Fiji is synonymous with pearly white sandy seashores with aqua-coloured heat water, palm timber swaying within the wind and, after all, coconuts, however not all locations in Fiji are picture-perfect. In the case of staying in Fiji, you want to do your analysis to make sure that what you assume you’re getting from taking a look at shiny photographs on a lodge’s web site is the actual deal. Relaxation assured, The InterContinental Fiji is the actual deal.
Lodge
The resort, which is situated on the principle island of Viti Levu, gives one thing for everybody, from its backyard, poolside, lagoon and beachfront rooms – perfect for households – to its membership lounge entry lodging, full with its personal pool the place you’ll be able to calm down in a pod poolside all day lengthy studying a guide and ingesting recent coconuts.
Fiji is famend for its hospitality, and its Planet Trekkers membership is interactive and interesting for kids of all ages. For many who have children, the youngsters membership is phenomenal. From crab racing and fishing to cupcake making and dressing up for the nightly fireplace present to the youngsters’ disco within the night – one factor I can guarantee you is your kids gained’t be bored.
Swimming pools are vital to me when travelling, and this InterContinental property boasts three distinctive locations to chill off from the tropical warmth. The all-ages pool has wonderful shade safety in some areas and varies in-depth, so even the littlest of youngsters can splash round within the water all day.
The Adults Solely pool is among the greatest I’ve ever had the pleasure of swimming in. The infinity pool is completely designed to align with the horizon of Natadola Bay, so you’ll be able to look out to the ocean for miles and miles whereas sipping on a mojito.
The Membership InterContinental rooms have entry to their very own pool to take pleasure in too.
Talking of Natadola Bay, this seashore has been voted by CNN as one of many whitest seashores on the planet – so you’ll be able to remember to stay out your Fiji fantasies right here and never be disillusioned. Many different large lodge chains, comparable to Sofitel, Sheraton, Hilton and Raddisson, are all based mostly on the principle island, like InterContinental however on a man-made island referred to as Denarau. Whereas these resorts are kid-friendly, the seashore in Denarau is unswimmable. It has black sand, and the water is muddy all day lengthy – not the Fiji you could have hoped for.
Foods and drinks
In the case of meals, there’s one thing for all appetites and all ages. The breakfast buffet at Sanasana restaurant, the principle restaurant, gives an excellent place to benefit from the breath-taking surroundings overlooking the Meke Garden and Natadola Bay for all those that dine there. There’s a totally different evening-themed buffet every evening, from Italian to my favorite, Fijian evening, the place your style buds can journey the world throughout your keep. Kokoda, a Fijian conventional dish manufactured from uncooked Mahi Mahi fish cured in lime juice, spices and coconut milk is a should to strive.
For one thing extra effective eating, Navo restaurant hits the spot. The breakfast right here is a good way to start out the day. Navo gives an all-inclusive breakfast gourmand buffet mixed with scorching dishes that you may choose from a menu. My favorite is the Navo breakfast; two eggs poached, tomato, cucumber, grilled line fish, inexperienced leaves and French dressing.
Dinner service is adults-only, providing children the flexibility to dine from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and for the entire Navo eating expertise, you’ll be able to’t go previous its degustation, providing recent tuna to start out, native lobster for mains and completed with a Fijian pineapple coconut and lime panna cotta.
The Tomba Lounge is good while you’re after one thing extra informal through the day. Located between the adults and household pool, it’s the proper spot to dine whereas soaking within the well-known Fijian sunsets and sipping on a cocktail, and it has an excellent children’ menu too that ranges from carrot sticks with hummus to fish and chips. Assume wood-fired pizza, pasta, burgers or perhaps a recent Greek salad with Fiji’s Mahi Mahi fish on the aspect.
Spa
I’ve had many spa therapies throughout my travels, and this resort’s spa is one among my favourites. From the tranquil cabana escapes permitting you to get a therapeutic massage beneath open-air cabanas dotted together with the resort’s garden lining the seashore to the spa’s Orchid Room, there’s one thing to calm down your thoughts and soul throughout your keep right here.
Earlier than and after your therapy, expertise the spa’s signature Wai-Zone, Fijian for water, the essence of life. You start with a calming rain bathe, adopted by an ice bathe, the nice and cozy hydrotherapy scorching plunge pool, one other rain bathe, after which the steam room with a 3rd rain bathe to complete.
As soon as inside, the spa therapies completely mix Japanese and Western cultures, bringing stability and mindfulness to your complete expertise right here. Afterwards, you’re handled to an oat cookie and natural tea to assuage your spa journey.
To do
The beauty of this resort is that you are able to do as little or as a lot as you want. A go to to the native college is such a rewarding expertise, particularly if in case you have children. Every time I’ve visited I’ve donated a laptop computer laptop for the academics and college students to make use of, who all appreciated it.
Native village visits to see the Fijian lifestyle will also be organized via the resort’s pleasant concierge, together with a visit to the native procuring markets.
For many who are a bit of extra lively, the lodge is famend for its world-class golf course that has a breath-taking backdrop of coral reefs and the Pacific Ocean. After 18 holes, you’ll be able to take pleasure in just a few drinks within the genuine Fijian design clubhouse to complete your day.
For those who love snorkelling, you’ll be able to dive proper in. Natadola Bay boasts a number of the greatest snorkelling simply off the seashore, or for these lovers who wish to see extra – you’ll be able to guide for a snorkelling journey that takes you on a ship additional into the bay.
The resort additionally gives a number of non-motorised and motorised sports activities for everybody’s enjoyment at an extra price.
After a keep right here, I’m positive you’ll fall in love with Fiji and this resort and can already be planning your return journey. And if it’s love you’re after – you’ll be able to even get married on the resort’s chapel with a seashore reception, the place you and your company can dance the evening away because the solar units.
Getting there
Fiji Airways flies to Fiji’s Nadi Worldwide Airport direct from Los Angeles, Wellington and Auckland and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. From London Heathrow, fly British Airways direct to LAX after which Fiji Airways to Nadi.
InterContinental Golf Resort and Spa is a 45-minute drive from Nadi Worldwide airport. That is vital as a result of many Fijian resorts could have improbable seashores, however they could be situated on an island off the mainland. This implies you continue to must catch a two-three hour boat experience, take a helicopter and even one other home flight with Fiji Airways to get to your ultimate vacation spot. After a long-haul flight, that is generally the very last thing you’d wish to do.
Factbox
Rooms could be booked from £280 per evening.
Tackle: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, Maro Highway, Natadola Bay, Fiji Islands.
Telephone: +679 673 3300
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: fiji.intercontinental.com
