Shangri-La Fiji Travel Review
The Fijian. Ask most people who love Fiji and they have been there. An original and a great. As you age though you need a refresh, a lick of paint and a revisit of who you are and why people love you. The Fijian – now known as Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa has done just that.
Our team recently returned from one of our insight trips to refresh, revisit and update our knowledge of the Fiji Islands. It had been a long time since we had visited the Shangri-La Fiji and the change is palpable.
A big Fijian welcome
When you arrive at the resort you can feel the new beginnings. The lobby area is fresh, bright with vibrant prints on the wall. Best of all, the greeting is warm, friendly and welcoming. It’s a greeting from a staff who are happy in their new home.
We were all shown to our rooms – each in a different room category so we could experience the resort from every angle. Some of us stayed in the Lagoon family rooms and others in the Ocean wing. The Ocean wing accommodation, while a little further from the resort’s main amenities, is popular with families and couples seeking a quieter stay. We weren’t lucky enough to stay in the new Reef Bures, but had a look and wow – what a space!
New and exciting dining options
Everything about the Shangri-La is like a new resort.
Let’s start with the new dining areas… I keep saying “new” because, after the upgrade, everything about Shangri-La Fijian is like a new resort.
You would remember the Beach Bar and Grill. This great family dining area has been expanded and the decking area is the perfect spot for casual dining by the pool, lagoon and grass area.
This location is a prime position for families. Now called the Yanuca Lagoon Wing, this area still has the family rooms that perfectly fit two adults and two children – with space to move – and the wonderful grass area where kids can run and play safely whilst parents sit on their outdoor patio area. This is the hub of the resort for families.
The kids are kept entertained while you finish your meal.
The Lagoon Terrace is the main dining area for family breakfasts and live buffet stations at night. The renovations have even added a great kids area where kids can entertain themselves whilst parents finish their meal at a more leisurely pace.
If you are keen to enjoy meals without children, there are a few really great options – in particular the Golden Cowrie restaurant just above the Lagoon terrace area. Adults only breakfasts are served here. The terrace overlooks the lagoon area of the resort and the lagoon itself. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy your morning coffee in peace. With super comfortable seating, you can order a la carte and ease into your morning. At night Golden Cowrie serves authentic Italian for families with children over 7 years.
And finally, I’ve saved the best dining for last… the Takali Terrace Restaurant and Black Marlin Bar. Wow!
A wonderful twist is the restaurant’s gin bar.
Serving Asian cuisine tapas style, we enjoyed course after course of incredible food at the Takali Asian Kitchen. A wonderful twist was the restaurant’s Gin Bar. As was explained to us by Ram, the food and beverage manager, Asian food is best served with gin. Who knew? Brought in fish bowl sized glasses and served with orange grapefruit, the various gin and tonics were the perfect companion to our meal.
The Black Marlin Bar has moved to a more adult-focussed part of the resort and it is stunning. With a live band, comfortable lounges and with a focus on rums from around the world, if you haven’t already overindulged at dinner, we recommend trying some of the amazing rum cocktails on offer. Ours was served Fijian style in a bowl and bilo (half coconut cup) which made top-ups easy!
The exclusive adults-only area
It’s sometimes hard for family resorts to cater to the adults too. The Shangri-La is in the enviable position of having enough land to be able to stretch out and create a whole child-free area.
Formerly the old Reef Wing and tucked away at the very far end of the resort away from the families, is the new adults-only area. With its own lobby and entrance, guests staying in the adults-only area enjoy a number of exclusive benefits (including not having to listen to other people’s children).
Upon arrival, you’re taken to the exclusive adults-only reception with dedicated check in and check out. In your room you’ll enjoy a cold bottle of sparkling wine to ease away the tension of your flights plus a turndown gift on your first night.
Each evening take advantage of cocktail hour with complimentary beverages.
The stylish adults-only guest area includes a beautiful waterfront pool, chilled water and fruit, cooling spray, sun lounges and complimentary towels. Each evening take advantage of cocktail hour with complimentary beverages.
The accommodation is spacious and luxe.
The one bedroom Reef bures are incredible!
If you would like to really indulge, the one bedroom Reef Bures are incredible. Set beyond the adults only reef wings and past the Chi Spa, these bures come with a dedicated golf cart, fully stocked mini bar replenished daily and welcome amenity set. Featuring a separate bedroom and large sitting area and deck this is luxury to the max. You could pay a lot and stay in an expensive five-star resort and not get this much space.
Stretch your indulgence just one more step and visit Chi Spa – it’s not far from your bure and you won’t regret it.
In short, if you’ve not visited Shangri-La Fiji because it needed that little bit of a recharge – take the plunge now. It’s not only refreshed but spectacular. You will not be disappointed and will find that this is the resort you knew and loved, just better! If you’ve never visited before, put it on your list.
The Shangri-La Fijian Resort and Spa is sophisticated, elegant, family-friendly and still on that heavenly lagoon beach that is hard to find on the mainland.