4 Family Resorts in Fiji For All Budgets

Family-Friendly Resorts in Fiji

There are many resorts in Fiji, and it’s impossible to compare and contrast them without staying at all of them.  So today, I am specifically sharing the places I stayed at and visited during my trip to Fiji. 

While all of these resorts offer something different, the common thread was a warm welcome and amazing hospitality! The best thing about Fiji is the people.

Most of the land in Fiji is owned by Fiji and leased back to resorts. In these agreements, the resorts are usually required to hire locals, meaning most of the staff is family from a nearby village. It’s not unusual for grandmothers, mothers, siblings, and cousins to care for your children in the kid’s clubs and engage with them in activities. And they make you feel like part of the family as well! Tourism is very important in Fiji, and residents take great pride in making families feel welcome. 

I want to point out that English is Fiji’s written and spoken language, making communication very easy for children and adults. Most resorts in Fiji have a full-time medical clinic on site, which can give many families extra peace of mind when traveling! 

Shangri-La Yanuca Island Resort Fiji

While staying at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island Resort Fiji, I repeatedly said I wanted to bring my kids back here! I loved the laid-back atmosphere, and the food was fantastic. This property has been a favorite among visitors since 1967, and a whopping 40% of their bookings are return guests.

This property is one of the most budget-friendly for a full-service resort. The trade-off is that the rooms are a little dated, but the warm hospitality and great food make up for that.

It felt like the comfort of visiting grandma’s house in all the best ways. Others must feel the same because, in 2023, the Shangri-La Yanuca Island was awarded a Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers Choice Award as one of the Top 5 Best Resorts in Australia and the Pacific! 

Location

The Shangri-La Yanuca Island Resort Fiji is located on the entire island of Yanuca, along the Coral Coast of Fiji. It is spread out, and it didn’t feel crowded even with 443 ocean-view guest rooms.

It is approximately 50 minutes from Nadi International Airport, and a taxi will cost you around $35. You can also pre-book transportation through a reputable company such as Rosie Holidays. 

Accommodations Price Range

Currently, I can find nightly accommodations for a family of 4 for as low as $225 per night. However, the average rate for a regular ocean view would be around $325 per night. You will have to play around with dates and be flexible to get the lowest rates.  

This rate is based on two adults and two kids in one room. At this resort, children 11 and under are considered kids, and adults 12 and up are considered adults. Breakfast is included in the room rate, which is a big savings! In addition, children under 12 eat free (from children’s menus) with a paying adult. 

Most family rooms have a King bed and a futon-style sleeper sofa. If you are visiting Fiji with teenagers, you will need to book connecting rooms, which effectively double the nightly room rate.

As a mom of two teenagers, I think having the extra space, proper beds, and an additional bathroom is worth it. There are suites available as well. If you are traveling with grown kids or other adults, there is also an adults-only Reef wing. 

Activities at Shangri-La Yanuca Island Resort

There is no shortage of fun for kids at the Shangri-La Fiji. The following family activities are available, and many are included in your rate. 

• multiple pools
• snorkeling
• kids club
• inflatable water park (ages 7+)
• kayaking
• basketball, pickleball, tennis
• horseback riding
• Chi spa services
• jet-skiing and boating
• parasailing
• babysitting/nanny service
• Scuba diving (+ SSI certification)
• 9-hole executive golf course
• virtual reality
• many more

The Shangri-La also plans numerous activities throughout the day, including everything from fish house building at the Marine Education Center to touch rugby on the lawn. You will not run out of things to do here! 

There are also some great opportunities for adventure nearby! I recommend EcoTrax, which is just minutes away. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park and Sigatoka River Cruises are fantastic outings. 

Food and Drink at Shangri-La Resort Fiji

I loved all of the food at the Shangri-La Fiji! As mentioned above, breakfast is included in the room rate, and kids eat free. This means that you can keep food and beverage costs down. The breakfast buffets had plenty of options, and there are five restaurants and three bars on site – all with water views! 

Additionally, there are a few shops on the property, including a small grocery store, ice cream shop, and gift shop. So, there are plenty of opportunities to stock up on snacks and drinks. 

OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort 

Another popular family resort in Fiji is the OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort. Located on the Coral Coast, this property offers a very customizable experience. You can add just about anything to make your trip perfect for your family, including drink and dining packages, nanny service, and more. If you don’t want to add meal plans or activities, that’s okay, too. Everything is also available ala carte!  

Location

The OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort is located near Sigatoka, also along the Coral Coast of Fiji.  It is approximately one hour and 10 minutes from Nadi International Airport, and a taxi will cost you around $42. You can also pre-book transportation through the resort here. 

In my opinion, this location allows your family to venture out and experience more of the natural and cultural side of Fiji. If you are traveling with kids or teenagers, you may enjoy the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, tubing along the Navua River, a Sigatoka River Cruise experience, an authentic pottery village experience, and more. There are so many fun things to do in Fiji with kids.

Accommodations Price Range

Currently, I can find nightly accommodations for a family of 4 for as low as $200 USD per night.  However, the average rate for a regular ocean view would be around $300 per night. You will have to play around with dates and be flexible to get the lowest rates.  

All 253 rooms here were fully renovated last year, so the property feels modern and new. Additionally, every room at the OUTRIGGER Fiji (except for lead-in resort view rooms) comes with butler service, which is a nice treat!

They also have a great selection of bures (or bungalows) that are great for families, and some are even less than $350 per night on particular dates. At this resort, anyone 16 and under is considered a kid. However, most of the rooms have one King bed and a sofa bed, so you may prefer booking two rooms regardless when traveling with teenagers. 

Activities at the OUTRIGGER Fiji 

The family pool is the center of the fun at the OUTRIGGER Fiji. I also appreciated the lush tropical gardens and coconut groves throughout this property. 

While this resort is smaller and less spread out than the previous one, there is just as much to do! One difference is that there is not a marina on-site. On the other hand, they have the new OUTRIGGER Adventure Park complete with a paintball course, archery, and driving range.

Outside of the pool, kids club, shows, and nonmotorized water sports, many of the activities have an added fee. However, they offer a 10-activity pass for around $90 USD, which would be a great option for kids. 

The daily event schedule is robust at the OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort. Take a look at what was offered on a single day while I was visiting! Cultural experiences such as firewalking, Kava ceremonies, Meke performances, fire dancing, weaving, and more are a real treat! 

Your kids will enjoy the kids’ club and teen activities, which are all free of charge. 

While this resort is geared toward families, you can escape to an adults-only pool (with a swim-up bar) and an adults-only bar with sweeping 360-degree views—this was gorgeous at sunset!

There is also an adjacent top-notch Bebe spa. I highly recommend booking a massage. Unlike resort spas here in the United States, I found the spa services to be priced much lower than I expected! 

Food and Drink at OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort

At the OUTRIGGER Fiji, there are eight different food and drink options and 24-hour in-room dining. These include grab-and-go options, large buffets, casual meals, and upscale dining experiences (ages 10+). Two are adults only. 

As I mentioned above, you can add on a variety of dining packages. There is also a special Kids Eat Free offer (12 and under) for some direct bookings. 

Overall, the OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort is a great option for your family trip to Fiji. I would recommend staying here as part of a split trip, enjoying the resort and surrounding activities for three or four days before heading out to a Fiji island resort for a few days. And that brings me to our next resort! 

Castaway Island Resort Fiji

If you are looking for a magical island experience, Castaway Island Fiji is perfect for you! This 174-acre, family-friendly private island is the perfect place to relax and reconnect with your loved ones. And shoes are optional, as it’s Fiji’s original barefoot island resort! 

Location

Only accessible by water (or helicopter), the property lets you experience the South Pacific in a unique way in the heart of Mamaunca Islands. While enjoying the beach and restaurant, you can even see Modriki Island, where the movie Castaway was filmed. 

This is one of the most convenient island resorts to get to and from when flying in and out of Nadi. You will need to arrange transportation ahead and the most popular way to get there is via the South Seas Ferry. The ferry gets you close to the island, and a tender picks you up and brings you ashore, where you’ll experience a warm welcome! 

Accommodations Price Range

For a private island experience, the rates for accommodations are much more affordable than one may expect! The resort is made up exclusively of vaulted ceiling thatched roof bures, or bungalows, perfect for families.

The 65 bures at Castaway Island Fiji all have the same layout with two twin beds (plus a trundle) up front and then a King bed in the back. Sliding doors separate the two sections, and a split bathroom is located in the back.

As a mother of two teenagers, this is a big plus for me because it means our family can stay in one bure and the kids get their own beds. In this case, it’s actually around the same price as booking two rooms at another resort. 

According to their website, the non-beachfront bures start at around $575 per night, and the beachfront options are roughly $750-$900 per night. These are USD prices, and rates will vary by date. So, make sure to check the calendar for the most accurate pricing. Looking now, I see lower prices with the island bures as low as $435 next Spring. 

Activities at Castaway Island Fiji

The activity selection isn’t quite as robust here as at the larger resorts, but it is intentional, with a different theme each day. Throughout the day, there are planned activities, and guests can also enjoy the pools, beach, snorkeling, and kayaking. Most activities are included.

However, you can add on experiences such as Scuba Diving, motorized boat outings, day trips, and nanny service.

During my stay here, I saw just how much the children loved the island staff, including the nannies. They were often seen hand in hand, and parents were at the front desk requesting particular nannies by name. 

If you visit Castaway Island on a Wednesday, you can enjoy the Manager’s Cocktail Party complete with drinks and appetizers, followed by a show put on by the children!

Food and Drink at Castaway Island Resort Fiji

My favorite meal of this trip was at Castaway Island’s 1808 restaurant. All three courses were incredible, and dining just feet away from the crashing waves was a wonderful experience. 

You can also enjoy buffet and a la carte dining at Water’s Edge, woodfired pizza and cocktails at Sundowner, and casual dining poolside at Nuku Marau. The gift shop also offers cold drinks and grab-and-go snacks. I found the food to be priced very well, especially for a private island experience. You can also buy meal plans for your stay at Castaway Island! 

It would have been a shame for me to have left Fiji without this experience. I highly recommend allowing yourself at least a full week in Fiji and splitting your trip up between one of the Viti Levu resorts and Castaway Island. In my opinion, three nights would be perfect for Castaway Island. 

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Consistently one of the highest-rated resorts in Fiji, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is another great option for travelers looking for a more upscale experience. 

Location

This large, 5-star, family-friendly resort is located on 35 acres along Natadola Beach. It’s approximately 55 minutes from Nadi International Airport. As with the previously mentioned resorts, you should book your transfers in advance. 

Accommodations Price Range

This resort does have rooms with two double beds if you want to avoid using sofa beds. Depending on the date, I am seeing room rates as low as $325 but averaging more around $400+. Some summer rates are in the $650 range per night. So, check your dates, as rates and availability change often.

Visitors also have the option of booking Club InterContinental suites, which include access to the club lounge, complete with food, drinks, and a private pool. 

Breakfast is included in the room rate for all guests when booking through InterContinental Fiji. This is quite a savings when traveling with older kids! 

In addition to standard room types, the InterContinental also offers suites, some including plunge pools. I toured a 2 Bedroom Plunge Pool Club Lounge Access Suite that would be perfect for a family like mine. It sleeps up to six. One room has two beds, a large King bedroom, two bathrooms, a large living and dining area where you can have rollaway beds and a wonderful outdoor space with a private pool and outdoor soaking tub. At around $1000 per night USD, this is a spacious, luxury experience. 

The InterContinental Fiji is part of the IHG One Rewards program, which allows you to earn and redeem points during your stay and enjoy the perks of your status. 

Activities at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

This is a true golf and spa resort with abundant opportunities to indulge in both during your vacation. The Planet Trekkers Kids Club offers a fun and safe place for kids to spend time and is broken up into two age groups. 

While I didn’t have the opportunity to stay here, we did stop by for a site tour and lunch. There were a lot of kids here and they were having a fantastic time! We watched as they held a large crab race by the pool with the winner earning free ice cream. 

The resort offers several water sports, both motorized and nonmotorized, as well as a Scuba program. Resort guests can utilize a concierge to ensure they experience everything they want to while in Fiji. 

If anyone in your group is a gold enthusiast, they will love the 18-hole Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course! Many parents opt to add babysitting at times so they can enjoy the adult amenities. 

Food and Drink at the InterContinental Fiji 

This resort offers three restaurants and a lounge, as well as poolside snacks and treats such as New Zealand ice cream. In addition to casual dining options, the InterContinentail Fiji is also home to Navo, one of the finest restaurants in Fiji. While this dining experience is adults only for seating after 6 pm, children are welcome for the first seating of the night.

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is a wonderful choice for families looking for a more upscale experience. While you could easily spend your entire trip here, I again think this pairs well with an island experience. 

More Family-Friendly Accommodations in Fiji 

Fiji is known for its world-class hospitality and unique island experiences. It truly has something for everyone! These four resorts are properties I experienced firsthand during my trip to Fiji and can confidently endorse! However, you can always browse more family resorts in FIJI on your own.  

About the author: Sarah Blevins is the creator behind Our Little Lifestyle, a travel and lifestyle blog with a focus on family travel and adventures big and small. She is a travel writer, professional photographer, and storyteller, who is happiest when visiting new places and experiencing new things.