FIJI STYLE
Fiji Style - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Fiji Style | |||||
| By: Hilary Doling, Issue 27 – Winter 2006. | |||||
| (Westin Denatau Island Resort & Spa, and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa) | |||||
| DENARAU ISLAND, FIJI, HAS HAD A MAKEOVER. WE CHECK-IN AT THE ISLAND’S BEST NEW ADDRESSES. | |||||
| Drive up to the main entrance of the new Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa in Fiji and the first thing you notice is the giant water feature. There is more water surrounding the magnificent new spa and as you walk through the lobby a deep inky-blue pond spreads out between you and the rest of the resort. It’s the kind of thing you expect to see in Bali or Thailand where resort architecture is elegant and innovative. But this is Fiji. So let’s be honest here, while nobody can question the warmth of the Fijian welcome, the country has not previously been lauded for the stylishness of its larger resorts. However times are changing fast. On Denarau Island, 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport, new hotels are flowering faster than hibiscus blossoms. Around the jade greens of the Denarau Island Golf and Racquet Club the shiny new Sofitel has just opened, the Royal Fijian has been made-over as the stylish Westin, and the legendary salmon pink Sheraton Fiji is getting a substantial refurbishment. Expected to be completed soon are the new Hilton Beach Resort and Spa and the Denarau Beach Resort, a Radisson project (see box). Here we check-in at two of the best: | |||||
| Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa | |||||
| The old Sheraton Royal Denarau Resort has received a magnificent makeover to turn the dark, dated hotel into a slick, stylish, sophisticated Westin. It is a very clever refurbishment keeping just enough of a feel of the old Royal not to alienate those who are sentimental about such things, but offering a brand new design for the rest of us. Dark wood mixes with white walls and rich furnishings to dish up a beach resort with class. Even the sun lounges around the pool are black and sleek. The pool itself is the resort’s centrepiece. It is tiered on several levels with water cascading from giant pots and plunge pools shaded by pagodas. Adults love its design; children just love to explore its secret squares. The rooms have been stylishly made-over with new cabinets in golden vesi timber, palm wood and soft furnishings in natural fabrics and neutral tones with just a touch of Fiji (but not too much) thrown in. Then of course you get that signature Heavenly bed and Heavenly shower. All the rooms have balconies or verandahs looking out either over the ocean or the landscaped tropical grounds. Undoubtedly, the best place to eat is the Steakhouse Bar & Grill housed in a series of thatched bures linked by decking. You can eat in your intimate bure with a view of the ocean and nearby Akuilau Island to the night sound of frogs. On the menu is imported grain-fed beef and locally caught seafood that makes this some of the best restaurant food in Fiji. What puts the real sparkle in the Westin tiara is the newly opened Heavenly Spa. The spa is beautifully designed, from the entrance villa with its soothing water feature to the twelve designer pavilions dotted through the meditation gardens. There are couples pavilions, a Vichy shower suite and a spa bath suite nestled on the edge of a lotus-filled lagoon. Signature treatments include oils made with traditional Fijian ingredients – this is a place for seriously stylish pampering. For those who want to be more active there is a state of the art separate fitness centre and lap-pool. All of which means at the end of the day you’ll definitely be ready for that Heavenly bed. Westin Denarau Resort & Spa, Denarau Island, Fiji. Details, + (679) 675 0000, www.westin.com | |||||
| Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa | |||||
| There is a golden glow along the waters edge at the Sofitel Fiji that makes it different from the other hotels on this stretch of beach. Denarau sand is black but at the Sofitel they’ve imported tonnes of the pure platinum variety just to enhance your early morning walk along the sand. Interestingly, some of the guests never make it as far as the water’s edge despite the expensive sand; they’d rather spend their time in the hotel’s huge lagoon pool that weaves its way along virtually the whole length of the hotel. It is easy to lose fellow swimmers around a bend or two. There is a generous amount of space everywhere. The lobby is on the first floor of the hotel, at the end of a sweeping raised driveway so the first thing you see as you walk in is a magnificent view of the sparkling blue sea beyond. The lobby is all white with a large balcony shaded by huge blinds that drop down when the glare of the midday sun gets too much. Rattan chairs line the balcony but in the main lobby slick black leather sofas and a giant carver bowl are the only decoration giving it a modern, minimalist feel. The hotel’s 296 rooms all have balconies looking out towards the ocean. We love the Junior Suites, which have a deep spa bath on the private balcony where you can bathe in filtered sunlight with a warm ocean breeze. The Mandara Spa has nine creamy white private bures set around a garden that sweeps down to the ocean. Each bure has an open-air outdoor shower, a whirlpool bath. In the privacy of these bures can be massaged and pampered into near-oblivion with range of indulgent treatments. The spa also has steam baths, saunas, out-door Jacuzzi, and separate male and female change rooms. There is also a hair and nail salon. Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa is offering a seven-night air and land package to stay in five star style in Fiji. The package includes: return economy airfares from Australia to Nadi flying Air Pacific, seven-nights accommodation at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa in an Ocean View Room, and return transfers. Prices start from $1,749 ex Brisbane, $1,789 ex Sydney and $1,899 ex Melbourne per adult twin share. The offer is available until 30 September 2006, and valid for selected travel until the 31 March 2007. Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Denarau Island, Fiji. Details, + (679) 675 1111 or 1300 65 65 65, www.accorhotels.com.au | |||||
| OTHER PLACES TO STAY | |||||
| - GOLF TERRACE APARTMENTS – The recently opened, fully furnished apartments are set around the golf course. Details, +( 679) 675 0557, www.golfterraces.com.fj | |||||
| - PRIVATE HOMES – If you want to be more private Denarau Real Estate has a select portfolio of luxury five star fully-equipped privately owned vacation properties. All enquiries are handled on a one-on-one basis. Airport transfers, full provisioning, cellar, valet and house-keeping services can all be arranged. Details, www.denaraurealestate.com | |||||
| - SHERATON DENARAU VILLAS – Despite all the new development these villas still remain the most exclusive beachfront villa resort in Fiji. Luxurious self-contained one- two- and three-bedroom villas and guest rooms have views of the waterfront and infinity pool. A new lagoon swimming pool has just been completed. Details, + (679) 675 0777, www.sheraton.com/denarauvillas | |||||
| - SHERATON FIJI – The coral pink palace with its bougainvillea-draped balconies is an island landmark. Currently all its rooms are being systematically refurbished. Sit by the water for a drink at sunset and watch the resort’s walls blush. Details, + (679) 675 0777, www.sheraton.com/fiji | |||||
| - HILTON FIJI BEACH RESORT & SPA – Set along 1.5 km of absolute beachfront, next to the Sofitel, the apartment resort is operated under the management of Hilton International. The resort includes a luxurious health spa. Details, + (679) 675 6800, http://www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com | |||||
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