Where to stay in Fiji: the best value for money hotels

If you’re looking for a family-friendly Fijian retreat, then First Landing Beach Resort is an obvious choice. The open spaces of the resort, large-sized apartments, and kids club make entertaining children a breeze.

The most budget-friendly rooms come in two options – the Garden Bure, or the slightly more expensive (but still very much affordable) Deluxe Garden Bure. Both feature high ceilings and timber floorboards, while the deluxe option comes with a kitchen and lounge room.

Kayaks are available from reception free of charge. If you’re keen to venture out to sea a little further, organise a private boat trip on the ‘Betty Lai Lai’ to visit Bounty and Treasure Islands.

Where else in the world can you stay in a Hilton Hotel on a budget? If you’ve left accommodation planning to the last minute, or have just booked flights on your lunch break, because ‘Why not?’, then the Fiji Beach Resort and Spa by Hilton is worth a look. Last minute deals of up to 50% off are common at this top-rated resort, making it affordable to experience a dose of luxury, even if it’s only for a night or two.

Rooms are decadent – we’re talking free-standing bathtubs in the middle of the room, king-sized beds, and balconies with sea views.

Although the hotel is located on 1.5 kilometres of crystal clear Pacific Ocean, there are seven pools dotted around the resort. Between swims, grab a bite to eat at one of the two on-site restaurants which serve up Southeast Asian specialties and freshly caught seafood.

As soon as you step off the plane at Nadi airport, expect to be slapped in the face with a wave of sticky hot air. Don’t despair though, once you get down to the coast, the ocean breeze will take the edge off the humidity.

Buses are the main and cheapest form of public transport in Fiji, and the size of main island Viti Levu means a journey is rarely longer than three to four hours. Jump on a bus to Uprising Beach Resort, sit back and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Check into the hotel, spend a minute admiring your villa, and then plant yourself by one of the pools or beach with a drink in hand. Happy hour runs from 4pm-6pm daily. The breakfast buffet is included in room rates, and the Uprising Restaurant has expansive lunch and dinner options.

There are a variety of rooms on offer, catering to all budgets. The budget conscious should go for the Classic Bure – with straw thatched roofs. These are decked out with lounges, balconies and open air showers all for a reasonable price.

Book far enough in advance for The Pearl Resort and you are almost guaranteed some absurdly discounted rates.

Sure, you might not go for the penthouse if you’ve been living on instant noodles in the weeks before your trip, but there are budget accommodation options available here. Staying in the Garden View or Ocean View rooms means you still get access to all of the hotel’s amazing facilities at a fraction of the price. These include the 18-hole golf course, swim-up pool bar, spa and more adventurous activities like game fishing and shark dives.

Dining-wise, choose from one of the six on-site restaurants, or take a short cycle into the Pacific Harbour township where there are several cafes. Be sure to stop by Baka Blues – this Southern US inspired café has a menu filled with carnivorous treats.

Located on the northernmost tip of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, Volivoli Resort can be easily reached by a 2.5-hour bus ride from Nadi. The accommodation is perfect for those looking for a romantic getaway on a budget – think recently built, spacious, ocean side bures.

The hotel’s Nuku bar and restaurant focuses on creating meals from fresh fruit and veg, sourced daily from the local markets. Seafood is a specialty, with local dishes like Ika Vakalolo (Spanish Mackerel poached in coconut milk with seasonal root vegetables) commonplace on the menu. The wine list here hasn’t been forgotten about either – the number of reds and whites go down a treat with the meals on offer.

Be sure to grab a massage from the on-site Daulomani Spa before your holiday is over – it might make the transition back to work that little bit easier come Monday morning.

If we had to describe Tambua Sands in two words it would be cheap and cheerful. The rooms are simply decorated, and the beach is literally outside your front door.

The Tambua Sands Restaurant dishes up Fijian cuisine in a beachside garden. Come night time, join other guests for a traditional Fijian kava ceremony. Here you’ll be served up muddy looking scoops of Kava from a coconut bowl. The mild narcotic is made from the root of the pepper plant and has been part of the Fijian culture for over 3000 years.

This is one of Fiji’s top-rated hotels, and guess what? It happens to fall into the budget category. A 40-minute flight from Nadi, Naveria Heights is located in Savusavu, on Fiji’s second-largest, but a much less commercialised island.

The lodgings are perched on top of a hill amongst the jungle, overlooking Savusavu Bay. This makes Naveria the perfect base for your mountain biking and hiking adventures. Be sure to take advantage of the river tubing and volcanic hot pool day trips.

Rooms are decorated in a quintessential Fijian style – high ceilings, polished wooden floorboards, and simple furnishings. All these open out onto patios with sweeping views of the bay. Kick back on a hammock and bask in the knowledge that you’ve just scored some seriously luxe-for-less accommodation.

Although the spelling of this property has fallen victim to some shortcuts, you can be assured that the accommodation itself hasn’t suffered the same fate. The beachside suites could be classed as a ‘mini resort’ given that there are only 24 double rooms available. Room rates here, however, are anything but resort prices.

Each double room comes with an ensuite, but they’re not what you’d expect. The private ‘garden bathrooms’ are outside, allowing you to shower among the ferns. Experiencing this takes ‘being at one with nature’ to a whole other level.

The Beachouse also offers a range of budget-conscious and free activities. Some of the wallet-friendly options include sea and river kayaking, coconut jewellery classes, and beach volleyball. Reception can arrange snorkelling trips, taking you out to some of the Corals Sea’s best reefs.