Luxury accommodation is expanding rapidly, with availability forecast to increase by about 8 per cent by 2030. Economic growth in emerging markets – such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia – is giving more people greater disposable income, enabling more travellers to seek premium experiences. Add to this the surge in infrastructure development in destinations that, not long ago, lacked the utilities needed to support new luxury hotels and resorts, and the broader trend becomes clear.
And Fiji is very much riding the luxury travel wave. It is in the midst of major infrastructure investment, including road upgrades, new bridges and port facilities, and climate change-resilience projects totalling about $1.6 billion, supported by the likes of the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific and the World Bank.
When searching for the best villas in Fiji, a few standouts emerge. Most agree that COMO Laucala Island holds the crown. Oprah Winfrey is said to have booked out all its 25 villas on a previous visit, and George Clooney is known to be a fan of the golf course. Close behind is Vomo Island Resort, where Elle Macpherson and Australian actress Teresa Palmer have been spotted relaxing beachside.
Among the other top picks is Six Senses Fiji. The wellness-focused resort is poised to climb even higher with the launch of three new “residences” in the new year.
What’s the difference between a villa and a residence? Primarily size, but also the level of luxury. Residence is now widely used by resorts and hotels to distinguish their most premium, expansive offerings.
On Malolo Island, the largest island in Fiji’s Mamanuca group, Six Senses Fiji already offers a mix of villas and multi-bedroom residences. It now has 16 of these larger, home-style beachfront, ocean-view and marina-view residences, designed for extended and multi-generational stays.
The three new offerings sit apart from the main resort in what Six Senses describes as an “exclusive enclave”. Each has access to a private beach and marina, and they range from four to six bedrooms, with provisions such as a private gym, pools, fire pit, and, in some cases, a dedicated kids’ pool or an additional private stretch of beach.
In keeping with the Six Senses Fiji ethos of sustainability, each residence features energy-efficient systems and is built using natural materials and local craftsmanship that celebrate Fijian culture and the island’s spectacular natural environment.
And, while George Clooney may find his wellness fix on Laucala Island’s golf course, Six Senses – a brand known for its holistic approach to physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing – offers a different kind of immersion. Guests can join in activities ranging from reef-restoration and organic gardening to traditional Fijian weaving and nature-based wellness programs.
“Our residences have always been about more than just luxurious accommodation – they’re about creating space for reconnection, reflection and celebration,” says Six Senses Fiji general manager, Mark Kitchen.
Malolo Island in the Mamanuca archipelago is about 25 kilometres from Nadi International Airport and just a 10-minute helicopter transfer away. New residences start at $6000 a night for an entire villa and can exceed $10,000 a night for the largest.
Will that be enough to lure Oprah Winfrey or George Clooney away from COMO Laucala?
Time and tide will tell.
See sixsenses.com
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Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who would rather be in Rome, but her hometown Melbourne is a happy compromise.Connect via email.