Likuliku Lagoon Resort

Part of my Fijiweek of blog posts, here’s a review of Fiji’s 5-star Likuliku Lagoon Resort, which I was very fortunate to visit last year. For additional photos of Fiji and its beauty, please head over to my Fantastic Fiji gallery.

Even before stepping onto the island, you know you’re in for a treat. With guitar in hand, and a trio of singers welcoming you as your boat approaches the beach, you’ve come to a paradise island, leaving any stress and worries behind you in that gentle breeze of the south pacific.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort is just that. Paradise. Situated on the northwest edge of Malolo Island, the only way to get here is by boat (speedboat or catamaran), a seaplane, or via a private helicopter. Yes, this resort has its own helipad. At about 25km away from Port Denarau on the main island of Fiji, a direct catamaran trip will take you there in 55min, or in about 2 hours via stops at other island resorts. If you want a free tour of the surrounding islands of Fiji, opt for the indirect trip and relax for the 2 hours. It’s well worth it just for the sights.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort is a couples-only resort (no children under the age of 17), managed by a 100% Fijian-owned company, Ahura Resorts, which also manages the neighbouring resort for families, Malolo Island Resort, located just a stone’s throw away. Likuliku Lagoon Resort has 45 bures in all: 10 Overwater, 18 Deluxe Beachfront, 14 Beachfront, and 3 Garden Beachfronts.

Upon arrival, you are escorted off the boat and taken to the lobby where you are seated separately from other parties, and welcomed with a refreshing tropical drink and traditional Fijian handmade necklace. I sat there in the lobby admiring the openness and the calmness of the island, and instantly knew it was going to be a great six days ahead of us.

The Entrance

I have to note this in its own section because I thought it added so much to the overall impression of each bure that we stayed in. Upon entering the bure, the staff at Likuliku Lagoon Resort make it so that it’s as inviting and cozy for their guests as possible. And by this, I mean upon entering, rather than feeling like you are entering in another hotel room, it feels like you’re almost entering in someone’s abode—a rather nice one at that. Traditional Fijian music is playing softly in the background, lights are dimly lit, and windows are open a touch. They all add to the beautiful ambiance that welcomes you as you open that door for the first time. It’s a small touch, but one that made a great impression on us.

Deluxe Beachfront Bure

We booked the first three nights of our stay in one of Likuliku Lagoon Resort’s spacious Deluxe Beachfront Bure. Before booking, I checked the layout of the resort online, and requested to have a bure in this general area. While they wouldn’t guarantee anything, they said they would accommodate as best as they can. And they did. The bure was right in the area that I had asked for.

These Deluxe Beachfront Bures are more than one can ask for. Divided into two sections, on the outside directly fronting the beach, each comes with a private plunge pool and a covered daybed spanning 64 sq. ft. of space. The 237 sq. ft. deck is also more than one can ask for, if you like to just rest on one of their lounge chairs. The inside of the bure, at 613 sq. ft., is a spacious and luxuriously appointed suite with a queen sized bed, oversized couches with plenty of room to lounge around on, and a bathroom suite fit for royalty that comes with a large private outdoor shower space—an indoor shower is also included, but nothing says paradise than showering in the outdoors!

Each bure has enough privacy around them that you don’t feel too crowded at all. With the beach being literally steps away, there’s really not much more that a couple could ask for in a beachfront bure.

The Cookie Jar

When we first arrived at the bure, the staff kindly gave us a tour. He also mentioned that there is a cookie jar in the cupboard that will be replenished on a daily basis. I didn’t think twice of this, until I had one of those cookies. They were oh so heavenly good. I don’t know whether it was the sweetness of the cookie playing against the saltiness of the sea water, or whether Fijian flour is different from ours in Canada, but you for sure could not just stop at one. That’s when I realized it actually would be necessary to replenish them daily!

The View

While it was overcast for the first two and a half days into our trip, it did manage to clear up nearing the end of our stay in this bure. Despite this, I remember the sunset one evening on a cloudy day was one of the most majestic I’ve seen yet. These colours engulfed the entire landscape all around you. Everything turned to an orange-red hue as if you were wearing some sort of filtered sunglasses. The only other time I’ve ever seen such a beautiful sunset was on Phi Phi Island in Thailand.

Overwater Bure

We had thought our stay at Likuliku Lagoon Resort couldn’t get any better with the Deluxe Beachfront Bures, but we were sorely mistaken. These overwater bungalows are the only overwater bures in all of Fiji, and they will surpass almost anybody’s expectations of a luxury stay in Fiji.

At 646 sq. ft., the suite is clean, updated, and has everything you want, including a glass floor window that allows you to see the waters at night. Upon entering the suite, the view from the window directly in front of you reminds you that you are in paradise. Walk to the left, and you have a “bathroom pavilian” as they like to call it, that is almost half the size of the bedroom area. Step over to your right, and your king-sized bed is calling for you. If these don’t whet your paradise-seeking soul, the accordion-style floor to ceiling windows may. It opens fully to so you can enjoy the beauty of Fiji right from within—but who would want to stay there when you have your own private 334 sq. ft. terrace with steps going directly down to the sea.

Did I mention there’s an outdoor open shower space midway down the stairs? There’s no better way to wash that salt water off of you after a morning of snorkelling by the reefs.

There are no daily-replenishing cookie jars here, but a daily canape with fresh fruit delivered to your overwater bure satiates your afternoon sweet-tooth. These were so good that even after being so full from lunch, we couldn’t let them go to waste.

The Cuisine

The chef at Likuliku Lagoon Resort strives for only the best. Executive chef Ihaka Peri showed us his masterpieces and creativity with daily changing menus, and several choices for lunch and dinner—he kept surprising us meal after meal using only the finest of Fijian and international ingredients. One might be hard-pressed about meals at all-inclusive resorts, but rest assured, you are in good hands at Likuliku Lagoon Resort. It is one of the best culinary experiences I’ve had at any resort.

Here’s just a sampling of what I took with my iPhone 5s. These dishes taste better than they look here! Click on the image for a larger and more colourful version!

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I have to mention one particular item they offered at the breakfast buffet table that did not go unnoticed. My wife and I have been accustomed to making our own health drinks in the morning, so it came as a pleasant surprise that they had a fully equipped juicer with a myriad of ingredients laid out on the table for you to choose and juice yourself. It may not be anything exciting for most, but added touches like this are what makes Likuliku Lagoon Resort so memorable.

Things to do

With a resort like this to spoil you all day, you may not wish to even leave your bures. But for those that seek adventure, there are many things on the list—many of which are free. Snorkelling and kayaking rentals are included with your rooms—and you can easily spend all day doing both of these. Just don’t forget that sunscreen! There are other paid activities like daytrips to other nearby islands, but we just opted for a complimentary guided kayaking trip to Bird Island, which is fittingly named because of all the seagulls that rest there.

You can also take hikes around the area, bringing you to some breathtaking vistas of Likuliku Lagoon Resort, or head over to the mangroves on the opposite side, closer to Malolo Island Resort. Or for those who just want to relax, there’s always their Horizon Edge pool just around the corner. The options are aplenty and will surely please the adventure-seeker inside us all.

The Sunsets

Fiji is well known to have one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Sure enough, the sunsets did not disappoint while I was there. Vibrant colours filled the air and sky, creating breathtaking scenery for quite a long period. These photos really don’t do it any justice as you can’t feel the sun engulf you in its glow.

The same evening brings completely different colours as the sun makes its way down. I was just standing there in awe-along with others-on the beach, loving every second of it.

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For more information on this resort, head over to Ahura Resorts’ website, or Likuliku Lagoon Resort’s website:

Ahura Resorts: www.ahuraresorts.com
Likuliku Lagoon Resort: http://www.likulikulagoon.com

And for even more breathtaking views of Malolo Island and its sunsets, visit my Fantastic Fiji gallery over here!