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Te Vara Nui Village: Muri, Cook Islands

2,160 Reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2019

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:

Excellent

1534

Very Good

460

Average

126

Poor

Terrible

Recent Reviews:

WinnievanDijk71

Auckland Central, New Zealand

Trip type:

Friends getaway

One of the best professional Island shows I have seen.

Nov 10, 2019

We have seen several Islands shows visiting family in Aitutaki, having a friend with us who never had seen one, we decided to give it a go. We took the... more »

ELLA I

Salt Lake City, Utah

Trip type:

Couples

Rarotonga “ Over the water show”

Nov 10, 2019

It was an amazing show. The event was very well organized, the service was impeccable. The dancers, the drummers, the MC the setting, all of it was magnificent. The story... more »

mariaphotography

Auckland, New Zealand

Amazing Performance, food is alright, BUT......

Nov 10, 2019

No matter how famous or award-winning they claim to be, BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS your customer is still really important, and customers should be TREATED EQUALLY. Here is the story:... more »

No matter how famous or award-winning they claim to be, BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS your customer is still really important, and customers should be TREATED EQUALLY.
Here is the story:
Simple curiosity about a table seating allocation turned into a sour experience because of poor attitude from the Manager, Jacque (or Jacqui).
We came from New Zealand (I was born from the Philippines, my partner is originally from India). I work as a Travel/events photographer in NZ and been traveling to the Pacific Islands to capture cultural shows.
I never really experienced something like this in any other Pacific Island, and sad to say I experienced this in the Cook Islands.
We booked the show 2-3 days before the performance. On their website, there was no mention of the seating allocation so it gives us the impression that it would reasonably first come, first serve.
We arrived as early as we can too, although we are booked and under the presumption that we will have a good view of the performance, we are excited. We met Jacqui, the manager at the entrance and she directed us to the restaurant where the event will take place.
We arrived and seeing heaps of seats still available IN FRONT', we are very excited.
BUT we were allocated at the back. We were shocked and confused. Firstly, we booked and arrived early only to be put in the back. Secondly, there are a lot of spaces available... NOBODY has explained to us what is going on!
Out of curiosity, we approached NICELY and asked Jacqui POLITELY, how they designate the seats as there are a lot of spaces available in front but we were put at the back. I will repeat, WE ASKED HER NICELY AND POLITELY.
BUT, the tone of her voice became very dismissive.
THE TONE OF VOICE IS REALLY VITAL IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. “It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.”
Her reaction gave us the impression that we are just complaining for no reason, that our simple query is undeserving of her respect and concern.
I saw how she talks to other guests (which the majority are white), and it is nothing close to how she replied to our query. Very accusatory.
She gave us an option, she asked us if we want to be transferred in a seat which was worst than where were, and she gave us only 10 seconds to answer which very DISDAINFUL.
Eventually, we decided to just stay at the back, since the option was stupid.
This sour feeling had changed when the host for the show approached us POLITELY and told us that the seat is only for dinner, but as soon as the show starts we can transfer our table in front or we can move and seat at the edge of the restaurant and watch over there.
ONLY IF SOMEONE FROM THE BEGINNING EXPLAINED THIS TO US, then it would have been a different story, but no one has ever bothered to tell that this is their standard procedure.
After that incident, we saw other people are being allocated at the back and the staff STARTED EXPLAINING TO THEM ABOUT THE PROCEDURE.
AND ALSO, we found out that those available seats in front ARE ONLY FOR THOSE WHO BOOKED IN THEIR CULTURAL VILLAGE TOUR. Therefore, regardless if you book or arrive too early, and paying THE SAME AMOUNT, if you did not book in their cultural village tour package, then expect to be seated at the back.

This review is more than just the seating allocation. THIS IS ABOUT RESPECT and TREATING each of your guests equally regardless of where they came from.

TeVaraNui, Manager at Te Vara Nui Village, responded to this review

Kia Orana,

Thank you for both of your reviews - we refer you our response which has been posted on your other review.,

Kind regards,

Te Vara Nui Management

.

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Kim S

Trip type:

Couples

Lovely evening

Nov 8, 2019

A polished professional event from transport, staff on site, stunning environment, lovely food and then the amazing dancing. The dancers were classy and skilled in their craft. Beautiful evening. more »

Cassandra E

Melbourne, Australia

Loved the dinner and show

Nov 6, 2019

The whole experience was worth the money. The buffet food was amazing, my partner filled his plate twice! Really enjoyed the show and story. The whole experience was well organised. more »

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