Fiji Holiday ? - Your advice.....

[malmacdowall]

Hi all,

I am hoping to draw on the collective AFF wisdom (or at least your ever present opinions)...
Looking for a family holiday at the bech...Thinking Fiji in July.
The "kids" (Use the term loosely) are 15yo, 13 yo, and 11yo....

Dont want to spend a fortune but there are a few good deals around, like the Warwick Fiji resort and spa... 1/2 price for 8 nights...

So can anyone recommend any resorts either on main island or one of the other islands?
Also, what do you think about adding the "all inclusive " meal plan... it works out to between $60 to $80 per person per day additional... No sure how much the food would cost just buying it as you want it at the resorts...

Looking forward to your ideas, thoughts and comments...

 

[Globetrotter]

My neighbour stayed at the Warwick resort Fiji last year with her 15 year old daughter and loved it. I was only talking to her about it on Sunday as I just returned from Fiji myself. She said she would love to go back and would stay at the Warwick again without hesitation. Only thing she would do this time is...

- definitely purchase the food and beverage package (she regretted buying the food only package)
- hire a car. The airport/hotel transfer coach stopped at various resorts on the way making the journey so much longer

My partner and I return from Fiji on Saturday. We stayed at the Intercontinental Resort Fiji and it was stunning. We loved every moment. Whilst we don't have kids, the resort did have a kids club thingy but it seemed to cater for the young ones. Whilst this resort offered some watersports it didn't appear to cater for families unlike some of the other Fijian resorts.

As our flight home wasn't until 4pm so we hired a car and visited various resorts on Denarau Island, including Port Denarau. Kids galore!!! Out of the Sheraton, Sherston Villas, Sofitel, Westin and Radisson, I would definitely consider the Radisson for families. Radisson resort was well laid out and everyone was having a lot of fun from what we saw. Lots of activities catering for all ages plus an adults only pool to keep everyone happy!

Your best bet is to do some research online and I recommend visiting www.tripadvisor.com I always research hotels here before booking anything.

Good luck with your planning

 

[malmacdowall]

thanks for the Tripadvisor idea. Looking at the maps, the Warwick seems to be a long way out of Nadi... One TR I read was recommending hiring a car so that we can leave the resort and get to other cheaper restaurants...

Look forward to others advice....

 

[Moopere]

I'm trying to work in a week at the Fiji Beach Resort and Spa (Hilton) later this year

Hilton Fiji - Home

Really good reviews at tripadvisor and here.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-do-hilton-treat-you-18502-17.html#post420270

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-amenities-fiji-resort-26471.html#post375318

 

[Sprucegoose]

Agree with the InterCon and a food/bev package if offered.

They have some great club suites.

Hire a car and get around.

 

[High Horse]

I would look at a resort with lots of activities that would engage teenagers. We stayed at the Outrigger and loved it, but we had smaller kids who loved kids club (and we loved that they loved kids club!). Castaway has lots of snorkelling and catamaraning, and around Pacific Harbour you can do lots of activities too. Am aware that teenagers may only take a few days to get over sitting by the pool...

 

[james1]

Have stayed at the Intercontinental three times (including the the Club section which is awesome) and it has become a clear holiday favourite in our eyes. However, I think it may a little 'quiet' and isolated for teens. Once there, not really anything close by.

Somewhere on Denarau Island would be a better bet - more options for island excursions, water activities, close to the Port for dining and even a visit into to Nadi.

As far as resort options at Denarau, we have stayed at a few and have found them all pretty much the same. Would recommend just trying to get the best 'all inclusive' package.

Just be aware, Denarau itself does not have the white sand./ blue water that you have seen on those Fiji commercials. Pool swimming only when we have been there.

Bula and enjoy!

 

[shambles]

My partner and I return from Fiji on Saturday. We stayed at the Intercontinental Resort Fiji and it was stunning. We loved every moment. Whilst we don't have kids, the resort did have a kids club thingy but it seemed to cater for the young ones. Whilst this resort offered some watersports it didn't appear to cater for families unlike some of the other Fijian resorts.

Last year we (no kids) stayed at Intercon as well, absolutely loved it and whilst I have no other reference point in Fiji to compare it to , we plan to return there for a week every 2 years or so. I usually like the IC club lounge comfort (and daily alcohol) but in this case I'm glad I haggled a deal for one of the beach front villas - literally walk out of bed, past your outdoor (but private) monster bath, and you have sand between your toes. We went May last year and discussed a deal with them over the phone that involved us booking a base level room for 4 nights then adding 3 nights with PC points via online booking. This worked out overall at less than $180 per night for one of their awesome beach front suites. With IC Ambassador membership you get upgraded hence us booking a room level below the one we actually wanted. Furthermore, rooms booked with PC points are usually the basic ones but a friendly pre-departure chat with the hotel reservations and they'll soon buckle and let you have the same premium room for the whole stay.

Eaterys were great quality, albeit a bit pricey as they have you trapped (IC Natadola resort is an hour south of Nadi and SFA else within cooee). Next time I'll buy a Priority Pass thingy or whatever it's called that gives you 2 for 1 dining. I reckon I'd of saved about $400 or so in a week. We had the bonus of chasing down some Tuna and Barracouda in the dive boat and the chef cooked up a feast with our fare.

Water sports were great, we decided to try SCUBA and got our rec diver ticket whilst there. Did 6 dives in awe inspiring conditions and instantly became golden customers of the sports hut and as such got the use of ANY of their hire stuff for free any time. Snorkels, kayaks, surfboards, fishing gear etc. I'd never SCUBA'd before and frankly speaking it was the 2nd best thing I've done with clothes on (NZ Heli-boarding beats it - just!)

We loved it and have a few pix online if it helps paint a better idea
Fiji May 2010 - a set on Flickr
HTH


(It's also golf resort apparently but we didnt go anywhere near the course)

 

[malmacdowall]

We loved it and have a few pix online if it helps paint a better idea
Fiji May 2010 - a set on Flickr
HTH

thanks shambles for the reply..... Gee the pics look fantastic .... Thanks for sharing them...

 

[LAH]

I just posted this over in hotel reviews :

<<Recently had a holiday trip (instead of business) and chose Fiji - again!! As I was flying from Auckland my flight was in the afternoon and realised I would have to spend the night in Nadi -

Found the Fiji Orchid - just outside Lautoka, max 30 mins from airport.

What a find! Used to be Raymond Burr's (Perry Mason/Ironside) bolthole! Only 6 bures - gorgeous, gorgeous gardens. Truly lovely staff - most have come over from Labasa on Vanua Levu. A couple of fawlty tower type things, but I have found my place and I'll probably even schedule a one or two nights here when I go to Fiji again. the web address is fijiorchid.com and Mitimiti who will answer your email, is most efficient! (I think she is the granddaughter of a previous King of Tonga - there's a little bit of gossip!)>>

While I was on holiday I met some people who were very enthusiastic about the club section at Intercontinental - and I will remember that. Thanks for the reviews here. I travel for work, staying in hotels, and this is why I was really thrilled to find Fiji Orchid for part of my holiday (one night pre island, and one night post island) because it was small, intimate and friendly - beautiful lounge and verandahs in the main area and a swimming pool. I don't think children are allowed - didn't bring my youngest with me this time so I didn't test it.

On the subject of kids : my youngest is 15 - she loves Castaway and we have been fortunate enough to go several times. That would be my suggestion to a family.

Cheers!​

 

[gumpy]

Denarau is really designed for your situation. But it is a bit more pricey than your normal. I stayed at the Sofitel and though it did not address my needs (I needed a lot of sleep from the year of flying) for a family holiday the place is fantastic.

Only heard fantastic things about outrigger.

The Pearl at Pacific Harbour is also a good spot.

 

[malmacdowall]

We fly out on Sat morning. Will be staying at the Naviti resort on the coral coast. Had a glowing referral there from one of our friends when they recently returned. We went for the all inclusive package for Myself and Mrs Mac, the 2 girls 11 and 12 are on the kids stay and eat free and master 15yo is on a breakfast only rate. We will just buy his lunch and dinners at the resort. (It seemed a little silly to pay an extra $80/day to get him the all inclusive deal as it is only for his lunch and dinner and unlike dad, he wont consume the high volume of alcohol. )

Looking forward to it. Flying Mel - Brisbane, Brisbane to NAN on Virgin. The kids have never been overseas so it will be a good first experience for them. Ms 11yo wanted to know if the air tastes the same overseas......