How to Pick the Best Resort in Fiji for You© FijiPocketGuide.com
How to Pick the Best Resort in Fiji for You

How to Choose the Best Resort in Fiji for You

© FijiPocketGuide.com
Last Updated: 23 October, 2024

Advice on Choosing a Resort in Fiji

Yes, Fiji does have over 100 resorts scattered across eight island groups, and yes, choosing a resort is a mission! Luckily, we here at Fiji Pocket Guide know a thing or two about the resorts in Fiji so we’ve put together a quick guide on how to choose the right resort in Fiji for you. For seasoned tropical travellers, some of the points might seem a little obvious, but we’ve taken the mantra that no question about the resorts in Fiji is too dumb. We’re covering it all!

If you’re new to the whole “Fiji” thing, make sure you also check out The Best Fiji Travel Guide and the 30 Tips for Travelling in Fiji.

Table of Contents

6 Tips for Staying at a Resort in Fiji

  1. Fiji’s high season is between June and August, as well as Easter and Christmas, so book early if you plan to visit at these times – see the 10 Reasons to Travel in the Low Season for more tips
  2. Factor in the transfer costs for getting to island resorts – see Fiji Airports: Your Airport Transfer Options
  3. Travelling with kids? Look out for resorts that allow kids to stay in the same room as their parents using the existing bedding for free – see 10 Fiji Resorts Where Kids Stay & Eat for Free!
  4. Is it your honeymoon? Mention this when booking to likely receive a treat – see 10 Best Honeymoon Packages in Fiji
  5. Feel free to wear any holiday attire at the resort, but note that you’ll need to wear somewhat modest clothing when leaving the resort, as explained in Fiji Village Etiquette & Customs
  6. As per the law for entering Fiji, you need to have your resort booked before you arrive – remember the name of your resort to write on your Passenger Arrival Card.

How to Pick the Best Resort in Fiji for You© FijiPocketGuide.com

What are the Resorts Like in Fiji?

Fiji is a paradise for resort lovers, with more than 100 different options to choose from across its stunning islands. You’ll find everything from intimate collections of bures (traditional Fijian bungalows) nestled around central dining areas to sprawling complexes complete with championship golf courses. Whether you’re dreaming of overwater bungalows, family-friendly resorts with kids’ clubs, or adults-only retreats, Fiji has got you covered. Many resorts offer all-inclusive packages, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday without worrying about the bill (we love that!). Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect:

  • Luxury Resorts: Think private pools, personal butlers, and world-class spas. Perfect for honeymooners or those looking to splurge!
  • Family Resorts: With kids’ clubs, water parks, and family-friendly activities, these resorts ensure everyone has a blast.
  • Budget-Friendly Options: Don’t worry, there are plenty of affordable resorts that still offer that quintessential Fijian experience.
  • Eco Resorts: For the environmentally conscious traveller, Fiji boasts several eco-friendly resorts that blend luxury with sustainability.

No matter which type of resort you choose, you’re guaranteed warm Fijian hospitality and those picture-perfect views we all dream about. Just don’t forget your camera (and maybe a good book for those lazy beach days)!

Resort Rooms

Fiji’s resorts tend to follow the international standards for star ratings, ranging from three-star resorts to five-star resorts. Lower star ratings indicate perhaps more run-down or basic facilities while higher star ratings indicate more luxury aesthetics, high-quality facilities and services.

A typical resort is made up of several tiers of bures (bungalows). The lowest tiers have the amenities of a hotel, such as beds, tea/coffee-making facilities and an ensuite bathroom and/or an outdoor shower. Some resorts also have a higher tier of bungalow/villa with self-catering facilities, multiple bedrooms and perhaps a private pool.

Another way resorts are graded is by location within the property. Typically, the pool or garden-view rooms are the lowest grades, while the oceanview or beachfront rooms are the highest grades.

Self-Catering and Dining

Rarely resorts in Fiji have self-catering facilities (unless you know where to look – like our 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Fiji), as meals are served in at least one of the restaurants – larger resorts have multiple restaurants. Most resort restaurants, especially on the mainland (Viti Levu) have a la carte menus where you pay as you go, while more remote resorts may have compulsory meal plans. Learn more about this in Is it Worth Purchasing a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji?

Plus, if food is the main focus of your getaway, check out the 10 Best Accommodations in Fiji for Foodies.

Activities and Tours

Resorts in Fiji offer a complete holiday experience including tours and entertainment. Many will have complimentary activities, which often come in the form of watersports gear rentals or perhaps crafting lessons, kava ceremonies, cultural performances and more. There will always be paid tours and activities to partake in for an additional fee, from scuba diving to sports fishing. Larger resorts are also likely to have a kids’ program, which you can read more about in The Best Kids’ Clubs in Fiji.

Types of Resorts in Fiji

There are many resorts in Fiji that are exclusively for adults, known as adults-only resorts. They typically have a policy of accepting no guests under the age of 12, 16 or 18 years old. Other resorts may specialise in an activity, such as spa treatments, or appeal more to a certain style of travel, whether it’s budget, luxury, family, couples or business travellers.

Start diving into the many “types” of resorts in Fiji in the following articles:

How to Pick the Best Resort in Fiji for You© FijiPocketGuide.com

Location, What is Nearby and How to Get There?

A big part of choosing a resort in Fiji is choosing a destination. First, decide between staying on the main island, Viti Levu, or going to the outer islands. Going to the outer islands has associated travel time and costs that might not be suitable for everyone, but may be worth the extra effort to get a real “island experience”. Alternatively, more independent travellers who don’t want to stay in the same island resort for the whole time might prefer to explore one of the larger islands, like Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

Fiji is made up of 333 islands, so needless to say, researching the various destinations is a demanding task. Nevertheless, take a look at Visiting Fiji: Main Island Vs. Outer Islands and Understanding the Fiji Regions to help you choose the right Fiji destination for you.

As for getting around your chosen island, while some resorts are close to the local airport or wharf, others require an additional dive or boat ride depending on how remote they are. So after choosing your desired destination, figure out the best way to get there according to your time and budget starting with our Fiji Transport Guide: 20 Best Ways to Get Around Fiji.

How to Pick the Best Resort in Fiji for You© FijiPocketGuide.com

Price and Inclusions

The final major comparison you’ll need to make between resorts is the value of the resort, which can be measured through its nightly rate, inclusions and facilities.

Any savvy traveller knows that it’s not a good idea to just go for the cheapest resort you can find, which typically means it has only the basic facilities and you might end up having to pay for extras to make the most of your holiday. If you’re looking for a complete island holiday, then it might be worth paying the more expensive all-inclusive rates. Then again, you don’t want to be paying a higher nightly rate for inclusions you’re not interested in, so it’s a fine balance.

The Cost of Resorts in Fiji

The typical prices for resorts in Fiji are as follows:

  • Dorm bed/night – FJ$40-$100
  • Budget double private ensuite bure/night – FJ$90-$250
  • Mid-range double private ensuite bure/night – FJ$300-$800
  • Luxury double private ensuite bure/night – FJ$600+
  • Family bures/night – FJ$225-$1,000+

Inclusions and Facilities

To really understand the worth of your nightly rate, it’s best to compare the facilities and services of a resort. Some inclusions to compare include some of the following:

  • Meals included
  • Restaurant
  • Free breakfast
  • Free watersports rental
  • Other free activities like kava ceremonies, crafting lessons, etc.
  • Paid activities and tours like scuba diving, island excursions, etc.
  • Swimming pool
  • Private pools
  • Spa
  • Golf course
  • Gym or fitness centre
  • Kids’ clubs
  • Babysitting services
  • PADI/SSI dive centre
  • Butler service
  • Travel desk
  • Gift shop
  • Beach
  • Wedding/conference facilities
  • Wedding or honeymoon packages
  • Kids eat, play and stay for free packages – see 10 Fiji Resorts Where Kids Stay & Eat for Free!
  • Airport transfers
  • Helicopter landing pad or airstrip
  • Car parking
  • Fans or air-conditioning
  • Mosquito screens or mosquito nets
  • Eco-friendly facilities – see 15 Best Eco-Resorts in Fiji
  • WiFi
  • ATMs
  • Currency exchange
  • Laundry facilities or services
  • Tea/coffee-making facilities.

Accessible features for the disabled are becoming more of a feature at Fiji resorts. We give our recommendations in Accessibility in Fiji: Travellers with Disabilities, Wheelchair Access & More.

More About How to Choose the Best Resort in Fiji

That’s it for our guide to how to choose the best resort in Fiji, for more information about Fiji’s resorts, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our 50 Best Resorts in Fiji: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Ruveni) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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