The old, abandoned Sheraton Hotel in Rarotonga is being done up and should have its first guests arriving in November.
The hotel in Vaima'anga almost bankrupted the Cook Islands.
It has a past of failed revivals, rumours of Italian Mafia involvement and folk law.
Developer Christopher Vaile says the full renovation of the property will take 10-years to complete but the first block with 41 rooms is only a couple of months away, which includes a new swimming pool.
Mr Vaile says he got talked into doing the project from his lawyer on behalf of the landowner and paramount chief Pā Ariki.
He spoke with RNZ Pacific's Caleb Fotheringham in one of the almost finished units.