Fiji comprises more than 300 islands and hundreds of hotels and resorts, making it somewhat daunting to plan that perfect island getaway. However, we’ve sorted through the best accommodations in this part of the world, and grouped by them island (or island group), to make it a little easier. Read on for our pick of the most memorable—and often sustainable—South Pacific stays.
Viti Levu
By far the largest of all the islands, Viti Levu is home to some 80 percent of Fiji’s citizens. It’s also where most travelers fly in to—and it has a range of appealing resorts.
Nanuku
- Viti Levi
- Book now: Nanuku Resort
Fiji made our Where to Go 2024 list for many reasons, including its singular natural beauty and diverse subaqueous life, but also for all the conservation efforts across the islands at various resorts. Nanuku leads the charge, with an in-house marine biologist and coral and mangrove planting opportunities for guests. The 500-acre resort also offers ample opportunity for swimming, water sports, cocktails at the swim-up bar, a private island, and a great cultural program.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
- Viti Levu
- Book now: Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
The Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa comprises 266 rooms and suites amid 35 acres of tropical vegetation, a spa, three swimming pools, a top-notch kids’ club, and an 18-hole championship course designed by Indo Fijian professional golfer Vijay Singh.
The Pearl Resort
- Viti Levu
- Book now: The Pearl Resort
The Pearl Resort, on Fiji’s main island, is also great for golfers. It offers 18 holes designed by the late Robert Trent Jones, a prominent golf course architect—along with a swimming pool complete with swim-up bar and various water-based activities.
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
- Denarau Island
- Book now: Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
The Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa offers it all for the whole family. The sprawling resort recently underwent a complete renovation, with its 298 rooms and restaurants fully reimagined. New options include Bazaar Kitchen restaurant, rum bar Suka Bar, and a night club called Republik. The Waitui Beach Club has been extended, and there’s a new kids beach club on the family side of the resort, plus a teenage zone with arcade games.
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa overlooks Viti Levu’s Coral Coast on one side and a pristine beach and lagoon on the other.
Courtesy of Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa
- Yanuca Island
- Book now: Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa
The Reef Wing at Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa offers a private experience within a larger island resort, with 74 total rooms, suites, and private bures (traditional Fijian wood-and-straw huts) that overlook Viti Levu’s stunning Coral Coast on one side and a pristine beach and lagoon on the other. A favorite for honeymooners and couples on a romantic getaway, the Reef Wing has its own dedicated check-in, lunchtime restaurant, and an adults-only infinity pool where complimentary cocktails and canapés are served. The six spacious bures are beachfront retreats complete with private lawns, outdoor showers, and a pathway that leads to the resort-owned beach on a secluded section of the island. The lagoon has sandy beaches where travelers can safely enjoy swimming and water sports year-round. The resort also has a golf course.
Fiji comprises well over 300 islands, but many can be counted as part of different groups.
Courtesy of Tourism Fiji
Mamanuca Islands
If you’ve been swooning over Instagram photos or a guide book cover from Fiji, chances are the photos were taken in this quintessential collection of picture-perfect islands.
Castaway Island Resort
- Qalito Island
- Book now: Castaway Island Resort
Fiji’s Qalito Island was nicknamed “Castaway Island” after the release of the film starring Tom Hanks in 2000. The island now boasts the luxurious Castaway Island Resort but note: All scenes from the movie Cast Away were actually shot at the smaller and uninhabited Monuriki Island. However, the 174-acre island is packed with lush scenery and sandy beaches. You’ll easily slip into your own desert island dream.
Tokoriki Island Resort
- Tokoriki Island
- Book now: Tokoriki Island Resort
This resort has won plenty of accolades—for good reason. With just 36 beachfront pool villas for 72 guests, the upscale boutique retreat never feels crowded. It’s a perfect place to enjoy an outdoor shower, snooze in a hammock, enjoy a cocktail, and generally leave hectic real life behind.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort
- Malolo Island
- Book now: Likuliku Lagoon Resort
The adults-only Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo Island features 35 beachfront bures, including 18 split-level bungalows with private plunge pools and secluded courtyards with outdoor showers.
Six Senses Fiji
- Malolo Island
- Book now: Six Senses Fiji
Six Senses brings its renowned brand of luxury to Fiji on Malolo Island, with 24 pool villas and two- to five-bed residences a mere 16 miles from the main international airport. It offers all the high-end dining and wellness you’d expect but is also fully committed to protecting the surrounding spectacular beauty. The resort is working to protect the endangered crested iguana, has reforested some 1,000 trees, and runs an Earth Lab to teach guests more about sustainable practices.
Vomo Island
- Vomo Island
- Book now: Vomo Island
Vomo Island occupies its own 225-acre island in the Mamanuca chain, reachable by helicopter or car and speedboat from Nadi airport. Suites and restaurants are spread across sandy beaches and a range of easy to moderate trails run through the unspoiled vegetation. The resort hired an in-house marine biologist in 2023, Laisena Rokoua, who oversees a variety of conservation initiatives that guests can take part in. Think coral planting, coastal clean-ups, and species identification.
Northern Islands: Vanua Levu and Taveuni
Taveuni earns its nickname as the “Garden Island” with lush landscapes, waterfalls galore, and a variety of colorful flowers, while Vanua Levu is comparatively undeveloped bird-watcher’s paradise.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort specializes in diving and scuba certification, offering frequent trips to the world-class diving site Somosomo Strait.
Courtesy of Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
- Vanua Levu
- Book now: Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Families will like the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort on Vanua Levu. Its Bula Club provides dedicated nannies for children 5 years and under and offers a “buddies” program for kids 6 through 12, with one leader per group of five.
Fiji is famous for its brilliant soft coral and abundant reef life, which is home to more than 1,500 species of fish. The resort specializes in diving and scuba certification, offering frequent diving trips to Somosomo Strait, one of the best diving sites in Fiji.
Children have their own dining area, swimming pools, plus activities like a jungle gym and an arts and crafts center to occupy them while parents are snorkeling, diving, or simply relaxing.
Nukubati Private Island
- Vanua Levu
- Book now: Nukubati Private Island
Fiji’s selection of more than 300 islands offers a true opportunity to get away from it all—via a boat, helicopter, or small plane to reach your private island resort. To reach the seven hyper-secluded bures at Nukubati Private Island, you’ll take a 40-minute flight from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport to the northern capital town, Labasa on Vanua Lebu. There, you’ll be met by Nukubati’s transportation for a one-hour drive to Nukubati Landing, at which point you’ll take a five-minute boat ride to reach the resort.
Yasawa Islands
The Yasawa Islands consist of some 20 volcanic islands northwest of Viti Levu and are justifiably popular with international visitors.
Turtle Island Resort
- Turtle Island
- Book now: Turtle Island Resort
Fiji’s stunning coral atolls and palm-lined sands aren’t just beloved by tourists; they’re also popular with Hollywood production companies. In fact, The Blue Lagoon, a 1980s drama starring Brooke Shields, was shot on Nanuya Levu Island as well as Turtle Island, where accommodations such as the all-inclusive Turtle Island Resort specialize in romantic retreats. The 500-acre resort hosts a maximum of 14 couples at a time.
Luxury Private Islands
Several resorts in Fiji occupy entire islands, giving guests a truly remote and peaceful experience.
Wakaya Private Island Resort & Spa
- Wakaya Island
- Book now: Wakaya Private Island Resort & Spa
This upscale hideaway features one- and two-room suites and private houses with pools and offers a wide range of activities on sea and on land. Divers can help with the resort’s efforts to protect the local manta ray population.
Fiji’s Dolphin Island is a 14-acre private resort that accommodates a maximum of eight guests at once.
Courtesy of Dolphin Island
Dolphin Island
- Dolphin Island
- Book now: Dolphin Island
Have an entire island to yourself (aside from the resort staff) on Dolphin Island, a 14-acre private retreat that accommodates a maximum of eight guests. The resort’s Hilltop Sleep-Out Bure wraps you in relaxation with its palm-thatched roof, open-air bedroom, and rustic four-poster bed that faces the ocean.
Royal Davui Island Resort
- Davui Island
- Book now: Royal Davui Island Resort
Fiji is a top destination for tying the knot or renewing vows. You can plan a simple elopement or go for a traditional Fijian wedding like the one offered at Royal Davui Island Resort, where the bride is carried to meet her groom on a ceremonial platform with a warrior escort while a Fijian choir adds to the festivities.
This article originally appeared online in August 2016. It’s been updated several times, most recently in December 2023 with extra hotel information from Tim Chester.
