When it comes to holidays with kids from Australia, few are as iconic and well-trodden as Fiji. Just a short three-to-four hour flight from Sydney, Fiji is one of the most convenient overseas destinations you can visit, and the local people adore little kids, making it all the more ideal for families.
We have been once in the past to Tokoriki Island when my first-born was 11 months old. And this April, we set out to return as a family of four to the Plantation Island Resort on Malolo Lailai Island with my eldest daughter, now 4, and youngest, who is 18 months. A trip to paradise in just under five hours door to door? We were excited.
Despite this trip not going quite to plan — we were hit by a Category 3 cyclone while on the island and forced to remain indoors for a day for our safety — we found the accommodation a haven for kids and adults alike, and the staff and people simply gorgeous. Below, my review of Plantation Island Resort. I can’t wait to go back.
Travel and Fiji Gateway Hotel
We loved our book-ended trips to Fiji Gateway at the beginning and end of the holiday. After a three-and-a-half-hour flight to Nadi, we checked into the extremely comfortable Fiji Gateway hotel for the night, as we were too late to catch a ferry to the islands. Situated adjacent to the airport but a world apart in terms of its relaxed feel, Fiji Gateway was the perfect spot to get us on to Fiji time and truly kick back and relax.
We loved our book-ended trips to Fiji Gateway at the beginning and end of the holiday, in no small part thanks to the 24/7 free airport shuttles, spacious rooms, two pools (including a water slide), and delicious, family-friendly restaurant. With comfortable, spacious rooms, clean bathrooms and a decent space for children to run around, my husband and I agreed we would stay at the Gateway again for one night before travelling to the islands on the first ferry the next day.
We particularly loved the live music in the main restaurant area, which allowed us to truly relax and unwind into the holiday, while the kids loved the water slide and could have stayed there for a week.
The next morning, bright and early, we got up to catch the 50-minute ferry ride from Port Denarau to Plantation Island Resort on Malolo Lailai Island via the Malolo Cat. Arriving into Plantation Island Resort was like all of your White Lotus arrival dreams combined. With music, tropical drinks and shell necklaces given upon disembarkation, it wasn’t long before we were whisked off to our room — a surprisingly spacious Garden Bure towards the back of the resort.
The Room
As previously mentioned, we absolutely adored how much space there was in our Garden Bure. We have been in a tricky patch with booking hotel rooms in the recent past. With two young kids who are too small to have their own room and the need for our youngest to sleep in a travel cot, we often book one room and are disappointed when we arrive and it’s tiny, meaning there is no space for us to relax in once the kids go to bed. The Garden Bures in Plantation Island Resort do not have this problem.
With a separate ‘living’ area complete with sofa bed, we were able to set the kids up in that space so they could go down to bed as per normal around 7.30pm, while we could relax adjacent in the bedroom space without having to go straight to sleep. The room was simple but tidy, well-kept and equipped with everything you need — from a kettle to a mini fridge for your necessities. While there are no TVs (but who wants TV when you’re in Fiji?), the room was comfortable and we were grateful for the additional space when the cyclone hit and we were confined to the room. Our children loved careering around and setting up ‘dens’ in the sofa bed.
The Facilities and Location
A stay at Plantation Island Resort is as much about the facilities as it is the accommodation. With an impressive array of four separate pools for young and old, there is also a state-of-the-art kids’ club, a giant inflatable playground moored in the resort’s lagoon, fishing, snorkelling and kayaking available. Add to this several restaurants including a buffet and the a la carte Black Coral restaurant (a real treat), and there’s everything you might need for a perfect week away.
We especially loved the location of the resort. Situated on a picturesque secluded white sand beach, it really is a stunning setup that rivals some of the best in the world. We would go straight from breakfast to the beach in the mornings, where the children loved splashing in the water amongst the tiny waves. Then, in the afternoons, with the kids in kids club (or with a nanny) for a couple of hours, we were able to visit the resort’s golf course, go for a run or take out the stand-up paddleboards. Finishing the day all together watching the sun go down from the island’s bars and restaurants was the perfect way to enjoy time as a family.
On a personal note, I also found my massage at the spa as good as any I have had at home. I strongly recommend booking in to the spa as soon as you arrive at Plantation Island Resort, as it does get booked up.
The Food
The food at the resort was delicious, no matter where you dined. We opted for the Black Coral restaurant one evening, where we enjoyed steak (my husband) and scallops (me), and also Tavola, where kids can eat free with every adult main meal ordered. There was an impressive array of local Fijian food and international classics at the buffet, and we found ourselves settling into a natural routine of fairly light breakfasts, fresh (delicious) poke bowls at lunch and then seafood at dinnertime. There are also a host of other options available, including a mini mart shop and ice cream bar that are open throughout the day.
The Curveball
Unfortunately, towards the end of our four-night stay, we were hit by the curveball of a Category 3 cyclone in Fiji, meaning we had to take refuge in our rooms for the worst of the cyclone. During this time, the staff were exceedingly polite and great at keeping guests informed via our room telephones. We were also personally struck by how optimistic and upbeat they were, despite the obvious devastation to the resort. What we learned from this was that there are possibly more ideal times to book a holiday in Fiji than others. Generally, the May to October period is recognised as the “dry season,” which features cooler, sunnier days, lower humidity, and a minimal risk of tropical cyclones. This is the period to which we will lean towards when booking Fijian holidays in the future.
The Verdict
Overall, I would whole-heartedly recommend Plantation Island Resort to anyone looking for an escape for it all. People with kids will appreciate the freedom it gives you (and them) to enjoy everything there is to enjoy from a holiday. While those without can also enjoy plenty on Plantation Island, whether they’re into relaxation, water sports and snorkelling (there is a fantastic off-shore reef) or golf. For more information and to browse the resort’s website for yourself, head here now.
