Major overhaul of Fiji’s first five-star resort nears completion

If you’ve ever questioned the importance of your holiday dollars to the places in which you spend them, consider the flow-ons for Fiji, where, thanks in large part to Australians, visitor arrivals and occupancies are exceeding 2019 levels, a year ahead of the Fijian government’s post-pandemic recovery projections.

At the Fiji Tourism Expo held in late May, Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill said this remarkable bounceback had led the Reserve Bank of Fiji to upgrade growth targets, which was encouraging investment in infrastructure and other projects.

If there’s one place that encapsulates this success, it’s Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji’s first five-star when it opened in 2000. It’s much loved by Aussies, who’ve voted it their favourite family resort in polls in the past. But far from resting on its laurels, the property at Sigatoka on the Coral Coast of Viti Levu (Fiji’s main island), is undergoing a major refurbishment which began in October last year, the first phase of which has just been revealed.

Designed to maintain the traditional Fijian style in which the 253-room, 16-hectare resort was originally devised, the completed renovations comprise 16 premium bures and add a new “Premium Ocean View” category covering 46 rooms.

Located in the heart of the resort, the newly transformed Premium Ocean View rooms feature a contemporary design, ocean views, and Talai Butler service.

Phase two of the refurbishment is under way and will be completed in stages. It involves upgrades in the main accommodation wings, remaining bures and some public areas including the main buffet restaurant and lobby.

Renovations are due to be completed by November, right in time for Australian school holidays – though for those visiting ahead of time, the renovations have been carefully designed for minimal impact on guest experience and resort operations.

Meanwhile, Fiji Airways will start a new direct route between Canberra and Nadi in July. It will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from July 21 to the end of September, and three times a week from October on. See outrigger.com