A HONEYMOON WITH CHILDREN? JUST STAY HERE:
NANUKU AUBERGE RESORT, FIJI
We’ve recently returned from one of the most magical family holidays. Seven blissful nights at Nanuku Auberge Resort located at Pacific Harbour in Fiji (2.5 hour’s drive from Nadi Airport or 1 hour from Suva Airport).
The entire week I was constantly reminded of our actual honeymoon 14 years ago – and here’s why you will too…
10 REASONS THIS LUXURY FAMILY HOLIDAY WILL FEEL LIKE A HONEYMOON!
1. YOU WILL BE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY
With a staff to guest ratio of 5:1, Nanuku really knows how to personalise every guest’s individual experience. From messages in our villa pool, to individual children’s welcome packs – to images of our beautiful family dog who sadly passed away the day before we flew to Fiji, this resort has an exuberance of heart and soul.
Every guest is a V-V-V-I-P!
Welcome message in our Villa Pool
The most amazing welcome complete with Fijian warriors in traditional dress, drumming and fresh coconut juice (*never leaving!)
Framed family images were dotted around the villa including our beloved (very old) pup who passed away the day before we departed. So special.
2. THE RESORT IS LAVISH & ENORMOUS!
We stayed in a Two-Bedroom Beachfront Grand Pool Residence which was incredibly extravagant! Our youngest stayed with us in the main residence while the two older children had their own Villa accessible via the pool deck (temporary pool fencing was available on request). With a 250 square metre interior (plus separate movie theatre) and a 200 square metre outdoor deck area featuring a 1.8m deep pool (plus separate jacuzzi), it really is a home away from home!
Of course, there are plenty of other accommodation types to choose from too:
- Suites (2-4 people)
- 1-2 Bedroom Auberge Villas opening late 2018 (3-5 people)
- Villas (up to 8 people)
- 1-4 Bedroom Beachfront Residences (up to 10 people)
- 3-6 Bedroom Owner’s Residences (8-14 people)
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3. YOUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE FULL TIME COMPLIMENTARY BABYSITTING
Okay, so this is where the REAL honeymoon aspect begins!
From 8am until 8pm your children will have a Nanny per child (for children under 6 years of age) and a Buddy (iTokani in Fijian) per family from 6-14 years. As our children were 3, 7 and 9 at time of travel, we were allocated a Nanny (the ever-helpful Tem) and an iTokani (smiling-Siko).
Admittedly, I have always been a little “anti-babysitting” on holidays. Mainly because I never want my children to feel like we don’t want them around – we go on holidays to be a family and reconnect.
But as soon as we arrived at Nanuku and I saw how much fun they were having with their buddies, I figured, hey, why not enjoy the best of both worlds!
4. YOUR CHILDREN WON’T MISS YOU AT ALL!
IN A GOOD WAY
The kid’s club is no ordinary “kid’s club”.
There’s no air-conditioned “room”. No sectioned off play area for them to be confined to. No set meal times to be restricted to.
Just freedom, adventure, culture and play!
Children at Nanuku enjoy the resort facilities the same way their parents would; just free-range kids watched carefully by their nannies or iTokanis flying kites, playing golf, hanging at the beach or the pool, hermit crab-hunting, zip-lining, rock-climbing, doing traditional cooking, pretending to be Fijian Warriors, playing bocce and the list goes on!
Each morning our elder two would dress themselves and hurry to find their buddies, then we’d just meet them at breakfast. Too easy.
5. OK, THIS ONE’S NOT SO “HONEYMOON-ESQUE” – BUT SO AWESOME!
If you want to stay at a luxury resort AND feel good about it too – then Nanuku has you covered!
Sustainable and social tourism are second nature at this paradise. An on-site Marine Scientist (the delightful Kelly-Dawn) escorts us by snorkel to plant new coral in the local reef as well as plant new Mangrove trees to improve the water quality.
Nanuku also has a ton of environmental best practices such harvesting most of their own food on site, biodegradable straws, faultless recycling systems and an unwavering commitment to supporting the local Fijian community; such as honouring timeless traditions, hiring local staff and supporting local schools and underprivileged orphanages. Pretty cool hey.
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6. IT HAS IT’S OWN PRIVATE ISLAND!
This one is a must-do! You can either go as a family, or have the little ones looked after at the resort while you spend some quality time island side.
Are you catching the honeymoon drift now?
It takes only 20 minutes via private boat and the reward is endless – water-sports, fishing, fully catered lunch and most of all – the serenity!
Bring. It. On!
7. YOU CAN ARRIVE IN TRUE HONEYMOON STYLE TO NANUKU’S PRIVATE AIRSTRIP!
For an extra special something, guests can select from either a car transfer to/from Nanuku or a private chartered flight. Shrinking our 2 hour drive back to Nadi Airport to a mere 20 minutes was worth every penny! Just look at those views.
8. YOU’LL HAVE 50+ ADVENTURES TO CHOOSE FROM INCLUDING A PRIVATE SANDBANK EXPERIENCE
If you’ve got a hubby (like mine) who thinks the idea of sitting poolside all day is akin to torture, then he’ll be in his element at Nanuku!
There are over 50 optional activities to choose from including: cage-less bull shark diving, jungle trekking, waterfall hikes, snorkeling, rugby coaching (with ex Fiji Rugby Team coaches), sunset cruises, frigate surfing, jet skiing, game fishing, kayak fishing, white water rafting, crabbing and the list goes on!
We enjoyed many activities offsite including a hike to a waterfall as well as a day trip to a private sandbank known as ‘Honeymoon Island’ – coincidence? Nope.
Check out our little Sandbank video collab with Nanuku Resort!
9. THE FOOD IS EXCEPTIONAL
The food is world-class people – A1!
Not only is it prepared under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Oliver Scarf, but it’s completely seasonal, sustainable and mostly organic! There are no ongoing menus either, you are offered a smaller selection based on the availability of ingredients that day.
You can also enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime treetop dining! Essentially a three-course private dinner prepared exclusively for you by Chef Oliver and served on a suspended platform up in an 80-year old Dilo tree with nothing but the sounds of the ocean below and warmth of the setting sun.
Meanwhile, the children didn’t miss us at all. Tickets to their own private Moonlight Cinema experience!
10. AHHHHHH, THE SPA!
Okay so I’ve had spa treatments on holidays before and yes they were nice, but Nanuku knocks it out of the ballpark!
I treated myself to an hour massage (because of “make-shift honeymoon”) and it was exquisite!
In true barefoot luxe style, everything was incredible; from the refreshments beforehand, the private dressing rooms, the silk head rest (no crunchy towels leaving marks on my forehead), the delicious aromas from the hibiscus flowers beneath the massage bed to the fresh fruit and refreshments post treatment.
Plus you can also have Treetop “Treetments” or massages on the beach! Heaven…
This place is so good, I may need to book a “honeymoon” every year – and I’m pretty certain the children won’t mind at all!
For more information or to book Nanuku Auberge Resort, click here
