Denarau Fiji - which hotel?

[trippin_the_rift]

Got a few nights in fiji next month and can't decide which to stay at...

Westin or Fiji beach resort (hilton)...

Planning to do nothing except sun drink and golf.... any suggestions?

 

[samh004]

I’ve got the Hilton booked over Christmas, but can’t tell you about it just yet…

There’s a rather decent TR about Fiji, but not about either of those hotels:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....hotos/bula-fiji-air-pacific-qantas-22319.html

I hope you’re flying via MEL and SYD

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I hope you’re flying via MEL and SYD

Was going to use classic points redemtion for the entire trip, but it's actually far more worthwhile to buy paid (J) tickets, especially since classic rewards book onto FJ flight numbers and restrict F lounge access.

There's mixed reviews on the Westin all over FT and mainly positive things about the Hilton so I'm leaning towards Hilton, but I would rather the SPG points

 

[Ewing]

I would personally go the Sheraton Fiji over Westin - and as they're integrated you can still use all the facilities anyway. I haven't seen the Hilton so couldn't comment there.

The spa at the Westin is divine, but as a guest at the Sheraton you can use it anyway. The Flying Fish restaurant at the Sheraton is also quite good - the lobster in the pepper, and the other one in ginger are both fantastic

They'll serve you drinks while in the pool at the Sheraton, but not at the Westin (in contrast, the Westin has a big sign that says no swimming while under the influence of alcohol)

Here's a snap taken from my room at the Sheraton a few weeks ago:
http://shn.bz/xkoic

Oh, and as you've mentioned using SPG points - they have a C+P option ocean view rooms at 2,800 per night plus FJD$95 - not bad (that's what I did - 4 rooms for 3 nights for all 7 of us - saved a bundle of cash)

 

[haydensydney]

Personally I would avoid Denaru like the plague: I'm not a fan. It's pretty much a holding pen for the tourists who are waiting for their transfers to their island resorts: so in this regard, Denaru is OK - but not for a sole purpose trip to Fiji.

I stayed at the Westin and vowed never to return - the whole experience was woeful and customer service was non-existant. If you have to stay in Denaru, I would checkout tripadvisor, read the latest comments and decide for yourself what resort sounds best. Last time I looked, reviews of the Westin were very average. I think the Sheraton is probably your best bet.

 

[Ewing]

so in this regard, Denaru is OK - but not for a sole purpose trip to Fiji.

I agree.

We always hire a 4WD when there and go exploring for at least a day. I've gone as far as Tavua in the north and Suva to the east plus in between.

Having said that, Denarau is nice to just relax by the pool with a good book and a cold beverage

 

[drron]

I would take the Sheraton over the Westin too.it was always our preferred hotel but got very tired.However it has had a major refurb.
Have also stayed at the Hilton.nice property but IMHO not as nice a position as the Sheraton.Also with all the problems have they completed their developement-was only 1 restaurant and service was patchy.
Yes and i would rather have the SPG points and for golf Denarau is fine.

 

[samh004]

Was going to use classic points redemtion for the entire trip, but it's actually far more worthwhile to buy paid (J) tickets, especially since classic rewards book onto FJ flight numbers and restrict F lounge access.

There's mixed reviews on the Westin all over FT and mainly positive things about the Hilton so I'm leaning towards Hilton, but I would rather the SPG points

I know how you feel, we have more points in our family SPG account than the Hilton account, though are at base level for both anyway. I think price was the reason we chose the Hilton over the Westin, plus the villas look really nice and at booking we were given the option to upgrade on an e-standby for FJD$40 per night, which is pretty decent, if it comes through.

I also used TripAdvisor to scout out things.

Looks like you’ll be there first anyway, so you’ll have to tell me how it is, not the other way around.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

By sheraton you mean the resort, not the villas right?

 

[Ewing]

By sheraton you mean the resort, not the villas right?

Yep I haven't stayed at the villas so can't comment there.

 

[drron]

The sheraton villas are fine for a family.They are certainly getting quite old now too so wouldn't surprise me if they needed a refurb.But last stayed in the Sheraton villas well over 10 years ago.So my stay next year i am planning at the Sheraton resort.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Flights booked - my awesome TA matched QF.com price (bne-mel-syd-nan), put on better flights, took amex with no surcharge and got a $20 voucher towards my next booking. Happy days.

 

[Leumas]

I actually prefer the Westin over the Sheraton... My judgement may be clouded by a huge upgrade I got at the Westin but very little at the Sheraton though.

The pool is better at the Sheraton but the crowd is more family oriented at the Sheraton than the Westin.

The Villas are even more family oriented.

 

[luclen]

I would also steer clear of Denaru except if it's an overnighter before you head to the islands. You could be at the Gold Coast, there's nothing Fijian about it and why go all that way too look at a muddy old beach.

If you want to stick to the mainland have a look at the Intercontinental, it's brand new and if you become a priority privilege and ambassador member you'll get free upgrade and 50% off all meals. It's a lovely looking resort with amazing pools but again the beach does not rival the amazing waters of the islands but heaps better than Denaru.

Also we booked our next lot of J fares separately for each leg. Qantas wanted $1400 from nadi to Sydney on a return leg but we booked qantas.com (Fiji) site and got the return leg for just over $600 each in J once converted from FJ to Aus... What a saving!

Enjoy the Fijians are so happy and relaxed.... BULA!

 

[luclen]

Forgot to mention that J class coming back from nadi to Sydney is just after new years so that's why it's so pricey!

 

[samh004]

Also we booked our next lot of J fares separately for each leg. Qantas wanted $1400 from nadi to Sydney on a return leg but we booked qantas.com (Fiji) site and got the return leg for just over $600 each in J once converted from FJ to Aus... What a saving!

The trick is to book a return with the multi-city in J for $1333, but route BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN vv. to get the best value and most status credits, there are several threads.

 

[haydensydney]

You could be at the Gold Coast, there's nothing Fijian about it and why go all that way too look at a muddy old beach.

I couldn't have said it better!

If you want to stick to the mainland have a look at the Intercontinental

+1 - whilst I haven't stayed at the Intercontinental, it really looks nice especially for a mainland property.

 

[Travel Guru]

If you want to stick to the mainland have a look at the Intercontinental, it's brand new and if you become a priority privilege and ambassador member you'll get free upgrade and 50% off all meals. It's a lovely looking resort with amazing pools but again the beach does not rival the amazing waters of the islands but heaps better than Denaru.

I'd also recommend the Intercontinental, I've had some brilliant reviews from clients on it both from couples and families, and its recently been included in Virtuoso's Best of the Best program which makes it easy to sell with a tick like that.

Virtuoso guests also get a complimentary upgrade, comp. breakfast and 2x 60 min massages once during stay.

TG

 

[Mal]

I stayed at the Westin a couple of years ago. The place was nice, but not exceptional. The Bula bus that took you around the various hotels on Denarau and down to the port was pretty good. Food choices around the port were ok, but felt very touristy.

I agree with others that have commented that Denarau is not Fiji. Getting out is very important - take a cruise, take a tour around Nadi etc.

 

[samh004]

A question that had been burning in my mind was how to get from the airport to the hotel… should I be calling them and telling them my flight details, or do we just get a cab at the airport?