Fiji resorts lay out welcome mat with deals and new features
The island nation has used Covid’s long tourism hiatus to get everything spick and span for the return of visitors.
Like many Australians, my family’s visits to Fiji have included landmark moments. When my two sons were pre-teens, Fiji was our regular school holidays haunt. It’s where they learned to snorkel, walked and talked with marine biologists, played beach cricket and, before they grew into tall strapping lads, were once hoisted on to the rugby-player shoulders of boatmen and carried ashore in a gale. The verdict? Wow, cool as. Fiji was, and is, imprinted on our minds as synonymous with friendship, welcome and uncomplicated fun.
After a long Covid hiatus, Fiji now beckons again, with airline bookings open from December and generous reopening deals. But things have not been idle while we’ve all stayed away. Tourism Fiji reports that most resorts have used the enforced down time for running repairs, beach clean-ups, upgrades, renovations, adding extra features and new experiences. Resident experts at Likuliku Lagoon Resort in the Mamanuca Islands west of Nadi have continued their research into the crested iguana population, reporting that breeding pairs have been active and more of the critically endangered species are being released back to the forest habitat. Royal Davui Island Resort, off the Coral Coast between Nadi and Suva, has acquired new jetskis for a waterborne safari experience on Beqa Lagoon and upgraded its main pool and suite bathrooms. The all-inclusive 19-bure Namale Resort & Spa on the northern island of Vanua Levu has added four garden bures and four honeymoon bures to its 19-strong inventory, which also offers huge pool villas.
Or venture to romantic Tokoriki Island Resort and be among the first guests to try a cabana under the stars sleepout followed by a floating tray breakfast in a private pool. At Yasawa Island Resort, all bures have been rethatched and decks and pergolas upgraded, while adults-only Lomani Resort has an additional 10 beachfront pool bures, a remodelled main pool and new alfresco bar.
Family focus
Classic island resorts such as Castaway and Malolo, easily reached by boat from Nadi, offer the perfect template of marine activities, barefoot fun, family-friendly tariffs, nannies and children’s clubs. For a hotel-style mainland holiday, head to the Denarau enclave near Nadi where Sofitel Fiji Resort has been thoroughly renovated, with a teenage zone, kids’ beach club and even a Fiji Airways check-in desk to circumvent Nadi airport queues. Lures for grown-ups include Suka Rum Bar, with rope swing seating, and a sporty agenda of tennis, golf and boating.
Chez vous
For a holiday house equivalent, consider the residences at Six Senses Fiji on Malolo Island, a launch ride from Denarau. With sites ranging from marina and beachside to hilltop eyrie, there’s a choice of properties with three to five guestrooms, full service and catering, plus access to the main resort’s dining, spa and leisure facilities. At Wakaya Club & Spa, northeast of Suva, the top-tariff options are Vale Levu, an oceanfront villa with two bedrooms, private spa with two treatment rooms and pool, or Vale’O (House in the Clouds) with views over the resort and the Koro Sea, dedicated staff, chef, three double bedrooms and absolute privacy. VOMO Island Resort, between the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups, is set to augment its accommodation line-up with two ultra-modern self-contained residences, of four and five bedrooms respectively, spanning a 150m beach frontage. The larger, Reef House, is designed to function as a “resort within a resort”. At Savasi Island Resort, on Vanua Levu, an hour’s flight from Nadi, choose a waterfront or cliff villa or opt for The Beach House, with three bedrooms, gardens and its own beach.
To dive for
The SSI and PADI accredited Volivoli Beach Resort on the northwest coast of Viti Levu, also offers fishing expeditions and sea turtle and underwater photography experiences in an environment known as “the soft coral capital of the world”. The comfortable lodgings include family-sized villas. Another option for underwater activities is Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, near Savusavu on Vanua Levu, which has a kids’ club that includes a teenager program and all the marine conservational credentials you’d expect to be associated with the Cousteau family name.
Haven on earth
The 21 beachfront villas and five massive residences at Kokomo Island Resort, to the northeast of the Kadavu group, have been refreshed in anticipation of reopening. Out with thatch and in with shingle roofs; a “reimagining” of the Beach Shack restaurant as a Mediterranean grill with sunken cocktail bar; and the welcome news that star chef Caroline Oakley is still in charge of the casual Asian menus at the redecorated Walker d’Plank, its name an homage to the resort’s Australian owner, Lang Walker. There has been investment in coral restoration programs, manta ray tagging and mangrove reforestation. This ultra-luxe property is the Fijian idyll writ large, including seaplane or helicopter arrivals, superyacht anchorages, dive options on the 100km-long Great Astrolabe Reef (the world’s fourth largest) and deep-sea fishing.
Overwater bures
Following the successful template of tropical resorts in The Maldives and French Polynesia, the Fijian hospitality industry has picked up on the popularity of villas perched on pylons with ladders or steps into the water. Couples-only Likuliku Lagoon Resort pioneered the concept and the sprawling Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, about 45 minutes from Nadi airport, has added adults-only overwater villas with vaulted roofs and generous decks branching off a long jetty as well as myriad beachfront and lagoon-facing options for couples and families.
Conservation central
Vatuvara, Fiji’s most exclusive (and inclusive) resort, with just three celebrity-style villas and a new fitness centre, is also a leader in environmental excellence. This enclave in the northwest Lau group, owned by Oakley and Red digital technology founder Jim Jannard, is powered by Tesla solar energy with a negative carbon footprint. Vatuvara produces virgin coconut oil and coconut shell charcoal at an on-site production shed and makes natural sea salt as a direct by-product of water drawn from the encircling lagoon. Bountiful supplies from an organic chicken farm and vegetable garden are shared with villagers on neighbouring islands. Marine conservation, including the stewardship of a giant clam nursery and management of sea turtle and coconut crab populations, is the key agenda for Vatuvara Foundation. This is Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with a clear eco-conscience and an unrivalled sense of barefoot luxury.
More to the story
The Fijian government expects to have 80 per cent of its eligible population vaccinated by November and hopes to open to tourists before Christmas. About 40 per cent of Fiji’s gross national product is derived from tourism and it’s estimated at least 100,000 workers, about one in nine Fijians, have lost their jobs since borders closed in March 2020. Arriving visitors must show proof of full vaccination and evidence of a Covid PCR test that meets airline regulations of a negative result within 72 hours of boarding. Qantas is scheduling flights, including some on a codeshare basis with Fiji Airways, between Sydney and Nadi from December 18. Our federal government ban on overseas travel is expected to lift on December 17 if Australian vaccination targets are met. Entering random dates for Qantas online bookings between Sydney and Nadi from December 18, the average is $354 one-way but seats are limited. Shared Jetstar and Fiji Airways fares from Brisbane start at $599 one-way. Options for Melbourne passengers are also available, some with a Sydney stopover; connecting flights from Adelaide via Sydney or Melbourne mesh with Nadi departures. Unlimited fee-free changes apply to all bookings.
