Hotel Review: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Heading to Fiji and wondering what it's like to stay at the luxury beachfront InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa? I've just come back from an amazing 10 day trip to this colourful South Pacific nation and have all the insights to help you plan your trip.

Located on the Coral Coast, right in front of one of the most beautiful beaches on Mainland Fiji and home to the 18-hole Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the resort offers something for everyone, including couples, families and groups travelling together. You can also have a destination wedding here!

You can check current rates and availability: Booking.com | Luxury Escapes Deals | InterContinental website

Check-In

We arrived later in the evening and it was already dark as we drove up the long driveway fringed by palm trees until we arrived at the open-air reception. We were greeted with the Lali drum and a big Bula, as it's traditional in Fiji. I truly love this charming aspect of their culture.

The rooms that are part of Club InterContinental are all located on top of the hill, so we were wheeled up in a golf buggy and greeted with cold drinks at the exclusive Club Lounge for private check-in.

Throughout our stay, we only dealt with incredibly friendly staff that was always quick to respond. This was particularly helpful when we needed a buggy to navigate the resort, which is so expansive that we frequently relied on them to get around.

Where We Stayed: 1-Bedroom Club Suite with Private Plunge Pool

Our 1-bedroom suite 3013 located on the ground floor granted us exclusive access to a private plunge pool. If you stay on the top floor, you get beautiful views over the resort gardens towards the ocean in the distance. Whereas on the bottom you get a plunge pool with greenery at its backdrop.

Although I typically appreciate a scenic view, I did enjoy being on the ground floor and having private pool access.

Key Room Features:

• Spacious layout with generously sized separate living area

• Luxurious king-sized bed

• Both the living area and bedroom had pool and garden views

• Relaxing outdoor Cleopatra tub that's tucked away

• Complimentary bathroom amenities

• Reliable and complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout our stay

Benefits of Club InterContinental Access

Only if you book your stay at one of the 50 Club InterContinental suites, you'll be in for some extra daily benefits. We had access to it, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it, particularly for couples or honeymooners.

Although the Club isn't exclusively for adults, we noticed that most families preferred the family pool by the beach, which is shallower. The infinity pool that's part of the Club, on the other hand, tends to attract more couples and a slightly older crowd, which we appreciated.

• Complimentary breakfast at your choice of three venues

• Afternoon high tea from 2 – 4 pm every day

• Sunset cocktail hour with Fijian-inspired entertainment (exclusive to adults)

• Private check-in and check-out services at the Club InterContinental Lounge

• Exclusive access to the Club InterContinental Lounge and infinity pool (which we loved!)

• All-day non-alcoholic beverages at the Lounge and mini-bar in the room

A Note on Choosing Your Room

Note that selecting Club Access entails your room being situated on the hilltop. If you prefer a beachfront room, Club Access cannot be included, as these rooms are located in a separate area. This choice is definitely a tradeoff and it's entirely up to you to decide which type of accommodation and associated perks best suit your preferences.

• If you prioritize panoramic views and exclusive amenities, consider opting for a room on the hilltop with Club Access.

• For those seeking direct access to the beach and the sounds of the ocean, a beachfront room without Club Access is probably the better choice.

InterContinental Fiji Room Types

In the morning, we strolled through the resort which is set on 35 hectares and laid out to resemble a traditional Fijian village.

In total, the resort offers 266 rooms and suites, each thoughtfully appointed with day beds and freestanding Cleopatra baths.

The choice is yours if you like beachfront rooms, garden views or a suite overlooking the lagoon or pool.

Resort Facilities

The InterContinental Fiji Resort has a range of great facilities we enjoyed:

• Three Pools: A family pool, and adults-only beachfront pool with ocean views and direct beach access, the private Club InterContinental infinity pool located on the hilltop

• Direct Beach Access: Note that there are no lifeguards on the beach, and it is a public beach accessible to all. At low tide, there is a little sand bar that becomes visible!

• Day Bures: These traditional Fijian huts along the beach can be secured to relax during the day.

• Day Spa: Voted the best resort spa in the South Pacific 2023 at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific, offering a variety of treatments. There's also a 24-hour fitness gym.

• Planet Trekkers Kid's Club: Designed for children aged 4 to 12 years old.

Restaurants at InterContinental Fiji

The InterContinental Fiji offers a variety of dining options, no matter if you're looking for a casual poolside snack or an elegant fine dining experience.

Here are the restaurants you can eat at:

• Sanasana Restaurant: Great for a buffet breakfast with a wide selection of international and local dishes. We had dinner here one night too which you can choose from as à la carte or buffet-style.

• Toba Bar and Grill: Right next to the adult-only pool, Toba serves bar snacks and refreshing drinks in a casual setting.

• Navo Restaurant: For fine dining, head to this adults-only restaurant on the beachfront, perfect for a sophisticated evening out. We also had breakfast here and loved eating underneath the palm trees.

• Kama Lounge & Bar: Experience the enchanting Fire Lighting Ceremony while sipping on your favorite cocktails.

• Club Lounge: An exclusive area within the resort only accessible if you're staying at one of the Club InterContinental suites.

Sustainability Efforts

Whenever I stay at a hotel, I like to keep an eye on their sustainability efforts as well and I am happy to see that InterContinental Fiji is working on some great sustainability projects:

• Coral Propagation Program to help rebuild local reef structure

• Beach cleanups every Saturday morning at 8 am, where guests, staff, and local residents join forces

• The resort's own herb garden that is used in spa treatments, infused teas, and smoothies

• Aim to phase out single-use plastic in bathrooms and replace them with refillable containers

Location: Natadola Beach

Located on Viti Levu's Coral Coast, it's roughly a 1-hour drive south of Nadi International Airport, depending on traffic.

The location along the shores of Natadola Beach feels intimate and remote without any big towns around. Being located on one of Fiji's most beautiful white sandy beaches is a big draw. Plus, there are plenty of things to do within the resort and its surroundings.

Want to go scuba diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding or paragliding? You can do it all here! There's a handful of locals on the beach with their boats who will also offer to take you out to the nearby surf breaks.

Within a 20-30 minute drive, you can also reach the following:

• Sigatoka River Safari, which we heard good things about but ran out of time to go

• Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

• Ecotrax, an e-bike track along the old sugarcane railway tracks

• The Zipline Fiji Momi, which is fairly new

The biggest draw for me was undoubtedly the beautiful beach, which felt uncrowded despite the resort's size and boasted clear turquoise water. I also enjoyed the infinity pool at the Club, spending considerable time there instead of at the beach as it was right opposite our suite.

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa – Final Words

I loved Fiji, just like I love travelling the South Pacific in general! Staying at this award-winning luxury resort, which is part of the IHG Hotel Group, certainly did not disappoint.

While it does take an hour's drive from Nadi down the coast via small country roads with horses sometimes crossing, it is worth it if you're looking for a stay on a beautiful beach on the mainland of Fiji.

With an abundance of things to do or nothing at all, multiple restaurants within the property, a solid kids club and an expansive menu of spa experiences to book, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied for days without ever needing to leave the resort.

Thank you to the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, who invited me to stay. All opinions are my own.