5 Best Hotels in Mamanuca Islands, Mamanuca and Yasawa Groups

One of the Mamanucas' more upscale family resorts, Mana has a fabulous beach, well-appointed bure, and stylish pools. The resort's location on the tip of the island allows it to create two separate atmospheres: South Beach has motorized water sports, a restaurant, and ferry dock while quieter North Beach has a Jacuzzi spilling into an adults' "infinity pool" overlooking more tranquil beachfront. Six distinct room categories range from Island Bure with king-size beds, outdoor stonewall showers, and garden views, to large studio-style Beachfront Bure with separate Jacuzzi rooms leading out to a deck overlooking the beach. One restaurant features none-too-creative à la carte fare while the other offers three three-course Continental–Pacific Rim–fusion menus.

Its boutique size, stunning "infinity pool," and included full breakfast and optional three-course "table d'hote" menu make this one of the Mamanucas' classiest mid-range adults-only resort. The full range of motorized and nonmotorized water sports are available, as is diving with an in-house branch of Viti Watersports. Bure fringe a fantastic white-sand beach, each with king-size beds, bathrooms with granite counters and dual sinks, and patios. The far less–expensive Gardenview Hotel Rooms sleep two and have a queen-size bed, single sink, and are without patios or personal safes.

This expansive, laid-back resort is best understood as a resort town—literally. Many guests rent bicycles and a general store sells groceries, including meats to cook at barbecues around the property. A variety of water sports such as windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are on offer, and the Australian owners' love of sailing is evident in the day-cruise, yacht-chartering, game-fishing, and Hobie Cat–sailing options. The five room categories all feature king-size beds and range from duplex Garden Bure to newly renovated Beachfront Bure to the 10 Armstrong Island Villas. The villas share a separate pool and BBQ and have their own decks on the water surrounding their circular private island, a bridge apart from the resort. The restaurant menu is upscale Continental with a seafood bent.

A water sports–packed sheltered lagoon nudging 7 km (4 miles) of white-sand beach, loads of activities, and a kids' pool with waterslide keep young families returning to this 23-acre tropical playground. Waterskiing, sailing, banana boat rides, kayaking, snorkeling, and island-hopping keep the waterfront abuzz with bathing-suit clad guests, who can munch on something light from the snack bar or get a caffeine-charge at the sandy-floored Cocohut. With three pools (including one quieter "infinity pool" for the grown-ups), minigolf, 9-hole, tennis, and three places to eat, Mom and Dad will want to pack walkie-talkies along with the suntan lotion. The five room categories are sufficient if not particularly stylish, although the top-end Beachfront Bure are on the gorgeous beach. Deluxe Garden Terraces, while newer and equipped with small living areas, are much farther from the beach than the less-expensive Studio Garden Bure, some of which face the sand while others view it side-on. Two kids under 16 stay free with two parents.

It's easy to understand why this Fiji icon has been a family favorite for more than three decades. The 66 bures practically ring the 14.5-acre island, each with a beeline right to the marvelous beach. Nightly entertainment such as fire dancing, a "Fancy Hat competition," and karaoke foster the family friendliness while 12-hole minigolf and a freshwater pool are classic child-pleasers. From deep-sea fishing to Hobie Cat-sailing, there's also a full water sports arsenal on hand. Bure, reminiscent of international hotel rooms, are comfortable, each with a queen and single bed and a porch; duplexes are also available. Dining options include a full à la carte menu, with fare such as linguine de mare and aged sirloin beef with béarnaise sauce, in-between three theme nights. A second restaurant specializes in flambé. You can also dine in a "Sunset" bure or by the pool, and banquets are held on the beach.