New resorts and residences attract celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney
Luxury accommodation is rapidly becoming more common, and availability is predicted to increase nearly 8 percent by 2030. Economic growth in emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia is providing more people with more disposable income and allowing more travelers to seek premium experiences. Add to this the increase in infrastructure development in destinations that recently lacked the services needed to support new luxury hotels and resorts, and a broader trend becomes clear.
And Fiji is very much riding the luxury travel wave. This project, which is amid major infrastructure investments totaling $1.6 billion, including road improvements, new bridges and port facilities, and climate change resilience projects, is supported by institutions such as the Australia Pacific Infrastructure Financing Facility and the World Bank.
When searching for the best villas in Fiji, a few standouts emerge. Most agree that COMO Laucala Island holds the crown. Oprah Winfrey is said to have booked all 25 villas on her previous visit, and George Clooney is known to admire the golf course. Just behind is Vomo Island Resort, where Elle Macpherson and Australian actress Teresa Palmer were seen relaxing beachside.
Other popular choices include Six Senses Fiji. The wellness-focused facility is set to climb even higher with the opening of three new “residences” in the new year.
What is the difference between a villa and a residence? Firstly the size, but also the level of luxury. Residence is now widely used by resorts and hotels to distinguish their most premium and comprehensive offerings.
On Malolo Island, the largest island in Fiji’s Mamanuca group, Six Senses Fiji currently offers a mix of villas and multi-bedroom residences. There are now 16 of these larger, home-style beachfront, ocean view and marina view residences designed for long-term, multi-generational stays.
The three new offerings are located separately from the main facility in what Six Senses describes as a “private zone.” Each has access to a private beach and marina and ranges from four to six bedrooms, with amenities such as a private gym, pools, fire pit, and in some cases, a private children’s pool or an additional private beach area.
In keeping with Six Senses Fiji’s ethos of sustainability, each residence features energy-efficient systems and is built using natural materials and local craftsmanship, celebrating Fijian culture and the island’s spectacular natural environment.
And while George Clooney may find his wellness fix on Laucala Island’s golf course, Six Senses, a brand known for its holistic approach to physical, spiritual and emotional health, offers a different kind of immersion. Guests can participate in a variety of activities, from reef restoration and organic gardening to traditional Fijian weavings and nature-based wellness programs.
“Our residences have always been more than luxury accommodation – they are about creating space for reconnection, reflection and celebration,” says Six Senses Fiji managing director Mark Kitchen.
Malolo Island in the Mamanuca archipelago is approximately 25 kilometers from Nadi International Airport and just 10 minutes by helicopter transfer. New residences start at $6,000 per night for an entire villa and can exceed $10,000 per night for the largest.
Will this be enough to tempt Oprah Winfrey or George Clooney away from COMO Laucala?
Time and tide will tell.
To see sixsenses.com
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Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who’d rather be in Rome, but her hometown of Melbourne is a happy compromise.Connect via email.
