Escape to Denarau Island
 SW founder Cherie Kellahan managed to escape the busy Sydney festive season to relax and rejuvenate on Denarau Island in tropical Fiji. Here’s what she had to say about the holiday getaway.
SW: What made you choose The Westin on Denarau Island, Fiji as your holiday destination?
CK: I had been to Fiji when I was a child and I really love the warmth of the tropics, but also the warmth of the people. Fiji is also an affordable holiday option that is quite close to Australia so I didn’t feel like I was packing up for a 24-hour long haul. In terms of choosing The Westin, I looked at their website and thought it looked beautifully decadent and indulgent. I particularly liked the look of the day spa!
SW: So did you get to spend much time in the day spa?
CK: Unfortunately no, but my friend Suzy did and she absolutely loved it! Suzy loved the idea that The Westin Heavenly Spa was featured in a very tropical setting with the beautiful Fijian style open-air treatment bures, she loved it. I wish I made it there!
SW: Were there any particular features that make The Westin stand out compared to other luxury resorts in the area that you have been to?
 CK: Not really. The layout is an open plan Fijian style resort. Denarau Island is a fairly new development with quite a few hotels. The positive is that it’s close to the airport and there is a lot of choice for dining out. Guests can go around on the Bula Bus and visit the neighbouring resorts to have dinner or lunch, so that’s nice to have a different option. Because the resort is totally self-contained some people might feel like they have stepped into the Truman Show though! What I would recommend to anyone who plans to visit Denarau Island is that they plan day trips over to surrounding islands or even stay at a different island for a couple of nights to break it up.
SW: What did you think about the guest room accommodation?
CK: The rooms have everything you would expect: a nice TV, bathroom amenities, comfy beds. I would happily have one of those beds at home and next time I have to get a new bed I’ll probably find out where they buy them from! The negative was that there was no window so we weren’t able to enjoy the tropical breeze.
SW: What was the food like?
CK: There are lots of different styles of cuisine from traditional Fijian right through to pizza and pasta and then to our favourite which was the Steak House Bar and Grill.
One night we had a one-kilogram prawn bucket and we were sitting at our table right on the waters’ edge, sand under our feet with beautiful torches around us: it was lovely. Another must dining experience is Portsocol which felt like we had just stepped up to the Titanic and were transported to the 1920’s: the food was more than five star.
Another thing that was good about the dining experience was the Meke Lounge where we would go for pre-dinner drinks and to watch the fire lighting ceremony while the sun went down. It was a really nice way to start our evening.
SW: What would you say is the majority demographic of the resort?
CK: It was a real mixed pot. The resort is family-friendly but we felt quite comfortable there as friends and there were also lots of couples at the resort. It pretty much catered for everybody.
SW: How would you sum up in one sentence your stay at The Westin on Denarau Island?
CK: It was a great place to rejuvenate and unwind after a big year.
 About Denarau Island
Denarau Island, one of the 300 islands in the Fijian group, is the largest integrated resort area in the South Pacific hosting a wide range of impressive cultural, sports and leisure activities. Denarau Island and Fiji in general are known for beautiful blue skies, warm climate and the hospitality and warmth of the Fijian people. Temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees and the best time to visit Fiji is from May to September.
Getting There
Virgin Blue fly to Nadi most days; for the latest and competitive airfare prices visit www.virginblue.com.au
Leisure Facilities:
Day Spa, Tennis Courts, 18-hole golf course, Kids Club, kids pool, water sports, a two-tier swimming pool with spa. Use of facilities at adjacent Sheraton Resorts also.
Business Facilities
Fully equipped Business Centre with broadband Internet access.
Dining
The Westin has four restaurants and a bar, however you can make the most of the adjacent Sheraton Resorts which host another 11 dining options (these can also be linked back and charged on your Westin room bill).
www.westin.com/denarauresort |
