Fiji is a marvelous place for honeymoons and other romantic escapes. I've never stayed anywhere as love-enhancing as a thatched-roof bungalow on the beach. You'll find lots of these in Fiji. A few are built on stilts out over the lagoon, while others have their own swimming pools and hot tubs.
Fiji's numerous small, relatively remote offshore resorts offer as much privacy as you are likely to desire. Many of these establishments have less than 20 bungalows each, instead of the 40 or more found in French Polynesia and elsewhere, which means they are usually widely spaced. Many are even on islands all by themselves.
They are so romantic that a friend of mine says her ideal wedding would be to rent an entire small resort, take her wedding party with her, get married in Fijian costume beside the beach, and make the rest of her honeymoon a diving vacation.
Every offshore resort in Fiji qualifies as a very good romantic retreat, but I'm headed to one of the following when Cupid strikes. Most have full-service spas for your pampering pleasure.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort (Malolo Island, the Mamanucas; tel. 672 4275 or 666 3344; www.likulikulagoon.com). This exquisitely designed resort is tops in the Mamanuca Islands, primarily because it's the first in Fiji with overwater bungalows.
Tokoriki Island Resort (Tokoriki Island, the Mamanucas; tel. 666 1999; www.tokoriki.com): The beach at Tokoriki has erosion problems, but it has five bungalows with their own plunge pools.
Matamanoa Island Resort (Matamanoa Island, the Mamanucas; tel. 666 0511; www.matamanoa.com): It's less luxurious than Tokoriki, but Matamanoa is a good choice for cost-conscious honeymooners, and it has one of Fiji's best beaches.
Turtle Island (Nanuya Levu Island, the Yasawas; tel. 877/288-7853 or 672 2921; www.turtlefiji.com): Fiji's first top-end resort continues to offer romance beside its seemingly landlocked "Blue Lagoon." Its most private bungalow lacks a whirlpool but has a 360-degree view of the lagoon and surrounding islands.
Yasawa Island Resort and Spa (Yasawa Island, the Yasawas; tel. 672 2266; www.yasawa.com): Sitting on one of the prettiest beaches in Fiji, Yasawa Island Resort and Spa has a very low-key, friendly ambience to go with its very large bungalows, the choicest being the secluded honeymoon unit with its own beach (it even has a private pool).
Navutu Stars Resort (Yaqueta Island, the Yasawas; tel. 664 0553; www.navutustarsfiji.com): Also in the Yasawa Islands, Navutu Stars Resort has a spa and yoga sessions in addition to fine food brought to you by its Italian owners.
The Wakaya Club (Wakaya Island; tel. 344 0128; www.wakaya.com): In central Fiji near Ovalau Island, the Wakaya Club is generally considered Fiji's top resort. It has some of the country's largest bungalows, plus a palatial mansion with its own pool, perched high atop a ridge. The staff leaves the guests to their own devices, and you might see a movie star or two relaxing here.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort (Savusavu; tel. 800/246-3454 or 885 0188; www.fijiresort.com): "Cousteau" is Fiji's best family hotel. It expertly herds the kids away in the award-winning Bula Club, and young ones are seldom if ever seen in a beautiful honeymoon villa with its own swimming pool.
Namale - The Fiji Islands Resort & Spa (Savusavu; tel. 800/727-3454 or 885 0435; www.namalefiji.com): Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins's luxurious resort also has private, pool-equipped villas plus a bowling alley, golf simulator, and a ton of other toys.
Coconut Grove Beachfront Cottages (Taveuni; tel./fax 888 0328; www.coconutgrovefiji.com): Ronna Goldstein's charming three-unit, bed-and-breakfast-like hotel is one of Fiji's best bargains for anyone, including honeymooners on a budget.
Maravu Plantation Beach Resort & Spa (Taveuni; tel. 866/528-3864 or 888 0555; www.maravu.net): Maravu is not directly on the beach (a picturesque one is just across the road); but bungalows come equipped with hot tubs, and the honeymoon unit is built up in a tree.
Matangi Island Resort (Matagi Island, off Taveuni; tel. 888/628-2644 or 888 0260; www.matangiisland.com): One of the widely spaced bungalows at Matangi Island Resort is built up in a Pacific almond tree, while two others are carved in the side of a cliff. They all have outdoor bathrooms.
Qamea Resort and Spa (Qamea Island, off Taveuni; tel. 866/867-2632 or 888 0220; www.qamea.com): Among my favorite places to stay are the charming, old South Seas-style bungalows at Qamea Island Resort and Spa. More luxurious still are the two units specifically designed for honeymooners and two more with their own plunge pools. Kerosene lanterns romantically light the 16m-high (52-ft.) thatched roof of Qamea's main building at night.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
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