7 luxury and family-friendly Fijian resorts

Gleaming sapphire waters, powder-white sand and smiles as wide as the beaches… these are not the only assets that make Fiji so attractive. Writes Sheriden Rhodes.

I fell hard for Fiji a decade ago when a smiling nanny scooped up our daughter and showered her with a week of love, laughter and fun. As a new mum, the holiday was life-changing and we found ourselves returning again and again to Fiji’s languorous shores.

Blazing sunsets and tranquil lagoons beckon guests, but it’s Fiji’s outstanding hospitality, five-star experiences, and the love and affection shown to children that keep enticing families back.

While family-friendly resorts are found sprinkled across Fiji’s 330 islands, those wanting a luxe stay from start to finish will find several clear standouts.

Six Senses Fiji

Closer to the main island of Viti Levu in the Mamanuca Group, the luxurious, low impact Six Senses Fiji is raising the bar when it comes to opulent family stays.

Located on an expansive bay flanked by rocky headlands with a sweep of white sand beach, the resort offers 26 spacious and sumptuous pool villas and 60 residential villas designed by award-winning New Zealand architect Richard Priest.

Framed by gigantic Baka trees, the 100 per cent solar-powered resort packs serious eco-credentials, world-class cuisine, an open-air cinema, a luxe wellness offering and a kids’ club offering a magical ‘Grow with Six Senses’ program for children up to 12 years old.

A complimentary nanny is offered to those staying in a residence, and a babysitting service to those staying in a villa or suite. With the kids in expert hands, parents can enjoy cocktails by the pool, treatments in the Six Senses Spa, and diving or catching a wave with the Surf Academy.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort

Off the well- worn tourist trail is Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort on the island of Vanua Levu. The all-inclusive boutique eco-resort is a family-favourite in my household.

Whenever we return, I’m pulled into warm hugs by staff who have become friends; others give high fives with the biggest smiles. “Welcome home,” they say as our daughter is whisked off to the outstanding Bula Club – arguably the South Pacific’s best – where every child five and under is assigned their own nanny, and those six and over are paired with their own buddy.

Why it’s five-star

Named after the son of famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort property is one of the most famous destinations in the South Pacific. This Fijian resort prides itself on maintaining the highest levels of luxury available while also staying eco-friendly. It even won the best luxury eco-tourism resort and best overseas family resort at the 2018 Luxury Travel Magazine Awards.

Why it’s Five Star Kids

The Jean-Michel kids’ club, Bula Club, has an ever-evolving list of activities including a family snorkel program hosted by a Marine Biologist so they’ll learn something without even noticing.

Laucala Island

Why it’s five-star

Laucala is a private island in the South Pacific, set across 1,400 hectares offering exclusivity, graceful hospitality and kaleidoscopic scenery. Explore the dramatic rainforest, wander along white sandy beaches or visit the volcanic mountains, Laucala has it all for the adventure seeking family.

Why it’s Five Star Kids 

An exquisite private island, Laucala is accessible only by the island’s private aircraft and offers families the utmost luxury. Laucala’s villas and residences provide total privacy, while children and parents alike can enjoy a range of activities including golf and diving. The kids’ club will ensure your little ones are happily entertained while private nannies offer personal supervision.

Vomo Island Fiji

Lying at the top of the Mamanuca group is the outstanding Vomo Island Resort. The resort seamlessly caters to both families and couples. One of the best things about staying at Vomo (and trust me, there are many) is the rock-star-style arrival via a scenic helicopter flight skimming low over the archipelago. This means no overnighting in Nadi, no boat transfers or hanging around the airport waiting for connecting flights.

Landing on the hedonistic private island, guests are greeted with cold scented towels and swoon-worthy white sands, pristine coral reefs and hammocks strung invitingly between swaying coconut palms.

Vomo offers 28 resort villas, four expansive luxury residences (two more are under construction), two restaurants, a gym, an Asian-inspired spa, two pools and swanky adults-only Rocks Bar which clings to a black volcanic rock on the island’s western side overlooking Vomo Lailai (Little Vomo Island).

Kids can enjoy fun-filled days at the wonderful Vomo Kids Village (particularly good for children aged up to eight or nine), accessed via a fun suspension bridge.

Why it’s five-star

The exquisite Vomo Island Fiji all-villa resort offers unsurpassed luxury accommodation with l’Occitane bath products and free laundry proving that it is the little things that count. The Royal is the villa of all villas, offering three bedrooms; this is only for the unashamedly demanding.

Why it’s Five Star Kids

Island picnics, snorkel safaris, cooking classes, stand-up paddleboarding, the list goes on! The Kids Village is open every day for the younger children which provides supervised activities as well as a babysitter on hand.

Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Why it’s five-star

For those who feel that a holiday is about two things; family and golf, the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa resort is perfect. It also has a spa, live entertainment and exquisite dining. Go. NOW.

Why it’s Five Star Kids

With a great kids’ pool, Planet Trekkers kids’ club (for four to 12 year olds), babysitting and a resort nanny, the kids are well taken care of.

Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa

Why it’s five-star

With 248 rooms and suites, the Warwick is renowned for its accommodation diversity. Its location along the fabled Coral Coast gives it a position of unrivalled beauty.

Why it’s Five Star Kids

The Warwick has a house policy of welcoming children with open arms and huge Fijian smiles. With a fantastic kids’ club whose motto is ‘kids are everything’, four pools and endless water sports, the kids won’t know what to do first!

Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa, Yanuca Island

Why it’s five-star

It’s Shangri-La. Need we say more?

Why it’s Five Star Kids

The amazing schedule of activities which changes daily includes such innovations as crab racing, scavenger hunts, mini Olympics and Fijian dress-ups. The problem will be getting them to leave!