Where To Stay in Fiji: My Experience at Likuliku Lagoon Resort
After an hour-long ferry ride with stops to drop off travelers on other islands in the Mamanucas, the ferry called out the stop for my resort, and I was transported onto a smaller boat. It was a short five minute boat ride, and as we approached the jetty, clad in light blue shirts each bearing the Likuliku logo, the welcome crew were singing — a melodious tune, in perfect harmony — in ways I will always associate with Fiji.
After an exhilarating but busy week in Australia, I headed off to Fiji for sunshine, relaxation, and turquoise coloured waters. For 3 out of my 5 nights in Fiji, I chose to stay at Likuliku Lagoon Resort. I was not on a honeymoon, I traveled as a solo traveler – choosing restoration as a final big 40th birthday celebration (let’s be honest, I really used this milestone birthday as an excuse for a lot of splurges that my accountant wouldn’t normally approve of) and as a way to begin the new year.
As I stepped off the small boat and onto the jetty, clapping, swaying, and smiling at the welcome crew, I just knew that I had made the right call and frankly, my accountant would understand!
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Why I Chose Likuliku Lagoon Resort
No, I don’t often stay in $1,500 per night resorts (as a solo traveler) and I don’t have plans to stay at one anytime soon (but I am open to blessingsss!!!). Fiji was not at all in my plans until about a month prior to the trip. I was looking for a luxury adults-only resort in the Mamanucas, preferably locally owned. Enter Likuliku!
The more I researched, the more I felt the pull to stay here. The photos were stunning, the direct snorkelling onsite, the turtles, the first overwater bungalows in Fiji (Bora Bora and Maldives are already feeling threatened haha), the variety of activities, and the intimacy of 45 rooms, and excellent reviews kept pulling me in. Likuliku seemed like barefoot luxury done exactly right (it is easy to overdo or miss the mark on this).
But I was on the fence on the cost as a single traveler (solo travel tax is a thing ya’ll and that’s on period). I went back and forth, but then I remembered — I just turned 40 and I was still celebrating. And my accountant would understand. I digress, or do I?
Then, as I often do before I make a major hotel booking, my personal final sense check. I sent an email to the reservations team with certain questions and so on. They were responsive, professional, and gave me the best pricing I could find online (including a small discount for a single traveler). After my interaction, I was sold. I booked it and started counting down to Likuliku!
Planning Your Likuliku Stay
Room Types Likuliku has 45 rooms across three categories — 6 Beachfront Bures, 29 Deluxe Beachfront Bures (where I stayed), and 10 Overwater Bures, the first of their kind in Fiji. If the overwater bure is calling you, Likuliku is where to do it in Fiji before you consider the Maldives or Bora Bora.
What’s Included More than you’d expect at this level — three meals daily, a coffee machine in your bure, WiFi, complimentary use of non-motorized equipment, land-based activities including walks and hikes, and a full weekly schedule of cultural experiences. Activities like spa treatments, snorkeling tours, and drinks are extra.
How To Get There Ferry from Port Denarau is the standard route — scenic and straightforward. Private boat and helicopter transfers are also available. Yes, there is a helicopter landing pad on the property.
How To Book – Book your Likuliku stay
One Practical Note Fiji charges 2.5% on all debit and credit card transactions
While it is an all inclusive resort, other activities and drinks are an extra charge
Welcome Drink, Checking in & Initial Impressions of Likuliku Resort
The welcome began before I stepped off the small boat, it began right after my confirmed booking. I received a lifestyle preference form as well as a link to the resort app. You mean you want to know my preferences before I arrive? I don’t mind if you do!
I’ll be honest, I’m usually NOT one to download apps but boy am I glad I downloaded it. The Likuliku Lagoon app let me check out experiences on offer, and got me excited about my stay before I ever stepped foot in Fiji.
Back to the present! I’m swaying, clapping, and the song ends with a boisterous Bula!!! I follow the staff on the short walk to the reception where Eleanor welcomes me to sit while a cold towel and a welcome drink are placed in front of me.
As I sit, I look around! I’m actually here!
After the drink, Eli sweeps me off on a property tour. First, we walk along the boardwalk from the jetty — raised on wooden stilts above the water — toward the main resort grounds. This is the boardwalk whose photos I’ve salivated over before arriving.
He shows me the pool, the restaurants, the kayaks, and the snorkeling right off the shore. Then the iguana project, the conservation efforts, the helicopter landing pad. This place has layers. There is so much and yet, I notice that the resort is quiet, perfect!
We finally arrived at my deluxe beachfront bure (house in Fijian), my home for 3 nights.
My Deluxe Beachfront Bure at Likuliku Lagoon Resort
As we walk in and Eli begins to explain the amenities, I am taking in the beautifully designed wooden details throughout the bure, a truly Fijian touch. The wooden beams overhead immediately drew my eye — a beautiful, specifically Fijian touch that ran through every detail of the bure. The sofa, the desk, even the welcome note felt considered rather than generic.
And then I spotted it; both an outdoor AND an indoor shower. Your girl loves an outdoor shower, all day everyday!
My bure also had details of activities printed, a welcome note, a massive king sized bed, a sofa, a massive beautiful wooden desk, tasty treats, Fiji water (duh!!!) and even insect repellent. My eyes landed on a Likuliku sarong (called a sulu) designed with Fijian details. It’s the thoughtful touches for me!
To be honest, I missed the first few seconds of his room tour as my eyes were going on a tour of their own.
Once Eli left, I opened the massive sliding doors just beyond the living room area and stepped outside. I saw my own massive day bed, plunge pool, and view of the sea right in front of my little front yard, two chairs to take in the view, and oh and my own palm tree for good measure.
I started an internal battle on whether I had enough time to truly enjoy the property. I already knew the answer.
Solo Travel Perspective – Alone in Spaces Designed for Two
Now, I’ve been to many of the top romantic destinations in the world. Maldives, Seychelles, Santorini, Jamaica, Mauritius, Paris, Prague, Kyoto, New Zealand, Iceland, Safari in Kenya and South Africa, and now Fiji. I went to 75% of these destinations solo, and the others with friends. You get the drift! I chose one of the world’s most romantic destinations alone, intentionally, for celebration and restoration.
Because while a partner will be great (and I do fully intend to return to some of these places with Bae), I live my life grounded in the fact that I am my own greatest love story, and I move accordingly.
Now, let’s be real, is it glaringly obvious that I am solo? Absolutely! But that’s not where the story ends.
I enjoyed time with myself, reflecting on life, on the year past, and on my journey ahead. I got to relax at my own pace. I got to sleep on either side of the bed as I chose. Beyond that, being solo sparks curiosity. People want to know..staff, other guests, and even the owners at Likuliku (more on this later). Who is the person bold enough to come all the way on her own? They want to know where I’m from, how I found the hotel. At a place like Likuliku, being solo gets you something unexpected — more genuine attention, not less.
Over the years, I have learned not to shrink while traveling solo. To remember not to ask for the corner table at dinner, I too need the view, please and thank you! To dance when my soul feels like it, and to take the time to be alone when that’s what I need.
My Likuliku Experience
On my first evening, I simply relaxed in my Bure, read through the printed itinerary for the next day and went to dinner. Over dinner, we watched the Polynesian fire dance by both male and female dancers, and even got to participate. I’m always in awe of people willing to play with fire, not I though :). You don’t have to ask me twice, I was here for the full experience.
I returned from dinner to turndown service (all excellent hotels offer turndown service BTW), and a bedtime story waiting on my bed. I slept so peacefully that my Apple Watch congratulated me on good sleep the following morning. I always found a bedtime story waiting for me every night, and I always slept so well at Likuliku.
While at Likuliku, I went on one of the best snorkeling experiences of my life. A couple who had also signed up alongside me had to cancel and so it was a private tour. I am not a good swimmer so the one-on-one attention was appreciated. But my guide went over and above! And my goodness, when I jumped in and put my head underwater… my oh my! A whole new world took on a whole new meaning. A completely different ecosystem bustling with activity. All kinds of fish – every colour, shape- and the coral.. Stunning! The water was calm and the snorkeling spot was only a ten minute boat ride from the resort. By 10:30am, I was already done with an activity. I loved the experience so much that I went snorkeling again on my final morning.
Over my 3 days at Likuliku, I chatted with guests and staff freely, indulged in a massage at the onsite spa, and even went out on a sunset cruise. The sunsets there are unreal! The resort sits on Malolo island, which in Fijian means a place of rest – a place where the sun rests or sets. How poetic, how fitting. During the cruise, we were also accompanied by a staff (Roni) singing and playing the guitar. The singing is so good I have to ask.. How does everyone here carry a tune so well? I was told that they all sang in Sunday school as kids. Well, so did I….. I ask that he sing a gospel song from Sunday school as our last song, and it was perfect!
Meeting the Owners
As I sat in the seating area next to the jetty, the same area where I had my welcome drink, chatted with Eleanor, and watched stunning sunsets, Eleanor offered to take some photos of me and I said yes, thank you! We even get a selfie!
I asked questions about the resort, how long she’s been there, I asked about the design (love the details in the logo). Having worked my first job as a janitor and knowing what it means to be the person behind the scenes making someone else’s experience magical — I wanted to know that the people making my stay extraordinary were being taken care of, and that the Fijian-owned aspect in the marketing went beyond the tagline.
At some point, Eleanor kind of starts blushing, and a lady also waiting for the boat says ‘okay okay I can’t stay quiet anymore.’ This lady had complimented my outfit the prior night during the firelighting ceremony after we watched the sunset. She introduces herself and says she and her husband own the resort and the neighboring resort! Her husband Tony, later comes over and we also chat a bit, really down to earth people.
They asked how I found the resort and about my solo travels, and my own life journey. Tony and his wife visit the resorts once a month to check on operations. They share about how it is a family business and how they have grown children. Now, thinking back, the staff handed the torch to her to light during last night’s fire lighting. I thought she was another guest and so I said to the staff, can I light one too? And yes, I was next!
I shared how the fact that the resort looked stellar online, had great reviews, and was locally owned sealed things for me. As we waited for the ferry, Eleanor gave me a hug before we boarded the small boat. Predictably, the team sang a goodbye song as the boat pulled away, and the owners and I headed to Nadi but said our goodbyes on the ferry as we sat far apart.
It was not until I got to Nadi and my driver there mentioned Rosie tours, (biggest tour operator in all of Fiji) and casually mentioned that it is owned by the same people who own the resort I just stayed at. He said they are some of the most successful locals, and that they are good people!
The Birthday Surprise
But before all that, let me tell you about a special dinner at Likuliku. Dinner was a full four-course meal, accompanied by live music as always – a man, his guitar, and a backup singer harmonizing. They also sang ” Happy Birthday ” to a gentleman at a nearby table and we all cheered.
As I finished my meal, wondering how I’d roll myself back to my room, I found myself surrounded by the staff (led by Joe) and began singing Happy Birthday – to meeeee!!! I recalled that when I booked, they asked if I was celebrating an occasion, and I’d written in ‘birthday.’ They’d paid attention.
As someone that for most of my life has weirdly cringed from birthday attention and is recently making room to be celebrated and let go of that discomfort, I was shy at first. But, I chose to embrace the moment – the singing, the people, the joy! It was truly lovely.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Likuliku
PS: Likuliku… call me!PPS: Dear reader, if Likuliku is not in the budget, I get it, check out my Fiji itinerary post for alternatives!
