STORY BY MICHAEL PORRITT, 2010 - IMAGE UPDATED IN 2023
Sonaisali Island Resort was sold to Vision Group, owners of the Hilton on Denarau Island in 2014 and renamed Double Tree Resort. The Resort might be different today.
Fiji, or Viti as the locals know it, is one of those perfect tropical island destinations we have all dreamed about.
Perfect days of coral reefs, swimming, snorkeling, scuba and cocktails. An ideal way to spend a week or three away from the stresses of work!
If you're like me though, you don't want to spend your well-earned holiday in one of those chain hotels that look the same no matter where you are in the world.
If I'm heading to Fiji, I want to stay in a place where I can immerse myself in the culture and meet the local people. But being a conservationist, I also want to stay in a place that is actively reducing it's impact on the local environment
Luckily for us all, there is such a place, ideally located only 25 minutes from Nadi international airport, on the western side of Fiji.
Sonaisali Island Resort is the only form of civilisation on Sonaisali Island which is itself named after the local Naisali people.
Unlike many other places you can stay at, being on an island means that there are no walls surrounding the resort, only open spaces and beautiful tropical gardens. A short three minute ferry ride from the mainland sees you stepping onto your own tropical hideaway!
Fiji, or Viti as the locals know it, is one of those perfect tropical island destinations we have all dreamed about.
Perfect days of coral reefs, swimming, snorkeling, scuba and cocktails. An ideal way to spend a week or three away from the stresses of work!
If you're like me though, you don't want to spend your well-earned holiday in one of those chain hotels that look the same no matter where you are in the world.
If I'm heading to Fiji, I want to stay in a place where I can immerse myself in the culture and meet the local people. But being a conservationist, I also want to stay in a place that is actively reducing it's impact on the local environment
Luckily for us all, there is such a place, ideally located only 25 minutes from Nadi international airport, on the western side of Fiji.
Sonaisali Island Resort is the only form of civilisation on Sonaisali Island which is itself named after the local Naisali people.
Unlike many other places you can stay at, being on an island means that there are no walls surrounding the resort, only open spaces and beautiful tropical gardens. A short three minute ferry ride from the mainland sees you stepping onto your own tropical hideaway!
Apart from the wonderful staff, the other highlights of Sonaisali include impeccable gardens, large open plan tropical beachfront Bure’s, a gorgeous swimming pool with fantastic sunsets and the vast array of activities on offer.
Sonaisali is a fantastic ‘home away from home’ for families and travelers wanting a holiday with a true Fijian flavour.
Several evenings per week you will have the privilege of experiencing performances by local village groups, singing and dancing in authentic Fijian dress.
By day, this spacious resort leaves you feeling like you might be the only ones there, a truly tranquil location.
Sonaisali is an ideal base from which you can explore both cultural and adventure activities on the mainland or be transported into the underwater world of the pristine Fijian reefs surrounding ‘Viti Levu’ and it’s 333 neighbouring islands.
Sonaisali is a fantastic ‘home away from home’ for families and travelers wanting a holiday with a true Fijian flavour.
Several evenings per week you will have the privilege of experiencing performances by local village groups, singing and dancing in authentic Fijian dress.
By day, this spacious resort leaves you feeling like you might be the only ones there, a truly tranquil location.
Sonaisali is an ideal base from which you can explore both cultural and adventure activities on the mainland or be transported into the underwater world of the pristine Fijian reefs surrounding ‘Viti Levu’ and it’s 333 neighbouring islands.
Bula - Welcome Home
Smiling Fijians, some of the friendliest people you will ever meet, greet you as you step onto the wharf. The resort reception is located through the breathtaking gardens on the ocean side of the island, where the legendary friendliness continues.
Local Fijians sing the traditional welcoming song of the Naisali people while you check in with a complimentary cocktail of fresh local juices as refreshment.
There are a few things I look for in a resort whenever we have the pleasure of staying in one.
Firstly it is always the friendliness of the staff. You never get a second chance at making a first impression! Secondly the rooms, and thirdly the pool and bar area!
Sonaisali ticks the box in all three categories. The bure's are sensational, letting you get the feel of actually living in Fiji rather than in any room that could be taken out of any of a hundred or so resorts.
High roofs, wooden slat walls, ceiling fans, wooden furniture, coconuts and the all important air conditioning, give the accommodation a warm and welcoming Fijian feel.
The central pool / bar / restaurant area is also perfect. With wooden decks that run from the bar and restaurant to the pools edge, it gives the whole area an open feel that reminds me of a tropical oasis.
The all important pool bar is also perfect for those days where all you want to do is laze in the pool and sample the wide range of cocktails on offer.
Smiling Fijians, some of the friendliest people you will ever meet, greet you as you step onto the wharf. The resort reception is located through the breathtaking gardens on the ocean side of the island, where the legendary friendliness continues.
Local Fijians sing the traditional welcoming song of the Naisali people while you check in with a complimentary cocktail of fresh local juices as refreshment.
There are a few things I look for in a resort whenever we have the pleasure of staying in one.
Firstly it is always the friendliness of the staff. You never get a second chance at making a first impression! Secondly the rooms, and thirdly the pool and bar area!
Sonaisali ticks the box in all three categories. The bure's are sensational, letting you get the feel of actually living in Fiji rather than in any room that could be taken out of any of a hundred or so resorts.
High roofs, wooden slat walls, ceiling fans, wooden furniture, coconuts and the all important air conditioning, give the accommodation a warm and welcoming Fijian feel.
The central pool / bar / restaurant area is also perfect. With wooden decks that run from the bar and restaurant to the pools edge, it gives the whole area an open feel that reminds me of a tropical oasis.
The all important pool bar is also perfect for those days where all you want to do is laze in the pool and sample the wide range of cocktails on offer.
No tropical island resort would be complete without the all important list of fun things to do while you relax and Sonaisali hosts a wide range of exciting activities, some unique to Fiji!
The resort boasts it's own 5 star PADI dive shop, where you can take full advantage of being in one of the five best dive sites in the world (with the world's best soft coral dives).
With 25 spectacular dive sites - including wreck and cave dives, drop offs and walls - located between 15 and 45 minutes away, there is enough variety for even the most seasoned diver.
We were lucky enough to be taken out to "The Pinnacles" by Sonaisali’s divemaster, Hanfiro. There we experienced some of the most beautiful coral formations and underwater landscapes I had seen in a long time. The abundant variety of fish and corals was breathtaking, with swimthroughs, vertical walls, and drop offs.
Although we didn't see any on our dive, Hanfiro mentioned that there are often a variety of reef sharks that are normally seen swimming in the currents just off The Pinnacles. The Pinnacles is also renowned for being a perfect night dive, for those interested in seeing the other sort of night life Fiji has to offer.
Sonaisali Island Resort also hosts it's own PADI dive instructor, so full PADI certification, or just a SCUBA discovery can be conducted while on your holidays if you haven't had the opportunity to try this amazing sport.
The resort boasts it's own 5 star PADI dive shop, where you can take full advantage of being in one of the five best dive sites in the world (with the world's best soft coral dives).
With 25 spectacular dive sites - including wreck and cave dives, drop offs and walls - located between 15 and 45 minutes away, there is enough variety for even the most seasoned diver.
We were lucky enough to be taken out to "The Pinnacles" by Sonaisali’s divemaster, Hanfiro. There we experienced some of the most beautiful coral formations and underwater landscapes I had seen in a long time. The abundant variety of fish and corals was breathtaking, with swimthroughs, vertical walls, and drop offs.
Although we didn't see any on our dive, Hanfiro mentioned that there are often a variety of reef sharks that are normally seen swimming in the currents just off The Pinnacles. The Pinnacles is also renowned for being a perfect night dive, for those interested in seeing the other sort of night life Fiji has to offer.
Sonaisali Island Resort also hosts it's own PADI dive instructor, so full PADI certification, or just a SCUBA discovery can be conducted while on your holidays if you haven't had the opportunity to try this amazing sport.
If SCUBA isn't your cup of tea, but you still want to experience the reefs, there are a variety of cruise options that will take you to the crystal waters of Fiji.
The resort has it's own 35 foot luxury catamaran, the Cagi Malua (“Soft Wind” - above) which is available for all day cruises to the Mamanuca Islands, including a barbecue lunch onboard.
This is a perfect way to see the amazing variety and number of fish that make Fiji a marine paradise. Or sit back, relax and soak up a sunset cruise with champagne and canapés. A perfect way to end the day!
Another adventure, unique to Sonaisali Island Resort, is paintball. The resort has constructed a specially designed playing field in a secluded area of the island where you can participate in four different types of games which vary in difficulty. An introductory "basic team game", "capture the flag", "skirmish", and "medic" can be played where you can hone your combat skills and legally shoot your friends and family!
A brilliant way to explore the resorts island is on horseback. Escorted rides, which cater for both novice and experienced riders, are offered all day on the resorts horses that can be found grazing throughout the gardens. The rides take you on both bushland and beach trails.
If you are after the ultimate in luxury and indulgence though, you can’t go past the resort's own "Frangipani Spa". With a range of facials, massage, scrubs, wraps, soaks, hand and feet treatments and a variety of spa packages, this is the ultimate way to unwind and de-stress!
Sonaisali Island Resort also offers a variety of complimentary daily activities including hobie cats, canoe's, tennis, volleyball, windsurfing, paddle boats and cultural activities like Fijian story telling, sulu tying, palm leaf weaving, coconut tree climbing, meke shows, Fijian cooking demonstrations and local choirs.
Once a week, villagers from Beqa Island perform traditional fire walking at the islands Sunset Point. These are the only Fijians who can perform this feat.
Sonaisali Island Resort also offers a variety of complimentary daily activities including hobie cats, canoe's, tennis, volleyball, windsurfing, paddle boats and cultural activities like Fijian story telling, sulu tying, palm leaf weaving, coconut tree climbing, meke shows, Fijian cooking demonstrations and local choirs.
Once a week, villagers from Beqa Island perform traditional fire walking at the islands Sunset Point. These are the only Fijians who can perform this feat.
Sonaisali Island Resort boasts 123 rooms, with 32 beachfront hotel rooms and the remaining 91 either ocean view, family or beachfront spa bure’s on the 105-acre private island.
The hotel rooms have been recently refurbished and the traditional Fijian style bure’s are scheduled next on the refurbishment list, even though they are absolutely beautiful as they are.
Green Globe Certified
One of the most important aspects of Sonaisali Island Resort in my opinion, is their continued efforts to be environmentally responsible.
Sonaisali consistently achieves ‘above the benchmark’ figures for green globe certification, which recognises the resort's commitment towards operating at the world's highest environmental standard, measuring key environmental performance areas, including water usage, waste management and energy efficiency.
The commitment of staff and management towards maintaining environmental and sustainable practices has resulted in the resort being awarded the prestigious Green Planet award by Kuoni Switzerland.
This award has been operating since 2000 and is awarded to hotels whose operations are particularly progressive in environmental and social terms.
A great example of the resort's environmental focus can be seen in their greenhouses, where they propagate all of the native plants used in their spectacular gardens.
Not only that, but the resort also cultivates a large majority of it's vegetables including lettuce, tomatoes and herbs. The horticultural team is aiming to be 100% reliant on it's hydroponic plant in the near future.
The hotel rooms have been recently refurbished and the traditional Fijian style bure’s are scheduled next on the refurbishment list, even though they are absolutely beautiful as they are.
Green Globe Certified
One of the most important aspects of Sonaisali Island Resort in my opinion, is their continued efforts to be environmentally responsible.
Sonaisali consistently achieves ‘above the benchmark’ figures for green globe certification, which recognises the resort's commitment towards operating at the world's highest environmental standard, measuring key environmental performance areas, including water usage, waste management and energy efficiency.
The commitment of staff and management towards maintaining environmental and sustainable practices has resulted in the resort being awarded the prestigious Green Planet award by Kuoni Switzerland.
This award has been operating since 2000 and is awarded to hotels whose operations are particularly progressive in environmental and social terms.
A great example of the resort's environmental focus can be seen in their greenhouses, where they propagate all of the native plants used in their spectacular gardens.
Not only that, but the resort also cultivates a large majority of it's vegetables including lettuce, tomatoes and herbs. The horticultural team is aiming to be 100% reliant on it's hydroponic plant in the near future.
Fiji is approximately four hours flight from Sydney, three hours from Auckland and a 10 hour flight from Los Angeles. Flights leave everyday from Australia and New Zealand and three times a week from LA.
Sonaisali Island Resort lies 300 metres off the main island of Fiji - Viti Levu - and is 25 minutes drive from Nadi international airport, with 24-hour access to the mainland via complimentary launch available.
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Sonaisali Island Resort lies 300 metres off the main island of Fiji - Viti Levu - and is 25 minutes drive from Nadi international airport, with 24-hour access to the mainland via complimentary launch available.
Back to the Home Page