10 Best Hotels in Coral Coast, Viti Levu

Across the street from the ocean, the Bedarra has the cheerful atmosphere of people enjoying great value in a place where everyone knows their names. The bright rooms in the two-story L-shape miniresort have plentiful white-tile floor space, a king or two twin beds, a simple bathroom with ample counter space, and a balcony with seating. Rooms 17, 18, and 19 have views to the sea while the rest face the small pool; the two cheaper rooms are directly off the bar area. Guests become fast friends and this is a fantastic base for day trips to waterfalls, villages, and even the Mamanuca Islands. The café is good and the delicious Ocean Terrace Restaurant is excellent.

Gorgeous, modern bure, great cuisine, and an infinitely relaxing atmosphere make this secluded, Australian couple–owned boutique resort a choice escape. The airy, unconnected and ecofriendly units, designed by Australian architect Paul Uhlmann, have plantation mahogany floorboards, a king-size bed, and stylish, spacious bathrooms; each has a porch leading down to the sand. An elevated boardwalk winds past untouched rain forest to the dining room and bar, fronted by a pool, hot tub, and leather-covered lounge chairs. A boat and crew take surfers to two right-hand breaks with up to six-foot waves (a 10-minute boat ride away) or to renowned Frigates Pass, 20 km (12 miles) distant. Diving and day tours can be arranged. The all-inclusive meal plan features entrées such as chicken fillets stuffed with banana, excellent curries, and you won't see a menu repeated during your stay. Rates include round-trip two-hour transfers from Nadi. There is a three-night minimum.

Epitomized by its two pools, one a serene "infinity," the other hosting kids' activities and a swim-up bar, Warwick caters beautifully to all markets. Adjacent to the infinity pool, the Suva Wing emphasises quiet luxury and is predominantly for couples, whereas the Nadi Wing, adjacent the lagoon style pool focuses on family fun and is home to the water sports bure. Seven bars, and five dining options sit between them, including Japanese cuisine at Sazanami, Italian at Pappagallo and the now infamous Wicked Walu seafood restaurant. Couples may find the adults-only Warwick Club area worth the splurge during school holidays. It includes continental breakfast, afternoon snacks, and predinner local drinks. Stone steps over water lead to the beautiful spa with its sauna and hot and cold pools. The resort's lagoon setting allows for all-day swimming off the mainland's largest beach, and the usual gamut of nonmotorized water sports are available. The resort also boasts a modern gym, squash, tennis, table tennis, darts, and pool. Children under 16 stay free with parents; children under 13 eat free from the Kids Menu. There's also a small "Fijian Village" outdoor entertainment center with firewalking and meke dancing displays twice weekly.

Days turn into weeks for unfussy backpackers of all ages at this picturesque miniresort that's close to the village of Komave. Quirks such as erratic hot water and occasional 6 am bird cacophonies are offset by a tranquil beach setting, good food, and self-catering facilities, and camaraderie among guests and staff. A pretty, heart-shaped pool and comfy lounge bar—set remnants of a 2006 British reality show "Celebrity Love Island"—add a touch of class but clean, smart six-bed dorms and a free light breakfast are the main draws. There are also Garden Rooms with shared facilities as well as a camping option. Dinner menus include two to four hearty, well-priced options.

Friendly, sincere staff and an authentic experience are the trademarks of this laid-back resort. All bure are spacious with generous porches: Deluxe Seasides are traditional wood-and-thatched-roof structures while nondeluxe are more modern with larger bathrooms. Seaview bure, the least expensive, are smaller but set back into the hillside where they offer better views and more privacy. A generous beach and pool are the focal points of most guests' stays and free fishing is a wink and a nod toward getting on "Fiji Time." The restaurant mixes à la carte nights in between theme buffets, including curry, lovo, Mongolian stir-fry, and BBQ nights. It's a considerable ride over a long ridge top from the main road: excursions are doable, but many guests only walk to the nearby village.

It won't win any design awards but then again, no one comes to this relaxing, mid-size resort to be blown away by anything, let alone decor. All bure are spacious and feature indoor and outdoor showers; stroll along the ocean wall and you'll see guests of the Oceanview bure pasted face down to lounge chairs on their private lawns. Frangipani bure are set farther back and have small porches. Kids sometimes take over the pool with its waterslide, but a kids' club keeps them busy outside of meal times. The spa, featuring a pair of outdoor treatment tables overlooking the ocean, is simple but it works. Kids under 12 stay and eat free from a certain menu at certain times and a full-buffet breakfast is included for all. Telling is the fact that there's one computer for guest-use and rarely anyone waiting in line.

Rustic, ecofriendly accommodations meet mid-range facilities at this social miniresort, where the highlight is the beach. The mostly young crowd lazes in hammocks before joining a game of volleyball on the regulation-size court or in the pool. Fishing here is run by the operation of one of the resort's co-owners and is top-notch. Bure are smallish but have attractive outdoor showers; Nos. 1–5 are first off the beach and farther from the dining room. Safari tents were imported directly from South Africa and face into the rain forest but Nos. 1, 2, and 3 have partial ocean views. A state-of-the-art nightclub gets going some nights. There are also dorms.

The lobby looks like an oversize tropical living room and guests feel right at home in this large beachfront resort. Most families opt for the all-inclusive meal plan while twenty- to thirtysomethings are attracted to the "local spirits" package and its discount on cocktails. The hotel rooms are compact but come with a separate bathtub and shower and decent balcony/veranda space. All but the ground floor rooms overlook the newer of the two pools, with its swim-up bar, and the ocean beyond. Those seeking a little more privacy and space should opt for the more attractively furnished villas or suites with patio, or balcony and ocean view. A huge range of excursions and activities, including a modest 9-hole golf course, allows guests to be as active or laid-back as they like. Free shuttle service to the Warwick grants access to the sister hotel's facilities. The extensive and well-manicured grounds provide a great setting for weddings, the par 3, 9-hole golf course, and the Naviti Spa.

A perennial favorite with Aussie families, this large resort is a one-stop holiday for most. Parents and kids alike appreciate the American-style room amenities (request a newly renovated room) and selection of four restaurants, although kids complain that their menu doesn't change. The beautiful, lily pond–dotted grounds encompass tennis courts, a decent gym, and a golf driving range, as well as a huge pool. An intimate, adults-only section now features a pool with swim-up bar, and fine dining restaurant serves Continental-meets-South Pacific fare. The Kids' Club takes the load off mom and dad 10–9. All rooms face the ocean but those on the first floor can't see it through the garden.

A boutique hotel fashioned after a New Zealand good ol' boys club, Wellesley has style, luxury, and its crest imprinted on items from bathrobes to the lavish bedspreads. The European-style villas are spacious and comfortable with king-size beds; Premiums are a bit larger, with TVs and a two-seat table in the living area. When you aren't lounging by the pool, on the beach, or choosing a meal from the eclectic, reasonably priced menu, you might horseback-ride or go on a Pacific Harbour–based tour.