Honeymoons
Those looking for once-in-a-lifetime levels of romance will welcome seclusion, so why not suggest a resort offering complete privacy?
The Royal Davui is a luxurious five-star island resort set off the coast of Viti Levu, Fiji. It is adults-only, there are a maximum of 32 guests on the island at any time, and each of the 16 luxurious pitched-roofed villas has its own private plunge pool.
The four-star Crown Beach Resort on Rarotonga, one of the southern Cook Islands, offers Courtyard Pool Suites. The name sums it up: couples can close the gated door on the own private courtyard and relax in their own plunge pool.
“Overwater villas are often popular with honeymooners too,” says Clare Smith, Premier Holidays product manager Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.
“Try the Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fiji and the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort in the Cook Islands.” Premier offers these two resorts from £221 and £101 per person per night respectively.
Diving
Qantas Holidays
market development manager Esther Ward suggests the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji.
She says: “It offers some of the best dive sites in the world and caters for all levels. There is a dive school too, so customers can get their PADI licence. It is also a fantastic family resort, where children under five have their own nanny and under 12s have use of a free kids’ club.”
The shallow waters around the Cook Islands mean beginners feel confident as they’re not in the open water, though more experienced divers are catered for too, with night dives also available.
Qantas Holidays offers seven nights for the price of five at this resort, starting at £1,795 full-board including transfers, soft drinks and some activities.
Culture
The indigenous culture of the South Pacific is particularly accessible on Fiji.
“It is an interesting mix of Polynesian and Indian cultures set amid tropical rainforests, spectacular waterfalls and pristine coral reefs,” says Cox and Kings Australasia product manager Aaron Jennings.
The Qamea Resort and Spa on Taveuni is well placed for guests to explore local villages, or to let the villagers come to them, as there are frequent Meke song and dance performances.
On Viti Levu’s Coral Coast the Warwick Fiji offers beach barbecues with traditional Polynesian dancing and a weekly lovo feast.
Outrigger on the Lagoon has traditional Fijian village architecture and a spa offering treatments using indigenous ingredients. It is Kuoni’s best-selling four-star property, and it offers superior resort view rooms from £78 per person per night.
Many resorts offer the chance for guests to have their breakfast delivered by a warrior on a waka canoe to their villa – that’s room service and a half.
Luxury
French Polynesia is famous for its luxury offering, especially the islands of Bora Bora and Moorea.
“There are renowned five-star hotels with overwater bungalows and top cuisine,” says Kuoni product manager Jayne White.
“It really is the place to be seen.” She suggests the InterContinental Le Moana in Bora Bora, because of its idyllic setting at Matira Point with views of the turquoise lagoon, exceptional cuisine and fantastic range of sports and leisure facilities.
Cox and Kings’ Jennings recommends the Vahine Private Island Resort.
The nine overwater and beach bungalows are surrounded by white beaches and a coral garden, and the beachside restaurant and bar overlooks the lagoon. The operator features this property from £195 per person per night.
Value
Fiji offers good-value hotels rated from three stars and up, with deals available. Recommend the main island of Viti Levu to avoid transfer costs, and its southern Coral Coast for good beaches and leisure facilities.
“The Rydges Hideaway is great value,” says Austravel marketing manager Ben Briggs. “We offer Frangipani double rooms from £115 per night including breakfast.
“On the Cook Islands, the Rarotonga Beach Bungalows offer great lead-in rates on a million dollar beach,” he continues.
“It’s a fantastic three-star with only five bungalows, suited to the younger couples market, or maybe older couples looking for a value self-contained bungalow.”
Sample product
Austravel offers a Tropical Beach Bungalow at the Rarotonga Beach Bungalows from £222 per night including breakfast. Price is valid until March 31 2010. austravel.com, 0800 988 4676
