I spent the best week at Fiji’s Malolo Island Resort and here’s why

Bobbing across the turquoise waters of the Mamanuca Islands is your new favourite holiday destination – Malolo Island Resort. If every holiday promised the relaxation, beauty and bliss that this resort has to offer, I would travel every day for the rest of my life. 

As the boat draws closer to the beach, the water becomes that unmistakable blue that seems to be filtered. One foot on the jetty and you’ll realise it’s not – Malolo really is that beautiful.

From the glittering expanse of ocean at your front door to the smiles of the lovely staff members, Malolo wraps you in its arms before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase. 

Here, there is no rushing – Fiji time reigns supreme, the days unfold with quiet excitement, and end with a sunset that will leave you speechless.

It’s a resort that manages to provide the highest level of luxury without pretension, and a family-friendly feeling without the chaos. It’s hard to imagine a better place for your next getaway.

Dining of your dreams

The food at Malolo Island Resort deserves its own love letter, so here it is. Satisfying even the pickiest foodie, with several dining options and a breakfast buffet that will have you going back for seconds, thirds, and fourths, the food is a showstopper.

On our first night, we were lucky enough to dine at the Treetops Restaurant, which overlooked the rest of the resort. Not only was the food incredible (I’m still thinking about that spinach and ricotta gnudi), fresh and immaculately presented, but the staff were also attentive and kind, which elevated the experience to another level.

If you’re looking for something more laid back, yet equally as delicious, visit the Beach Bar for lunch or dinner down by the water and experience some live music from the resort staff while you dine on fish tacos (highly recommend), a cheeseburger, or a poke bowl. They’ve got it all covered down there!

If you’re more of a breakfast person, the daily breakfast buffet on the terrace was the perfect way to start the day, whether you’re spending it lying on the beach or diving into as many activities as possible. Aside from the array of freshly-baked pastries, yogurt, cereals, juices, bacon, ham, etc. etc. etc., you can ask the chef to make your eggs any way you like. Yes, really.

Credit for the incredible food must go to Chef Kete and his colleagues, who ensured that we had only the best meals at every turn. Chef Kete has worked his way up in the Malolo family for years, having started as a kitchenhand. It’s not hard to understand how he achieved such an incredible position once you’ve ordered off his menu.

The true beauty is choice. If you prefer to eat your dinner in a more private location, the staff can arrange for you to dine on the dock or on the beach, for that romantic touch. Families are welcome to do it as well – during our visit, we saw a large extended family having a ball on the beach with each other, which warmed my heart.

We got the opportunity to eat an Indian-inspired meal on the dock of the resort, which is an experience I’ll never forget. We were surrounded by dim lighting and candles, with the waves lapping around us and the gentle hum of music from the beach bar just reaching us. I could’ve gone on eating all night if I wasn’t so full – the food was showstopping.

Another winner was the ice cream bar right near the pool, where the flavours change daily. Don’t forget to stop by while you’re cooling off in the water!

25% of the resort’s produce is grown right there on Malolo Island, and the staff make everything from scratch, so if you have allergies and you’re worried about enjoying the food, don’t stress – they’ve got you covered.  

Adventure at your doorstep

The beauty of Malolo Island Resort is that if you want to lounge around at the pool or by the beach for your entire trip, you can absolutely do that, and no one would bat an eye. However, if you want to throw yourself into the array of fun activities they have to offer, you won’t be disappointed.

Grab a snorkel from the activities bure and go swimming just near the pontoon, or book a sunset cruise that takes you past some of the Mamanuca Islands with a staff member serenading you on board, as they deliver facts about the islands and put on a delicious spread of canapés.

If you prefer a fishing trip, you can book an excursion that will take you further out to catch everything from tuna to mahi mahi. If surfing is more your vibe, the staff can take you to some of Fiji’s best surf breaks nearby.

Each day, the staff write up the special activities on offer, including kayaking and paddle boarding. If you’re more interested in land-based activities, go for a walk to Jona’s Lookout in the morning, so you can see the breathtaking sunrise and beat the heat. 

It’s best to take a guide with you, if you can – our lovely guide even climbed up a tree and fetched fresh coconuts for us, so we could crack them open and sip the sweet and energy-filled water. Talk about service!

For mums and dads, Malolo Island Resort is the perfect place to take your little ones, when you consider that Tia’s Treehouse, the kids club, was named the best kids club in Fiji in 2021 and 2023.

As a 27-year-old with no children, even I could tell that there was something special about this place. We went to check it out and were greeted with a smiling team of warm staff, as well as a playground that made me wish I was six years old again.

When we arrived, there was a toddler whose dad was picking him up after a day of activities, and the little guy didn’t want to leave – if that isn’t the highest praise, I don’t know what is. Tia’s Treehouse accommodates 4-12-year-olds, and the service is complimentary with your stay at Malolo Island Resort. You read that right! 

If you want to spend the day by the beach or on a boat enjoying a spot of fishing, you can rest assured that your child is having the time of their life at Tia’s.

For the tweens and teenagers – we didn’t forget about you, don’t worry! Any child aged 9-17 can hang out at Khail’s Club nearby, where they are free to play games, read, get involved in arts and crafts, or even hit the dance floor.

The resort has plenty of places to relax, including the Talei Lounge, located below the Terrace. Here you can put your feet up, enjoy the air conditioning, read a book, meet your fellow guests, and play the boardgames on offer.

Another show-stopper was the pool with a swim-up bar. I was there every day cooling off, reading a book or sipping the cocktail of the day (which was, of course, dangerously delicious). Beside the pool are several shaded lounge beds where you can sit back and rest, or even have a sneaky nap if you so choose.

Once again, the kids are never forgotten at Malolo Island Resort. The kids pool sits just in front of the adults’ section, and features beach chairs and umbrellas for mum and dad to relax under while the little ones play.

If you’ve come to the resort to relax, you must visit Leilani’s Spa. As someone who once worked as a spa receptionist (many eons ago), I can say that the service is second to none, and that the staff take incredible care to cater to your every need. 

Upon entry to the air-conditioned spa, we were greeted with a ginger shot and some water to boost our immune system. I then received the 60 min Relax and Restore Massage, which was to die for, then sat in the reception area with my cup of ginger tea and perused the myriad of products they have on offer.

If massages aren’t your thing, the spa has a whole range of treatments on offer, including facials and foot scrubs. 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. In short, you will never be bored at Malolo Island resort.

Your own slice of paradise

I was lucky enough to stay in an Oceanview Bure close to the Beach Bar, which provided views of the Pacific that you only see in postcards and National Geographic. I’m not kidding.

Inside the semi-open-plan bure was a king-sized bed with plenty of cupboard space for my clothes and belongings, as well as two daybeds which can be converted into single beds if the kids are with you. The room also comes with tea and coffee facilities, an ensuite bathroom, and an air conditioner, which is truly a godsend.

My favourite part of the bure was the veranda, which practically begs you to put your feet up on the lounge chairs and take in the glittering ocean with a glass of bubbles. The turn-down service is also magical, with staff coming to ensure your bure is cool and clean for a good night’s sleep.

If you’re looking for something different, there are four other accommodation options: the Family Bure, which can sleep up to seven people; the Tadra Bure, located at the end of the resort for extra privacy; the Deluxe Oceanview Bure with more living space than the Oceanview Bure; and the Island Bure, which is located further back from the beach.

Service that will wrap you in sunshine

The thing that makes this place truly magical (besides the jaw-dropping views, array of activities and sumptuous food) is the staff, who were the soul of the place. Each and every staff member exuded warmth and always made sure to give a friendly “Bula” on their way past. 

Whenever I got lost, a staff member was always happy to walk me back to my bure, or to recommend the best dish at the Beach Bar.

We even got serenaded upon arrival, with several staff members waiting on the dock with their guitars and angelic voices to welcome us to the resort. It may seem small, but it was an experience that had a huge impact on me and set the tone straight away for my perfect getaway.

Guests were invited to be a part of Fiji, with the staff performing a fire dance after dinner one night and singing traditional Fijian tunes while we dined at the Beach Bar. 

They also took the time to teach us about their customs, language, flora and fauna, and culture. Their work at the resort feels like a celebration of their culture, rather than a performance for tourists.

I left Malolo Island resort very reluctantly and with a glowing ball of light in my chest from how sweet and caring the staff were.

A resort with a mission

It’s clear from the jump that Malolo Island Resort, 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 programs in the village. The waters around the resort are protected, and Ahura works to restore the surrounding natural habitat.

Even the wildlife is revered here. One of my favourite parts of the trip was meeting the Malolo Island Crested Iguanas and learning about the work that the resort does to restore the endangered species to its former glory.

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 kids will love meeting these iguanas, with the help of a handler from the resort next door, Likuliku (another show-stopping stay). The handler that we encountered was incredibly patient with the kids, and ensured that she answered all of their curious questions about the iguanas. She also let everyone take a closer look at the adorable lizard, which happened to be one of the first to be discovered of its kind.

The verdict

Malolo Island Resort will never truly leave you, even when you’re back to your office job or home with the kids. It’s the perfect balance of authenticity, luxury and serenity, and one that I was reluctant to part with. 

Despite the countless families and couples that I saw around the resort, it never felt full or overcrowded in any way. We always got a spot at the breakfast buffet or the Beach Bar with ease, and could always find a free hammock or shaded bed along the shoreline to sit back and relax in. It never felt noisy, either, despite it being a resort that welcomes children.

Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, teens, your partner, your best friends, or just yourself, Malolo will remind you how unforgettable a holiday can be when you immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of these incredible people. You arrive as guests, but leave feeling like family. 

Of course, a magical trip doesn’t happen with the support acts. Fiji Airways whisked 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 luxurious pre-Malolo 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. Think snorkelling through crystal-clear waters with a knowledgeable guide, a freshly cooked buffet lunch on board (and plenty of drinks too!) and a sandbar that appears like magic in the middle of the ocean, where you can enjoy a beverage or go for a swim. 

There are also beanbags, trampolines and a slide on the edge of the boat for you to kick back and relax. Sabre provided one of those pinch-me moments that reminded me why I love to travel. And lastly, a special thanks to Tourism Fiji, South Sea Cruises and Sea Fiji – you made this trip exceptional.