I have 3 reasons for writing this blog post about Fiji - firstly, this was my first experience to Fiji so I came with a different view to those who have been many times. Secondly, I also stayed at the Radisson at Denarau and would like to share my feedback. Thirdly, I travelled with my sister and two nieces, aged 7 and 9 so our experience was a little different. Ultimately, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Fiji and at Jean Michel Cousteau especially.

We started off on the horribly timed flight leaving at 1.35am with Air Pacific. This meant the girls had slept for about 2 hours before we had to leave for the airport, and by the time we checked in and got through immigration the girls were wide awake again. We finally got on the flight and tried to settle the girls in… they stayed awake for most of the 4 and a half hour flight. The airline food offerings are limited and the service leaves a lot to be desired, but at that time of night you don’t mind too much, on the way back this is a little more frustrating. They also don’t have good entertainment for children (and I wasn’t overly impressed for myself either), so make sure you bring a book or movies on an iPad. We arrived at 8am Fiji time and were transferred to the Radisson, it takes about an hour or so depending on traffic, and when we arrived our room wasn’t ready for us, so we took our bags to a corner and got out our swimming gear. We headed to the restaurant to find their limited options for breakfast as the buffet had closed. After breakfast we settled in by the pool until I headed up to reception around 1, having not received the promised call, checking if our room was ready. It was, so we headed to the room to finally shower and rest a little. We spent the rest of the day by the pool and relaxing in our room. At dinner time we decided to stay close by and have dinner at the Thai restaurant onsite, from here we were able to see a wedding reception happening at the property, that was a bit of fun, and we enjoyed a lovely al fresco dinner. The following morning we headed to the buffet breakfast where we paid around $30 per adult, and not much less for the girls. The food we had was good, unfortunately there were a lot of people there so queues were long and food wasn’t restocked very quickly so the options almost felt limited. My biggest disappointment with my stay here and on Denarau in general would be the food.

The pool area is really large, which is good as there are lots of people, the island of Denarau is built up on mudflats so the ocean isn’t inviting at all, thus everyone congregates around the pool. There is an adults pool just separated from the family pool but I was hanging out with my nieces so didn’t really spend time there. The swim up bar was a bit of fun, but the service again let it down, so much so that I actually contacted the hotel afterward to let them know and received sincere apologies. Anyway, fantastic pool area over all, our room was large, we had a king bed in a separate bedroom and a kitchen, dining and lounge area, and a balcony overlooking the gardens. The bathroom had doors to the bedroom and the kitchen area, so I was on the fold out couch but able to access the bathroom directly. The staff from activities were fantastic with the children and we played different water games for many hours. There was also a waterslide in a separate but attached area that the kids loved and was a bit shallower and less crowded so you didn’t feel you had to be in with them the whole time. We decided to head to Denarau Port for dinner, and enjoyed a dinner of tapas here. The quality of both our dinners was really good, unfortunately none of the food lived up to the price point it was given. This to me is a sure sign you are in a touristy area. Even though the rates at the Radisson are significantly lower than JMC and other island properties, the experience and inclusions very quickly make them comparable.

After two nights at the Radisson it was time to get our flight on the small 11 seater plane to Savu Savu Island and then the quick drive to JMC. We got a bit lost finding the terminal for our small inter-island airline but we made it and were the only ones on our flight. The plane is noisy, as a lot of small planes are, so make sure you have appropriate entertainment (and maybe earplugs) for children. The view from the plane is pretty incredible though!

You arrive at a small terminal building at Savu Savu and drive through fields of farms and banana trees before hitting the small town and then along the coral beaches to JMC. Upon arrival you are made to feel at home, with a small band playing and singing and fruity drinks on offer. While Sarah (my sister) and I checked in the girls were taken off by their new buddy to look around the kids club and down to the water to become quickly accustomed to the lay out of the property. Check-in was easy and soon after we were in our villa 10 meters from the beach and with day bed and hammock overlooking the water. The girls didn’t need much encouragement to change into their bathers, get their bag ready and head off to the kids club. Not long after Sarah dropped the girls off we were treated to a foot massage at our villa, and then Sarah headed off for her complimentary massage, what a way to start a holiday!

Because the girls were a little older they don’t have a nanny each, instead they had one buddy who was with them from morning to night, whenever you wanted them to be. We would have breakfast together and then their buddy would meet us, organise their program and meals for the day and then head off with the girls. There were other children of similar ages at the property so they organised special activities like building a raft that was then connected to the back of a speed boat and they were taken for a ride. They do offer a scheduled program for the kids including trips out snorkelling, basket weaving and the likes. If you specifically want these to happen you need to ask for it, otherwise as is the culture of the Fijian’s they won’t push you to do anything except relax. That being said whatever you ask for is given, quickly.

JMC organises a village experience with a customary kava ceremony in a nearby village, home to many of the staff of JMC. This was a great experience, as expected it was very put together, and they have a small souvenir market set up which is a good way to give money back to the locals directly rather than paying the high mark ups of the stores. And you get to see where and how the locals live. They also organise a visit to a waterfall, the hike through the rainforest is a little daunting but when Sian (7) fell over she was carried there and then back because of a blister on her foot – tough life for some. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is lovely, however its deep with only a few places you can hold on to, so be prepared. The staff accompanying the trip enjoy climbing the rocks and jumping in/showing off.

The staff also organised a trip for the girls and Sarah into town to do some shopping, or just experience a little more of how the locals lived and they organised for me to go to a local bar one night for my own individual experience. As you can imagine there aren’t many young, single, childless people that come to a resort well set up for families so I felt like I was treated extra specially. The activities staff at the resort are eager to please also, we all went sailing on several occasions, and snorkelling as a part of the daily snorkelling trip – even if its just one person who wants to go. They have a private island where you can enjoy a private picnic, and from here I came close to some small sharks. The water is shallow and clear so you can see the schools of fish swimming around your feet. And from the resort you can take a walk, when tide permits, to the same village visited as a large group and get a personal tour of the village, meeting staffs families and friends.

Now I don’t want to talk too much about the food, but all I can say is WOW! Every meal you are served as many courses as you can handle and a range of fresh fruit juices. As well as morning and afternoon tea, if you really think you can fit it in. The girls are given the choice of eating with us or eating from a more limited but still fantastic menu at the Bula (kids) club. They are the Masterchef generation so they have an appreciation of the many foods on offer and regularly tried to complete the multiple courses on offer with much enjoyment. All meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included, so then when the kids are brought back to the bar/lounge area before dinner for a presentation by the on-site marine biologist the adults sit along the bar listening in and happily enjoy a cocktail or two as this really is all you have to pay for when you are there.

It’s hard for kids and adults alike to leave, there are not lots of staff at JMC, as many as are needed, which means you create close relationships with the people you have seen and spoken to daily. We all left with a feeling of sadness but determined to return again, because this was the perfect holiday, filled with relaxation, entertainment for the children, culture and amazing nature.

Fiji for the First Time