fiji travel hotel guide

 Fiji Hotel Guide


Fiji hotel accommodation offers great diversity from small privately owned resorts to large hotel chains including Hilton, Sofitel and Intercontinental and lots of budget beach resorts for backpackers and travellers. Accommodation is scattered around the islands with some resorts dedicated to scuba diving, surfing or adventure while others are geared to relaxation and fine dining.

Almost every Fiji hotel outside of a town is on a beach or overlooking the sea and is labeled a resort, regardless of its amenities, and this applies equally to budget accommodations. Boutique resorts are widespread and often on an island to itself, oozing charm with between five and fifty rooms. The drawback of these island resorts though is a lack of freedom to move around and to eat or sightsee independently. Accommodation throughout the islands is often in stand alone bure (pronounced boo-ray), an open plan traditionally styled building with high ceilings and thatch roofing ensuring natural ventilation and usually not needing, or providing, air-conditioning. At the upmarket resorts, bures are exquisite hand crafted palaces dressed in traditional designs and hand crafted furnishings; at budget resorts they may equate to a rudimentary “hut” with a simple foam mattress, no electricity and sharing communal bathrooms. At some of the mid-range and larger resorts, a bure is often an A-frame wooden structure split into two or four rooms and referred to as a duplex or quad bure.

Fiji hotel rates start from around $20 for a dorm bed in town centres, $60 per person including meals at the budget beach resorts, $90 and up for a motel room in urban centres and anywhere from $200 to over $500 at a holiday beach resort. The small exclusive boutique resorts on private islands cost from $800 per night and up. The best value holidays are on the mainland of Viti Levu, with Nadi and the Coral Coast both popular as sightseeing and additional savings made by choosing where to dine out – a few places to offer cooking facilities but generally self catering accommodation is a rarity. Taveuni and Savusavu are also popular bases for longer stay affordable holidays with the same benefits of freedom of movement.

The highest concentrations of accommodations are in Nadi and along the south coast of Viti Levu which happen also to be the best value places to stay, and in the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands which are graced with delightful beach resorts from budget to upmarket. There are slimmer but adequate sprinklings of hostels, retreats and boutique resorts around rural Viti Levu and on the outer islands of Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu and Ovalau. Beyond, in the outliers of the Lomaiviti Group, the Lau Group and Rotuma, accommodation is scarce and provisions and general infrastructure are basic. For those travelling on a semblance of budget, there are plenty of affordable beach resorts all around the islands with cheap motel rooms and dorm beds in most towns. Fiji is a fairly expensive place to visit, with room prices similar to those in Australia and standards to match. Fiji hotel room rates are generally quoted in F$ (Fijian dollar) for two people including local taxes (which amount to 17.5%) and excluding meals. However, most of the island backpacker resorts and some of the exclusive boutique resorts include all meals in the hotel room rate.


Viti Levu Hotels
(the main island)



The largest concentration of hotels in Fiji is between Nadi International Airport and along the Coral Coast on the main island of Viti Levu. Nadi is set about a mile inland from the coast and stretches along a 15km stretch of road between the airport and town centre. Nadi is justly labelled the jet set town, its function being a stopover to other more beautiful parts of Fiji. There are several reasonably priced resorts between the airport and Nadi Town, including the Raffles Gateway and Tokatoka Resort, both directly opposite the airport, and the slightly more expensive but more expansive Tanoa International Hotel. Nadi hotels make an ideal base for day excursions to the small offshore islands and for exploring the nearby mountains and visiting traditional villages. These resorts are much cheaper than those on the offshore islands and make a good option for those with families. There are also lots of budget motels and backpacker hostels around Nadi. The most popular are the small resorts at Wailoloa Beach with nice views of the offshore islands and mountains and a decent beach for beachcombing although the sea is too murky for snorkelling. Resorts here include the very popular Smugglers Cove, down to earth Aquarius and the affordable Beach Escape Villas . The other option for budget travellers is nadi Bay on the inland road and close to some lively bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Also on this coast is Denarau Island (connected by small bridge) which sit on a flat reclaimed mangrove island with black / grey sand beaches where you'll find the shopping mall style Sheraton Resort, the new Sofitel Resort and the luxury Westin Resort . This is the closest Fiji has to a holiday complex - three resorts side-by-side, time shares, holiday villas, boutiques, restaurants and a golf and tennis complex - here the atmosphere is international rather than Fijian. About half an hour north of Nadi is Vuda Point. Vuda marks the end of Nadi Bay and has great views of the offshore islands and surrounding mountains. The beaches here are nicer than Nadi, although still not of picture postcard quality but there are two nice reasonably priced small resorts, Anchorage Beach Resort and the charming but more expensive First Landing, which make a good alternative to staying in Nadi.

Nadi Accommodation


An hour to the south of Nadi is the Coral Coast. This stretch really starts at the town of Sigatoka but just before is the idyllic sweeping beach setting of Natadola which has fine white sand, good swimming and body surfing. Past Sigatoka Town there are a handful of large resorts including the beautiful Outrigger Fiji which is great for families. There are also several small budget motels along a 5 km stretch of road around Korotogo including the very reasonably priced small resort of Tambua Sands. Beyond Korotogo there are another five resorts, the Hideaway Resort being the pick for families with older children, Warwick Hotel more practical for smaller kids and an excellent backpackers hostel, The Beachouse and the no child budget retreat at Mango Bay. Most are on nice beach locations although swimming is not always good with some areas having exposed coral reefs at low tide and other areas having dangerous undercurrents, notably at Hideaway Resort where swimmers have been known to be swept out to sea. The Coaral Coast also marks the point on Viti Levu where the dry rolling hills and sugar plantations of the western leeward side give way to the tropical rainforests of the eastern windward side.

Coral Coast Accommodation


Beyond the Coral Coast, half an hour from the capital of Suva, is Pacific Harbour. This community has several resorts, including the Pearl South Pacific, independent restaurants and a championship golf course set at the foot of stunning rainforested mountains. Pacific Harbour is a good area for exploring. There a a number of river and village tours into the interior as well as a large cultural centre. There are also several dive, surf and fishing operators to the nearby and excellent Beqa Reef. The capital city of Suva sits on an attractive point on the south east tip of the island with a nice harbour setting and views of the tropical mountains. The main downside of Suva is it has no beach and the area is renowned for rain. Tourism is thus restricted and most of the hotels there cater for business people. The best business hotel is the revelopped Tanoa Plaza in the heart of downtown Suva or the more affordale Suva Motor Inn. Stay clear of the apartments around the market place as these are frequented with rowdy locals and prostitutes. Suva is a nice town to visit with an excellent museum and good bars and nightlife. Jut 10 minutes inland from Suva is Colo-i-Suva National Park which makes a tranquil area for exploring but recent robberies and rape cases have spoiled its image.

Suva / Pacific Harbour Accommodation


Beyond Suva, coastal mangrove forests and rugged mountains line the entire east coast of the island. There's no tourist attractions here or places to stay until you reach the dry and sunny north coast town of Rakiraki. This rural town is the departing point to the small offshore island of Nananu-i-Ra which has gorgeous beaches, a lovely small resort and several backpacker hostels and self catering cottages to rent. Apart from peaceful Nananu-i-Ra island where you can stay at Charlies Cottages beside the picturesque white sandy beach, there is little to attract tourists to the north coast with most of the coast covered in mangrove forests and the surrounding countryside dominated by sugar cane plantations.

Sunshine Coast Accommodation


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 Mamanuca Islands



Whilst Viti Levu is popular amongst both families and couples interested in exploring, the Mamanuca Group of Islands has a reputation as being the romantic destination for couples and a place to go for a chill out family holiday on the beach. The small coral islands and slightly larger volcanic chains offer gorgeous beaches, lots of water activities, intimacy and pampering.

The most luxurious in the group being Tokoriki Island Resort and other popular venues include family friendly Plantation Island Resort, the tiny coral island of Treasure Island Resort, the very affordable Matamanoa Island Resort and the new good value Amunuca Island Resort. A few are on tiny coral islands including Beachcomber, a lively party island and the backpacker retreat of South Sea Island. Although these coral islands are gorgeous to look at, they are somewhat restrictive taking just five to ten minutes to walk around and after a few days you may feel like a prisoner. Only Malolo Lailai has more than one resort on it, the lovely Musket Cove Resort and the family orientated Plantation Island, and has some secluded beaches to visit, hills to climb and a lovely bay popular with yachts. Mana Island also has some secluded beaches and hills to climb but there are a few shabby backpacker hostels and these largest resort in the islands, Mana Island Resort. Most resorts take just 20 minutes by catamaran from Denarau Island off Nadi or five minutes by sea-plane or helicopter from the International Airport.

Mamanuca Group Accommodation


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 Yasawa Islands



Extending north from the Mamanuca Islands are the volcanic chain of islands known collectively as the Yasawa Islands. These islands are renowned for having some of the best beaches in Fiji with gorgeous turquoise lagoons. Budget beach bungalows aimed at the backpacker crowd and discerning travellers are dotted around the islands from south to north with the pick of the bunch being Bayside Resort,, Manta Ray Resort, Long Beach Resort, Safe Landing Resort and Oarsmans Bay Lodge. Apart from these locally run bungalows, there are a couple of luxury resorts including the down to eart and affordable Nanuya Island Resort which is great for water activities, the delightful Italian influenced Navutu Stars and the delightful and exceptionally luxurious Yasawa Island Resort which staddles one of the nicest beaches in Fiji. The Yasawa Islands is also the destination for the two luxury overnight cruises that operate in Fiji.

Yasawa Accommodation


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 Northern Islands
 The Northern Islands are a popular centre for ecotourism and diving. There are a number of specialist dive resorts and scuba dive charter companies which explore the famous Rainbow Reef and other exceptional reefs in the area. These include Garden Island Resort, and Paradise Taveuni the closest spots to the Rainbow Reef on the main island of Taveuni, or the delightful private island of Matangi Island Resort, 15 minutes by boat off Taveuni with its own reef systems and access to rainbow Reef (50 minutes). Taveuni has the gorgeous Bouma National Park for hiking and visiting waterfalls amongst the rainforest and nature reserves with diverse and unique birdlife. There are also several small guesthouses and holiday homes around Matei Airport on the north tip of the island which is the best base for exploring the4 sites and is on a picturesque white sandy beach with snorkelling. The pick of the bunch are the budget style Bibi's Hideaway, the holiday cottages of Makaira-by-the-Sea or the upmarket villas of Nakia Resort.

Northern Islands Accommodation


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 Southern Islands
The Southern Islands is also an excellent centre for diving (Astrolabe Reef) as well as having some great surfing breaks over reefs. Kadavu is the main island in the group and has dense rainforest and the coastline is very rugged. There are few roads around the island with access to most reorts by boat. For divers, the best spot is on eastern Kadavu near the Astrolobe Reef where Matava Resort is located, or central Kadavu which has nicer beaches, a good variety of dive sites and two upmarket dive resorts including Papageno, and eco retreat backed by tropical rainforest. Nagigia Island off the west coast of Kadavu is a specialist surf resort.


Southern Islands Accommodation


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 Lomaiviti Group
The last region in Fiji with accommodation is the Lomaiviti Group off the east coast of Viti Levu. Here there are a number of islands, some quite large, but only Ovalau has been developed for tourism and its focus is ecotourism. Between Ovalau and the main island of Viti Levu are three budget resorts on tiny coral islands which offer a mix of ecotourism, diving and relaxation, with Caqalai Island the pick. Two are for budget travellers whilst Toberua Island Resort caters for wealthy discerning guests. One of my favourite small luixury resorts in all of Fiji is Toberua Island Resort. Lomaiviti also boasts two of Fiji's most luxurious resorts.

Lomaiviti Accommodation


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