Signing you up...
Fiji delivers all of this. With over 333 jewel-like islands (only about 100 are inhabited), with palm fringed beaches, stunning resorts and the friendliest people who greet you with the famous saying, Bula, Fiji really is a tropical paradise. Daily flights by both Air NZ and Fiji Airways mean that within three hours of leaving Auckland you’re in sunny Fiji. So let’s talk about resorts that offer that special bit of magic for honeymooners...
CLOSE AT HAND
If you only have a short time to relax after the busy events of your wedding day and the months preceding it, there are some great options within a stone’s throw of Nadi International Airport.
I highly recommend the Sheraton properties, all three of which are located on Denarau Island on their own stretch of beach. Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas and The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa all offer a great variety of room categories and restaurants and amenities, from the Westin Spa to car hire to a bottle of sparkling wine waiting on arrival in your room or suite. Sheraton Denarau Villas also offers a range of room options, with full kitchens should you wish to prepare some meals during your stay – but when you have the ability to use all the facilities at the three Sheraton properties, including 14 restaurants, who would want to cook?
Another favourite is the Fiji Beach Resort & Spa – managed by Hilton. This resort is pure 5-star, with a daily buffet breakfast. Its restaurant, Nuku, is one of the best on the island, in my opinion.
I recently stayed at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa which is about a half-hour drive from Nadi Airport. This 5-star resort sits on Natadola Beach, one of the best stretches of palm-fringed white sands in Fiji. The Intercontinental is a perfect honeymoon getaway, with beautiful rooms featuring bathtubs on the balcony, superb dining at five restaurants and a spa with beautiful treatments ranging from coconut and chocolate body wraps to the free 60-minute invigorating Yadra massage that is complimentary for all honeymooners.
A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD
For those who don’t want to spend a fortune, there are really beautiful honeymoon islands in the Mamanuca Islands close to Nadi that won’t break the bank. Matamanoa Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort, Mana Island Resort and Malolo Island Resort Fiji are easily accessible from the mainland by boat, seaplane or helicopter. All have white sandy beaches and a variety of room categories and most have honeymoon bures set away from the other rooms for privacy and complete relaxation. Do as much as you like or sit back and relax, the choice is yours.
Another property that I really like is Tokiriki island Resort – a 4.5 star property with only 34 bures, some with private pools on their decks. Just opened on the same island is the Sheraton Fiji Resort & Spa, Tokiriki Island, which I am looking forward to visiting in December 2014.
PURE LUXURY
If you want the very, very best, several luxury properties in the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands are sure to please you. Likuliku Lagoon Resort is the only Fijian resort with overwater bures complete with a partial glass floor where you can watch the fish swim around under you.
A 30-minute flight from Nadi International Airport takes you to the stunning Yasawa Island Resort and Spa, a couples’ resort with just 18 beachfront bungalows, including a honeymoon bure in a very private setting. If you want some romance, this resort does it in spades... You can be met on the beach and taken by speedboat to the other side of the island, along with an umbrella, seats and a picnic hamper full of beautiful food, cold drinks and a walkie-talkie. Spend the day swimming, snorkelling and devouring the contents of your hamper, and then use the walkie-talkie to call them to come and collect you. The best bit is that the beach is all yours; you won’t see another living soul all day.
These are just some of the options for wonderful Fijian honeymoons. The knowledge and experience of our teams at Dinsdale and Bayfair are sure to deliver a very special experience – complete with great deals year-round – that will exceed all your expectations.
Where did you go for your honeymoon? We'd love to hear about it in the comment section below.
