Fun in Fiji
Fiji is one of the most popular destinations for holidaying Australians and New Zealanders, with a whole range of hotels, resorts and private villas keen to lure visitors to their doors. Most of the resorts provide either regular hotel-style rooms or bures modelled on local buildings with palm-thatch roofs. Then you’ll also find swimming pools, an array of restaurants and bars, and plenty of recreational facilities, including some truly luxurious spas. Some of the best among the resorts also offer wedding and honeymoon packages, with romantically located wedding chapels for the most memorable holiday of all. But whether you’re after a honeymoon, wedding, relaxing getaway or family holiday, you can be sure there will be a property waiting to throw out the welcome mat.
Fiji Beach Resort & Spa
Managed by Hilton
Innovative and with contemporary flair, this resort is one of the newest properties on Denarau Island and fronts a wonderful 1.5 kilometres of private beach on which all manner of water sports are on offer, from windsurfing and snorkelling to fishing and paragliding. There is also an on-site dive centre and a choice of seven swimming pools. Kids will be thoroughly occupied at the complimentary kids’ club, and adults can relax at the spa, where treatments include green coffee wraps, Moroccan cocoons and a luxurious caviar facial.
Fiji Beach Resort also has several delightful choices for eating. Start your day at Nuku Restaurant with breakfast as you listen to the waves lapping on the beach. In the evening, the restaurant features fine seafood such as local mud crab, accompanied by excellent choices from the wine menu. And at Maravu Restaurant, options include sizzling teriyaki skewers, tom yum soup and delicious pad thai noodles.
All the guestrooms at this resort feature floor-to-ceiling windows to allow the best views of the ocean and access to patios outside. Suites here also have living rooms and kitchenettes, as well as outdoor barbecues – better yet, if you want to dine in your own suite, staff will still come and do the washing up. Also at the resort are what are called Homes, ranging from two to five bedrooms. All the guestrooms come with mod cons such as high-speed Internet access, DVDs and flat-screen televisions, as well as bathrooms with separate bathtubs and walk-in showers.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Located on a glorious beach and featuring five restaurants and bars, a serene spa, 18-hole championship golf course, four swimming pools, kids club, wedding chapel and conference facilities, the InterContinental defines all that a tropical retreat should be. Warm, authentic Fijian hospitality combines with spectacular Pacific island design to create an idyllic destination for travellers seeking relaxation, rejuvenation and inspiration. Featuring 271 superbly appointed, spacious guestrooms, contemporary suites and luxurious villas, the resort design is inspired by the traditional Fijian ‘outer island’ village. Nestled amongst 35 acres of lush tropical grounds, the tranquil azure Pacific Ocean and white sands of Natadola Bay are just steps away. Signature to the resort is the deep Cleopatra-style bathtubs for two, and the day beds on private terraces.
A 45-minute drive from Nadi International Airport, the expansive grounds offer a peaceful natural environment in a secluded destination. As a fully integrated resort, a comprehensive range of leisure and recreational activities is available for all ages, including several swimming pools (including an adults-only infinity pool with spa jets, overlooking the ocean), a dive centre and training pool, cultural shows and beach and water sports. The resort is home to a world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course with water views from 15 holes. Over 7,000 yards and with up to five different tee off points at each hole, the course will challenge and delight both learners and experienced golfers.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort
This luxurious resort for couples dabbles its toes in the Mamanuca Islands and is the only resort in Fiji offering overwater bures as well as on-land accommodation. Ten exclusive overwater bures have stylish design elements that include rich fabrics and woodwork. From here, you can laze on your deck or luxuriate in a separate bathing pavilion with lagoon views from the bathtub. There are also split-level deluxe beachfront bures with a secluded rear courtyard, outdoor shower, spacious deck and personal plunge pool.
Guests can enjoy a spectacular horizon-edge pool and a myriad ofland and sea activities, including right off the beach, scuba-diving, windsurfing and even game fishing. Surrounding bush walks and nature trails lead to spectacular views of the Mamanuca Islands, and the local village enables interaction with the culture and history of the region. As for the Tatadra Spa, with its beautiful lagoon views and soothing breezes, it really does live up to its name, which means ‘house of dreams’.
When it comes to dining, Fijiana Restaurant offers local seafood and South Pacific dishes, with daily changing degustation menus, and there are also two bars from which you can gaze at the sunset as you enjoy a cocktail or two. Designed with an eye to local cultural values and traditional design materials, from the water Likuliku looks like a thatched village centred on the main resort building, which is designed like a Fijian canoe house with sprawling ceilings, hand-woven thatch and an exotic mix of natural materials and modern elements.
Lomani Fiji
Lomani is neither hotel nor resort but a private oceanfront property for the exclusive use of only two guests. Its name means ‘love’ in Fijian and Lomani was created very much with couples in mind, combining an amazing and romantic location with all the luxuries of a resort, but also with total privacy – not even staff wander about unless required. The compound’s rustic one-bedroom cottage overlooks the ocean and features a fully self-contained kitchen and a living area whose deck leads out to an infinity-edge pool with ocean views. In the bedroom, the bed is four poster and the romantic tropical look is enhanced by a mosquito net. Wake to the morning sunlight and the sounds of singing birds and swaying palms as you look over the blue water from the fourposter bed. The bedroom leads to a double-headed, outdoor stone shower under the swaying palm trees.
Lomani is located on beautiful and tranquil Taveuni Island, a Fijian island a one-hour flight from Nadi. The two-acre property enjoys 180- degree west-facing oceanfront views and has tropical gardens with a delightful ‘love swing’ for two, and lush with beautiful flowers and tropical fruit trees – guests can even pick a pineapple or a pawpaw for their breakfast. But while a stay here allows guests to enjoy indulgence and privacy, there is also the option to become immersed in the rich Fijian culture or wide range of activities on Taveuni Island.
Malolo Island Resort
Malolo has just undergone a major refurbishment, with brand new interiors to its bures, new reception area, renovated pools and new decking. The resort is about a bure near the beach, surrounded by the world’s friendliest people, offering true Fijian hospitality. Perfect for families, you can fill your day with a myriad of activities or simply unwind and do nothing at all. There are an array of activities and experiences to keep even the most active of guests occupied, including water sports such as hobie cats, kayaking, banana boat rides, windsurfing, coral viewing, dolphin spotting and more. For families, there is a complimentary kids club for four to 12 year olds. Romantics, on the other hand, can enjoy a romantic beachside dinner, hang about in one of the many double hammocks, and soak up the sensational views of the ocean.
Malolo features a variety of menus and dining locations, from a casual snack by the beach to relaxed dining amongst the coconut palms. Centrally located with views across the resort swimming pools and lush gardens, the newly renovated Terrace Restaurant offers all-day al fresco dining with a full buffet breakfast each morning and à la carte lunch and dinner, including a substantial children’s menu. Set above Terrace Restaurant and below a canopy of trees, Treetops offers a dinner Pacific Rim menu in a more relaxed venue. Meanwhile, located at the water’s edge with spectacular sunset views over the fringing reef, Beach Bar offers casual beachside dining for lunch and dinner, and an evening cocktail hour.
Namale – The Fiji Islands Resort & Spa
You’ll find Namale on the island of Savusavu just off Vanua Levu, a onehour flight north of Nadi. Accommodation at Namale is either in villas or traditional-style bures. The luxurious bures feature both bedroom and sitting areas, as well as bathrooms with sliding glass doors that open out onto private decks. Villas differ one from the other but, to take one example, Bula House villa sits on the cliff-top and incorporates two guest houses, a private swimming pool and even its own beach. The main villa offers a kitchen, deluxe lounge, billiard table, complete mini movie-theatre and full sound system, while the main bedroom features a huge four-poster bed and a sunken sitting area, from which there are sweeping views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Namale encompasses over 500 acres where seclusion and privacy is a high priority. Guests who just want to relax and unwind can enjoy the beach, freshwater pools or their own private deck and, in the evenings, there is even a movie theatre. The spa, ranked one of the best in all Fiji, offers a wide range of treatments, not to mention some brilliant views from its location on top of the sea cliffs. The spa includes a hydrotherapy room with huge Jacuzzi, four soaking tubs, steam room and a waterfall pool, all with windows over the ocean. If it’s more activity you’re after, Namale also has all-inclusive, such as horse-riding, scuba-diving, tennis, volleyball, hiking, ten-pin bowling and croquet.
Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji
One of the most romantic resorts on Fiji’s Coral Coast is a one-hour drive south of Nadi airport and nestled between a coral lagoon and private hilltop Bebe spa. Bebe’s range of luxuriant spa and beauty treatments includes seven signature treatments, such as the ‘Fijian Bobo’ massage and ‘Pure Fiji Bliss’ facials. Each of seven spa treatment rooms are suspended out from hilltop vantage point and open onto private balconies featuring ‘showers in the sky’ and sunken spas.
Adjoining Bebe Day Spa is Bure Ni Loloma wedding chapel, with polished hardwood flooring, ceilingto- floor glass to take in the magnificent stretch of coastline, and an impressive entrance for the bride and groom via solid hand-carved doors with an intricate butterflydesign. Outrigger has wedding and honeymoon packages that can be tailored to suit most budgets.
Modern air-conditioned hotel guestrooms and bures at the resort create surroundings reminiscent of a Fijian village. Thatched bures are traditionally designed, with vaulted ceilings lined with hand-painted masi bark cloth. The resort’s signature Talai Service, or five-star butler service, is available to guests staying in Deluxe Ocean View rooms, suites and bures.
Resort amenities include a swimming pool, golf-training facility and fitness centre. On the beach there is complimentary use of kayaks, paddle-boards, and snorkelling equipment. Outrigger also offers a wide range of dining options, from the poolside Baravi cocktail bar to intimate adults-only Ivi Restaurant, casual dining (both buffet and à la carte) at Vale Ni Kana and special Fijian dance and feast evenings.
Royal Davui Island Resort
Royal Davui is an exclusive adultsonly sanctuary situated in Fiji’s spectacular Beqa Lagoon. Sixteen exquisitely appointed vales (homes) nestle around 10 acres of lush tropical landscape allowing for no more than 32 guests on the island at any one time, ensuring the ultimate in privacy, personal service and relaxation. This is currently the only private island with private plunge pools for each and every vale. A resort spa uses ancient Fijian traditions and exotic nut and floral extracts for spa treatments.
Beqa Lagoon is renowned for some of Fiji’s best diving and snorkelling locations. Everything from soft coral to shipwrecks is found within the protective lagoon reef system. All dive sites are within 30 minutes of the resort, with a number being accessible direct from the beach. For the more adventurous there is a ‘big fish encounter’ only 45-minutes from the resort by fast boat. Other activities at the resort (many of them complimentary) include catamaran sailing, sea kayaking, island walks, beach picnics and deep-sea fishing, as well as bocce and croquet. Guests may also attend village church services and kava ceremonies.
All meals are included in the tariff at Royal Davui. At he heart of the resort is a majestic Pacific banyan tree, which ascends through the middle of the Banyan Restaurant. Here guests join fellow castaways for a sunset cocktail before a relaxed dinner under the tree. Guests can also enjoy private dining decks in secluded settings around the gardens.
Sheraton Fiji Resort
The new-look Sheraton on Denarau Island reopened a year ago after an extensive US$22 million refurbishment program that saw every corner of the resort improved, from the lobby all the way to the lagoon pool and guestrooms. This is still the place to be for those looking for fun and activities during their holiday, with a vast array of complimentary water sports equipment, as well as a swimming pool with both quiet zones and dedicated family areas. The resort is also integrated with the nearby Sheraton Denarau Villas, The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, and Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, meaning guests can enjoy spa treatments, golf, tennis and much more at any of the properties, which are easily accessed on the complimentary Denarau Island shuttle. Younger guests are also able to abandon their parents and join the kids’ club for an action-packed day of games and activities.
There is a terrific array of restaurants and bars at the Sheraton Fiji Resort that includes Feast Restaurant, with rather splendid specialty themed buffet dinners, and the spectacular Ika Vuka (Fijian for ‘flying fish’) overlooking the swimming pool. Chime is the place for a cocktail as day turns to night. Each guestroom features the Sheraton’s signature ‘Sweet Sleeper’ bed and complimentary high-speed internet access. Guestrooms open onto a balcony or ground-floor patio overlooking either the landscaped grounds or the ocean. Ocean Studios feature extensive windows with plantation shutters, oversized bathroom with freestanding bath and dual showerheads, and direct waterfront access.
Turtle Island
Romantic Turtle Island offers everything for the celebration of true love, in an all-inclusive package. From traditional Fijian wedding ceremonies, to French champagne gourmet picnics on one of the island’s beaches, to private bures and personal beaches, Turtle Island has everything you could dream of for a romantic getaway: no wonder it was chosen as the location for the film Blue Lagoon. Lush greenery, pristine beaches, blue waters, and breathtaking beauty and nature create a unique location.
From the moment you arrive, you meet your personal ‘Bure Mama’ who is a liaison to island life, and will make sure you have everything you need and want for your entire stay. Guests can explore the island on horseback or bike, hike into the jungle hillsides or enjoy water sports such as scuba diving, sailing and windsurfing. Romantic picnics for two, intimate moonlit dinners at the seaside, horseback riding at dawn, and relaxing and sensual massages are among the more romantic options. And Turtle Island may be the world’s best location for secluded, picnic lunches with the finest wines, champagne, succulent meals, and tantalizing pastries dropped off for guests by boat or cart.
The island’s 14 breathtaking, private beaches accommodate just 28 guests at a time, with each bure separated from the others by generous expanses, meaning you’ll have your own slice of exotic island paradise. The bures combine modern, eco-friendly building techniques with traditional Fijian craftsmanship and have beautiful vaulted, thatched ceilings.
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa An exclusive retreat on one of the most remote and unspoiled islands of Fiji, Yasawa has just 18 luxury bungalows hidden among the palms, just a few steps from a white beach. Each air-conditioned bure is superbly fitted in contemporary Fijian style, with thatched roof, expansive sun deck, plantation shutters, outdoor shower, personal hammock and private beach hut. All meals are included, with contemporary cuisine at every sitting and an emphasis on fresh, succulent seafood – lobster is a specialty. Guests can dine at the restaurant, on the beach, in their bure or beneath the stars.
Yasawa also offers Fiji’s first beachfront spa, just metres from the ocean’s edge on a sweep of soft white sand. The Baravi Spa blends traditional and contemporary styles, with an ocean-view massage deck perched over the sands, fanned by sea breezes. The signature massage, Baravi Rhythm, is performed by two synchronized therapists, working in time with the sound of the waves.
Most activities and water sports at Yasawa are also included in the tariff. But guests can do as little or as much as they choose; some are content just to swim in the crystal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon or snorkel among corals and tropical fish, or head to the nearby villages to meet the local children or hear the church choir.
getting there
- V Australia operates flights from Sydney to Nadi, with domestic connections on Virgin Blue. Phone 13 82 87 or visit www.vaustralia.com.au
- Air Pacific flies from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Nadi, and from Sydney to Suva. Phone 1800 230 150 or visit www.airpacific.com
- Qantas operates codeshare flights to Nadi from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. Phone 13 1313 or visit www.qantas.com.au
getting around
where to stay
- Fiji Beach Resort & Spa Managed by Hilton, phone +679 675 6800 or visit www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com
- InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, phone 1800 221 335 or +679 673 3300 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com
- Likuliku Lagoon Resort Fiji, phone 679 672 0978 or visit www.likulikulagoon.com
- Lomani Island Resort, phone +679 666 8212 or visit www.lomaniisland.com
- Malolo Island Resort, phone +679 672- 0978 or visit www.maloloisland.com
- Namale – The Fiji Islands Resort & Spa, phone +679 8850 435 or visit www.namaleresort.com
- Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, phone +679 650 0044 or visit www.outriggerfiji.com
- Royal Davui Island Resort, phone 02 9388 4488 or visit www.royaldavui.com
- Sheraton Fiji Resort, phone +679 675 0777 or visit www.sheraton.com
- Turtle Island, phone 1300 887 287 or 03 9823 8300 or visit www.turtlefiji.com
- Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, phone +679 6722 266 or visit www.yasawa.com
further information
|
|
10 ways to visit vietnam
