Fiji - Denarau or not

[OzEire]

Planning a mid-winter (Australia) stay in Fiji to escape the cold. We are a party of two adults and one four year old child, and the holiday should be beach style (and I mean, walk on to the beach, not catch a bus or taxi to and from the beach or hike 2 kms to get there).

As a Le Club Accor WP, and a 40% off sale on offer, the Sofitel Denarau seems like a good idea. BUT ! The tripadvisor ratings are quite mixed, some people are reporting that it was horrible. I've searched AFF and there are some dated reviews, again a bit mixed. We have lived in Melanesia before so we understand the "island time" mentality, we aren't DYKWIA types and as the beach is the main attraction even the reports of faded decor aren't that offputting... but if the service is well below the normal Sofitel standard, and the "beach club" is paid access (rather than substituting for an exec club) then I'm not sure that being an Accor WP is much of a draw card.

Any insights would be welcome. Any views on Denarau more generally or options for a beach at your doorstep elsewhere near Nadi (I'm also IHG WP but that's it for hotel loyalty progs).

 

[docjames]

Go to the intercontinental. You'll pay more, but will be worth it.

 

[dodgeyhack]

On Denaru I like the Radisson Blu but I don't think any of the resorts on Denaru have particularly great beaches, it's more about the pools. I agree on the comment about the Intercontinental, it's also in a much more beachy location and they put on a lot of activities. Having said that, I do like being on Denaru, as you can travel around a but by bus and go to the port and Nadi, the Intercontinental is a bit more isolated. Why not do both?

 

[straitman]

Also have a look at the new Hilton Doubletree.

Much cheaper and seriously great including a bar you can access from in the pool.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Go to the intercontinental. You'll pay more, but will be worth it.

I'm in agreement with this.

 

[cmon0005]

I wouldn't go to any of the Denarau resorts if you're after 'beaches', however Denarau resorts normally have really great pools, grounds and nearby activities especially good for kids. I went to Westin Denarau in Jan.

 

[MickC32]

Personally, I'd get a ferry to one of the islands. Beaches are much better and they have a much more authentic Fijian feel (yes, I know that can be put on but I felt Denarau was "plastic" and I could have been anywhere)

 

[samh004]

I have stayed at a hotel in Nadi town, but it wasn't near the beach and it was only memorable for being cheap the Denarau Hilton (as others have said, beachfront but not an exciting beach) and the Outrigger (so far away, but a nice beach). Not sure what I'd recommend. I'd probably try the IC next time, but I'm an Ambassador so I'm biased.

Also have a look at the new Hilton Doubletree.

Much cheaper and seriously great including a bar you can access from in the pool.

A bar in the pool means people don't have to leave for the facilities = swimming in pee!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Planning a mid-winter (Australia) stay in Fiji to escape the cold. We are a party of two adults and one four year old child, .

I cannot help you with the Denaru, but Fiji is perfect for four year olds. Fijians are very child friendly and very young children will normally have a great time with sitters, at "kids clubs" etc, which means in turn that mum and dad can have great time.

You also do not need inoculations for tropical diseases etc, which again is a big plus when travelling with someone of that age.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Denarau is not a beach location - the beaches are pretty poor. But the hotels all have really nice pools. If beach is what you want, either the islands to the north, or the Coral coast to the south.

 

[New Chump]

On Denaru I like the Radisson Blu but I don't think any of the resorts on Denaru have particularly great beaches, it's more about the pools. I agree on the comment about the Intercontinental, it's also in a much more beachy location and they put on a lot of activities. Having said that, I do like being on Denaru, as you can travel around a but by bus and go to the port and Nadi, the Intercontinental is a bit more isolated. Why not do both?

+1 for the Raddison Blue on Denarau, if you have small children. Took a four year old and a seven year old there two years ago and they loved it so much we went back last year. Pools are great. Don't go there (1) for the beach; or (2) if you don't want to spend HOURS being made to go up and down the fantastic waterslide there with your four year old.

NC

 

[OzEire]

Thanks for all of the replies.

It surprises me that Denurau is "not a beach location" which many of you have pointed out. The marketing of these resorts is full of beach photos. I just detest this type of trickery.

I had my doubts after looking at Google Earth but TripAdvisor (traveller rather than management photos) was inconclusive...seems that some guests post all sorts of photis from their trip against the hotel photos, nearby beaches unrelated to the hotel or restaurants near the hotel (but not in it!).

So thanks AFF for some genuine ground truth ! We instead decided on staying local (Brisbane and Cairns) this time to save for an even more special family beach trip later in the year or next year.

 

[Simo]

We have been to Denarau 4 times... Always stayed at the Westin... they all have some bad reviews but generally they are of a high standard... They are on Island time but the staff make up for it... Sofitel is very popular so it would just be someone who is stuck up...

 

[Simo]

You can get a boat over to a island just opposite the resorts and that is great... You can eat at the port every night so a huge range of food options

 

[ozjuice]

I've taken a bit of a gamble and split my 4 days into 2 stays, first at the Hilton but then 2 nights at the brand new Marriott which opens a week before we arrive for Easter. Stayed tuned!