Fiji's Castaway Island resort upgraded and refurbished after Tropical Cyclone Winston

Castaway Island, Fiji had been the happy holiday place for many an Australian family before the devastation of 2016's Tropical Cyclone Winston sadly closed the private island property for three months.

However, it's now up and running and happier than ever, as owners Outrigger Resorts took the closure opportunity to not only clean up, but upgrade and refurbish.

In line with the company's employee-as-family ethos, many of the works were carried out by resort staff, who stayed on to clear debris, repair swimming pools, restore gardens and renew thatching and other structural elements.

Now, a year and a bit on, all works are completed. All of the island's bures have either been completely rebuilt or upgraded and public spaces improved. But good news for those who know and love the relaxing, family-friendly property: the traditional style, featuring hand-painted tapa cloth, and day beds, and an easy beach-to-bed openness, remains.

The outdoor kitchen of the award-winning 1808 beachside restaurant has been enhanced and executive chef Markus Nufer has created new menus for all of the resort's four restaurants.

With Castaway Island already boasting a 40 per cent return guest rate and the highest guest satisfaction scores in the Outrigger portfolio, it's safe to say this happy place will be producing plenty of smiles again.

See castawayfiji.com