Fiji Starwood hotels

[cmon0005]

Morning all!

I am planning a trip to Fiji soon, I have already booked a room at the Westin Denarau Island Resort (Can cancel til 1 day before).
However not sure whether I should stay at Westin or stay next door at another Starwood property The Sheraton?

Has anyone stayed at one or the other or both and can share your recommendations?

I am a Gold Starwood member, and usually stay at Westin's worldwide but have never tried Sheraton though as this is a holiday I want the best out of the two. Considering there is no longer a Marriott in Fiji (not sure why this is) I only want to stay at a Starwood resort due to Gold benefits, including room upgrade on check-in, triple points at the moment and also 15% at the hotel restaurants at the moment for SPG card holders.

Any advice, experiences would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Alanslegal]

I have stayed at all three (Sheraton, Westin Villas, Westin Resort) as a Platinum.

I would easily recommend the Sheraton over the Westin purely because the rooms at the Sheraton are much more modern and the Westin needs a renovation ASAP. However you can use any of the pools at the properties regardless of where you stay. Also you can charge back food from Westin to Sheraton and vv.

I will stay at the Sheraton rooms and spend my pool time at the Westin.

 

[cmon0005]

I have stayed at all three (Sheraton, Westin Villas, Westin Resort) as a Platinum.

I would easily recommend the Sheraton over the Westin purely because the rooms at the Sheraton are much more modern and the Westin needs a renovation ASAP. However you can use any of the pools at the properties regardless of where you stay. Also you can charge back food from Westin to Sheraton and vv.

I will stay at the Sheraton rooms and spend my pool time at the Westin.

Thanks for the tips alanslegal! from what I have read on tripadvisor some of the Westin rooms have been renovated recently, how long ago was your trip?

Main reason I chose Westin initially is that the rooms look really traditional Fijian, whereas the pics of the Sheraton although nice, looked like standard modern western hotel rooms, I could be mistaken though?

 

[Globetrotter]

Morning all!

I am planning a trip to Fiji soon, I have already booked a room at the Westin Denarau Island Resort (Can cancel til 1 day before).
However not sure whether I should stay at Westin or stay next door at another Starwood property The Sheraton?

Has anyone stayed at one or the other or both and can share your recommendations?

I am a Gold Starwood member, and usually stay at Westin's worldwide but have never tried Sheraton though as this is a holiday I want the best out of the two. Considering there is no longer a Marriott in Fiji (not sure why this is) I only want to stay at a Starwood resort due to Gold benefits, including room upgrade on check-in, triple points at the moment and also 15% at the hotel restaurants at the moment for SPG card holders.

Any advice, experiences would be appreciated!

Thanks

IMHO...don't stay at any of them unless you love kids and/or are travelling with them. The beach at Denarau Island is horrible. Intercontinental is highly recommended or Outrigger.

 

[Isochronous]

IMHO...don't stay at any of them unless you love kids and/or are travelling with them. The beach at Denarau Island is horrible. Intercontinental is highly recommended or Outrigger.

I stayed at outrigger a few years ago, great place but only downside is it only has 1 restaurant, 1 pizza/pasta place and 1 fancy place where kids are banned. Not really near anything else either but that's kind of inevitable in Fiji. Warwick was also good but that was a little while longer ago.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The Intercon is on one of the most highly rated beaches, an hour away from the 'resorts' and does the kids stuff well.

Like most places in Fiji they do tend to struggle with the cuisine

 

[straitman]

IMHO...don't stay at any of them unless you love kids and/or are travelling with them. The beach at Denarau Island is horrible. Intercontinental is highly recommended or Outrigger.

Not all of us agree with this sentiment though.

I have experience with the Sheraton and the Hilton and they both are better or worse for different reasons.

If you want to see the 'real' Fiji then I wouldn't go to any of the places mentioned :!:



Sent from my legal, non technology stealing, old model iPhone using AustFreqFly App

 

[cmon0005]

IMHO...don't stay at any of them unless you love kids and/or are travelling with them. The beach at Denarau Island is horrible. Intercontinental is highly recommended or Outrigger.

Just myself and the Mrs travelling, we're not much for beaches anyway, we like lazing around a nice pool area drinking coughtails whilst on holiday and doing day tours around the place.
Have already checked Intercontinental but no availability for the time I am there (no status with priority rewards).

Also being Starwood Gold, I've always got good service, extra's and a room upgrade every single time I've stayed at Westin's/Starwood hotels worldwide.

Any recommendations on day tours?

 

[BensAdventures]

I was at the Westin a few months ago, got to agree, the pool area is Fantastic! The food was good throughout, and being able to walk into the Sheraton and other resorts was easy too. I'd recommend it!

I didn't find my room traditionally Fijian (what ever that really is), but very comfortable. I did have an issue with the A/C, they had it on 21 degrees (maybe 20), but I like it cold when I sleep, so they agreed to send a tech. It's very rare for hotels to lock the A/C. Least in my experience...

 

[drron]

As a golf tragic we always stayed at the Sheraton.it has had a virtually complete refurb.
And you really can see the real Fiji from here.We got along very well with the staff so when we were regular visitors we were invited back to their village or houses and really did get an idea of Fijian life.
The Ports O'Call was always our favourite restaurant at the Sheraton.Never a dry eye when on the last night of our stay the staff all sang Isa Lei.

 

[bigjobs]

some of the Westin rooms have been refreshed. new bathrooms and tiles throughout. Westin has best pool as mentioned. There are enough restaurants and bars down at Port Denarau shops & also in Nadi Town.

we were at the Westin last month. if you avoid school holiday times in NSW, QLD, Vic and NZ you will be right. We were there during the last part of NZ school hols unfortunately. We found the busy times to be from about 0900 until lunch time at the pool with kids jumping in, yelling & screaming etc. After lunch it became quiet.

was interesting having a 'chat' to a few fathers who felt it was ok to do bomb dives along with their kids ... strong lack of self awareness and impact on others.

We love Fiji. You can get out and about from Denarau very easily also.

 

[Simo]

I have only stayed at the Westin but the rooms have been renovated.

The staff are brilliant at both resorts.

Francis is wonderful in the Meki Lounge and Penni and Si at concierge are also awesome at the Westin.

The Westin does have a adults only pool.

 

[Globetrotter]

Any recommendations on day tours?

Hi cmon0005, I spent every glorious day in Fiji by the pool and beach, therefore did not undertake any tours. When I first went to Fiji in 1993 we did a day cruise which was great but as it was a while ago my memory escapes me as to where exactly we went lol although I do remeber we visited the beach where Blue Lagoon was filmed

 

[Simo]

Just get the Bula bus down to the port and there is many day tours available or the hotels also have a tour desk to help sort it all out.

 

[cmon0005]

Bula! Have decided to stick with Westin, got a good package that includes buffet breakfast, jetski, parasailing all for less than normal room rate by pre purchasing using a Starwood promo.
Thanks for all the advice so far its been great and keep it coming if you think of anything else.

I'll make sure I post a trip report on Air Pacific J flight and Westin resort experiences.

 

[Simo]

Bula! Have decided to stick with Westin, got a good package that includes buffet breakfast, jetski, parasailing all for less than normal room rate by pre purchasing using a Starwood promo.
Thanks for all the advice so far its been great and keep it coming if you think of anything else.

I'll make sure I post a trip report on Air Pacific J flight and Westin resort experiences.

I have stayed at The Westin twice in the last 2 years and always great service.

Have a look at my previous comment and say Hi to those staff for me.

Craig

 

[cmon0005]

Based on your experiences, what type of currency is best for Fiji?

1)Exchange in AUS before leaving to FJD
2)Exchange in Fiji
3)Use ATM card to withdraw money in Fiji
4)Pre-purchase some type of travel money card
5)Something else?

 

[Isochronous]

28Degress of course!

 

[cmon0005]

28Degress of course!

Not interested in another credit card, and don't have much time before I leave anyway.

 

[YNWA]

I'd exchange before you go. Aust Post had the best rates last time I exchanged for FJD