Lomani Island Resort

A stark contrast from its family-friendly sister property Plantation Island, the vibe at the adult-only Lomani Island Resort is one of peaceful relaxation. Lomani is the word for Love in Fijian, and this is one of the few adult-only resorts in Fiji. Its beachfront setting with lots of tall palms and flowering frangipani and hibiscus plants certainly add to the quiet, romantic atmosphere. Lomani has a vast layout for its size, but it's easy to navigate with just one restaurant, one pool, and 24 rooms. 

Though the resort lacks the buzzing ambience of most Fiji properties, there are still ample land and water activities for guests to keep busy, plus live acoustic music and cultural entertainment at night. Lomani attracts couples of all ages, including many repeat guests.

Lomani Island Resort is located on the Malolo Lailai island in Fiji's Mamanuca chain, along with two other resorts -- one of which is sister property Plantation Island Resort. From Nadi International Airport, travelers need to take a 20-minute taxi ride to Port Denarau to catch one of four daily departures to the island on a high-speed catamaran. The trip takes just under an hour and lands at a jetty, so guests will not have to jump off onto the water and get their shoes wet. Guests arrive at Plantation and then are taken via golf cart to Lomani. 

Some guests choose to start their trip by staying at one of the large-scale (mostly chain) resorts on Denarau Island before ferrying to Malolo, or at the end of the trip before heading back to the airport. Plantation and Lomani also have a sister resort called Raffles Gateway right across the street from the airport.  

If looking to splurge, there's also a landing strip for private planes, which can be arranged through the resort. 

The resort has 24 rooms that all include furnished outdoor patios or balconies facing the ocean, and decor that varies a bit between the three room types. The Beachfront Bures are in standalone units situated farthest from the resort hub, allowing for more privacy. These have the most modern and upscale decor, featuring custom mahogany furnishings such as platform beds and couches, wood-beam ceilings, Fijian bed runners, and a chic color palette of white, black, and gray. Their sliding glass doors lead to sundecks facing the beach, while in the rear are private outdoor showers. 

Deluxe Suites, on the other hand, are situated in a two-story building near the lobby with excellent ocean views, but they do not have outdoor showers. These units have a separate bedroom area with a canopy four-poster bed, light wood furniture, colorful frangipani artwork, and a large living room. Additionally, there are two Hibiscus Suites with an open layout facing the water, plus both indoor and outdoor showers.

All have king-size beds, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, tea- and coffee-making facilities, mini-fridges, and large bottles of water that are replaced daily. Indoor bathrooms are spacious and have walk-in showers, Pure Fiji toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Bathrobes and ironing facilities are also provided. 

Certainly the highlight of the resort is the long stretch of white-sand beach dotted with picturesque palm trees, which enjoys prime positioning for lovely sunsets. The beach wraps around this entire end of Malolo Lailai, and the calm water is ideal for swimming or water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, Hobie Cat sailing, scuba diving, and windsurfing (some of these require a fee but most are free). Other excursions included in the rate are snorkel tours, fishing, a dolphin safari (once a week), village tour (once a week), island tours, cooking lessons, and Fijian cultural lessons. Bicycles are also free to use, though they are in need of replacing. 

The large freshwater swimming pool is a standout -- set between the beach and a manicured grounds -- with cushioned sun loungers and covered cabanas for shade. There are also a small indoor fitness center and a nine-hole golf course that's suitable for beginners. Lomani Spa has a mediocre indoor area offering wraps, facials, and nail treatments, though there's a lovely palapa next to the beach offering couples' massages. 

Cultural opportunities include a weekly Fiji Night and kava ceremony. There is a fee for Wi-Fi, but wash-and-fold laundry service is included in the rate. 

The poolside Flame Tree is Lomani’s only restaurant, and it has views of the sea and is considered the most romantic restaurant on the island. Breakfast is included in the rate and guests have the choice of a buffet or cooked-to-order dish. Flame Tree is open for lunch and dinner as well, serving well-reviewed Pacific Rim cuisine with fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients -- some of which are from the resort's garden. The cocktail bar offers a varied selection of drinks, but it is located on the other side of the lobby, meaning drinks might take more time to get than expected.