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A recent EarthCheck bronze award winner for sustainability in tourism, family-friendly Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay is an excellent, full-service resort ideal for a first taste of Fiji.

Located on the Western coast of Viti Levu, this five-star property hugs the shores of Momi Bay, with stunning views and lush vegetation.

[Lobby]

We are greeted at the front desk by a couple of hotel staff with a resounding “Welcome Home!”. All buildings, including the lobby, are covered open-air spaces, perfect for getting acclimatized to Fijian weather.

[A woven handbag made with palm fronds]

Once you’ve settled in, discover the resort’s wide variety of activities including sunrise yoga, basket weaving, nightly bonfire, cooking classes, garden wellness, cocktail master classes, handbag weaving, perhaps a Fijian language lesson — or simply grab a good read and head to one of the pools.

[Guava Rum Martini created during our cocktail master class]

[Cooking up Fijian style fish fillet]

[Freshly-made Kokoda, a Fijian raw fish salad similar to ceviche]

For those seeking a more active routine, there’s table tennis competitions, beach volleyball, water polo, circuit training, aqua aerobics and tennis.

KaiWai Watersports offers scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling, and fishing rentals/charters. This also happens to be the closest resort to the famous Cloudbreak surf zone, for your fix of world-class surfing.

The main pool (and kids pool) are both located close to the lagoon, while the adults-only Sunset infinity pool is adjacent to the Fish Bar on the opposite side of the resort facing the sea.

[Fitness center]

Rooms

Rooms are designed with Fijian-themed decor. Dark engraved wood accents meet with marble tops and wicker lamps to create a soothing, yet modern environment.

[Duplex Lagoon Bure]

Inside the closet is an electronic safe, umbrellas (yes, it can rain even in paradise!), an iron and ironing board, robes and slippers. Each bedside contains tech outlets (USB + Australia/Fiji sockets) and push-button light controls.

A handy drying rack on the balcony/patio is perfect for pool and beach visits, while hooks and racks in the spacious bathroom make it easy for bath towel reuse.

There’s a bathtub and combo rainfall/handheld shower in the roomy bathroom, plus a nice long marble counter for toiletries.

We also stayed in a Duplex Lagoon Bure for a few nights, with direct access to the resort’s lagoon beach.

Dining

Goji Kitchen & Bar serves Asian-fusion international cuisine. The all-day dining (including an excellent breakfast buffet at FJD $56) venue features live cooking stations and nightly themed dinners lagoon-side.

[Fish Bar]

At Fish Bar, enjoy a commanding view of Momi Bay while savouring the catch of the day (open for both lunch and dinner). They specialize in grilled meats and fish, crafted cocktails, local beers and fine wines for an unforgettable dining experience.

We highly recommend the seafood platter for two. We were served 600 grams of Rock lobster, a filleted red snapper, seared diver scallops, garlic prawns atop puréed potatoes, seared tuna, baked pumpkin and sweet potatoes, plus a garden salad. It is a feast worth working up an appetite for!

Arrive at sunset for the torch lighting at either end of the infinity pool to signal the day’s end, greeted with a resounding series of Bulas and the blowing of an enormous shell. Together with that view, it’s a magical experience!

[Oktoberfest-themed buffet at Goji Kitchen & Bar]

[Seafood buffet night at Goji Kitchen & Bar]

Diners get serenaded by staff for honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. — a joyful tradition that can be heard in other dining venues at the resort as well.

Another curated activity is the Picnic Lunch at North Point, complete with sun umbrella, table, cushions, a gorgeous floral arrangement, and a full array of lunch goodies (with a choice of bottled red, white, or rosé wines).

We decided to have our picnic lunch at our bure in front of the lagoon, which suited us perfectly with a chartered two-hour snorkel trip following shortly after.

[A stop at the sand bar]

Stunning coral reefs are just a 10-minute boat ride from the resort. We also checked out Sand Bar and Cloud Break (a world-famous surfing destination) during our tour.

Lagoon House Restaurant is the Marriott Momi Bay Resort’s pizza and pasta destination. Cocktails can be enjoyed both on the terrace and at the swim-up bar. There’s also the nearby Lagoon Lounge for relaxing with a cocktail or two.

[Lagoon House Restaurant]

Fiji Baking Company is a deli style café that offers grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks, ice cream, souvenirs and savoury baked goods, next to Goji Kitchen & Bar.

[Voi Voi Bar]

Voi Voi Bar
At this low-key outdoor restaurant with picnic tables and lawn seating, you can enjoy Fijian BBQ, wraps, coconut-crumbed prawns, local reef fish filet, plus beef brisket burgers together with beer, cocktails, or local spirits.

[Quan Spa’s outdoor relaxation area]

Quan Spa

From couples massages to bridal parties, Quan Spa is a rejuvenating experience by the sea. Each of the spa’s treatment rooms includes a private shower. Quan uses marine-based Thalgo and coconut-based Pure Fiji products in their treatments.

The greeting area has wicker lounge seating, cucumber and mint refreshing water, fresh fruit, mixed dried fruit and cashews to enjoy pre-treatment. Treatment options range from body and facial therapies to massages and nourishing body wraps. The spa team here have put together a booklet filled with unique treatments to choose from.

We enjoyed a soothing 30-minute Totoka Ritual Massage (using Swedish massage strokes and techniques), leaving us thoroughly relaxed following a long night of travel.

Inside a darkened room with two massage tables, two remarkable masseuses (Sava and Seta) work out our travel knots with long, pressured strokes. We’re each asked periodically whether the pressure is OK as tension begins to melt away in our shoulders, necks, and lower backs.

We’re also treated to a scalp massage, and before we know it, our time has come to an end. We leave feeling deeply relaxed and ready for lunch.

Sustainability

Over at the lagoon, the resort’s Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy program invites resort guests to help plant trees and mangroves, restore coral reefs, and create fish houses. To date, this vital program has led to the planting of over 3,100 mangroves, the creation of 13 fish houses, and the transplantation of 414 kg of coral to help regenerate Fiji’s marine ecosystem.

Every Friday, one of the above conservation activities takes place. During our stay, it was time to plant coral by positioning and connecting small fragments onto a metal frame using zip ties.

[My turn to regenerate the coral reefs!]

After a while, the coral begins to naturally cling to the frame, so the ties are cut, and the corals grow as fish begin to feed on them, creating a new ecosystem.

[A stunning sunrise to greet the day]

With so much to explore, the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay is perfect for several days of unwinding, a delicious range of food and drinks, and some pretty remarkable sunrises and sunsets. Waking up in these lush surroundings, with fish in the waterways and sumptuous breakfast buffets, brings a joyful escape from everyday life back home.

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay is located on Savusavu Road in Momi Bay, Fiji.

We were graciously hosted by Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay for the purpose of this feature. Opinions, as always, remain our own. Non-watermarked images courtesy of Marriott Hotels & Resorts.