Sitting on the balcony admiring the dazzling blue sea it could well be from a painting by one of the world’s great classic artists. In the distance children are playing in the sand, grown-ups whizz around on jet skis while a wedding party celebrates in picture perfect gardens and manicured lawns. The sun shines, the birds sing and all is well with the world. Welcome to Denarau. With 330 unhurried islands Fiji has few equals. It is a place to escape the real world. On offer are endless opportunities for tourists to do as much as they want or as little as possible. With its natural beauty, warmth and hospitality it’s a place that has practically everything a tourist longs for. The climate is warm all year round, there’s an abundance of accommodation to suit all budgets and the mixed population provides a medley of cultural varieties making this the perfect get-away. While the majority of visitors are lured by the splendours of the outer islands, Denarau is still one of Fiji’s greatest assets with its relentless easy-come, easy-go lifestyle. Once there, you could be on another planet: no traffic jams, no haste, just a pace of life that moves to a different beat. You don’t need a reason to visit Denarau, but if you’re looking for one you’ll find plenty of inspiration with something for every holidaymaker. By day, the endless beach hosts dedicated sun worshippers reading or asleep on a sun-lounger or on a hammock and as the sun sets after another balmy day the flares are lit to the beating of a chorus of drums. Nestled along the white sandy shores on the western side of Denarau is Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa. Its location and facilities are unrivalled. This is the ideal place for a relaxing blue sky holiday without having to set foot off the resort. Sprawled over 12 hectares, Sofitel offers 296 comfortable rooms each with sea views, spacious balcony, air conditioning, satellite flat-screen television, free Wi-Fi, mini bar, work desk, private security safe, Pure Fiji toiletries and tea and coffee facilities. The communal amenities include three restaurants, a café, three bars, eight meeting rooms, the largest hotel ballroom in Fiji, library and reading area, business centre, shopping arcade, health spa and a quaint little church where weddings are almost a weekly ritual. And sooner or later, when most inhibitions peel away with the first sunburn, the daily activity list includes kava tasting, sarong tying, or touch rugby, anyone?
On offer is a personalised butler service, fitness centre, yoga, healthy eating with a menu designed by Lucinda Zammit, a renowned Sydney dietician, chilled bottled water, sunscreen, body mist and towels. Cabanas and sun-loungers line the infinity pool creating a sophisticated elegance where you can soak up the sun’s rays, read, relax, cool off in the pool or indulge with a drink at the in-pool champagne bar. And when the sun slips below the horizon and the famous Fiji sunset vanishes, the flares are lit, transforming the mood into a vibrant party atmosphere where guests can mingle with complimentary cocktails, canapes and live music. And if you’re of a mind to dine at any one on the three restaurants you won’t be disappointed. Lagoon Restaurant where reading menus is not a problem — there aren’t any. This is a dining experience with a simple philosophy: source the best produce and make it shine. The buffet is a fresh and inspired approach to a creative blend of European and local dishes. Lifting the lids from the bain marie’s and milling around the live cooking stations you can smell the intoxicating aromas. At Salt Restaurant dining al fresco on the water’s edge is an experience in itself. A billion stars above your head, waves lapping at your feet, and candles flickering while grazing. Views apart, Salt is relaxed and informal, whether breakfast lunch or dinner the fare is a consistent and enterprising menu of international cuisine. And overlooking the tropical gardens is the art of fine dining and fine wines. V is Sofitel’s signature restaurant. With a menu matched only by the elegance of the surroundings and seamless service by smartly attired and knowledgeable waiting staff, this is a must-do experience. At Café La Parisienne, their food is all about freshness, from flaky French pastries to savoury pies and platters with authenticity rarely found for such a cheap eat. We’re sad to hand back our keys. We will miss the freedom and the smiling people that looked after us while the beat goes on! Dennis and Rosamund Knill were assisted by Fiji Airways, Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Southern Cross Travel Insurance and Air New Zealand Parking.
The main meeting place and focus of attention is centred round the enormous free-form swimming pool spread around the property’s perimeter. And what really sets the resort apart from all the others is its wide range of cuisine. Sofitel takes gastronomy seriously, as do its guests, it’s almost a national pastime of breakfasting, lunching, and fine dining.
N EED TO KNOW
Relax, reflect be invigorated, Sofitel’s newest innovation the Waitui Beach Club promises a new lease of life. Everything in this adults-only retreat has been thoughtfully designed to seduce guests with a lazy pace of life. “We want all of our guests to have a unique holiday experience,” says Michael Bell, director of sales and marketing.
WA ITU I B EACH CLU B From FJD$450 per night (includes breakfast) or you can pay FJD$50 per day to use the facilities.
FIJI AIRWAYS 0800 800 178 | FIJIAIRWAYS.COM SOFITEL FIJI RESORT AND SPA SOFITEL.COM
G ETTI N G TH ER E Fiji Airways fly daily to Nadi. For reservations contact 0800 800 178, your local bonded travel agent or log into fijiairways.com
D ON ’T MISS The spa
G ETTIN G A R OU N D A rental car the best option
B ACKG R OU N D R EA D I N G FU RTH ER I N FOR MATION denarau.com sofitel.com
13 JOURNEYS Nov 2016