That’s not to say I won’t be back. I will. I must. This Pacific Ocean nation is made up of over 300 islands with crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches…the things I always saw in those giant coffee table books growing up. But now, fantasy became reality. 

About Fiji

Official Language: Fijian, English

Currency: Fijian Dollar FJD

Climate: Tropical marine and warm year round with minimal extremes

Population: 926,000

Getting There

Fiji is a 10.5 hour flight from LAX or SFO (go with SFO because LAX is horrendous right now) to Nadi International Airport on Fiji Airways. The airline is running a deal right now for $799 round trip tickets! Just in case you don’t believe me, I took a cute little screenshot below for your viewing pleasure.

Where to Stay

How much did we love the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa? Allow me to count the ways…including being THE place where my parents met Alex’s for the first time! Upon arrival, I began to get a glimpse of how perfectly placed this resort was. About an hour’s drive from the airport, the property sits on one of the top ranked beaches of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island and nestled amongst 35 acres of beautiful lush green gardens where the grounds are *beyond* immaculate. I felt worlds away from literally everything and everyone on the planet in the best way. One of my favorite parts about this hotel was meeting the other travels who were staying here. Every single person we came into contact with was so nice, warm and talkative…like we’d been the best of friends in a past life somehow. We met travelers from all over (looots of Aussies), and many who had been coming back to this same hotel for decades. It’s well loved, and I can see why.

Activities

Where to even begin? Apart from relaxing on one of the many daybeds by the beach or lounge chairs at the adult-only infinity pool, the Reef Safari houses all the water sports you could desire from kayaking to paddle boarding to snorkeling to scuba diving and beyond. I didn’t get a massage at the Spa (mom life), but my Dad still raves about his. We didn’t get a change to ride horses on the beach, but these sunsets would pair very well with an evening ride. Most of my time was spent at the family pool with my 15 month old daughter who couldn’t get enough – and quite frankly, neither could I. It’s MASSIVE and has various sections depending on age. We loved the shallow end with the splash pads, obviously. 

I’m not a golfer, but the men on our trip can attest to how amazing the 18-hole Championship Golf Course is. My dad loved it so much, he went back for a second round. With views like this and drink in hand, twist my arm…I could become a “golfer” real quick! There’s also a Leisure Concierge on-site for anything guests want to do off-property like village tours, Cloud 9’s floating bar, Malamala Beach Club, island hopping, etc.

Amenities

One of my very favorite amenities here is the emergency medical clinic. You probably read that with confusion, but when you arrive here after a 24 hour travel day with a sick kid, you thank your lucky stars. Nora started getting a bad cough on the plane ride over to Fiji, and it began to sound all too familiar. Upon arrival, we noticed that her breathing wasn’t normal. We walked outside our villa and immediately spotted the clinic. The doctor didn’t definitively diagnose Nora, but the barking cough and squeaky breathing led us to believe it could be croup. We did the nebulizer and some other meds which worked very quickly, and after 24 hours Nora was in good spirits! 

Another favorite from the Intercontinental is the Club Level. The Club complex is situated at the top of the resort with incredible views and a stunning infinity pool. You do have to be staying in one of the Club Level rooms to enjoy the pool and restaurant, and while we stayed in a Lagoon View Suite, we did get access during our time here so that we could take some photos and speak to this portion of the hotel. If you’re looking for privacy, isolation and sweeping views, the Club Level is for you. Just know that you might be getting around a lot via golf cart (which always came in just a couple of minutes). Both options are lovely, and while I really loved our spacious lagoon suite with easy access to the beach and pools, I can see why families or groups would opt for the Club for access to their pool, afternoon tea, sunset canapés and more privacy.

I can’t leave this section without mentioning the many kid’s activities. Planet Trekkers is a beautiful facility with a playground, sandbox, climbing wall and more. Nora was all smiles when we walked in! The nanny service is also incredible if you want to utilize a babysitter for any time of day, especially after-hours while dinner is served 🙂

Food

I can still taste the Fiji Golds as I type this. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a crisp, cold, local, easy-drinking beer. It paired swimmingly with the best burger I’ve ever had hands-down. I had 2.5 burgers in 5 days because #TREATYOURSELF. All in all, the food was great and the drinks were cold. With 5 restaurants on property, this provided enough to go between so that we didn’t overdo it with the same place/meals over and over again. Fijian cuisine incorporates a lot of seafood, tropical fruits and starchy vegetables. What makes food in Fiji special is its rich multicultural heritage. The island has a big Indian community creating some Fujian-Indo fusion with use of curries and spices mixed with island flavors like coconut milk. Yum!

People

With any 5 star resort, you expect staff members to be welcoming, attentive and comfortable interacting with all walks of life. The beautiful Fijian people went above and beyond all of that. I’ve never witnessed hotel staff who genuinely love on families so much and so well. There were many times when a few of the women would interact with Nora, pick her up, and deliver food to another table with her on their hip. She was always addressed by name, and it was so apparent that these staff members really enjoyed their job. I loved being a witness to it all because it’s not something I’ve seen very often in the many countries and properties I’ve visited all over the world. It’s obvious that family plays a big role in the lives of the Fijian people because it blends seamlessly into their work!

Final Thoughts

I love Fiji, and I’m so glad that it could be the place where my parents and Alex’s parents could meet for the first time! Alex’s parents loved it so much that they’re going back this Fall! If I lived 3.5 hours away from this paradise, I wouldn’t hesitate either. Sure, it was a lot further for us to travel than the Aussies, but I’d do it all over again tomorrow. It’s the PERFECT spot for family travel or even a romantic getaway with your partner. While there were a few things I’d change about the rooms and amenities like updated appliances (coffee maker, TV, attention to detail in the gym), it felt like home here and the Fijian people felt like family. And *that* is priceless.