By James Wilkinson on Denarau Island, Fiji
Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has officially opened the AUD$30 million extension to the Wyndham Resort Denarau Island.
Bainimarama officiated at the opening on Monday (Oct 21), where he praised Wyndham for investing in Fiji in the form of new tourism infrastructure and more jobs for local Fijians.
“Today marks a landmark event for Fiji’s tourism industry,” Bainimarama said. “In 2000, Wyndham created one of the world’s premier resort destinations. Today, with the unveiling of this marvelous development, they have taken the overall guest experience to new heights, while attracting generations of visitors to Fiji for decades to come.”
To view Bainimarama’s opening speech, click on the YouTube video above.
Also at the celebration were Fiji’s Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Tui Nadi Ratu Sailosi Raimoqedawai , representatives of the Landowning Community, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Vacation Ownership Franz Hanning, Chief Operations Officer of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Geoff Richards, and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, Barry Robinson.
Robinson said Wyndham was excited to open stage three, which includes a range of suites and beachfront luxury penthouses, a new adults-only pool bar and Mexican restaurant Mamasita.
“Our commitment to providing first-class accommodation and facilities to WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham owners and guests is reflected in the significant development of this property, one of the first resorts in the Club’s portfolio, which now encompasses 24 resorts throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said Robinson.
“We are proud to welcome our owners and guests to the best address on the island, offering warm friendly service and brilliant accommodation choices both befitting of the destination and true to the Wyndham legacy,” he said.
The property is also now home to Fiji’s first Karma Beach Bar, the Karma Beach Fiji, a cocktail bar, day club and tapas restaurant that boasts a private white sandy beach.
Wyndham Resort Denarau Island’s expansion was undertaken with sustainability in mind – something praised by Prime Minister Bainimarama – and that included the use of local timbers, natural light and cross flow ventilation, energy saving lighting and water saving devices, plus energy efficient cooling systems.
Following the AUD$30 million investment, vacation owners and resort guests now have accommodation choices of one, two, and three-bedroom deluxe apartments, plus the three-bedroom ocean view grand suites and three and four-bedroom luxurious presidential villas with private plunge pools overlooking the ocean.
HM flew to Nadi with Fiji Airways. The former Air Pacific has a new name and a new fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which operate to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United States from Fiji. The airline also operates flights across the Pacific –primarily on next-generation Boeing 737s – and on each flight you can expect friendly Fijian hospitality, good-quality meals and beverages. For bookings, visit www.fijiairways.com