ABOUT SERENITY
Building Serenity - The Story Behind Our Rarotonga Villas
Locally Owned. Lovingly Operated
-
2007
Our ten-year plan had one goal; not corporate, not New Zealand.
-
2008
The idea took root: quieter, more intentional. Short-stay accommodation, somewhere in the Asia Pacific. That was enough to begin.
-
2012
Five years of exploring, assessing, and measuring against a checklist. Then we arrived in Rarotonga — and knew. From the very beginning, we wanted to be deeply connected to this place: a locally owned Cook Islands company, here for the long term.
-
2013
We secured the lease on an empty section and spent two years researching, designing, and slowly refining what Serenity could become.
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2017 - 2018
Construction began. By late 2018, the beachfront villas, pool, and pool hut areas were complete.
-
2020-2022
The garden duplex came to life during Covid - a period that, like so many challenges, shaped the character of what Serenity became.
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March 2025
The final piece: our two‑bedroom villa. What began as a ten‑year plan stretched into seventeen. The result is something we are incredibly proud of.
And now we'd love to share it with you.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
A Different
Kind of Stay
RICK AND JO SAY
What keeps
us going
Serenity is built around a different set of priorities - calm over busy, considered over convenient.
Every system and process is designed to protect what makes Rarotonga special.
When guests choose to stay with us, they become part of that effort—helping conserve and care for this beautiful place simply by the way they experience it.
ECO CERTIFIED - MANA TIAKI
Among the Highest Scoring Businesses in the Cook Islands
Rarotonga's official sustainable tourism certification
The joy our guests express—their sense of calm, connection, and appreciation—makes every step of this journey worthwhile.
“
Serenity is more than a place to stay - it's a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience Rarotonga in a way that truly honours the island and its people.
How You Can Help
01
Self Contained Stay
Reduce your laundry needs where you can and help conserve water and energy.
04
Waste Separation
Please use our 5-bin system - every item sorted makes a difference.
02
Coral-Safe Sunscreen
Use reef-friendly lotions to protect our lagoon and its marine life.
05
Energy Conservation
Be mindful of your electricity usage throughout your stay.
03
Local Transport
Hire an e-bike or take the public bus to explore the island sustainably.
06
Food Sharing
Leave surplus food for local village families - nothing goes to waste here and your leftovers can make a real difference.
We're grateful to everyone who helped us get to where we are and chooses to be part of our on-going story. We remain committed to the values of Mana Tiaki - caring for this land today, so it can be treasured for generations to come.
Rick and Jo
Owners & Hosts
SERENITY VILLAS
MANA TIAKI CERTIFIED