Mamamia Must-Go is your insider guide on what to see, do and eat at popular holiday destinations. It's where you'll find honest recommendations from the women who've been there. This week, media personality and mum-of-two Zoe Marshall shares her Fiji recommendations.
I am a repeat offender – I've probably been to Fiji about eight times now and I just love it. It's got something for everyone; whether you're seeking the adults-only vibe, constant activities or somewhere in between, Fiji has it all!
The main reason I keep going back is that it's so convenient. In a short direct three-to-four hour flight you land in tropical paradise – what a dream. And now that I have two little ones, convenience is key.
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There's so much to explore but here are some of my top recommendations to help you plan your next trip.
Denarau Island.
If you're looking for a convenient and family-friendly base, Denarau Island is an excellent choice. They have fantastic facilities, including awesome swimming pools, great kids' clubs and there's even a small water park on the Island. Some of the resorts also have swim-up bars, which is such a vibe.
Take a look at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Radisson Blu Resort, Sofitel Fiji or Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa – they're all fantastic options.
The bonus of staying at one of the resorts on Denarau Island is that it's close to the airport, so you're not travelling far with kids in the car. It's probably only a 20-30 minute transfer, depending on traffic.
If you're seeking a variety of restaurant options, then Denarau is your go-to versus an island resort. You can actually resort hop on the cute Bula Bus, a hop-on-hop-off bus that easily connects you to all the resorts so you can test out the different swimming pools and restaurants. You can also head to the nearby Port Denarau Marina for more dining options.
One downside of having all the resorts so close to each other on Denarau is that it can feel pretty busy. You see more people around and can often experience queues at meal times, compared to if you travelled down the coast on the mainland or went out to one of the islands.
That said, I had a really special experience at the beachfront Tatavu Grill & Bar, which is at the Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort & Spa. You get to sit with your feet in the sand during a lovely dinner and watch the incredible sunset.
Dining Tip: When dining in Fiji, I would recommend adjusting your mindset so that you're on 'Fiji time'. Fiji is all about that serene, laid-back experience, so you really shouldn't be rushing anywhere.
Momi Bay & Natadola Bay.
In less than an hour from the airport, you'll find two of my favourite spots in Fiji.
Marriott Momi Bay offers a beautiful man-made lagoon with no waves, beachfront bures and over-water bungalows. If you want to treat yourself, The Fish Bar restaurant is definitely worth a visit with panoramic views of Momi Bay. Don't forget to call ahead and book, especially if you're not staying at the resort.
Natadola Bay is home to InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa. It's actually been voted one of the best beaches in the world, and I can see why, as it's a slice of paradise. It was absolute bliss having beachfront access, making sandcastles with the family and floating in the calm ocean. If you're looking for a beach holiday, then I would recommend Natadola Bay over Denarau Island.
The one thing I didn't expect at InterContinental Fiji was that you barely see other people, even though the resort is at full capacity. We never felt on top of other families, there were no queues and there were always plenty of tables. The rooms are also super spacious and all come with a big alfresco bath tub.
Spa InterContinental also trumps any spa in Fiji, for some much needed downtime. The massage in the beachfront cabana, listening to the waves lapping on the shore was heaven.
If you're a foodie, then InterContinental Fiji is a good choice. We were really surprised and delighted at how great the food was across the four dining options.
A little secret that I'm not sure many people know about is booking Club InterContinental Fiji – it's like a luxury resort within a resort. I loved that they allowed kids in the private Club lounge and pool during certain times of the day. It made things so easy with the kids, with complimentary snacks, great breakfast and access to the private infinity pool with amazing views. It was the best!
Fiji Island Recommendations.
To explore more of Fiji's 333 islands, you need to catch a boat transfer or a domestic flight with Fiji Link. If you land in Fiji late at night, you may need to stay close to Port Denarau Marina or the airport for a night, before you head out to the islands.
I've been to Likuliku Lagoon Resort a few times now. It's an adults-only paradise. It was the first ever resort we went to in Fiji and we really connected with the chef who made us the most amazing curry and chicken schnitzel, which is the one food [my partner] Benji and I cannot live without. The resort is stunning and very romantic.
A great option if you have kids but you still want the island experience is Six Senses; we went there when Fox was a baby. There are only 24 villas on the property and they all come with their own private pools, and there are even a few larger two- to five-bedroom residences, which are great if you're travelling in a group.
Other family-friendly island resort options to check out include Plantation Resort, Castaway Island and Malolo Island Resort.
The one thing to note with island resorts is that you may be limited with restaurant options during your stay, so if this is a deal-breaker for you, look at splitting up your time across different resorts to give you more variety.
HOT TIP: One travel hack you have to try in Fiji is the Fiji Airways resort check-in. Benji did it for us at InterContinental Fiji and he said it was the easiest thing he ever did. It's a game-changer.
It's currently available for all Fiji Airways passengers at InterContinental Fiji, Sofitel, Sheraton and Hilton Fiji. And you don't even have to be staying at the resort to use the service. The staff checked us in for our flight, tagged our bags and then took our luggage. The next time we saw our bags was on the carousel back at Sydney airport. It also meant we didn't have to leave as early for the airport and we could go straight through to security. What a dream. It actually made such a difference.
Fiji, you have a special place in our hearts. You must try it for yourself!
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- 'I travelled to London with three kids solo. Here’s exactly how I did it.'
Zoe Marshall travelled to Fiji as a guest of Fiji Airways and InterContinental Fiji.
Feature Image: Supplied.
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