The Remote Resort Fiji Islands

Getting to The Remote Resort can be a hassle, but the long journey is easily forgettable when staff members greet you with welcome songs, lead you through a traditional kava ceremony, then offer a free foot massage on your room’s private deck. Upon arrival, the property’s tranquil atmosphere is immediately apparent. Tall palms sway in the breeze, waves crash along the shore line, and there hardly seems to be anyone else around. This is the beauty of The Remote Resort — it truly lives up to its name. 

The majority of guests at The Remote Resort are couples, many of whom are celebrating honeymoons and anniversaries. Children are welcome, but they’re seldom seen here. Families may find the resort’s atmosphere far too quiet, plus there aren’t any kid-friendly amenities, like a pool or kids' club. Paradise Cove Resort, in Fiji’s Yasawa chain, is a much better option for those traveling with children. 

Like we mentioned, The Remote Resort lives up to its name. The hotel is so remote that many hoteliers on Vanua Levu have never even heard of it. This is because the resort is located on a 64-acre private peninsula that’s only accessible by boat. In order to reach The Remote Resort, guests have two options — fly to Taveuni (TVU) or Savusavu (SVU). From Taveuni, a hotel representative will meet guests at the airport, drive them about 15 minutes to the local wharf, and then transfer them to the hotel via a 20-minute boat ride. Alternatively guests can fly to Savusavu, where a hotel representative will meet them at the airport, drive them 90 minutes through gloriously beautiful but incredibly rugged terrain, and then transfer them to the hotel via a 10-minute boat ride. Unfortunately, international travelers cannot fly directly to either Taveuni or Savusavu, but instead must connect through Nadi International Airport. We’ll warn you though, domestic flights between the islands are often severely delayed. To help with jet lag (and possible grumpiness) we’d recommend staying a night or two in Nadi before connecting elsewhere in Fiji. The Fiji Orchid is an excellent upscale option, while the Novotel Nadi is a a nice mid-range choice right across the street from the airport. 

With angular architecture and contemporary decor, rooms at The Remote Resort take a departure from traditional Fijian thatched roofs and bamboo furniture. But this is not to say rooms feel disconnected from their surroundings — in fact they’re just the opposite. Constructed from local sustainable materials, rooms have a rustic-luxe appeal. Wood floors and wood-paneled walls create a natural feel throughout, while tree-stump night stands and potted birds of paradise bring the outdoors in. Massive floor-to-ceiling windows let in tons of natural light, and plantation-style louvers allow the island breeze to keep rooms cool — a nice feature, considering some rooms do not have air-conditioning. Beds are dressed in fluffy white duvets and topped with plenty of pillows. Hanging chrome light fixtures add a contemporary flair, which ties in with rooms’ silver shag rugs and light gray curtains. 

Besides being comfortable places to sleep, rooms are packed with top-notch amenities. Each room is equipped with a Bose sound system and a preloaded iPod, and guests are given a small cell phone to use around the island. The hotel also equips rooms with electrical convertors, minibars with free drinks and snacks, bug spray, flashlights, and books for guests to borrow. Rooms also have electric kettles, French presses, and a selection of coffees and teas. 

Bathrooms are a decadent affair, whether they’re indoors or out. Some rooms, like the Oceanfront Villa we visited, have massive outdoor bathrooms that are kept completely private by surrounding foliage. Outdoor bathrooms have large stone showers, wood plank flooring, and vessel sinks made from carved granite. The adjacent water closet is located indoors. The only pitfall is that outdoor showers don’t have any kind of covering, so if it’s raining, the shower becomes unusable.  

There are three room types at The Remote Resort: Oceanfront Retreats, Oceanfront Villas, and a Two Bedroom Oceanfront Villa. As their names suggest, all rooms are oceanfront and are literally steps from the beach. Oceanfront Retreats and Oceanfront Villas are the same size (about 750 square feet, or 70 square meters), but have different elements that make them unique. Oceanfront Retreats have larger private plunge pools, indoor bathrooms, and air-conditioning. Oceanfront Villas have smaller private plunge pools, massive outdoor bathrooms, and no air-conditioning. The Two Bedroom Oceanfront Villa is the largest option and is also the most private. It has two bedrooms, two indoor bathrooms, a small kitchen and living area, and a small private plunge pool. Each bedroom is air-conditioned.  

The Remote Resort doesn’t have a ton of communal amenities; instead it’s known for its serene atmosphere and diverse array of activities. Throughout the day, guests can be found strolling the grounds, relaxing by their private plunge pools, or swinging in a hammock by the beach. The hotel’s gorgeous beach has a rugged feel, with lots of rocks and coral. It also completely disappears during high tide — though this is common in Fiji. Active guests can choose from the hotel’s wide selection of experiences, many of which are free. Activities like kayaking, snorkeling, handline fishing, village visits, and Fijian cooking demonstrations are all included in the hotel’s nightly rates. Premium experiences, like diving on the nearby Rainbow Reef, day trips to neighboring Taveuni, and fishing charters, all incur extra fees. 

The Remote Resort’s dining is superb, and all meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the nightly room rate. The resort’s bar and restaurant serve as a main hub. Guests gather here for meals, but also to read, relax, and connect to the free Wi-Fi. All meals can be served in the restaurant, or in another spot around the island. The hotel has several romantic locations set up around the property, where guests can enjoy their meals, mid-day snacks, or pre-dinner cocktails. Menus for each meal change daily but feature lots of fresh produce and local ingredients. At breakfast guests are usually given five or six options, which range from yogurt and muesli to pancakes, omelets, and French toast. For lunch main courses include items like fish tacos, chopped chicken salad, Fijian kokoda, or green papaya salad; while dinner options include rack of lamb, roasted reef fish, lobster risotto, and teriyaki T-Bone steak. Dinner also includes an appetizer course, and dessert is optional after both lunch and dinner. 

While there’s no spa, The Remote Resort does offer massage packages for guests in need of a little extra pampering. Massages are conducted in the guest rooms and incur and extra fee.