Hotel Review: Six Senses Fiji Combining Luxury, Surf & Wellness

Palm trees pool and beachfront at Six Senses Fiji — Main pool area at Six Senses Fiji.

Hideaway pool villa at Six Senses Fiji — We stayed in a Hideaway Pool Suite.

There are plenty of luxury hotels found in the Mamanuca Islands, but Six Senses Fiji, situated on the picturesque Malolo Island, is one of the best. This luxury resort prides itself on sustainable luxury, seamlessly integrating eco-friendly practices into every aspect of the hotel, as I experienced firsthand during my recent stay.

Many guests we met chose Six Senses Fiji for their honeymoon or wellness journey, but the resort also caters to adventure seekers, with abundant opportunities for surfing and other water activities like snorkelling, diving, jetskiing and more.

I'll tell you all you need to know if you're considering a stay at Six Senses Fiji.

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

Getting to Six Senses Fiji

Private boat to get to Six Senses Fiji on Malolo Island and Six Senses — Private boat transfer is included.

Private boat to get to Six Senses Fiji on Malolo Island — It's a short 45-minute journey to Malolo Island.

From Nadi International Airport, it's a 30-minute drive to Denarau Island and Denarau Port, where all boats depart. Six Senses Fiji offers transfers a few times a day. We opted for the 11 am boat to arrive just before noon at the resort.

After checking in and having a refreshing drink, we boarded the private boat for the resort and enjoyed the picturesque 45-minute journey which we shared with just one other couple.

Alternatively, for a more exclusive arrival, you can opt for a swift 15-minute helicopter ride as the resort has its own helipad.

Checking in

On arrival at the marina, we were greeted in traditional Fijian style with the Lali drum, singing, smiles and a big Bula! Within minutes, we had a fresh drink and cold towels in our hands. The General Manager Mark greeted everyone in person and the whole check-in experience felt very personal.

Everyone gets a GEM, a Guest Experience Maker, which is the personalised butler service at Six Senses. Our GEM Marika was available via WhatsApp whenever we needed him. Overall, we found the staff at Six Senses Fiji exceptional, friendly and quick to learn every single guest name which made me and my fiancé feel at home.

It was just a brief buggy ride from the marina where we arrived to reach our pool suite.

Where We Stayed: Hideaway Pool Suite

King bed in our Hideaway Pool Suite — Bedroom in the Hideaway Pool Suite.

Entrance at the Hideaway Pool Suite Six Senses Fiji — The entrance hall of our suite.

Inside living area Hideaway Pool Suite Six Senses Fiji — Living room.

Pool of our Hideaway Pool Suite — Private plunge pool surrounded by greenery

We stayed at Villa 13, one of the Hideaway Pool Suites, tucked away from the beach yet just a short stroll away. As we stepped inside, we were greeted by a cozy ambiance, with dark wood interiors and beautiful wall art.

What I loved was the high ceilings and thatched roof, reflecting the charm of a traditional Fijian Bure. Our king bed overlooked the plunge pool and was draped with tied-up mosquito nets, which added an extra touch of romance. We called this trip to Fiji our ‘Earlymoon' after all – I shared more about this on my Instagram.

Bathroom at Six Senses Hideaway Pool Suite — Bathroom that leads from the inside to the outside.

outdoor rain shower and soak tub at Six Senses Fiji — Outside soak tub.

rain shower Six Senses Fiji — Outdoor rain shower.

The spacious bathroom featured two sinks, a shower, a separate Japanese-style toilet, there was another door leading to an outdoor rain shower and a dreamy soak tub.

The outside terrace and private plunge pool had plenty of seating options, including two sun loungers and deck chairs, as well as a full table with chairs.

Inside the Hideaway Suite Six Senses Fiji — Living area inside the Hideaway Pool Suite.

An added bonus was the lush tropical gardens that surrounded the outdoor area and we felt like we were in our own private oasis that felt a world away from anything else.

Even at night, the sounds of the nearby restaurants didn't disturb our peace as we sat under the full moon on our terrace.

private plunge pool at Six Senses Fiji — Private plunge pool in the daytime.

Full moon in our private plunge pool at Six Senses Resort Fiji — The full moon lighting up our little garden.

Six Senses Fiji Villas

At present, there are a total of 24 villas and suites available for booking, including 3, 4, and 5-bedroom private residences, each with their own private pool. Some villas are situated directly on the beachfront, while others are dotted along the hillside with stunning ocean views.

Villas at Six Senses Fiji — Beachfront villa at Six Senses Fiji.

Morning light over the pool at Six Senses Fiji — Morning light over the main pool.

The Hideaway Pool Villa is a slightly smaller option than the Hideaway Pool Suite we stayed in and both are a great choice for couples. A top pick certainly is one of the Beachfront Pool Villas, offering private pools and direct access to the beach.

The larger residences cater perfectly to families and groups of friends. It's worth mentioning that the resort is consistently broadening its range of accommodations to ensure an even greater variety for guests.

Sustainability at Six Senses Fiji

Six Senses Fiji sustainable eco resort — Wooden key cards at Six Senses Fiji.

Six Senses Fiji from the air — Six Senses Fiji & its surrounding reefs.

Sustainability is a top priority for me when selecting accommodations, and Six Senses Fiji stands out with its dedication to a greener future as Fiji's first resort aiming to be 100 percent solar-powered with Tesla batteries in the future.

They've banished plastic and embraced metal straws, along with providing refillable glass water bottles. Plus, they purify their own drinking water, reducing the need for single-use plastics.

The sustainability efforts extend to their garden, where they grow veggies and herbs used to produce their own tonics and kombucha.

And let's not forget their involvement in coral conservation through initiatives like Coral Gardeners, further solidifying their dedication to protecting the environment.

Six Senses Fiji Facilities & Things To Do

During our stay, we kept busy dining at one of the three restaurants, pampering treatments at the spa and water activities.

Every morning, we found an updated list of resort activities prominently displayed on the daily ‘Bulatin' activity board, which included yoga, Fijian cultural experiences and educational sessions on the resort's sustainability efforts.

Restaurants at Six Senses Fiji

Tovolea Restaurant at Six Senses Fiji overlooking the pool — Views at the main restaurant.

breakfast and coffee poolside at Six Senses Fiji — Morning coffee by the main pool at Six Senses Fiji.

Tovolea is the main restaurant at Six Senses Fiji and it sits right behind the large swimming pool that's overlooking the beach.

In the morning there is an à la carte breakfast as well as a buffet with organic grains, bircher muesli, probiotic yogurt and freshly baked gluten-free bread. As a German, I have always found high-quality bread overseas to be a rare treat, so when I come across it, I make sure to indulge fully.

Breakfast buffet Six Senses Fiji — Lots of gluten-free options are available.

lots of fruit for breakfast at Six Senses Fiji — The buffet is health-focused.

Much of the produce that made it onto our plates is actually grown in the resort's own garden. There's plenty of fresh fruit, probiotic drinks and then I stumbled across something called ‘Rocket Fuel', a natural antibiotic that is said to help digestion, energy and give an energy boost.

Breakfast by the pool at Six Senses Fiji — Breakfast on the terrace at Tovolea Restaurant.

The shot glass is petite, and I'm glad I muster the courage to down it in one go. Otherwise, I might not have finished it, as the lingering aftertaste of cider vinegar, garlic, and herbs momentarily leaves me speechless. ‘It's good for you', I reassure myself, and indeed, feeling revitalized, I find myself drawn to repeat the ritual the following morning.

From the menu, we also order the Fijian spices scrambles eggs, which come from the chickens housed at the resort's very own ‘Cluckingham Palace’. And the Organic Honey & Ginger Bowl, which is drizzled with honey sourced from Six Senses' beehives that we had walked by the previous afternoon.

coconuts and sunsets at Six Senses Fiji — Sunset & a cold coconut at Tovolea Restaurant.

lunch at Tovolea main restaurant at Six Senses Fiji — Freshly prepared meals.

We also came back to Tovolea for lunch and dinner one night and were told barefoot dining is not only accepted but encouraged. While you might expect a formal dress code, the ambiance leans towards a more relaxed attire. However, dressing up is still perfectly fine too.

Dinner & Gourmet Deli

free ice cream at Six Senses Fiji — Free ice cream at the deli.

There are two other restaurants for dinner. Teitei Pizzeria, which also has an outdoor cinema that runs certain nights of the week. And Rara Restaurant and Bar, which offers themed evenings and overlooks the marina.

Lastly, next to Rara, you'll discover the Gourmet Deli offering homemade ice cream, as well as locally produced goods and gifts. The ice cream is complimentary for resort guests, so be sure not to miss out! My personal favourite was the Passion-Basil sorbet, while Kurt insists that the Kiwi sorbet is the best he's ever tasted.

Water Activities

Malolo island palm trees from the beach — Private beach area.

Sunloungers at the pool Six Senses Malolo Island — Sun loungers by the pool.

Being located right on the white sandy shores of Malolo Island, there's no shortage of water activities. From non-motorised sports like snorkelling and stand-up paddling to more exhilarating adventures like jetskiing, scuba diving, and sunset cruises, all can easily be arranged through the beachside shop.

I spend my morning lounging on the day beds along the beachfront then move beneath the beach umbrellas by the main outdoor pool while sipping on a fresh coconut and feeling truly content.

Additionally, the Surfing with Six Senses Academy offers the opportunity to catch waves at renowned surf breaks like Cloudbreak, just a short boat ride away.

Six Senses Spa

Plunge pool area at Six Senses Fiji — Hot and cold plunge pools at Six Senses Fiji.

You'll find state-of-the-art facilities including hot and cold plunge pools, steam and herbal saunas, and an outdoor relaxation area with refreshing rain showers and a well-equipped fitness center.

As we walked along the boardwalk to the spa, we got lucky and spotted an iguana, a rare daytime treat, even more so because they are a critically endangered species and protected by the resort.

Spa at Six Senses Fiji — Inside our treatment room at Six Senses Fiji.

During our stay, we had the privilege of experiencing a Wellness Screening with Dr. Aju, followed by a transformative Chakra Body Balancing session with Ash, a visiting practitioner from Singapore, whose mastery of singing bowls transported us to a meditative state.

The following day, we joined a hands-on experience at the Alchemy Bar, crafting our own personalized face scrub and mask using ingredients sourced from the resort's herb garden. The staff guided us through the process, sharing insights into each plant's unique benefits. With Kurt's surfing adventures in mind, we were also graciously provided with a soothing aloe vera remedy for sunburn.

Making face masks and scubs at Alchemy Bar Six Senses Fiji — Making face masks and scrubs at Alchemy Bar.

garden tour to make face masks and scrubs at Six Senses Fiji Alchemy Bar — Garden tour to source ingredients.

On our last evening, we enjoyed a blissful 60-minute Fijian Bobo couples massage. This traditional Fijian treatment combines massage techniques infused with warm herbal poultices – a perfect finale to our Six Senses Fiji spa experience!

Morning Yoga

Yoga Shala at Six Senses Fiji with ocean views — Yoga Shala overlooking the ocean.

Yoga shala morning yoga class at Six Senses Fiji — Meditation at the end of the class.

The next morning, we joined the yoga class at the treetop shala, offering panoramic views of the ocean in the distance. Led by Dr. Aju, the 8.30 am session is a popular choice, attracting more than 20 participants. Surprisingly, the class felt unusually crowded, a departure from the generally spacious atmosphere of the resort.

Perhaps dividing the sessions into two morning classes could have eased the congestion and resulted in a more intimate experience for all participants.

Family-friendly Activities

Grow with Six Senses Fiji kids club — New kids club at Six Senses Fiji.

If you're travelling as a family with kids, you'll love Cluckingham Palace, where kids can interact with the resort's resident chickens and learn about sustainable farming practices.

Moreover, the Grow with Six Senses Kids Club has recently undergone expansion and is on the verge of reopening with a fresh extension. This new addition features an adventure playground nestled under towering shady trees, aimed at both educating and entertaining children.

Six Senses Fiji – Final Words

king bed at our Hideaway Pool Suite — I loved the dark, warm interior of our Fijian Bure.

Waking up in the Hideaway Pool Suite Six Senses Fiji — Waking up in our Hideaway Pool Suite.

As our time at Six Senses Fiji drew to a close, we couldn't help but feel that it was all too brief. We loved every minute, from our private suite accommodation to taking refreshing dips in our private plunge pool throughout the day, all complemented by health-conscious cuisine.

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

The warmth of the staff definitely added to the overall experience, making us feel truly welcomed and cared for. The resort's secluded atmosphere allowed us to unwind in luxury while we felt good knowing that our stay supported sustainable practices, with the resort being partly powered by solar energy and actively recycling and composting.

While Kurt enjoyed the proximity to world-class surf breaks, my days were spent leisurely moving between sun loungers and the pool, lost in the pages of a good book. With shoes optional and the beauty of paradise surrounding us, Six Senses Fiji truly portrays the paradise you envision Fiji to be.