimise its environmental impact.

Key sustainability initiatives include:

• Solar-powered air conditioning

• Energy-efficient concrete construction

• 400,000-litre water storage capacity

• Alternative water sourcing initiatives

• Staff uniforms made from recycled materials

• Long-term infrastructure planning

• Reduced overall energy consumption

On a small Pacific island, responsible development is essential, and sustainability has been integrated into every stage of the project.

More Than Just a Luxury Hotel

Skypool Suite with super king bed, sunken lounge, private skypool and view over the lagoon.

The Grand Resort is ideally positioned for travellers from New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii looking for an easy-to-reach tropical escape. New direct flight connections, including Brisbane and Christchurch services, alongside existing Sydney, Auckland and Honolulu flights, are making Rarotonga more accessible than ever.

The Grand Resort is ideal for:

• Luxury holidays

• Romantic escapes

• Honeymoons

• Wellness retreats

• Premium island experiences

While leisure travellers remain the primary focus, Brett also sees enormous opportunity for exclusive groups and events.

• Luxury incentive travel

• Executive retreats

• Exclusive resort buyouts

• Intimate destination weddings

• Milestone celebrations

• VIP group experiences

The emphasis is on creating unforgettable experiences for smaller, high-end groups.

Brett Baudinet's Vision

Two sun loungers, in the pool, on the patio outside a Luxury King Suite at The Grand Resort

Ultimately, Brett's goal is simple:

To showcase the Cook Islands as one of the South Pacific's premier luxury destinations while preserving the authenticity, warmth and natural beauty that make Rarotonga so unique.

As he explains, true luxury isn't about excess. It's about thoughtful design, genuine hospitality and creating memorable experiences that feel effortless from arrival to departure.

Bookings are now open, with exclusive opening offers available for a limited time.

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