Spas, Rainforests and Sunsets: A Romantic Getaway Guide to Fiji

Fiji has been shorthand for an idyllic island getaway for a long time. But the Pacific nation has become even more alluring recently, thanks to new resorts complementing the focus on nature-based activities and relaxation.

The newest addition is Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa (Crowne Plaza Fiji), a waterfront destination in its own right on the bay, and just a short drive from Nadi International Airport. The 324-room resort has begun unveiling its multi-million-dollar transformation, rolling out the full slate of guest offerings, including 10 restaurants and bars and seven swimming pools.

As you plan your oceanfront stay at Nadi Bay – surrounded by sugarcane plantations – here are some prime picks for how to spend those long, leisurely days with your partner.

Once it’s fully open, Crowne Plaza Fiji will have no fewer than seven swimming pools on-site. There are already separate pools for adults, kids and families, which means couples can enjoy some extra space of their own. There’s an infinity pool with a swim-up bar right beside the resort’s soon-to-open Urban Sugar Beach Club. As for spa treatments, the Mareqeti spa – meaning ‘precious’ in Fijian – offers facials, beauty treatments, body scrubs, foot baths and massages (including a traditional Fijian Bobo massage) across six double treatment rooms that will fully open toward the end of the year.

Nadi’s priceless perch on the west coast of Fiji’s main island promises easy proximity to untouched smaller islands – all within quick reach via a day tour. You can go snorkelling around Tivua or explore the nearby Mamanuca Islands. Or if you want to stick closer to Nadi, a local tour company can take you diving through the soft coral capital of the world. You can also opt for surfing lessons or a guided jet ski trip around Nadi Bay, or explore nearby caves and ziplines without leaving the coastline.

Toast an unforgettable trip with the largest wine list in Fiji, found at Crowne Plaza Fiji’s La Bottega. The traditional Italian menu includes handmade pasta and woodfired pizza, with flavours inspired by both southern Italy and Fiji itself. Visit the aperitif bar beforehand for a Negroni or spritz to prepare for the feast ahead. Gluten-free options are available for the pizza and pasta, and the kitchen leans into the local produce of Fiji while serving wines from across Australia, New Zealand, Italy and America. Plus, you get an intimate view of the chefs at work through the open-plan kitchen.

Crowne Plaza Fiji’s Urban Sugar Beach Club – the first of its kind in Fiji – is scheduled to open in September. Inspired by European beach clubs, it will have sunset views, an assortment of wine and cocktails, international DJs and other live entertainment. As for the food, the Indonesian-inspired menu features fresh seafood, char-grilled meats, and open-flame cooking with flavourful marinades and sambals. Even diners who aren’t staying at Crowne Plaza Fiji are invited to join in the fun, so there’s no excuse for missing out.

Crowne Plaza Fiji’s Latitude Bar & Lounge is the late-night spot of choice in Nadi, with tunes alternating between lounge music and lively dance tracks depending on the day. The lounge is designed for you to sit and taste your way through flights of specialty whisky, tequila and vodka, and share tapas-style small plates at Latitude’s in-house speakeasy, 17.78 Whiskey Bar. Visitors who aren’t staying at Crowne Plaza Fiji can come along too, though there’s a cover charge for non-guests. And if you’re a returning visitor, you can even reserve a private box to enjoy a special whisky in crystal glasses. It’s the perfect way to wind down from a romantic trip to one of the Pacific’s most treasured islands.

Nadi is home to some spectacular cultural destinations, and at the top of the list are these two. Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple is the largest Hindu temple in the Pacific region, and is decorated with colourful and detailed carvings. It’s free to visit during daylight hours, though visitors are asked to observe Hindu etiquette by covering their legs and shoulders and abstaining from meat on the day they visit. Meanwhile, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a dazzling cross-section of rainforest flowers that began as the personal collection of Hollywood actor Raymond Burr. More than 2000 varieties of orchids are on display alongside indigenous plants, with scheduled or self-guided tours available from 9am to 5pm every day except Sundays (when the garden closes early at 1pm).

Just an hour’s drive south of Nadi is one of the most majestic corners in Fiji. Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park encompasses 360 acres of dunes right off the main island’s Coral Coast. There’s a visitor centre to help you plan a guided or solo tour along either of two walking trails, and the sand-swept landscape is never the same for long, thanks to the combined efforts of wind, river and ocean. Sharp-eyed visitors can spot many varieties of birds and lizards too. And an hour east of Nadi is Koroyanitu National Park, a lush rainforest reserve home to Fiji’s third-highest peak. Suffice to say, adventures await in every direction.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa.

As the resort continues its multi-million-dollar transformation, please check the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa website ahead of your stay for the latest information on the facilities and opening times.