PACIFIC LUXURY

LIVING THE ISLAND DREAM

The sounds of the Lali drum pound out, echoing through the open air lobby, and heralding our arrival. Smiles greet us, the humidity gently engulfs us, and there is that spectacular moment when the staff cry BULA! and I feel my whole body relax.

There is nothing like a traditional Fijian welcome.

We are staying at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort, which is sparkling after a FJD $73 million dollar renovation that has seen the hotel transformed.

Located an effortless 25-minute drive from Nadi International Airport, the hotel on Denarau is the only integrated 5-star resort complex in Fiji, completely refurbished and reimagined for luxury travellers.

My Ocean Front room is spacious and airy, with white curtains that flutter in the South Pacific breeze. Cleverly, the azure blue tones of the bed almost invite the colours of the ocean into the room. Along with a deep tub, there is natural wooden trim and a minimalist approach: all to give way to the magnificent outdoor living area that looks across an emerald lawn to the blue ocean.

Stepping onto the private patio with G&T in hand, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else – except, of course, the spa.

HEAVENLY SPA

Slipping down along the ocean path, I head to the newly opened Heavenly Spa, an elegant tropical oasis located at the Sheraton’s sister property and next-door-neighbour, The Westin (currently being renovated).

My treatment room looks out over a gorgeous tropical garden. Towels are gently arranged around me, the scent of tropical flowers lingers, and gentle hands seem to scrub away the layers of fatigue, stress and grime of the last few months away, polishing and pummelling and smoothing me into someone ready for a holiday.

And I’m ready.

That night, it’s a coin toss between the lure of the elegant live sushi station at buffet restaurant Island 619, or the fresh seafood laying on beds of ice at Tatavu, the resort’s al la carte restaurant. The relaxed, open-air restaurant by the resort’s lagoon pool has a feet-in-the-sand approach to luxury, but it’s all business once we get the menu, which is centred around the resort’s spectacular vertical wood fired grill, set up within full view of the menu.

FARM TO FORK

Seeing the spectacular grill, it’s hard to not order a Cape Grim Steak, but I simply can’t go past the Chef’s Charcoal Board and the catch of the day: the spectacular blue Yasawa lobster, accompanied by the Denarau farm vegetable terrine, grown on the resort’s private farm, which is located adjacent to the resort’s golf course on the island.

I see the farm up close the next morning when I venture to the Sheraton’s 18-hole Championship golf course. Designed by Eiichi Motohashi, the palm-tree lined course lies at the heart of Denarau Island. While there’s a handy helipad for island-hopping and a relaxed club for lunch, it’s worth hitting a round just to play the 15th hole, a par four with an unbeatable view that stretches across the green with the sparkling Pacific Ocean as its backdrop.

There’s a chance to visit the farm as part of their Farm to Fork dining experience, but the ocean calls and the beachfront sunbeds.

In the distance, ferries, catamarans and schooners loop in the swell, sandy atolls appear as the tide drops, and the islands grow closer on the horizon. There are jetskis and parasails in the distance – an incredible way to see Fiji – but today it’s a book, a sunlounge and a cocktail.

Luxury indeed.

Island retreat

Lisa Gray is a woman who oozes tropical island style. Not out of place gracing an India Hicks or Tommy Bahama style book, Lisa’s flair can be seen in every detail at Aore (pronounced Ow-Ree) Island resort.

Lisa and her husband Brad, ex-wholesale fruit business owners from Australia say their philosophy since opening, renovating, rebuilding and reopening the stunning resort off the coast of Espiritu Santo is to “keep our interior design authentic to the culture and heritage of Vanuatu.”

Aore Resort was first built over 25 years ago by another Australian family. The resort had seen better days and Lisa and Brad spent their first year getting on top of maintenance and repairs.

They worked with specialist interior designers, architects, local carvers and artists to create a truly stunning, luxury resort.

The resort is a 10-minute ferry ride from Luganville, the capital of Espiritu Santo in the north of Vanuatu. Air Vanuatu flies direct from Brisbane to Santo weekly, with daily connections via Port Vila yet Aore feels a million miles from anywhere. The iridescent clear waters surrounding the resort are calm and calming. Fish swim along the shoreline and the white sandy bottom is littered with starfish.

A jetty stretches out from the main feature of the resort – the stunning open air restaurant, bar and reception area.

“Our nakamal which houses our main restaurant, bar and lounge area was beautifully designed by Brisbane interior design duo Ivy and Piper. The nakamal features a large gallery wall with memories of Vanuatu and WWII items, our beautiful bar and cabinetry was all made locally with timber responsibly sourced from Aore Island,” Lisa says.

“Our lounge area is full of colourful comfortable lounges paying respects to tribal patterns and Vanuatu’s French heritage.” Aore’s waterfront and water view bungalows showcase beautiful bedheads that were carved locally, with all timber responsibly sourced from Aore Island.

The wall decorations are all woven from a village on neighbouring Malo island through the resort’s community project, The Woven Club.

The bungalows are tastefully decorated and well appointed. All 18 are fan-cooled with natangura thatched roofs, allowing cool ocean breezes to circulate.

The emphasis is on ‘raw luxury’ – meaning there are no TVs or Wifi in the bungalows.

“Our tropical resort is ideal for those who really want to get away from it all. For those who might find that too much of a challenge, we do offer unlimited WIFI free of charge in the nakamal. We also have books and games to get the families together. Between snorkelling, sipping cocktails and reading, we promise that you won’t miss it at all – especially the kids,” Lisa says.

Lisa and Brad have also added a beach bar to the resort, open on select nights for relaxed sunset drinks and entertainment. Otherwise, guests can dine in the nakamal, on their balconies, by the pool or on the jetty.

Breakfast is available from 7:00am, with fresh fruit and bread baked. The full menu, available for lunch and dinner is light and healthy. The specials’ blackboard changes daily to bring you the freshest local cuisine including Santo beef, world famous for its taste and tenderness and local seafood.

Aore Island Resort is well positioned to enjoy all Vanuatu’s big island of Santo has to offer. From the world’s largest, most accessible shipwreck, the SS President Coolidge to Santo’s amazing Blue Holes, WW2 history, the Millennium Cave and Champagne Beach, all within easy reach.

For more, visit aoreislandresorts.com

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay

Discover your own tropical paradise at Fiji Marriott Resort, nestled on the secluded beaches of Momi Bay on the western corner of Viti Levu.

The resort features an array of luxury facilities including three on-site restaurants, a fitness centre and day spa.

Check in to one of the over-water villas (pictured here) and check out of the ordinary. The hotel features a jaw-dropping infinity pool, a fitness centre and beautiful gardens.

Begin your day with breakfast at Goji Kitchen and Bar, sip on poolside cocktails at the swim-up bar and wind down with a sunset dinner at the Fish Bar.

For honeymooners, spoil your special someone with luxury accommodation, romantic dinner at Fish Bar, bottle of sparkling wine and couples massage at Quan Spa.

Enjoy drifting off to the gentle ocean breeze and waking up to the sound of lapping waves in our romantic adults-only over-water bure. Soak up the sun at one of the swimming pools, including the adults-only infinity pool, relax at the swim-up bar and indulge in signature cocktails at the Lagoon Lounge.

While many guests prefer to spend their days relaxing at the hotel, the property is close to top attractions like Cloud Break and Sigatoka River Safari.

The resort also features over 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, making it a great choice for a large meeting or conference in Fiji.

And kids will love it too, with so many water sports and kids entertainment, they’ll enjoy this piece of heaven too.

For more, go to www.marriott.com

Taumeasina

Taumeasina Island Resort in Samoa is a four and half star luxury, situated on its own private island just five minutes from Samoa’s capital Apia.

The accommodation ranges from studios to one, two and three-bedroom villas, with families and those looking for luxury in mind.

The villas are tastefully furnished and all have water views or direct water access.

Taumeasina Island Resort caters to couples, families travelling together and the business and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) market.

There is an outdoor kids play area, and very attentive staff available to baby sit should mum and dad want a night off in one of the resort’s restaurants or bars.

The resort has two private beaches, a cascading resort pool, fine dining and casual restaurants, lobby bar, sunset bar overlooking the ocean, day spa and fitness centre, watersports and activities.

The island boasts views of the turquoise lagoon and Pacific Ocean, as well as the lush mountainside of Upolu island.

It is our pick for a luxury holiday in Samoa.

Tokoriki

It’s all about the details at Tokoriki Island Resort. The ‘details’ at Tokoriki incude poolside butler service where at 11am and 3pm guests receives a cold towel, sunscreen, icypoles and mini cocktails (3pm only) – and can even get their sunnies polished too.

From arrival Tokoriki feels different. It is not a huge resort, it’s not even big by Fiji standards. Each of the 36 villas is oversized however and all fabulously appointed. The furnishings were hand picked by the owner and the attention to detail is obvious.

Poolside at Tokoriki is the heart of the resort. The infinity pool is bordered by coconut trees and the stunning blue green hues of the Mamanucas as the backdrop. Teak and rattan furniture is complemented with gorgeous cushions and stunning Fijian carvings.

There is no real lobby as such, just casual sofas and chairs, a central bar and restaurant all under the one leaf roof. You’re encouraged to feel at home Fiji style after arriving on the island which is about an hour’s ferry ride with South Sea Cruises from Port Denarau – or private speed boat and helicopter transfers are available from Denarau or Nadi airport.

It doesn’t take long to work out why Tokoriki has received the accolades it has. The service is second to none, the ambience calm and tranquil. It is the perfect escape and ultimate romantic resort destination.

Luxury Island Living Can Be Yours

It all started when Bruce Tilley went on vacation to beautiful Espiritu Santo Vanuatu in 2005. Bruce fell in simplicity of simplicity of lifestyle, the surrounding beauty and the tranquility that the island had to offer. Without a second thought he purchased land in the well-known Barrier Beach and built his home.

Over the years his good friends Grahame and Jeannette Bell vacationed with Bruce, and they too fell in love with the Island.

It just so happened that in 2019 Lope Lope resort came on the market for sale. Bruce and Grahame snatched it up. Both having a background in the construction and building industry they could see the unique opportunity to provide a secure gated community for others like them to build their dream homes.

After a brief delay due to covid Bruce and Grahame got stuck into creating Lope Sands as the only secure gated residential community on the Island.

A concrete road has been built through the property for convenance and ease and all sites are set up and ready with underground power.

The property still has the original Lodge for sale and could be converted into a huge 5 or 6 bedroom home. It has a massive decking right on the beach and could become the home to a really lucky family.

It also has 4 existing Bungalows that you could purchase and move straight into. Simply turn up with your bags and relax.

For those wanting to build their dream home, you have the choice to purchase from Ocean front Lots or River front lots. Each lot more beautiful than the next.

So, if you dream of Island living, working from paradise, retiring in style or having a holiday home in the sun, then look no further. You can start building your dream home tomorrow.

With lots staring from AU$120,000 and less than a 3hr direct flight from Brisbane Australia, it’s such a fabulous opportunity.