Returning to Fiji has been excessive on my record since my husband and I first visited the nation in 2019. On our first journey, we break up our time between three lovely resorts — Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji and InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa — and have been impressed by the rugged island terrain and the Fijian hospitality.
As we thought of easy methods to redeem miles to fly from New Zealand to the U.S. earlier this 12 months, we determined to construct a stopover in Fiji into an Alaska MileagePlan award. And I used to be thrilled to snag a two-night award keep at Nanuku Resort — beforehand an Auberge Resort — which is now accessible by World of Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World.
This is a take a look at what it was like to remain at Nanuku Resort in Fiji.
What’s Nanuku Resort?
Nanuku Resort calls itself “a real tropical oasis located on a personal 500-acre coastal Fiji property.” The resort is a perfect escape in case you’re in search of a secluded trip with loads of outside actions, an informal fashion of luxurious and memorable experiences for teenagers.
Situated on the southern coast of Fiji’s fundamental island (Viti Levu) close to Pacific Harbour, Nanuku Resort is 32 miles from Suva (about an hour’s drive) and 86 miles from Nadi (a few 2 1/2-hour drive), the place the nation’s fundamental worldwide airport is situated, on Queens Street.
Earlier than studying we would have a rental automobile, the resort provided me the next switch choices (charges embrace taxes and charges):
- 25-minute scenic flight from Nadi on to Nanuku’s personal airstrip: 2,550 Fijian {Dollars} (about $1,148) per manner for as much as six passengers by aircraft or 3,500 Fijian {Dollars} (about $1,575) per manner for as much as three passengers by helicopter.
- Personal chauffeur-driven floor switch: Costs for as much as two adults and two kids differ primarily based on the route and are charged per manner. For instance, Nadi Airport (NAN) transfers price 500 Fijian {Dollars} (about $225) per manner, and Suva-Nausori Airport (SUV) transfers price 305 Fijian {Dollars} (about $137) per manner. However Nanuku also can prepare personal floor transfers to and from most different resorts in Fiji.
Auberge Resorts Assortment started managing Nanuku Resort in 2014. However in early 2022, administration shifted to Storey Resort Administration Group. Most of the Nanuku workers stay from when the resort was a part of the Auberge Resorts Assortment, and one visitor I spoke to famous the on-site expertise hadn’t modified a lot for the reason that switchover.
Suites, villas and residences
Nanuku affords 15 suites and 22 villas and residences.
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We reserved the one room kind bookable with Hyatt factors: a Nanuku Suite. This suite occupies the higher ground of a two-bedroom beachfront pool suite, whereas the decrease ground, backyard space and plunge pool are offered as a Beachfront Pool Suite.
I hoped we would get an improve, although. In any case, World of Hyatt members are eligible for a one-category improve primarily based on availability at check-in at Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World properties booked by Hyatt.
Nobody talked about we would obtained an improve at check-in. As a substitute, I found we would been given a special room kind as a workers member drove us up a big hill in a golf cart after check-in. As a substitute of a Nanuku Suite, we have been assigned a one-bedroom Vunikau Suite within the Hilltop Residence.
Nanuku would not present smaller than a three-bedroom Hilltop Residence on its web site. And each the workers member who confirmed us to our suite and a workers member who later introduced us room service famous they’d not beforehand seen the suite’s inside regardless of working on the resort for a number of months.
As soon as we arrived in our suite, the workers member who accompanied us confirmed us across the also-new-to-him house, requested us to fill out some paperwork and inspired us to placed on purple and blue wristbands that might function our room keys.
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Wristbands doubled as room keys. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Staying in Nanuku’s Vunikau Hilltop Residence
Nanuku’s Vunikau Hilltop Residence consists of 4 models — a three-bedroom penthouse and three one-bedroom suites — every with an entrance from a shared open-air walkway.
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Walkway to Vunikau Hilltop Residence. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The unit we stayed in (193) was a one-bedroom Vunikau Suite providing wonderful ocean views, loads of pure gentle and a big patio with a desk and two chairs. Our suite’s single air-con unit successfully stored the house cool regardless of the new temperatures exterior. And the quantity of energy shops was way over we would have liked.
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Our unit was spacious. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The wood mattress was snug however creaky and the curtains, when drawn, blocked out most gentle.
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Gentle from the big home windows illuminated our house. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The lavatory had two sinks, a big bathtub, a rest room room and an open bathe tiled in stone.
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Sinks and mirrors within the bathtub. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Behind the sinks within the rest room, there was ample closet house.
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Closets have been positioned behind the sinks. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
We liked the complimentary gadgets within the minibar space, together with a popcorn maker, a French press and non-alcoholic drinks. The cookies in a jar subsequent to the welcome fruit platter have been scrumptious, too.
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The snack and beverage space. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Throughout our keep, no company occupied the opposite three models within the Hilltop Residence. We heard some upkeep work on the encompassing models, although, so I anticipate it may get noisy when the opposite models are reserved — particularly if different teams spend time on their balconies.
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Paradise for teenagers (and their mother and father)
As a pair with out kids, we actually missed out on among the best Nanuku companies: complimentary nannies and buddies for teenagers.
That is proper, Nanuku offers a complimentary, devoted nanny between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for each little one beneath six. And households with kids between the ages of 6 and 12 can decide in for his or her kids to be partnered with a buddy throughout every day actions on the resort.
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Child’s climbing wall on the Kids’s Membership. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Seeing the youngsters having fun with drumming classes, youngsters’ dinners, crab amassing and extra with their buddies — and speaking with households who liked the customized Lailai Kids’s Membership — made us understand Nanuku is a paradise for teenagers and households.
I anticipate spending time at Nanuku can be an impactful expertise for a lot of youngsters, along with simply being enjoyable, because of the cultural actions on supply. This being stated, Nanuku actually is not just for households, and we met a number of different {couples} with out kids throughout our keep.
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One restaurant with sufficient selection
Nanuku has only one restaurant. And even if in case you have a rental automobile, there are few alternate options close to the resort. So many company will eat most, if not all, of their meals on-site.
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A desk on the open-air restaurant. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The breakfast menu was the identical on each mornings of our keep. However with three starter choices, seven fundamental choices and baked items and fruits for the desk, you probably will not develop uninterested in the breakfast choices even in case you keep for per week. I loved each starters — the coconut oatmeal with dates and papaya and the chia bowl with tropical fruits and honey — whereas my husband fell in love with the crispy cassava truffles, and we each appreciated the freshly baked pastries.
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Fruits, breakfast meats and low. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The restaurant affords a special dinner menu every day of the week, though there’s additionally a vegetarian menu and particular meals you may order upfront. However the usual dinner menus throughout our keep provided solely two or three starters, 4 mains and three desserts every day. So choosy eaters could not discover sufficient choices for his or her liking.
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Monday’s dinner menu. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
In my opinion, I particularly loved a smoked salmon and avocado cannoli for 55 Fijian {Dollars} ($25) and the juicy beef filet mignon with fondant potatoes, roasted pumpkin, wilted spinach and shiitake mushroom for 90 Fijian {Dollars} ($40).
It’s also possible to order room service from the restaurant, though there is a 20 Fijian {Dollars} (about $9) service price. I ordered lunch from the room service menu on my final day earlier than testing and was impressed that it arrived simply 22 minutes later. The Bula Buddha Bowl for 40 Fijian {Dollars} (about $18) earlier than the service price was recent however a bit watery.
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Lunch on the balcony. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
I loved the meals I ate at Nanuku. However the high quality and style weren’t fairly as wonderful as I might hoped, particularly contemplating the caliber of the resort. The resort’s restaurant has a monopoly on most company’ eating wants, although, so it is good that the costs aren’t greater.
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A non-public house on the property. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll be able to pre-purchase meal plans that embrace a two-course lunch and a three-course dinner. When the resort despatched over costs earlier than my keep, the speed was 260 Fijian {Dollars} (about $117) per individual per day. It’s also possible to pay additional to dine in numerous areas across the resort, together with poolside or alongside the path within the forest.
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Workers which are desperate to please
Nanuku workers are pleasant and desperate to please. We linked with one workers member who served us breakfast each mornings and appeared sincerely fascinated with serving to us have a superb keep. I additionally loved studying about Fijian medicinal herbs and tradition from the workers member who led the natural nature stroll one afternoon.
The workers additionally take note of particulars in order that they will higher personalize every visitor’s keep. A lot of them labored to study and use our names (I additionally appreciated how most workers members put on a necklace with their very own names). The reception workers was additionally up to the mark, together with inquiring about my desired checkout time once I referred to as to e-book an exercise and asking the information main the character stroll to tell me that the new water in my villa could be off for the subsequent hour.
Every night time, the resort has a fire-lighting ceremony and a small group of musicians performs close to the clubhouse and restaurant, setting a calming and festive tone for the night.
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Fireplace-lighting ceremony close to the water. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Service wasn’t good at Nanuku, although. For instance, we did not get turndown service one night time regardless of placing up the service-please broom on our door for over two and a half hours throughout dinner. And our server at dinner on our second night time appeared to confuse us with one other couple. These points have been minor although, with the service being wonderful total.
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This implies service, please. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
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You’ll be able to earn and redeem Hyatt factors
As I used to be strolling again from snorkeling the resort reef my first morning with a girl from North Carolina, the Nanuku workers member who’d accompanied us for the tour requested how we would heard concerning the small resort. I smiled knowingly as the opposite visitor stated Nanuku was the one resort in Fiji that confirmed up when she searched on Hyatt’s web site.
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Snorkeling tools. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
And certainly, you may earn and redeem Hyatt factors at Nanuku by Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World. As of this writing, Nanuku is a Hyatt Class 6 property, so you may redeem 21,000 to 29,000 factors per night time. Paid charges begin at round $650 per night time; you will get between 2.2-3.1 cents per level in worth on award nights (and typically extra when paid charges are greater).
You will get the next perks no matter your Hyatt elite standing whenever you e-book an eligible price or redeem a free night time award at Nanuku by World of Hyatt:
- Every day breakfast on the Kanavata Restaurant.
- One-category room improve, primarily based on availability at check-in.
- Early check-in at midday, topic to availability on the time of check-in.
- Late checkout at 2 p.m., topic to availability on the day of departure.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in your suite or villa and on the Nanuku Clubhouse.
You must earn bonus factors as you usually would at Hyatt inns when staying at taking part Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World properties in case you use your World of Hyatt Credit score Card to pay. Nevertheless, I wasn’t 100% positive how my buy would code once I checked out, so I used my go-to card for common journey purchases: the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked® Credit score Card. Be aware you will have to pay a 3.5% surcharge to make use of a bank card or worldwide debit card (the sort of surcharge is comparatively widespread in Fiji).
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You will not really feel nickeled-and-dimed
A keep at Nanuku actually would not come low cost, whether or not you are redeeming Hyatt factors or reserving a paid price. And there are many methods to spend cash on-site, together with spa periods, eating set-ups in particular areas and off-site excursions.
Nevertheless, Nanuku additionally features a lot in your keep, too. There is a choice of complimentary actions every day, together with a weekly firewalking ceremony, mangrove planting and guided snorkeling.
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Choices listed on the chalkboard. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Non-alcoholic drinks are free out of your minibar. And the breakfast — which is included for all company — stored me happy till dinner. When you’re in search of methods to spend your time that will not price any extra cash, you may benefit from the pool or seashore.
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Nanuku pool. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
It’s also possible to play pool by the bar, chill out within the sizzling tub, work out within the gymnasium, or go for a motorbike journey (company in most space varieties get bikes to make use of across the resort). You can additionally go to sundown level, which affords a pleasant ocean view and garden video games.
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Visitors can chill out within the sizzling tub. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
There are twice-daily glad hours, too. One glad hour is hosted on the pool bar noon with beers as low cost as 7 Fijian {Dollars} (about $3). The opposite glad hour is on the resort bar within the night, with one particular cocktail discounted to 18 Fijian {Dollars} (about $8) every day. Even exterior glad hour, the drink costs weren’t any worse than you will pay at a pleasant bar in most American cities. The identical may very well be stated for the meals, particularly contemplating the ample parts of the primary programs at dinner.
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Featured drinks displayed on the chalkboard. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Lastly, poolside massages have been modestly priced at 45 Fijian {Dollars} (about $20) for a 30-minute neck, shoulders and scalp therapeutic massage. I used to be glad I “splurged” on a poolside therapeutic massage at that value, particularly contemplating the standard expertise and the stress-free surroundings.
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Points to contemplate earlier than reserving
Though Nanuku was a calming oceanside paradise for me, it will not be a superb match for everybody. Listed below are some elements to contemplate earlier than reserving a keep at Nanuku:
- The vibe is informal, and the climate is heat, so it is not unusual for company to reach to dinner with moist hair or in shorts and sandals. We additionally observed kids carrying a bucket of crabs they’d caught on the seashore by the eating space one night. You will be happier elsewhere in order for you a proper, classic-luxury expertise.
- Nanuku affords some wonderful facilities to households and youngsters. You will not really feel misplaced if you do not have kids, however you should not keep in case you don’t love youngsters or in order for you an adults-only expertise.
- The expertise at Nanuku may be very a lot centered on nature and spending time across the pool, within the ocean or exploring the jungle, so in case you’re in search of different issues to do, this may not be the correct resort.
- Distant employees ought to contemplate their web wants. Wi-Fi is persistently accessible in suites, villas and residences, but it surely wasn’t straightforward to attach in another resort areas. And the Wi-Fi high quality in our suite wasn’t ok to have constant video calls; it examined at simply 2.07 Mbps obtain, 2.08 Mbps add and 5 ms ping.
Trying out
Regardless of solely spending two nights at Nanuku, my keep was memorable for all one of the best causes. I liked how straightforward it was to attach with workers and find out about Fijian tradition. And there have been many interesting locations to chill out all through the resort. The 2 hanging hammock chairs on the seashore close to the new tub shortly grew to become my favourite place to chill out on the resort — it is a spot I’ve considered many occasions since my keep.
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A spot to chill out with an ocean view. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
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