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Bula.....
After a delayed take off from Sydney due to mechanical problems, notably very well handled by the staff on Air Pacific, with plenty of 'peanuts' and drinks as well a movies while we waited, we arrived into Nadi well after 9pm. Finally transferred through to our first night of accommodation at the Shangrila Fijian with a very late supper around midnight amongst some very 'happy' wedding parties.
Lovely property...an old favourite and an excellent choice for families and couples alike. Lovely wedding chapel and many options for weddings, on the beach, garden or the chapel. Both lagoon view and ocean view rooms are the same configurations just location determining costs etc. and lagoon view rooms are equally as good. Notabley though the lagoon view rooms do not have the option of a split twin bed...so be careful when booking as only the queen plus a sofa bed, this has a decent mattress etc. but ideally up sell to an ocean view room for a little extra where double/double configuration is available.
The lagoon is ideal for water activities even at low tide and the snorkelling etc. is right on your doorstep. There are major ecological works going on to maintain the lagoon and its marine life with a Marine Biologist currently stationed there and achieving great results. Families are better located in the lagoon area where most activities etc. are centred. Some renovations under way but these are not noticeable at all. Great staff, as in most of Fiji, and good restaurant with good meal plans available. A very good kids program and great kid's club add to the package.
Unfortunately we did not have time to enjoy the many activities on offer and the lovely surrounds of the Shangrila. Next stop Outrigger....
We arrived at the Outrigger in time for our site inspection and lunch. First the inspection...about 20% of the rooms is yet to undergo a soft refurbishment but still good condition. The balance of the hotel rooms have been done with a new and more modern look, note to request when booking. The higher floors are classified deluxe, and as well as all the bure accommodation, include the services of a Tale or butler for the duration of their stay. The guests are greeted on arrival and escorted to their accommodation by their Tale. He will explain the room details to then and if requested, will also unpack their belongings. During their stay, at a time suitable to the guests, he will bring daily evening drinks and canapés to the room.
These deluxe rooms are the same configuration as the lower floors but they have the sea views and Tale service.
The bures are scattered throughout the resort and are ideal for families. There is an excellent pool area and a good kids club. The restaurant has won numerous awards and has wonderful meals...my travel partners are still dreaming about the grilled Mahi Mahi and the cheesecake!!!!
Outrigger is a sister property to Castaway and we can arrange conjunct bookings with a stay at Outrigger and a helicopter transfer to the island....lovely combination.
They have just opened a fantastic 'adults only' spa retreat on top of the hills above the resort. Definitely need the golf buggy to get up there but a beautiful way to spoil one self. The wedding chapel is also part of this complex and has spectacular views of the coral coast. Keep this in mind for wedding packages but note that I would not recommend this for anyone with young families as the terrain does not lend itself to child safety. There is also a lovely bar /café/retreat area up there for an adult getaway while the kids are taken care of at the resort.
With much difficulty we wrenched ourselves from the lunch table to head for the Sheraton Villas and the Denarau complex.
We were greeted with the traditional aplomb of these landmark properties beginning our inspection at the Westin. Previously the old Regent, this property has undergone a major refurbishment to bring it up to Westin standards and all rooms are now very modern, of course with the renowned bedding of the Sheraton group. There are interconnecting rooms available and most room types will accommodate two adults and two children. Kids club and activities are charged on a daily rate. Check on applicable rate at the time. Rates generally include breakfast.
The advantage of the Sheraton complex which incorporates the Westin, Sheraton Denarau Villas, and the Sheraton Fiji, is that guest can enjoy the facilities of all three hotels with charge back available at any outlet. The gym at the Westin is only available to the Westin guests free of charge with Sheraton and Villa guests paying per visit.
The Villas are an excellent choice for families and still in excellent condition. They are dual key access apartments which can be spilt into a one bedroom suite that has its own full kitchen and laundry facilities, a king bedded room as well as a separate living area with a sofa bed and dining area, the studio room that is linked to it can be sold either on its own or as a two bedroom unit. It is completely individual with its own bathroom, TV etc. but no kitchen or laundry. A grocery pack can be pre-ordered or stores are available nearby where guests can purchase their own supplies if required. The rates do include and excellent buffet breakfast. Use of the Kid's Club is charged on a per stay basis at the Sheraton Fiji.
The Sheraton Fiji is the elder of the three properties and would classify as a good three and a half star property. It has good sized rooms and the bedding etc. is up to new Sheraton standards but the rooms are showing their age. Having said this it if guests are looking for a good cost alternative, you could happily recommend this to them and again it includes all the benefits of the entire complex.
We were invited to view the 'unwinding ceremony' at the Sheraton before we left. A wonderful torch lighting ceremony just on dusk...lovely cultural aspects that have always been part of the Sheraton experience and one that we enjoyed.
On the move again to the Radisson Resort which has just recently opened in June this year. After some confusion with the booking...wrong day!!!!, we were upgraded to one bedroom suites for the night. The fantastic super king sized beds were unzipped and remade into twin beds for our stay. Absolutely beautiful rooms similar in concept to the Sheraton villas with the dual key access linking to the studio rooms to form a two bedroom suite. The leads in rooms have golf course views while all other rooms will have some form of sea view. They have been very careful in classifying the room types with the vegetation still to become more established.
The Radisson is targeting the four star market...the pool complex is quite magnificent with a lovely children's area including a water slide. The rooms are definitely up to five star standards but the resort is looking to fill a gap in the Denarau market. There is only one restaurant but this also incorporates a pizza bar. All meals are catered for in this beachfront location and provide an excellent standard, especially breakfast...only hotel I have ever been to that has a jug of fresh banana smoothies on the buffet. Needless to say, they were hard put keeping up the supply to the TWK group!
With the massive growth on the island and the free Bula Bus regularly linking all properties, there is a huge choice of restaurants for guests to choose form. Added to this is the new shopping/restaurant complex at Port Denarau just opened in the past few weeks.
Next morning we have an early departure to the airport for our Pacific Sun flight to Savu Savu. An experience in itself with the small prop powered plane making its way over the islands to the northern destination of Vanu Levu. This is a beautiful area of Fiji, quite different to the main island of Viti Levu, much more 'Fijian'. There are few beaches in this area but excellent coral reefs for diving and snorkelling. We were lucky enough to stay at Jean Michel Cousteau Resort where you can access some of the top ten dive sites in the world.
The transfer from Savu Savu takes about 20 mins by road due to the dirt access...very slow but worth the effort. JMC is a true eco resort with probably the best Kid's Club we saw. They children really have their own private resort with multiple swimming pools and play areas. All children under five are automatically allocated their own nanny...one on one. Those over that age are looked after in the kids club with a ratio generally of 1 to 4. A wonderful opportunity for parents to relax knowing that their children, no matter what age, are being well looked after. All meals and these children services are included in the tariff. Coffee and tea as well as canned soft drinks are inclusive, alcohol is additional with an excellent range of cocktails and wines etc....the margaritas are quite famous!
No beach to speak of but a lovely infinity pool and beautiful setting. Very private and guests are pampered. The only fact to note is the lack of air-conditioning, something which is being considered now but as yet undecided. No TV's or telephones in the bures.
The bures are very spacious with overhead fans, high thatched rooves and big timber louvres...all very comfortable on our visit but I can envisage some problems if it is very hot. The staff are excellent, with a resident Marine Biologist, Johnny, who is more than happy to educate you on the marvellous marine life that abounds. There are massage and foot treatments available for very reasonable costs.
Bure 25 is a one off...very luxurious villa designed more for honeymooners but with many families making use of it as well. Some famous celebrities have been through its doors. This bure is located at the end of the resort with its own plunge pool/air conditioning/inside spa pool/four poster bed/numerous glorious out door showers/waterfall/separate living area with bar and kitchen facilities etc....very beautiful although for small children there would be worry with the unfenced pools etc.
There is a generally a choice of three or four items for your meals with an excellent menu and quality of food. The target is an all inclusive resort where further costs are not incurred. The dive program caters from introductory to PADI certification and beyond, all with first class equipment.
Next day saw us with a very early morning departure, after a very hurried breakfast unfortunately, heading for our return flight to Nadi. Enjoyed a brief shopping experience with the local ladies at the airport...some village ladies also bring their wares to JMC.
Transferred on to Vuda Point for our boat to Treasure Island and a site inspection before breaking for lunch. Treasure is in need of a refurbishment that is currently being initiated. The bures are large with each having a queen and single bed. All are air conditioned and similar in design, depending on location. There are a few family bures with more projected in the new building project. The existing bures will be significantly enlarged by relocating the bathrooms to outdoor style units and extending the living area. A new swimming pool, located perfectly on the edge of the beach is planned together with new reception and dining areas etc. All of this should be underway in the next few weeks, ideally to be completed by mid next year. In the meantime it is still an excellent 3-31/2 star resort with air conditioning and huge numbers of repeat clients. There is a good kids club, free of charge, very good meals at the buffet restaurant and a great turtle nursery which all guests find entrancing. No TV's or phones in the bures.
Weddings are well catered for with a lovely chapel...always a nice option.
We were picked up by the Tiger IV operated by Sun Cruises; this not only transports guests to the islands it operates as a day cruise with commentary along the way. There were a few people just touring for the day. It is a recommended option to upgrade to the Captains Lounge at minimal cost difference, although both areas are air conditioned and very comfortable the quieter atmosphere and the inclusion of hot tea or coffee is a benefit. Also note that the ferries cannot offload directly to many islands and in many cases, Treasure and Castaway inclusive, guests need to be able to transfer into a smaller boat and again disembark into the sea and sand at the island.
Our next stop was Castaway Island...
A great welcome and after an extensive site inspection we were shown to our rooms, each of various locations etc. All bures on Castaway are identical just the location determining the costs. All have A/C and a king sized bed with a partition dividing the living area/sleeping area for children. Max two adults, two children. There are two bures on the north beach that do not have this partition and are slightly smaller....used mostly for honeymoon couples. There is a preference with many guests to book the north beach as the sand expanse is slightly larger...they are truly around the corner from each other and the south side is generally cooler. I swam in both and enjoyed the south side more as less seaweed. The restaurant here caters for all meals and is beautifully located to take in the sea views and island atmosphere. Entertainment each night. No TV's or telephones in the rooms but as with all the islands, phone calls can be booked through the reception. Good island boutique/store. We enjoyed a great buffet dinner before 'opening' the only TV to watch the world cup...!!!
After a very late night we enjoyed a more leisurely breakfast with a departure scheduled for 1030. We were offered the chance to explore the coast and surrounding islands on the island speed boat. A great opportunity which took us past Mana, Bounty, Beachcomber, Malolo, the wonderful new Liku Liku over water bungalows, Walu Beach, Funky Fish, Plantation Island, Musket Cove and Toberua. We explored the surf breaks and managed to get back in time for our pickup. Castaway, a wonderful island with a great Kid's Club and an excellent standard of accommodation......only problem is getting confirmation. Always very heavily booked!!
Then on to the mainland for our transfer to the new Sofitel in Denarau, a wonderful corporate property, full facilities including its own foreign exchange office/ATM and a wonderful pool complex. A very extensive spa treatment complex is available as well as many restaurants and bars to choose from with wireless internet etc. and beautiful rooms. Again, maximum occupancy would be two adults/two children but interconnecting rooms are available.
After a very enjoyable lunch we walked next door to the new Hilton complex, Fiji Resort and Spa.
The reception area is only a temporary structure, fully functional, but will remain at least another couple of years while they complete stage two of the development. Exceptional apartment style complex with extensive beach frontage. Huge studio, one bedroom and two bedroom units with two three bedroom apartments complete with their own plunge pool. These are units you could happily live in!!! Currently limited in some areas but with one lovely restaurant, a marvellous series of swimming pools and a fabulous Kids Club....all free of charge. Gym also free for guests and 24 hours usage.
Our final destination for the night...we had various room types, all excellent and all rooms except for studios, with kitchen and laundry facilities as well as beautiful baths....the big oval freestanding types, flat screen TV's and all beachfront outlooks.
Unfortunately a very early morning departure saw us back at the airport by 7am...some last minute duty free shopping and we were on or way home. Note that cigarettes and some cosmetic products are cheaper than in Sydney and you are allowed to carry these in their sealed bags as long as you are not transiting to another international flight.
Fiji, a wonderful destination with beautiful people, really one of their main attractions...Moce!!! ( Bye!)
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