Collapsing on a freshly-made hotel bed, unpacking your suitcase, or the first sip of a cocktail by the pool – that’s typically when holiday mode starts to kick in on vacation.
But in Fiji, the feeling of relaxation begins the moment you set foot off the plane.
From the warm tropical air to the friendly “Bula!” welcome, I felt my shoulders drop and the stress slip away as soon as I arrived in Nadi in June.
My flight – the first direct Fiji Airways service from the Gold Coast to Nadi – whizzed by in about three and a half hours, about half the time it takes to get to Bali.
As I made my way through the airport terminal, I was greeted by the soothing strum of a ukulele (a pleasant change to the chaotic sounds of other airports).
After getting my passport checked, I turned the corner to find a surprise dance performance to celebrate the inaugural Fiji Airways flight.
As I stood there thawing out from Sydney’s chilly weather, it wasn’t hard to see why 400,000 Aussies flock to Fiji each year.
For my visit, I stayed on Denarau Island, a beautiful luxury resort area on the western coast of Fiji’s main Viti Levu island, where you’ll find the Sheraton Denarau Villas.
Just a quick 20-minute drive from Nadi International Airport or steps from Port Denarau Marina, Sheraton’s resort complex is the perfect spot for a family holiday, girls’ trip or couple’s retreat, and means you can ditch your bags and stretch out by the pool in no time.
The perfect tropical escape
First things first, the Sheraton Denarau Villas is part of a five-star resort complex, meaning you have access to the sister facilities at the nearby Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort – which underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation in 2022 – The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, and the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.
My jaw dropped when I walked through the lobby at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort and saw the row of grand water features, restaurants and shops.
A little further ahead, the lobby opened out to a palm tree-lined pool (one of six on the resort) dotted with beach chairs and the ocean behind – a picture of paradise.
The resort also features a Fiji Airways Resort check-in service for extra convenience for Fiji Airways passengers when you leave.
As I felt myself sinking further into holiday mood, I was greeted with a friendly “Bula” from staff and treated to a glass of bubbles at the front desk.
No question the vacay had well and truly started.
From the moment I checked in and was offered help with my bags I was again reminded once more of Fiji’s genuine and unmatched hospitality that never wavers.
Before long I was driven by golf cart to my villa, just a few minutes from the main reception.
Spacious, modern and stylish, the newly renovated villas are a perfect mix of home comforts with the luxury of a holiday escape
The 82 villas – some of which are currently undergoing renovations – are available with two bedrooms or three.
Stepping through the large front door, my two-bedroom villa opened into two separate wings.
On one side was a large bedroom with two double beds and a generous bathroom perfect for kids. On the other was a fully-equipped modern kitchen, complete with a stylish island theme living and dining area overlooking a garden.
Through another door (yep, there’s more) was the large main bedroom, complete with wardrobes, a separate seating area and large modern bathroom.
The “welcome home” message on the bed perfectly summed up the feeling the bliss that falls on you as soon as you step inside.
The resort has truly thought of everything a family would need, right down to your own coffee machine, bottled water on the counter, cocktail-making kit, and even a washing machine and dryer so you can refresh your wardrobe and beach towels halfway through your trip – a game changer.
The kitchen is also fully stocked with pots, pans and other utensils so you can easily cook up a family meal with ingredients from the onsite grocery store just a short stroll down the street.
What to do at the Sheraton
There’s certainly no shortage of activities or places to layback with a book and a fresh coconut and relax at the resort.
At almost every turn, it feels like you stumble upon a sun lounger either overlooking the water or one of the six lagoon style pools.
When you’re hungry, food can be conveniently ordered straight to you from QR codes on cubes conveniently dotted on tables around the resort.
For more of a taste of luxury, you can hire a beachside cabana and enjoy tacos and cocktails brought to you while you lie back, listen to the waves and let yesterday’s to-do list wash over you.
Of course that’s not all you can do. There’s also the nearby 18-hole championship golf course, the relaxing Heavenly Spa by Westin spa and a bunch of activities put on by the resort complex each day, including aqua aerobics in the main pool, beach volleyball, watermelon bashing, and a captivating fire show that drew crowds every night.
Sheraton also teams up with local brands to offer unique experiences for guest for something new to try.
During my stay, I joined a sunset cocktail masterclass hosted with The Distillery Co Fiji’s incredible Blue Turtle Gin.
There’s nothing that says vacation quite like learning how to shake and stir the perfect cocktail as music plays in the background and the sun sets over the water in front of you. Utter bliss.
When it comes to dining, there are plenty of options to choose from, including Tatavu Grill & Bar located along the Nadi Bay, Island 619 buffet restaurant, Wet Edge, which overlooks the bay and pool and the 28g Deli which served up tasty fresh bites.
As someone who is gluten intolerant, I was slightly nervous about travelling gluten-free for the first time but the buffet was labelled with plenty of gluten free options and the staff were incredibly helpful. I never once had to worry about not having options to choose from for breakfast, lunch or dinner, so I could fully relax.
The resort also offers a unique Farm to Fork dining experience where guests can tour the five-acre farm at Denarau Golf and Raquet Club, where sugarcane, vegetables, herbs and more is grown, before sitting down to a traditional Fijian feast.
I didn’t get a chance to experience it for myself this trip but no doubt I will back.
Overall, the Sheraton Denarau Villas and surrounding resort complex was the perfect escape and encapsulated the best of Fiji – warm hospitality, stunning views and a whole lot of relaxation.
If you’re looking for a holiday where you can switch off from the moment you arrive to the minute you leave, Fiji is hard to beat.
This writer visited Fiji as a guest of Sheraton Denarau Villas.