Why Fiji’s Likuliku Lagoon Resort is the adults-only getaway you’ve been dreaming of

If Malolo Island Resort is where you go for a family-friendly, down-to-earth getaway, then Likuliku Lagoon Resort is for the lovers, the solo travelers and the group of girlfriends on their 12th annual trip together.

Somehow both indulgent and grounding at the same time, this place, located just a stone’s throw from Malolo Island Resort, has everything you need to unplug, disconnect from the outside world, and soak up the beauty of the island.

The magic begins long before you step inside your villa – it all starts when the crystal clear waters surrounding the resort first come into focus, and locks in when you step off the boat to your own welcoming committee, who sing a beautiful Fijian song as they wrap you in hospitality and warmth. One minute in Likuliku and the pace of life for me seemed to shift to something slower, softer and more intentional. 

Next-level luxury

I can honestly say with my entire chest that I’ve never stayed in a more luxurious room than my Beachfront Bure in Likuliku. As soon as I dropped my bags I immediately FaceTimed my family because I knew they wouldn’t believe me, and I don’t think their jaws ever lifted off the floor.

As I walked inside my villa, I was greeted with the sight of a huge king-sized bed in the center of the room, a giant bathroom, a spacious sitting area and the best part of all – the deck.

Out on the deck I had my own personal plunge pool (overlooking the ocean, no less) as well as a cabana-type lounge area perfect for catching up on reading or simply sipping my glass of champagne while soaking in the tranquillity. 

The best part was the fact that it was a 15-second walk from the door of my villa to the beach. Once you’re done with a dip in the ocean, you can wash off in your own personal outdoor shower!

The turn down service each day was a beautiful touch to an already flawless holiday – every night, the wonderful staff would neatly fold my pyjamas, leave a note detailing the next day’s activities, and one time they even cleaned my sunglass lens with a Likuliku-branded cloth. Where else can you get service like that? I’ll wait.

If you get a chance to stay in the overwater bures, you simply must. When I picture my future honeymoon, this is what comes to mind – secluded, lush and regal are just a few words that come to mind. 

Here you can enjoy a glass of wine on the outdoor deck, a dip in the ocean via the water entry ladder, or a view of the sea below from the living room floor. Keep in mind, there are only 10 of these bures, so get in quick if you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Beyond the bure

If I could’ve stayed inside my villa all day and luxuriated in its beauty, I would’ve. But then I would’ve missed all that Likuliku has to offer – and there is a lot. 

It’s hard to beat having your own plunge pool on your deck, but the resort’s main pool is so postcard-perfect that you won’t be able to help spending hours lounging on the chairs, ordering an array of cocktails and delicious food all from the helpful staff members. Here, you can fully embrace the unhurried rhythm of island life, as nature intended.

Tatadra Spa, meaning “House of Dreams” is a dream come true at Likuliku for the tropical indulgence and unmatched service alone. I was lucky enough to receive a 60 minute aromatic massage from the lovely ladies there, and they allowed me to pick my own scent for the massage oil (I went with starfruit). 

I was treated like a princess, and I truly have never felt more relaxed in my life. If massages aren’t your thing, the spa has a whole range of treatments on offer, including facials and foot scrubs.

If you fancy a simple walk around the resort, you’ll discover that there’s so much more than meets the eye. Take the giant, sprawling garden, for instance. 

Here, you’ll find vegetables, fruits, and herbs as far as the eye can see, which are all used in the resort kitchen, as well as friendly gardeners ready to answer your every question about the resort’s sustainability and conservation efforts.

The walking path will also take you to meet the famed Fijian Crested Iguanas in their sanctuary, which will instantly melt your heart. The breeding program is situated here, and the team work tirelessly to care for the iguanas and recreate their natural habitat.

The art of island adventure

Like Malolo Island Resort, Likuliku has plenty of activities for your enjoyment – if you can stand to drag yourself away from your villa, or the resort pool, that is. The fun starts right at your doorstep, with the most incredible snorkelling spots located around the jetty of the resort. 

Here, we saw starfish, octopi, fish in every colour of the rainbow and even a turtle, as well as an array of coral planting sites where the conservation team were working on restoring the reef to its full glory. Just ask the lovely activities team at the resort for snorkelling gear and you’re all set. 

During our stay, we were treated to a trip to Mociu Private Island (Honeymoon Island), which is a short boat ride away. The staff packed us a delicious lunch and a cooler full of cold drinks, and dropped us off on the beach for a few hours so we could enjoy some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced, a lounge in the cabana and the array of food left for us. Ever wanted to eat lobster on a private island? Now’s the time. 

Mociu allows you to enjoy true seclusion and privacy without the fear of being completely abandoned – you are left with an emergency phone and a pickup time from the crew, so not to worry.

Another highlight of the trip was the village visit to Yaro, where we were invited to learn more about the Indigenous land owners. 

After ensuring we were dressed appropriately for the trip (ask the Likuliku staff if you’re unsure of what to wear), we were taken on a tour of the beautiful village, which included a school full of the most adorable kindergarten children you ever did see (sweet, cheeky and bursting with personality). 

The kids introduced themselves to us, then huddled around for a quick chat and a hug or two. The school was donated by Ahura Resorts, allowing the local children to receive their early education much closer to home. 

The guide then took us to the shell market in the village, where the local ladies had laid out handmade wares for us to peruse – think handcrafted jewellery, woven fans, and even fridge magnets. Everything was so lovely that I nearly bought out the whole market, and the best part is that the women share around the money they make.

Island hopping was also a great way to see more of the Mamanuca Islands and learn about the history of this part of Fiji. Our guides even took us to Monuriki Island, where Tom Hanks filmed Castaway – you can even find “Help me!” laid out on the beach in coconuts (the perfect photo opportunity).

If these activities aren’t up your alley, you definitely won’t be bored at Likuliku. Make sure to talk to the activities staff about fishing, surfing, diving, walking and hiking trails, and sunset cruises.

Another plus was the resort’s app, which you can download easily onto your phone. The app provides you with everything you need to know about the resort at the touch of your fingertips, including the daily activities available and the dining menus.

A feast for the senses

The dining experiences at Likuliku are where the resort really shines. Each menu is carefully crafted by Executive Chef Gregory Llewellyn, who clearly loves his job and his staff, and is a master of innovation. 

The daily breakfast buffet featured everything you could ever want, but the Likuliku honey was definitely a highlight – you must try! Staff also delivered barista-made coffee, which was just as good, if not better than anything I’ve had in Australia (which is saying a lot, as a certified coffee snob).

For dinner, we started with the Fijiana Restaurant, which is open, romantically lit, and never feels full, even when every single table is taken. Here, we indulged in several courses of delicious food from the menu, which highlights different dishes depending on the day of the week and never leaves you unsatisfied. 

The majority of the ingredients are sourced from the island too, making it taste fresher than anything you could get in the city. The service was also immaculate, with the staff being incredibly attentive, professional and warm at the same time – did you expect anything less, though?

The pièce de résistance of Likuliku dining has to be the Saluwaki Restaurant, which is a whole new world of culinary excellence. The menu features Asian-inspired tapas, with everything from roasted scallops and sashimi to yellowtail and duck on offer. 

The open kitchen also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience, as does the walk-in wine cellar, where you can choose your own bottle straight off the shelf. 

Saluwaki is designed to be a unique, once-only dining experience during your stay, so make this a priority and book your spot – it really is the peak of luxury. Oh, and did I mention the surrounding views of the ocean? Sunset at Saluwaki is something truly special, and one that you would regret missing.

A special shout-out has to go to the delicious pool-side menu, which includes an array of tasty salads, pizzas and snacks that can be brought by when you can’t bear to leave your pool chair (speaking from experience).

I would also be remiss not to mention the two bars at the resort, both of which offer different yet equally relaxing vibes. Masima Bar allows you to lie back and soak in the sunset right by the water while a staff member sings sweetly in the background and another prepares your cocktail for the evening. 

Meanwhile, Dua Tale Bar is located beside Saluwaki Restaurant, and offers guests a moment to mingle with others or to soak up the peace and quiet before heading off to dinner.

Another dining experience that you simply can’t miss is the Meke and Lovo on Friday nights, where you can watch in awe as the staff perform the traditional Meke (dance) and tell stories through song and dance, before inviting everyone to enjoy the Lovo, or earth oven feast. 

Protecting paradise

Likuliku and its parent company, Ahura Resorts, really care about the environment and the Fijian people – after all, they are a Fijian-owned business, which is a major win.

The land is leased to Ahura by the local Fijian people, and the company funds education in the village. The waters around the resort are protected, and Ahura works to restore the natural habitat by installing reef stars and preventing illegal fishing. 

The kitchen staff utilise the fresh ingredients grown in the sprawling garden to help craft their dishes, and the majority of the components you’ll find in your food at Likuliku were locally grown or sourced.

The jewel in Likuliku’s conservation crown is the Malolo Island Crested Iguana program, which works to build back the population of these rare (and adorable) lizards after they were decimated by invasive species and habitat destruction. 

On a walk through the resort, you can spot their enclosures near the garden and learn more about their fascinating history at the Na Vanua Conservation Hub.

In 2011, three young iguanas were discovered at the resort, after scientists believed the species to be long gone. Ahura has implemented a breeding program, alongside specialists from Taronga Zoo in Sydney and San Diego Zoo in California, to bring the numbers up and release them into the wild when they are ready. 

The team spoke about breeding and protection efforts with genuine pride, not as a selling point but as a responsibility, and made it clear that sustainability is woven into the very fabric of the resort. Meeting these little guys and being able to hold one was a major highlight of my trip! 

The vibes

Likuliku shares several unbeatable qualities with its sister, Malolo Island Resort. They both offer the world’s best service, the kindest and most knowledgeable staff, jaw-dropping views, fun activities, and food to die for.

What sets Likuliku apart is the intimate and romantic vibe of the resort, making it the perfect honeymoon destination for any couple, young or old. While Malolo Island Resort is known for being family-friendly and catering to all ages, Likuliku offers next-level luxury, peace and tranquility. 

You are strongly encouraged to switch off while you’re here, both mentally and technologically, making it a sanctuary away from incessant business calls and pinging notifications, where you can truly connect with your significant other, your best girlfriends, or just yourself. 

The biggest decision of your day will be whether to dine in Fijiana or Saluwaki, or which cocktail to choose for your afternoon by the pool.

Both indulgent and grounding at the same time, you will feel like you’re living the high life at all times, yet everything is rooted in Fijian hospitality, culture and warmth. It’s luxurious without being flashy, and there’s no worldly pressures here – just the gentle rhythm of island life and the joy of living on Fiji time. 

The verdict

In short, Likuliku isn’t just a holiday, it’s a sanctuary, and one that allows you to breathe deeply, indulge fully, and leave feeling lighter than you ever expected. And long after you’ve returned home, you’ll find yourself daydreaming about the palatial rooms, phenomenal food and the simple joy of doing absolutely nothing in style, as I did.

But more than that, you’ll remember the stillness, the gentle “Bula!” of a staff member as they walk by, and the sound of the waves lapping outside your door. It’s the kind of place that sends you back to your life a little more in love with the world than you expected. 

Of course, a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this doesn’t happen with the support acts. Fiji Airways flew us from Sydney to Nadi with ease and comfort, and from there, Rosie Transfers took the reins in getting us to the Sheraton Hotel, where we enjoyed a relaxing pre-Likuliku stay.

I had a lovely conversation about Fijian Christmas traditions on my way back to the airport after the trip, thanks to my kind Rosie driver. If you’re looking to venture beyond the island, don’t miss out on Sabre Day Tours.

Here you can enjoy a snorkel through crystal-clear waters with a knowledgeable guide, a freshly cooked buffet lunch on board ( plenty of drinks too!) and a sandbar that appears like magic in the middle of the ocean and begs you to sit back and relax.