Bedarra Beach Inn

Now open for a few decades, Bedarra Beach Inn has many repeat guests lured by the relaxed vibe and friendly staff. Staff greet guests with a welcome juice on arrival, and perform a traditional farewell song before they leave. A quiet road separates the beach from the hotel and its lovely manicured grounds. The spa, lobby, bar, and restaurant are housed in the main building, with some rooms on the higher floors, and additional rooms are in a separate building next door. The low-key lobby has black leather furnishings, local newspapers, and green plants, plus a large, uniquely shaped bar with wicker stools. The poolside open-air restaurant is well-reviewed and attracts locals and travelers from other hotels, particularly for its happy hour specials. As there's not much on-site for children, most guests are couples -- a majority of which are from Australia.

This resort is relatively easy to access from Nadi International Airport, which is located on the southwestern coast of Fiji's Viti Levu. Travelers can choose to rent a car from the airport and drive two hours south, and there is free parking at the hotel. Alternatively, there is a shared shuttle service that connects to all the resorts on this part of the coast, as well as on-demand taxis; the hotel can also arrange a private driver in advance.

Though this area of Viti Levu is a bit rainier (though not as rainy as Pacific Harbour) than the sunshine coast near Rakiraki, this also means more tropical foliage and greenery. The Coral Coast is said to be the birthplace of Fiji tourism, and the 50-mile stretch of white-sand beaches and villages between Nadi and Suva offer travelers a chance to see the less tourist-filled parts of Fiji. Guests can access Kula Eco Park, golf courses, snorkeling, and dive spots, as well as local markets and shops in the town of Sigatoka -- about 15 minutes away by bus. More shops and restaurants can be found within walking distance, especially at the large Honolulu-based Outrigger resort next door.

The hotel's 26 rooms all have a similar, simple decor that consists of white-tile floors, wooden furnishings, and coral and brown accents. Though some signs of age are apparent, rooms are spacious and have small tables for two and/or seating areas. They lack TVs and phones (intentionally) but come with mini-fridges stocked with ice trays, a water pitcher, and milk for coffee and tea, as well as electric kettles, ceiling fans, and air-conditioning units. 

Bathrooms have walk-in showers, hairdryers, and Frangipani toiletries. Deluxe Rooms have more contemporary vanities with dual vessel sinks. Furnished balconies or patios face the ocean or garden. There is one rooms for honeymooners that has a larger balcony and comes with a free bottle of bubbly. Note that Standard Rooms surround the bar and restaurant area, and do let in some noise. 

The hotel is across the street from a scenic white-sand beach where guests can partake in swimming, as well as free snorkeling and kayaking. These activities are best enjoyed at high tide when the lagoon is filled with clear turquoise water; during low tide it becomes a shallow wading pool and large coral clusters reveal themselves. There are free reef shoes available at reception for this reason. The lawn area facing the beach has a handful of plastic lounge chairs, and there are additional beaches in either direction of the hotel. 

The rectangular outdoor freshwater pool is surrounded by cushioned loungers, umbrellas, and a hot tub. Some might find the pool lacks privacy as it is in direct view of the restaurant tables. The two-room spa offers a range of affordable massage and body treatments, and each guest is given a voucher for a free Fijian Foot Ritual Spa Treatment. There are two computers located in the lobby and Wi-Fi is available for a set fee, no matter how long the stay. 

The well-reviewed Ocean Terrace Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a casual patio overlooking the pool and facing the ocean. Breakfast is offered either continental or a la carte style, and lunch includes fare like pizza, burgers, salads, and Asian specialties. In the evening, the candlelit terrace becomes more upscale, serving Fijian specialties like local seafood, Kokoda (fish marinated in coconut milk and lime juice), and Indian curries. The bar has daily happy hour drink specials and live music beginning in the early evening, attracting a steady crowd. The hotel also puts on traditional kava ceremonies twice a week for a touch of local culture.