 |
| BULA! Your bed welcomes you in your over-the-water bure at Likuliku Lagoon Resort in the Mamanucas Islands of Fiji. |
Will & Kate should have considered the adults-only Likuliku Lagoon Resort for their honeymoon. Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt vacationed around the corner at the private island of Wadigi (pronounced waaan dingy), so the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji are used celebrities and the staff at the 5-star Likuliku will treat you like one whether you are or not. Romantic couples need look no further than Likuliku Lagoon Resort for the most romantic spot for their tropical honeymoon.
The Beachfront and Deluxe Beachfront bures keep the tone of luxury and romance going quite well. In fact these onshore bures provide an even stronger sense of seclusion than the sexy over-water bures and offer ready access to the beach and have shoulder deep rinse pools on a private deck. When I was graciously moved from my over-water bure by the Likuliku staff to a Deluxe Beachfront bure I certainly did not feel a huge letdown. I’d recommend that you consider a few days over the water and along the shore.
Spoil yourself.
At Likuliku Lagoon Resort it is easy to do whether by spending the day at Tatadra Spa, which means house of dreams in Fijian or by sipping champagne in the couple-sized bath in the over water-bures or luxuriating over breakfast with a mud crab omelet, gourmet breads and pastries and seasonal fruits and juices.
I don’t want to miss a thing
WHEN and IF you do choose to do something (and theses are real considerations in a resort that exudes a soothing balm over even the most active) you have many options. An easy first step is snorkeling in the lagoon or taking a short hike over to the even more secluded beach at Naivaka. There is also list of water and land-based activities each day that will fill your vacation schedule with pub-crawls, village visits, medicine walks, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, diving or island hopping. You can participate in a Kava drinking ceremony or see how a Lovo (Fijian earthen oven) is prepared.
Accolades for Likliku Lagoon Resort:
Likuliku opened in April 2007 but is not yet well known in the United States but it is well known and well regarded in Australia. The resort was included in the 2010 Gold List by Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine and was bestowed the title “Best Overseas Resort.”
“Fiji’s first and only over-water bures seduce lovers with sensuality, seclusion, romance, culinary mastery and sumptuous accommodations.”
For all I know the heiress Paris & dirty Doug and Prince William & Princesss Katherine were at Likuliku (means calm waters in Fijian) during my stay. There’s little chance that I would have bumped into them at any place other the resorts restaurant. It is certain that the extremely professional & discreet staff would never have revealed their presence. And, there is enough room for you and your special someone to find your own slice of paradise here along the secluded waters of the Likuliku lagoon.
At Likuiku you’ll definitely get the blues – blues of every hue and intensity in the tidal lagoon. The over-water bures, whose design mirrors Fijian tribal village huts, are the most apparent visual identifier for Likuliku Lagoon Resort. Though over-water accommodations are more common in places like the French Polynesian Society Islands and Indonesia’s Bali the sense of romance they bring to Fiji fits perfectly in this idyllic setting. The 10 individual bures sweep in an arc that parallels the shoreline and sit atop a shallow coral reef. They are connected to the island by a wooden walkway that slithers seductively out over the water to the string of huts in a delicious “S” curve that hints at the sensuality that awaits you. Each bure is situated on the arc to provide maximum views of a panoply of blue waters, the ridges of nearby Castaway Island and the vibrant tropical sunsets. Conversely they are positioned for minimum visual contact with your nearest neighbor.
Some of Jerome's other stories on Fjij:
- Friendly, far-flung Fiji sets a pace for the rest of the world to follow
- An Orchid in the Fijian Bouquet
- Malolo Island Resort
 |
| The view from your couch at Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fiji. |
While the over-water bures exterior may mimic aspects of a Fijian hut of another century inside they are 21st century designed elegance all the way. From floating flower arrangements, to a freestanding cereal-bowl bathtub built for two - with ocean views of passing boats, to a gigantic and firm king-sized bed decorated with flowers and “BULA II WELCOME" spelled out with palm fronds, to a window in the floor giving you a view into the coral reef below, these huts indulge you.
The Beachfront and Deluxe Beachfront bures keep the tone of luxury and romance going quite well. In fact these onshore bures provide an even stronger sense of seclusion than the sexy over-water bures and offer ready access to the beach and have shoulder deep rinse pools on a private deck. When I was graciously moved from my over-water bure by the Likuliku staff to a Deluxe Beachfront bure I certainly did not feel a huge letdown. I’d recommend that you consider a few days over the water and along the shore.
Spoil yourself.
At Likuliku Lagoon Resort it is easy to do whether by spending the day at Tatadra Spa, which means house of dreams in Fijian or by sipping champagne in the couple-sized bath in the over water-bures or luxuriating over breakfast with a mud crab omelet, gourmet breads and pastries and seasonal fruits and juices.
At Tatadra Spa you can have a massage or get treatments using Pure Fiji products or for the bride-to-be a 2 hour plus pampering that includes massage, pedicure, manicure and makeup application for your special moment. Couples treatment rooms are available so you both can revel in a cleansing skin treatment or a relaxing massage together.
Food is sexy
The sensuality continues in the dining room. Likuliku makes mealtime sexy and romantic with a list of culinary indulgences that rival restaurants anywhere touched by the Pacific waters. Head chef Brett Kryskow and his wife Chloe (the pastry chef) are both from Australia and have brought a vibrancy to the menu at Likuliku that blends traditional Fijian dishes made from local products with pan-Pacific style. They have previously worked in some of the finest restaurants in Sydney (Bathers Pavilion and Quay.)
The sensuality continues in the dining room. Likuliku makes mealtime sexy and romantic with a list of culinary indulgences that rival restaurants anywhere touched by the Pacific waters. Head chef Brett Kryskow and his wife Chloe (the pastry chef) are both from Australia and have brought a vibrancy to the menu at Likuliku that blends traditional Fijian dishes made from local products with pan-Pacific style. They have previously worked in some of the finest restaurants in Sydney (Bathers Pavilion and Quay.)
It is good a thing they have such a fine restaurant or couples might never leave their bures. All meals are included in the accommodation prices at Likuliku and served in Fijiana, the resorts singular centerpiece restaurant inside the Fijian canoe house inspired main lodge. There you will also find the Dua Tale (One More) Lounge. Or if you are feeling energetic / amorous /romantic (pick one) you can stroll out to theMasima (Salt) Isand to the bar at the end of the arrival and departure jetty for sunset cocktails. Once the sun sets a row lights along walkway frame your passage back to shore for an equally romantic, amorous or energetic dinner.
Enjoy a slide show of photographs from Likuliku Resort.
I don’t want to miss a thing
WHEN and IF you do choose to do something (and theses are real considerations in a resort that exudes a soothing balm over even the most active) you have many options. An easy first step is snorkeling in the lagoon or taking a short hike over to the even more secluded beach at Naivaka. There is also list of water and land-based activities each day that will fill your vacation schedule with pub-crawls, village visits, medicine walks, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, diving or island hopping. You can participate in a Kava drinking ceremony or see how a Lovo (Fijian earthen oven) is prepared.
A common touch with a royal bearing
Many “L” words come to mind when I think of Likuliku. Some words like languorous, luxuriate. and liquid, have an air aristocratic descriptiveness about them reminiscent of royalty. Others like lay-about, loll, and laidback have an earthier, more common quality. But all the words that I attribute to Likuliku Lagoon Resort, whether common or royal, blend in a perfect union to describe an unmistakable delicious sensuality that creates a fertile environment for new love to bloom or to rekindle a smoldering romance. Even the most frenetic traveler is lulled into a peaceful ardor along the calm waters of Likuliku lagoon. The Prince and Princess don’t know what they missed.
Many “L” words come to mind when I think of Likuliku. Some words like languorous, luxuriate. and liquid, have an air aristocratic descriptiveness about them reminiscent of royalty. Others like lay-about, loll, and laidback have an earthier, more common quality. But all the words that I attribute to Likuliku Lagoon Resort, whether common or royal, blend in a perfect union to describe an unmistakable delicious sensuality that creates a fertile environment for new love to bloom or to rekindle a smoldering romance. Even the most frenetic traveler is lulled into a peaceful ardor along the calm waters of Likuliku lagoon. The Prince and Princess don’t know what they missed.
 |
| Hospitality Fijian-style at the Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo Island, Fiji. |
Likuliku opened in April 2007 but is not yet well known in the United States but it is well known and well regarded in Australia. The resort was included in the 2010 Gold List by Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine and was bestowed the title “Best Overseas Resort.”
The Australian Newspaper’s travel editor Susan Kurosawa lavished praise on the resort by saying “LikuLiku Resort is at the apex of a wave of tropical culinary excellence."
American Brides magazine named Likuliku Lagoon Resort “the sexiest lagoon”
Getting there
Getting to Likuliku Lagoon Resort from Nadi International airport is quick and simple. Transfer from the airport to the Denaru Island port and catch the Tiger IV operated by South Sea Cruises. You can also make arrangements for transfer by seaplane or helicopter. Arriving after 3:00 pm is advised. Checkout time is 11:00 AM. If you are arriving late evening in Fiji consider spending your first night at the Fiji Orchid, convenient to the airport on Viti Levu.
Getting to Likuliku Lagoon Resort from Nadi International airport is quick and simple. Transfer from the airport to the Denaru Island port and catch the Tiger IV operated by South Sea Cruises. You can also make arrangements for transfer by seaplane or helicopter. Arriving after 3:00 pm is advised. Checkout time is 11:00 AM. If you are arriving late evening in Fiji consider spending your first night at the Fiji Orchid, convenient to the airport on Viti Levu.
FYI:
The Fiji Orchid and The Likuliki Lagoon Resort offer a special combination package named the “The Sanctuary.” Enjoy two of Fiji’s most unique luxury resorts with 2 nights at The Fiji Orchid, including breakfast and return airport ground transfers and 4 nights at Likuliku Lagoon Resort, including all meals and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne on arrival.
Join me in my next post for an intimate look at what most of us can only dream about: a holiday on your own private island.
Jerome's other stories on Fiji:
Exploring Viti Levu, Fiji
The Mamanuca Islands in Fiji
Pub-crawl in the Mamanucas, Fijian-style
Likuliku Lagoon Resort
This trip was sponsored in part by the following:
Fox Global Communications
Photography and text copyright Jerome Shaw 2011-2013 / www.jeromeshaw.com. This article and photos may not be reposted or reproduced without prior written permission from the author. Please contact Jerome on Twitter at @JeromeShaw or find him on Facebook.
Jerome on Google+
Jerome on Google+
