I packed up my family of five for an unforgettable holiday at a resort with a difference.
1. Community service
Not many kids would give up a day’s holiday to muck in on a building site, but our five-year-old Tom’s love of DIY far outweighs even snorkelling and swimming. At the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on the island’s glorious Coral Coast, guests are invited to lend a hand to the community projects sponsored by the hotel. Tom loved his day with dad Josh as they headed inland to help build a new kindy for the Conua community. Joined by activities coordinator Larry, they got a glimpse of the basic living conditions that can be found off Fiji’s beaten track – a great way to show our kids there’s another world to the one they know.
2. Kid-friendly accommodation
Perched on a beautiful lagoon just over an hour south of Nadi Airport, The Outrigger is a fantastic family-friendly resort. When the tide is in, the beach is tropical perfection. We stayed in a huge family bure with a big lawn out front, where the kids were happy playing “throw the coconut” for hours while we watched on from our hammocks. Though we spent most of our time at the fabulous kids’ pool, I also snuck off to the adult pool, complete with swim-up bar – for research purposes only, of course. A gin, a good book and an hour away from the kids … Need I say more!
Many hands make light work: Son Tom picks up a trowel to assist a local building project.
3. Rugby
The Outrigger’s nearest town is Sigatoka, known to the locals as “Rugby Town”. This bustling village is home to the country’s most fanatical rugby supporters, the leading provincial team and a host of top players. An eye-opening Saturday can be spent cheering on local team the Stallions in Sigatoka, with the resort taking guests to a roped-off sponsors area during the April-October rugby season. It’s a favourite out-of-the-resort tourist activity.
With kayaks for hire on site, the family didn’t have to go far to find adventure.
4. A-meimei-zing!
As a working mum with three young children, I never say no to the offer of help! With our own talai (butler) Jonetani at our beck and call, our wishes were his commands. And my personal wish came true each night at 5pm with champagne and canapes! The resort is also famous for its meimei (nanny) service and kids’ club. With dozens of Mary Poppinses on-site each day, Josh and I were able to enjoy some rare dinners à deux. We even spent a few luxurious hours at the hotel’s Bebe Spa – a kid-free zone. Perched high on a hill, it has sweeping views far out over the lagoon, the waves crashing on the coral reef and beyond. But be warned – the traditional Fijian massage is not for the faint-hearted!
Sophie gets up close and personal with a crested iguana at Kula Eco Park.
5. Adventure time
If it were up to me, I would have sat poolside for the entire holiday. But once the kids got wind that there is a nature park next door to the resort, there was no stopping them. It might not be the flashest zoo on earth, but with hands-on encounters with snakes and lizards, the Kula Eco Park was certainly worth giving up a few hours of resort time. Other activities in and around the town include walks in the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park and River Safari jet-boat tours. At the resort, there’s also traditional tie-dye classes and cooking lessons with on-site award-winning executive chef Shailesh Naidu. Who said that Fiji is only good for beaches?
