First Impressions

From the start we felt like royalty. We were welcomed with a traditional dance presented by Fijian warriors and… we got fresh coconuts! Our review of Nanuku Auberge Resort on the Coral coast in Fiji.

There were more surprises for us in our villa. Actually, the villa itself was a big surprise – two levels, with the bedroom upstairs and a fully equipped kitchen downstairs – all designed so well. Pure perfection. The media room (yes, there was a media room) was in a separate bungalow next to the swimming pool (yes, we had our own private swimming pool too) with only a row of palm trees between us and the pristine beach. At the bottom of the pool, our names were written to give an even warmer welcome! Little things mean a lot.

At the same time, with all this luxury around, we still felt at home, as Nanuku is a home away from home were you don’t need to worry about anything.

Ok, you need to worry as at the end of your stay, you won’t want to leave.

On our first night (after a quick dip in that lovely pool) we had a great dinner by the water. The sun was setting on another day, the sky turned pink, a guitar was playing… We had avocado and cucumber gazpacho, crispy salt and pepper squid with nam jim, black beans and semi dried cherry tomatoes, warm carpaccio of local fish and a beautiful char grilled beef tenderlion. Seasonal fruit with puff pastry and Fijian vanilla bean custard was served as a dessert. Everything was delicious (especially the fish carpaccio).

Our Activities

We had to wake up early. The boat was already waiting to take us to paradise for a day. Nanuku island is the resorts private island were you can go stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, have a picnic or just chill out, walk around (the island is not big) and work on your tan. It is a stunning place and was a huge highlight from our whole trip to Fiji.

During our stay in Nanuku we had a Fijian cooking class (we prepared kokonda, a traditional fish with coconut milk, and prawns cooked in bamboo), we visited a local village and swimming hole, we had a private kava ceremony, a Fijian dance show and an amazing massage. To top it all off we had our own personal chef come to our villa to cook us dinner (how awesome is that?).

This is only some of the activities on offer at Nanuku, to make your stay truly memorable.

The Hotel

Nanuku wasn’t built as a hotel – the villas are all separate and private so you rarely see other guests. To get to reception you can call a buggy or ride a bike.

There is a restaurant, bar, big pool (also with a bar), Lomana Spa, wellness centre and a boutique shop.

Nanuku Auberge Resort offers villa and suite accommodation. It is situated on the Coral Coast (south coast) of Viti Levu, the biggest island in Fiji, not far from Pacific Harbour.

Our Villa

Our villa was a double storey house with a spacious living room (sofas were very comfy), well organised kitchen and dinning room (the long, wooden table was Julia’s favourite piece of furniture), toilet and storage on the first floor. Bedroom with ensuite, toilet, wardrobe and a study corner were upstairs. The bed was super comfortable (yes, we were sleeping like babies) and the bathroom open and roomy, with a huge shower and a spa bath.

Overall, the villa design was great – on the one hand it was modern and practical, on the other it had a real Fijian vibe. There was a lot of wooden elements which makes the place even more homely and red accents here and there.

An Outdoor living space with a pool, daybeds and media room was created for vacationers searching for a luxury escape (Sam just loved the corner armchair situated next to the pool). Nothing was missing.

Food & Drink

The meals were served in the restaurant, next to reception, with ocean views.

For breakfast they served freshly baked pastries, seasonal fruit and all sorts of eggs, omelettes and sandwiches were made to order. Coffee was exceptional even if you compare it to Australian coffee.

The dinner menu changes seasonally as it is inspired by garden-fresh produce and local seafood. The chef mixes traditional Fijian cuisine with western influences and the results are impressive. They can also organise an informal meal in your villa.

Next to the restaurant, there is a bar and, hell yeah, they know how to make cocktails!

Summary

Nanuku brings together contemporary luxury with traditional Fijian culture and design. The service is impeccable. It is a great choice for families with kids of all ages and couples dreaming of a truly romantic escape. Nanuku Auberge Resort is a place for the connoisseurs of a good life. We really hope to be back one day.