The perfect resort for a family’s first international getaway

When you can’t get what you want, it only makes you want it more. Ever since I joined my local parents’ Facebook group it has been singing the praises of the same resort in Fiji – the Radisson Blu. I’ve always understood the appeal of Fiji, with its gracious hospitality, easy flight time, warm tropical weather and insta-perfect tropical idyll.

I understand why Denarau Island’s daisy-chain of ginormous, family-focused resorts is so popular: just 20 minutes from the airport, it’s the perfect place for exhausted families with young kids to test the waters on their first international trip away.

Radisson Blu, Denarau, is a great spot for families.

But the 270-room Radisson, arguably one of the smallest resort properties on Denarau, always comes up consistently in the parenting groups as the place to stay on Denarau Island. Just what is their secret sauce?

I’m a big believer in word of mouth, and I wanted to find out. Arriving, the first clue to what makes the hotel tick is the staff. First impressions count, and on arrival we watch the porters toss a rugby ball with teenagers they know by name, while another gives an impromptu guitar lesson to their curious sibling. Both interactions are natural, unforced and relaxed.

The hotel is set in a horseshoe-shape facing the ocean and around a lagoon hotel. The landscaping is spectacular – a large waterfall feature surrounding the spa actually creates so much white noise you don’t hear other guests. Extensive landscaping creates the sensation the grounds are actually bigger than they are. The flip side of this is that at times, finding your way feels a little Escher-ish, with walkways, ramps and stairs leading everywhere.

The hotel’s waterslide sets the Radisson apart.

Magically, however, our seven-year-old always manages to find the pool, which has a thumping party vibe. One thing that does set the Radisson apart? The hotel’s waterslide. The children run up the stairs, slide down, swim out of the pool and repeat, with a level of boundless enthusiasm that leads to an early bedtime (and then downtime for parents).

For families, the self-contained rooms are a perfect fit. Our 72-square-metre, one-bedroom suite is generously sized, with a barn door separating the combined dining, lounge and kitchenette. The room is configured so the bathroom (including a laundry that we only discover on the second day) can be accessed from both the main bedroom and the living area, and there is also balcony access from both rooms. The only complaint from my kid (which comes close to mutiny by the end of the trip) is that the convertible couch bed he has to sleep on isn’t comfortable.

The self-contained rooms are ideal for families.

Having access to a small kitchenette with a decent-sized fridge is a game changer. There are well stocked mini-marts throughout Denarau and an IGA supermarket at the port, while local cafes like Bulacinno in Nadi offer delicious pre-made, frozen meals that are popular.

Having access to cooking facilities offers value, but it’s not just about cost-cutting. When you’ve got little kids, they don’t have the bandwidth to be able to handle sit-down meals in public three times a day, or stomach a deep-fried kid’s meal with complimentary ice-cream and soft drink every meal. Sometimes kids just need cup noodles, a cut-up piece of fruit and some TV in air-conditioning to reset before another afternoon of pool time.

Service is fast and kid’s meals appear quickly at the hotel’s restaurants.

Dining wise, the Radisson Blu is a quirky place. Along with the buffet, there’s an Italian restaurant and Japanese Teppanyaki bar, a Thai restaurant and Lomani Wai, an in-water dining experience (basically, tables and chairs ankle deep in the pool). The big hit? Byblos, a proper Lebanese restaurant serving some pretty exceptional Middle Eastern food. It’s the last thing I expected to find on Denarau, and a sign of the growing versatility and choice visitors have here. Service is fast, with kid’s meals appearing within minutes to appease tired, exhausted bodies on the verge of hangry meltdowns.

A doughnut wheel at the breakfast buffet is a hit with the seven-year-old, the omelette station a fascination for my 18-month-old, and fresh sliced papaya and strong black coffee keep us parents happy. However, it’s the discovery by my child that he can order a slushie from the swim-up bar – and drink it in the pool – that is up there with man walking on the moon for the excitement it creates, necessitating a video call to both grandparents back home.

Having stayed at other resort properties on Denarau, it’s clear the facilities, kid’s club and bells and whistles at the Radisson aren’t as high-end as others. Yet the bigger room, relaxed feel and self-contained options are what make this resort so popular.

Above all, the Radisson Blu delivers an easy stay. Along with great service and amazing Fijian hospitality, it’s a resort experience that offers just enough variety; there’s always enough to do (and not do) to suit the family.

THE DETAILS

FLY
Fiji Airways fly from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne to Nadi. See fijiairways.com

STAY
Prices for one-bedroom lagoon view suites from $F1370 ($920) a night, including breakfast for two, while a basic garden view room costs from $F837 ($560) a night (including breakfast). Shop around for package deals, and book well in advance. See radissonhotels.com

The writer stayed as a guest of the Radisson Blu and Tourism Fiji, see fiji.travel