Perfect Countries for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons: 3 Hotels You Must Stay at in Fiji!

2019.12.10 published

More people want to visit Fiji*

The Republic of Fiji, made up of 333 islands located in the central South Pacific*

Fiji had direct flights by Fiji Airways (then known as Air Pacific) since 1998, but they suspended flights in 2009.

After nearly a decade, in response to the growing demand for overseas travel from Japan, direct flights between Narita and Fiji were resumed in 2018.

Now you can reach Fiji in just 8 and a half hours on a direct flight from Narita.*

Previously, traveling to Fiji often involved routes through South Korea or Papua New Guinea, making the entire trip quite challenging.

However, this issue has been resolved, and Fiji is once again gaining attention as a resort destination for Japanese tourists looking for a vacation♡

➡ Click here for basic information about Fiji＊

An excellent country for both overseas weddings and honeymoons♡

Fiji is a perfect country for both overseas weddings and honeymoons♡

This time, I was invited by the Fiji government tourism office to visit Fiji for the first time, and upon returning home, I thought,

"What a wonderful life it is to be able to pledge eternal love in such a beautiful and warm country with the person I love...!! Everyone should have their wedding in Fiji....!!"

I genuinely felt this from the bottom of my heart♡

The charm of Fiji includes,

☑ The sea is incredibly beautiful

☑ The climate is warm and comfortable

☑ You can enjoy marine sports

In addition to these, unlike popular destinations like Hawaii and Guam,

☑ There are rich traditions and culture

☑ There are fewer Japanese and Asians

☑ The stars look different because it’s in the Southern Hemisphere

☑ Since not many people around you have been there, it has a sense of uniqueness

There are countless reasons to love Fiji, but what impressed me the most was the opportunity for a 【legal wedding】♡

What is a legal wedding?

A legal wedding is, as the name suggests, a ceremony that is conducted according to the local civil law.

For instance, in Japan, even if you have a ceremony at a venue, it doesn’t have legal significance (it’s merely a ceremonial blessing), but a legal wedding is characterized by having 【official marriage significance】.

Since a legal wedding literally has legal ramifications, couples who have a legal wedding will have a record in the local registry stating “These two were married in Fiji!” and upon returning to Japan, their household register will also indicate “Marriage according to the Republic of Fiji.”

Isn’t it amazing to think that your names and the evidence of your marriage are recorded in a foreign country...??

There are only a limited number of countries where you can have a legal wedding, making it a wonderful memory for a lifetime♡

Moreover, since you can register your marriage again when you return to Japan, it feels a bit strange (?), but you can enjoy the happiness of being married twice to the person you love♡

Here are my recommended hotels from my stay! ♩

And now, here are the top 3 recommended hotels in Fiji that I actually stayed at♡

Each hotel has a chapel, so I’ll report what the atmosphere was like along with pictures.

This may help you when considering overseas weddings or honeymoons in Fiji♩

1. Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa

First up is “Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa” located on Yanuca Island in the southern part of Viti Levu.*

It takes about 45 minutes by car from Nadi Airport.

➡ Click here for the official website of "Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa"＊

This resort hotel covers a vast area with 442 rooms (it is said to be the size of 9 Tokyo Domes!).

The hotel grounds are essentially the entirety of Yanuca Island, so there’s plenty of greenery＊

I felt a good sense of local authenticity and was able to relax more than in other hotels♡

The entrance to the chapel is located at the far end of the beach♡

Upon entering, you’ll find a cute triangular chapel primarily in white, standing out against the blue sky♡

Inside, the chapel is bright and refreshing with plenty of natural light coming through, and the windows provide a view of the beautiful emerald green sea of the Coral Coast, which is often praised as one of the clearest in Fiji♡

(How wonderful it is to pledge eternal love in front of such beautiful sky and sea!)

Outside the chapel, there is a row of plates inscribed with the names of couples who have had their weddings there♡

There were many Japanese names as well♩

For dinner, we enjoyed a stylish table setting in shades of blue♡

Since it was just around sunset, we raised our glasses while watching the sun sink below the horizon♩

I thought that when having a wedding ceremony in Fiji, it would be a good idea to start the evening party around this time!

The toast is shared with the greeting "BULA (Bula)!"♡

For those who love beer, Fijian beer is recommended for the first drink♡

The table floral arrangements prepared by Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa had a natural vibe♩

As night progressed, the sparkling lights looked incredibly beautiful♡

The Melanesian show was impressive♩

The night view from the restaurant was truly romantic♡

Since Fiji is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the stars look different than in Japan, which is another attraction＊ (They seem to appear upside down!)

Personally, I felt that the stars looked significantly closer than the ones I usually see in Japan♡

The rooms at Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa include 8 categories and a total of 442 rooms, with the largest room measuring 136 square meters♩

They can guide you to the perfect room based on whether it’s a family trip, honeymoon, or girls' trip.

Each room has a terrace with a view of the sea♥️

You can quickly access the ocean, and there’s a water park floating on the sea for children to enjoy, so there were many families around♩

2. InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa

Next, let me introduce the “InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa” located in the southern part of Viti Levu!

It takes about 45 minutes by car from Nadi Airport.

➡ Click here for the official website of "InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa"＊

The InterContinental Fiji has ocean views right across from the check-in entrance, immediately lifting everyone’s spirits♡

This sea is known for its transparency and beauty, especially at Natadola Beach＊

I was amazed by this shade of blue when I saw it in person...!

The chapel has a sophisticated adult vibe with stone brick-style architecture＊

The ceiling is very high, and the large windows on all sides provide a very open feel♩

In the evening, purple lights illuminate the space♡

Inside the chapel, there are wooden chairs arranged in a calm atmosphere＊

It’s perfect for a family ceremony or an intimate wedding for just the two of you♡

The all-glass design allows the ambiance to change by the weather, sunlight, sea color, and time of day, which is lovely♡

For dinner at the InterContinental, we had a meal in the garden right in front of the chapel♡

The geometric-patterned table runners on long tables were called "Tapa"!*

This is a traditional Fijian pattern that is also used in clothing designs.

(Experiencing Fijian culture through such small items felt great!♡)

We enjoyed a buffet dinner♩

From meats and seafood to vegetables and sweets, each dish was delicious and suited to Japanese tastes! (Every hotel’s food was truly wonderful♡)

My personal recommendation is the “navo”, an adults-only restaurant♡

Enjoying breakfast in front of the beautiful sea was a blissful moment♩

The InterContinental also features a luxurious atmosphere that befits its 5-star status.*

There are 266 rooms in total, with 11 categories including beach view, garden view, and pool view♩

What surprised me was that the bath is located on the terrace (outdoors)!♡

You can hide it with curtains, but the open feel is something you can’t imagine in Japan...!! Under the blue sky, it felt like paradise at the resort!!

The amenities are from the famous Fijian brand “Pure Fiji,” so it’s wonderful for beauty too♡

I also had a spa treatment, and the hands of the Fijians were large, thick, and warm, offering a different kind of pleasure compared to Japan.

(All the hotels have spas, so definitely give it a try!♩)

3. Sheraton Fiji Resort

Finally, I’ll introduce the “Sheraton Fiji Resort” located on the man-made island of Denarau♡

It’s only about 20 minutes by car from Nadi Airport, making it incredibly convenient.

➡ Click here for the official website of "Sheraton Fiji Resort"＊

Next to the Sheraton is the Westin Hotel, which is also part of the Marriott group, allowing guests to utilize the facilities of both hotels♩

(While the Sheraton is a tropical and magnificent resort, the Westin has a more traditional ambiance!)

➡ Click here for the official website of "Westin Hotel"＊

First, let's take a look at the chapel at the Sheraton♡

The chapel stands out with its cross mark and has a standard house-like design＊

(Almost 100% of Fijians practice Christianity.)

Inside, it has a simple and compact space dominated by white, perfect for family weddings as well as intimate ceremonies just for the couple♡

During dinner time, a party hosted by the Fiji Tourism Board was held on the beach next to the chapel＊

Tables and tents were set up on the sandy beach, and I was immensely moved by the beautiful beach party decorations that I had only seen in photos of distant foreign brides...！♡

I had never experienced a party on the beach before, but surprisingly, the sand in Fiji is so fine that I didn't mind walking barefoot at all!

Rather than thinking about it being hard to walk on or getting dirty, I was just enjoying it! I wanted this moment to last forever!♡

Therefore, if a ceremony and party were held here, the guests would be incredibly happy to have a “once-in-a-lifetime memory”!♩

We were also presented with a traditional dance called “Meke.” The performance was powerful and impressive...!

The Sheraton has a total of 265 rooms across 5 categories.*

The stylish pastel pink building resembling a foreign apartment was adorable against the greenery♡

The pool offers activities at different times, making it great to get some exercise while enjoying yourself♩

For an additional fee, jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and stand-up paddle boarding can also be enjoyed on the hotel’s beach♡

Lastly, Denarau Island, where the Sheraton is located, features "Port Denarau," from which boats depart for nearby islands, complete with souvenir shops and a Hard Rock Cafe for some easy sightseeing fun♡

Make Fiji your destination for your overseas wedding or honeymoon＊

Currently, Fiji is a recommended destination for overseas weddings and honeymoons♡

☑ I want to relax in a resort I’ve never been to before

☑ I want to visit a somewhat different country

☑ I want to take my family to a wonderful country and have a ceremony

☑ I’m a bit curious about Fiji!

For those who feel this way, it’s especially perfect♡

If you’re considering a wedding or honeymoon in Fiji, I definitely recommend checking out

1. Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa

➡ Click here for the website＊

2. InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa

➡ Click here for the website＊

3. Sheraton Fiji Resort

➡ Click here for the website＊

Be sure to check out these three hotels too♡

➡ Click here for the Fiji government tourism office's website＊

➡ Click here for the Fiji government tourism office's Instagram＊