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Isolated in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia, the 300 islands that comprise Fiji remain among the last pristine paradises. A true exotic getaway, Fiji recently was ranked number two as the most secluded honeymoon destination in the world by travel agents surveyed by the Condé Nast Bridal Group. (Fiji also won the Red Hot Romance and Breathtaking Beaches categories.)

If you’ve seen the film Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields as a girl shipwrecked on a deserted island in the South Pacific amid breathtaking scenery, you’ve caught a glimpse of the heaven that is Fiji.

Welcome to Vatulele Island Resort in Fiji

While Fiji boasts a number of extraordinary resorts, one that continually wins raves is eco-sensitive Vatulele (pronounced va-too-lay-lay) Island Resort, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Vatulele Island Resort has collected the following accolades:
- Named among “Ten Best Barefoot Resorts,” Fortune magazine, June 2002
- Featured as one of the “Top Secret Sex Spots,” Men’s Health, May 2002
- Top Value in South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand Award, Travel + Leisure Magazine, March 2001

Located 28 minutes by low-flying seaplane from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport, Vatulele Island Resort is the only hotel on eight-mile long Vatulele Island. On the approach, arrivals view white coral reefs surrounded by endless blue-green waters. Once they taxi to the beach, they’re greeted with a cool towel and Champagne before being escorted to their private villa.

The resort consists of just 18 colorful and roomy bures (pronounced boo-rays). These villas are spaced far enough apart to ensure privacy, and each one overlooks its own stretch of white, sandy beach.

The Gentle Arts of Romance and Relaxation

To foster relaxation, Vatulele Island Resort eschews telephones and TVs. Couples will find that activities and excursions couldn’t be more romantic: A Champagne picnic to the deserted island of Nooki Nooki, for instance, provides ample time for intimacy on the beach.

Spectacular reefs and crystal-clear waters with deep visibility make Vatulele ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. In fact, Vatulele is the only five-star island resort in Fiji with a PADI dive facility. Resident instructors offer lessons and certification.

There are also limestone caves to explore, kayaking through a coral grotto surrounded by colorful birds, and visits to the local village where women sell handmade items, including the tapa cloth the island is known for.

Elegant Dining at Vatulele Island Resort

Cuisine at this Fiji hideaway takes its inspiration from Californian, Thai, Japanese, Australasian, and Indian menus. All meals, wine, Veuve Cliquot Champagne, and most activities (except scuba diving) are included in the rate.

Balmy weather enables couples to enjoy candlelight dinners in romantic settings as sunset gives way to star-lit skies. These include a private waterfront gazebo and a deserted cove. There’s also a communal dining experience at Vatulele Island Resort, and couples who participate are likely to meet new friends from all corners of the globe.

A Unique and Unforgettable Fijian Wedding Ceremony

Couples who wed at Vatulele Island Resort can experience a traditional Fijian ceremony. Vatulele’s nuptial service is usually held on the beach at sunset.

The ceremony begins with great fanfare, as traditionally dressed Fijian warriors accompany the bride across the lagoon on a flower-bedecked barge. Local village children toss flower petals. And the village choir sings as a Fijian minister presides over the couple’s exchange of vows.

Following the wedding, all guests are invited to participate in Champagne toasts and partake in a traditional Kava ceremony where blessings are bestowed on the couple by tribal elders. Next comes a special native feast. Later, ceremonial dances are performed for the newly married couple — until they at last retire to their secluded Fiji lovenest.