Hello,

Your post reminds me of something I often say...have you ever seen a bad hotel picture online??? My husband says that I am getting cynical, but I've traveled enough and read enough that my cynicism is justified.

If your husband wants to golf in Fiji, it will be in Nadi and surrounding area, and I recommend the Westin Denarau because it has a championship golf course, but reflects all of Fiji's cultural heritage and local style with nightly torch lighting, fire walk and dances. But, I would do only about 2 nights there, either coming or going out of Fiji.

As far as the rest of your trip, I suggest the Royal Davui Island Resort, which is a very exclusive adults-only sanctuary in the Outer Islands. It. Is on a private barrier island with open-air restaurant, private beaches, all the water sports you mentioned.


Also, look at Namale in the Northern Fiji Islands, it is adults only and sits between volcanic uplifts and rain forest at the Pacific Ocean. It has 19 private bures and villas overlooking spectacular soft sand beaches and all the waterspouts. Finally, check into the Matatgi Private Island , which has beachfront and treehouse bures and a beachside restaurant.

Best Regards,,
Julia

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll check out the Royal Davui website and I've heard of Namale so that might be an option. Matatgi is new to me so I'll do some more research.

Now I know why "first timers" to the Caribbean often indicate in their posts that they are confused or overwhelmed with the choices.

By the way, you suggestion of spending an extra couple of days in Nadi adds a whole new dimension to the trip.

Hello,

I just came across your post and thought I would offer my 2cents! I used to live and work in Fiji and the description you've given the place you are looking for is the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa.

The resort is the only 5 star luxury destination on Natadola beach- which is one of the most amazing beaches I have ever seen... kilometers of beautiful white sand, the water is an amazing cobalt blue - it looks like a dream. The resort is pretty impressive too- certainly the only one its kind in Fiji, it's pretty much an outer-island experience on the mainland.... with the benefit of a championship golf course right next door (Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course)- it's got a great rep, check it out. They also have an adults only infinity pool and fine-dining adults only seating. I also heard recently their fine dine restaurant won some pretty big awards.

The spa at the resort is incredible too, my mum and I love going- it's more than just an in-and-out massage/facial place, it's a whole experience; relaxation room, wai zone (sauna and ice rooms), spa cuisine, and it goes with out saying- AMAZING treatments.

The resort is also much more secluded than the Westin- which is located on Denarau Island with about 7 or 8 other resorts- where as the InterContinental is about a 40 minute drive from the airport to a whole other destination. Also, if you're looking for beautiful tropical beach and water Denarau isn't the place for you.

If budget isn't an issue I would recommend the resort's Club InterContinental, which is an exclusive section of the resort with personal butler services, plunge pools in the suites, exclusive access to a separate infinity pool and lounge area- a whole range great of benefits.

There's lots of activities in and around the resort too, which provide authentic cultural experiences - the resort has a dedicated concierge to recommend and book these for you. Options are pretty much unlimited, especially since -although it won't feel like it- you'll still be on the mainland, whereas if you were on an island obviously choices are somewhat limited.

I hope this information has been helpful, the resort has always been very forthcoming with information so I'm sure if you got in contact with them they could provide more details than I!


Cheers

Rain_Forest - Thank you for your suggestion. We envisioned a small intimate resort so hadn't thought about staying at a larger hotel, however, the Intercontinental certainly looks promising since it has many of the amenities and access to activities that interest us. Having easy access to "off-resort" activities and points of interest is appealing and is something that could be lacking at a private island resort. We'll keep it in mind as a possibility.

So many great choices.

No problem! I'm sure you will thoroughly enjoy your holiday, where ever you decide to go! What months were you planning on travelling to Fiji?

If you're interested in finding out more about the InterContinental an old friend of mine actually works there- jocelyn.whiteside@ihg.com (Jocelyn)- I'm sure she'd be happy to look after you!

Happy travels

We are thinking of traveling in late May/early June or September of 2013.

Hi,

Yes, there are a lot of great choices...glad that you get to make the decision. Fiji is such a warm, friendly place and so gorgeous. You know, you were planning a nice long trip and since you like the idea of a larger resort with all of the off-site amenities AND the idea of the smaller, more intimate resort, have you considered splitting your trip into 2 parts? There are many trips and destinations that I've done that are split into different segments. I work on a lot of Hawaii trips that are Honolulu/Kauai or Kauai/Maui, or a couple of days in Papeete and a few days on Moorea.

Best Regards,
Julia

Julia - we may do just that and get the best of both worlds.

Check out these luxury resorts:

http://www.amazing-fiji-vacations.com/Fiji-luxury-resorts.html

Each year we stay on the upscale Denarau Island of which there are some luxury resorts/hotels. We have our own timeshare there so we don't stay in the actually hotels but a few people we spoke to seemed quite happy.