Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa has spent $2.1 million developing a beachfront adults-only den where so inclined guests can sun and spa themselves by day and dance to the DJ by night without ever needing to rub shoulders with the family travellers in the rest of the resort. There's private check-in and 74 new beach club rooms adjoining Waitui Beach Club. It also has its own pool, champagne bar, poolside cabanas, gym and restaurant.
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa general manager Alan Burrows says it's designed to "appeal to singles travelling with friends, solo travellers, honeymooners or any couple escaping on a short break to the Pacific Islands".
Fiji generally doesn't have the Western investment in sophisticated, fashionable high-end restaurant, bar and nightclub infrastructure such as that which attracts bright young things to Seminyak in Bali. Top resorts have nice restaurants and the Intercontinental, for instance, has a private Club Intercontinental facility with private pool, dining and accommodation. Outrigger has some award-winning dining and great wine lists. But the younger, hipper vibe Sofitel is offering breaks new ground. It's a new concept for Viti Levu, Fiji's main island, where many resorts are family oriented.
The day at Waitui Beach Club starts with free yoga, stretching and boot camp classes. When guests have had enough and are ready to flop in a cabana, they receive a kit of water, sunscreen, body mist and a cold towel. Throughout the day, sunning bodies can graze on nutritionalist-devised dishes. The resort's So Spa also offers club guests an exclusive selection of treatments.
By night, there's complimentary sunset drinks and the champagne bar gets into swing with tunes from the DJ and sharing plates on offer.
Beach club rooms from $299 a night. See www.sofitelfiji.com.fj.
