Adults only five star resort in Fiji
Melissa Hoyer samples luxury in Fiji
Tokoriki Island Resort: travel aficionado and writer Melissa Hoyer gives us a sneak peek into the most luxe, adults-only island resort in the South Pacific.
Three hundred Fijian Islands are in an exquisitely enviable position of being surrounded by 50 shades of those blazing blue tints and unblemished beaches of the South Pacific Ocean.
From electric to sky, cobalt, turquoise, azure, aquamarine, Royal and sapphire, for this avid traveler, snapper & social media show-a-offerer, any hue of blue instantly fills you with a feeling of calm, ease and restfulness.
Oh, and plenty of time to read, sip on your refreshment of choice (personally, I was in a Pina Colada, Fiji Water and a rose state of mind) and to nap, eat, swim, laugh and repeat.
Ranked as one of the top hotels in the South Pacific, there is truly nothing not to love about Fiji and particularly this atoll – http://www.Tokoriki.com
Aside from the relative short travel time from Australian shores – from Sydney. It’s just over 3.5 hours via http://fijiairways.com , the choices of resorts and island paradises are endless, but this time the very private Tokoriki was a trip that needed to be had.
I say ‘adults-only’ because it isn’t a resort with kids (who I adore!) splashing around the pool as you try to get through the first chapter of Dostoyevsky.
Adults-only too, not because it’s a crazy, run-around-naked cult, but if you are wanting your own infinity pool, a class act in all of its offerings and your own slice of beach to be a relatively quiet affair, you have definitely come to the right place.
Luxury honeymoon resort in Fiji
For lovers, honeymooners, anniversary celebrators and just good old friends (like myself and my travel companion, Skye) who had decided to go on a relaxed, calm, resort vacay together, it was perfection.
We’d already booked ages ago to go to Tokoriki, but the pandemic tested those plans, but when we did finally coordinate it, it was worth every single moment.
SHOW ME THE WIFI
Before you ask about WiFi, yes it is absolutely available in the public areas of Tokoriki but the use is limited in your villa, so you can really breathe in and soak up the atmosphere and not spend six hours hunched over your device or watching TV.
Never fear, there is also a TV room on the island and of course your own global roaming and more than a few of us still like to take in days of news, emails and forward plans online, but midway through, I started to shrug my shoulders and thought ‘well, I’m here, and can’t do anything about it.’ And that felt great!
The Qantas First Class Lounge
After a trip into the Qantas first class lounge in Sydney (I could quite happily live in that place), our Fiji Airlines left at the on-time and civilized hour of 2.30pm (it is a codeshare with http://www.qantas.com) and with just an hour time difference there is no chance of jetlag.
I settled in one very comfy business class seat (hello zig-zag configuration and a mimosa) & straightaway, turned attention to what I should eat and watch. I went for spinach and feta frittata teamed with a delectable glass or two of Matua Sauvignon Blanc, out of New Zealand.
Once we landed in Nadi around 7,30pm the same day, we stayed on the main island for the night, at the very impressive Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, before waking early to take our motorboat ride across to Tokoriki.
Helicopter transfer from Nadi
Never fear, we changed our tune when we left the island, opting for a 15 minute spectacular chopper ride back to Nadi and wow, on a crystal blue day, there was nothing better to experience viewing, so many of the Fijian islands from above, and at close range.
While the last few years have been a write off when it comes to awards and accolades, Tokoriki Island Resort has been awarded several accolades by TripAdvisor’s ‘Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards’ and is it any wonder.
There are starting to be very few authentic, relaxed, beautiful, luxe and accomplished resort islands left in the travel world. Well, in Fiji anyway.
From the staff – as soon as you arrive from the mainland, nothing is too much trouble – and of course, you can’t help but well up when they sing both the welcome and farewell Fijian songs.
A Fijian Oasis
Husband and wife management team, Patrice Belle and Robert Ring, are absolute rock stars when it comes to running Tokoriki and owner Andrew Turnbull considers it his ‘happy place’ and while I don’t want to say it, you better run, don’t walk to get there – but not too fast as I’ll never be able to book it again!
Andrew, obviously along with his management and hospo staff have created a complete Fijian Oasis. We could do as much or as little as we liked. And being adults-only, it gives all guests some respite from family life – if you get my drift . . .
You strike up lovely conversations with fellow adults – no one is pushy – as many of them are there, either on their honeymoon or just a beautiful relax with their partner or a great friend, as I did. Could not recommend Tokoriki more.
Kava tasting at its finest in Fiji
There was the BEST teppanyaki dinner in an 8-seat only restaurant; a fun night of kava tasting; a cocktail tasting night and as I said, you can be as involved in as much or as little as you like.
When we landed at the resort we were greeted by at least 8 staff members who sang the traditional Fijian welcome – Bula Maleya – and of course, quickly placed a welcome cocktail in our hands.
I had only been there a few minutes and my eyes had already started to well up with the emotion of the moment. Fijians are such a beautifully natured, graceful and humble race – and all make you feel at home as soon as they lay their eyes on you.
Nothing is too much trouble . . .
What really impressed me with the island is that nothing is too much trouble whether it is the way anything is cooked or even if something isn’t on the menu, the kitchen will go out of its way to accommodate your culinary whim.
Or if you just want to hang around in your villa for an entire day to swim, sleep and order in, Done, done and done. I also like the complete quiet of the island.
Snorkelling, paddle boarding and swimming in Fiji
Sure, you can go snorkeling, paddle-boarding (stand-up or fixed) and swim in the beach outside your front door and just a few steps from your infinity pool. But you won’t hear odious sounds of jet skis or anyone yelling at anyone.
Tokoriki is first class calm and Zen all wrapped up in one Island. And yes,
you can run around naked in your villa without anyone seeing you. And the quintessential outdoor shower ensures that perfect island holiday luxe vibe.
Vinaka!
And like all goodbyes, the Fijian version is particularly poignant as again, a group of staff members sang the famous farewell song, Isa Lei, and for the second time, my eyes welled up with pure joy and gratitude.
I think when you look at the approach to life that Fijians have, one of pure joie de vivre, we don’t see as much of that around the world anymore.
It is no wonder Fiji, and in this case, the island of Tokoriki (and the most brilliant chopper ride back to Nadi from the island, was such an absolute pure, happy and indulgent delight.
And as a PSA, you do not need a lot of clothes. Seriously, with all the warmth, all you want to wear is your cossie (or maybe not when you’re in your private pool) and pieces that are light and breathable over the top.
What to pack for Fiji
Tokoriki’s store features sensational styles from leading designer Tracy Farrington: light, soft, airy and all with beautiful, original and ever tasteful prints. So tasteful and gorgeous, my traveling buddy went home with a custom-made bag load, ready to take to Europe for a summer vacation.
So my suggestions: leave your full face at home; splash on your fave sunscreen and La Prairie serums and lotions; pop on a little light cotton or silk creation, a hat and leave your high heels at home. And you’ll be totally and tantalizingly Tokoriki-ed.
*Melissa Hoyer flew Fiji Airlines https://www.fijiairways.com/en-au/ as a guest of Tourism Fiji https://www.fiji.travel and www.https://tokoriki.com
For more personalised information tips and advice, or to book this incredible holiday contact your local TravelManagers’ personal travel manager here.
For more information visit travelmanagers.com.au
