I recently had the pleasure to visit and inspect multiple resorts in Fiji hosted by Goway Travel. These are five of my favorite resorts that I am happy to recommend.

 

Outrigger on the Lagoon is a rambling resort on the Coral Coast of the mainland Viti Levu, about 1.5 hours drive from the Nadi Airport. The large, open reception area is flanked by three-story wings of deluxe hotel rooms with expansive views across the property toward the reef-rimmed beach. Other accommodations are free-standing thatched bures (bungalows) along winding, landscaped pathways or the ocean front. Signature Talai Service includes butler service and complimentary champagne and canapés each afternoon. The large pool area includes a kid’s zone connected to an adults-only pool, a hot tub, and a casual sandwich bar. Other dining venues include a large dining room where buffet breakfast and table service dinner is served with nightly entertainment, a smaller poolside open-air restaurant that serves a  Polynesian menu, and the Sundowner Bar. The well-organized Kid’s Club has programming for ages up to 12 so parents can get away guilt free to partake of the pleasures offered in the Bebe Spa (Fijian for butterfly). With golf cart service to the spa center atop Heavenly Mountain, outdoor showers in each treatment room, and the spa bar for a tranquil refreshment, this full-service spa creates a zen-like serenity.  Adjoining the spa is the Bure Ni Loloma wedding chapel with stunning views.  If you must stay connected, the resort also offers free internet service and a multitude of shops with sundries, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs.

 

Tokoriki Island Resort is on a private island in the Mamanuca Group. You can arrive by boat, in which case you will be met with song from the smiling staff, or by helicopter, landing in the center of this lovely resort.  The grounds are spectacular with liberal use of orchids grown on site and possibly the most charming wedding chapel in the South Pacific! With only 34 bures and villas, this couples only resort is cloaked in an enchanting blend of Fijian tradition and modern luxury. The Deluxe Beach Bures are large rooms with gauze-drape, four-poster king beds, tapa-lined (traditional paper) vaulted ceilings, and  a colorful, yet cozy seating area that opens onto a private ocean view verandah and a beachfront hammock. Add a large bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers to complete the perfect romantic setting.  The Sunset Pool Villas are even larger units with a day bed and cabana with a private plunge pool overlooking the beach. You will not find TV, phones, or wifi here, but you’ll never miss them. The resort also boasts a stunning beach front infinity pool, tennis, kayaks, sailboats, and amazing reef snorkeling. The single open air dining room will delight with fresh regional ingredients in a fusion of Australian, Asian, and European creations. This is a very special place that really touched me.

 

Castaway Island Resort in the Mamanucas is surrounded by 174 acres of tropical rainforest, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. This four-star family resort has return guest year after year because the staff truly embodies the Fijian culture of Family and extends it to her guests. The connection is immediate and genuine when your boat is welcomed by a group of smiling singing staff. The accommodations here are also individual ocean view or ocean front bures, nestled in the tropical landscaping. They are a blend of traditional and modern: thatched roofs and tapa-covered vaulted ceilings, with contemporary furnishings and tiled baths. Public areas include two special bures dedicated to massage therapy, a family- friendly pool area, a woodcarving station, and a very popular Kids Club with dedicated staff. Water sports for all ages are available. Great snorkeling on the coral reef just off the beach, windsurfing, kayaking, catamaran sailing and lessons, and an award-winning PADI dive facility are all available. Although there are no TVs or phones, if you need to stay connected, complimentary wifi is accessible in the main bar area. Dining is an experience at Castaway. Pacific Island cuisine is served in the open dining area, but private candlelit dining at water’s edge can also be arranged for a romantic evening that will be long remembered. Overall, the feeling of a home away from home makes this resort a winner for couples as well as families.

 

 

Likuliku Lagoon is named for the “calm waters” and this resort lives up to the tranquility of legends. Home to the only over-water bures in Fiji, the accommodations are superlative. 10 thatched huts are strung along a wooden walkway several hundred feet beyond shore, belying the contemporary design within. The clean lines of the large bath compliment the modern furnishings of the very large  bedroom/living room combo. Glass panels in the floor look down to the water below that is so clear you can see marine life from the comfort of the sofa. Double glass doors open onto a private deck facing the open ocean and a staircase leads down to the water level so you can snorkel along the edge of the coral reef right from your own room. Other suites on land include Beachfront Bures with huge outdoor showers, flat screen video monitors and state of the art music systems, and split level Deluxe Beachfront Bures add a private deck, daybed, and plunge pool. The resort is sprawling, so golf carts are available for transport to and from the central reception area. There, a boutique full of local crafts and unique items, an infinity pool that blends into the azure lagoon, and the Pacific Rim styled dining room exceed any expectations. Activities include a full service spa, a gym, water sports, game fishing, and a Fijian village tour are also available. And for those in a hurry to relax, you can arrive by helicopter on the private helipad. This resort is the pinnacle of luxury travel in the Islands of Fiji.     

 

Radisson Resort Denarau Island is a large full service resort on the manmade island of Denarau. Only 20 minutes from the Nadi Airport, Denarau was developed as a commercial and retail complex. In addition to eight resorts, it includes entertainment and restaurant venues, a tennis center, golf course, and port facilities for the inter-island ferry service. The Radisson Resort offers standard double and family suites that accommodate up to seven comfortably. The range of services includes an indoor and outdoor Kids Club, a complete fitness center, and a day spa. The extensive pools approach water park status. There are kids, family, and adults-only pools, waterfalls, and even a White Water Tunnel. Water even comes into play in a unique dining setting: bar height tables and chairs arranged in the middle of a shallow pool so you have to wade in! Other dining options include interactive cooking classes, cafés seafood, and Polynesian restaurants. This resort is an excellent option for couples or families who need an overnight before or after going out to the islands due to airline schedules.