LUXURY

A new kind of luxury is being served across Fiji’s 333 islands with experiential travel, cultural connection and giving back firmly on the menu.

+ Must-do

Practise yoga in a hilltop pavilion, stay on your own private island, explore the galaxy or play a round of golf on a championship course plonked in the middle of the cerulean Koro Sea.

The South Pacific is one of the world’s best stargazing destinations and at Nanuku Resort Fiji space-themed programming includes a Celestial Concierge who leads guests through stargazing experiences using a NASAstandard Dobsonian telescope, and shares mythical Fijian folklore on the influence of the moon. You can also book an exclusive boat journey to a nearby private island to put your newfound knowledge of traditional night-sky navigation practices into use.

Play a round of golf on an 18-hole championship course in the middle of the Koro Sea at the mind-blowing Como Laucala, watch stress float away from a treetop yoga pavilion at Six Senses Fiji or dive Namana Reserve, one of the world’s top 10 dive spots, from Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.

Kiss stress goodbye at Namale on Vanua Levu where its Valeni Sasauni Spa Sanctuary overlooks a magnificent tidal blowhole, while Qamea Resort’s awardwinning spa is found deep in the jungle of a small island off Taveuni.

+ Stay

Along with beachfront and hillside villas, Vomo Island Fiji’s new beachfront residence is the epitome of secluded luxury. Taleitaki, meaning “precious place”, is a showstopping four-bedroom holiday house where natural timbers, a 14-metre infinity pool and vistas to the Yasawa Islands offer the ultimate in luxe tropical living. It has its own private pool, a multitude of al fresco entertainment spaces, ocean vistas and direct beach access. Local Fijians can take guests fishing or trekking to the top of Mount Vomo for sweeping vistas.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort is an adults-only retreat with beachfront, garden and overwater bures surrounded by a marine sanctuary. The beauty about the property is that architects designed the resort to pay homage to Fijian cultural values and traditional designs. Guests can snorkel, dive and surf, and there are great food and beverage options.

Kokomo Private Island Resort on the Great Astrolabe Reef offers authentic, barefoot luxury a significant step up from the “flop-and-drop” experience. Guests are afforded a window into this unique part of the world by surfing at reef breaks, fishing with the locals, waterfall walks and village visits. The resort offers a beachside grill, sunken cocktail bar, private wine cellar and 21 villas each with a private pool and alfresco shower just steps from the sand.

On a stunning crescent-shaped bay overlooking the “Blue Lagoon” and the Yasawas, which is arguably the most picturesque setting of any of Fiji’s resorts, the five-star, all-inclusive Turtle Island has 14 spacious bures, 12 private beaches, personal “bure mamas”, top-shelf liquors, wines and champagnes, and world-class fishing, diving and snorkelling. Past guests include Brooke Shields (Brooke’s Bure) and the former Fijian president (Ratu Mara Bure).

Vonu Point is Turtle’s premium bure – a traditional, two-room thatched cottage crafted by Fijian artisans, which enjoys total privacy and panoramic views of the lagoon and neighbouring Yasawa Islands. Enjoy meals in the shade of a sprawling baka tree or opt for private dinners under the stars or on a romantic, floating pontoon.

Dolphin Island, off the north of Fiji’s main island Vitu Levu, allows guests to play Robinson Crusoe – albeit in five-star luxury. Owned by Dutch multimillionaire Alex van Heeren, who made his money from shipping and banking, the lush five-hectare private atoll is part of The Huka Retreats group, which also owns Huka Lodge in New Zealand and Grande Provence in South Africa. The private island resort offers Virginia Fisherdesigned interiors, an infinity pool, personal staff along with private tours and aquatic adventures.

The northeastern island of Qamea is predominantly covered in dense jungle, and is home to the luxury couples’ resort Qamea (reopening at the end of 2022). Just offshore Piano Reef is regarded as one of the world’s top 10 resort snorkel reefs and has beautiful hard corals.

+ Don’t miss

In the warm, pristine waters of Savusavu Bay on Vanua Levu, J Hunter Pearls is the country’s largest producer of stunning black pearls, which have inspired a cult following in Europe with their radical, naturally bred colours. Join a pearl farm tour, which includes a glass-bottom-boat ride, to learn about the company’s pearl-farming process. Afterwards, shop the striking collection of rainbow-coloured pearls in the J Hunter showroom. While the collection is sold exclusively to Gellner, a prestigious European pearl company, J Hunter Pearls also sells its own jewellery line from its showroom.

Luxe holidays to covet

Clockwise, from below: Cabana at Vomo in the Mamanucas; the luxury of Como Laucala’s beach bar, golf course and villa lounge; Turtle Island Resort; overwater bures at Likuliku Lagoon Resort in the Mamanucas.