LUXURY

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
LIKULIKU LAGOON RESORT FIJI
OUR RATING: 8.9/10
24 Hours in:
Los Angeles
Opened: April 2007.
Location: Malolo Island in the Mamanuca Island Group.
Ambience/style: True Melanesian architecture creates an
authentic Fijian experience - with a serious dash of luxury
thrown in.
Clientele: Couples only property so popular with
honeymooners. Pleasantly surprised that the age group was
younger than I expected and not too ‘stuffy’.
Awards: 2009 Best Deluxe/Unique Accommodation – AON
Fiji Tourism Awards for Excellence.
Room number: 46 villas in total - 10 over-water, 18
Beachfront and 18 Deluxe Beachfront. The deluxe villas
include a private pool, interior layout and furnishings
the same.
Interesting facts: Only property in Fiji with over-water villas.
Room type reviewed: Deluxe Beachfront.
Room size: Internal living space a cozy 57m 2 , Deck 22m 2 and
courtyard 15m 2 .
Room info: The open plan, split-level design with pitched,
cathedral ceiling cleverly creates the illusion of space. The
lower level lounge area has a large L-shaped couch with big,
comfy, pillows, plasma and DVD and looks out onto the big,
private deck with covered day bed, plunge pool and beach
just steps away. On the upper level is the master bedroom
with king-sized bed, his and her closets along either wall
and a large writing desk hidden behind a half height wall.
The subtly positioned halogens around the perimeter was a
nice touch too.
Bathroom: A large sliding, hand-carved door behind the
desk area reveals a stunning and spacious bathroom. I liked
how the his and her vanities were separated on opposite
walls and also the stone tiled, extra large rain shower. There
is a separate toilet with large picture window that looks out
to a private courtyard with a great outside shower.
Business needs: If you must, you have free Internet access
Beachfront Bure
Beachfront Bathroom
in addition to the facilities in the private guest transit
lounge. The private boardroom is for hire and perfect for
an executive getaway.
Spa facilities: Tatadra, meaning ‘House of Dreams, is nestled
against the green slopes of the island with beautiful lagoon
views and gentle breezes. Choose a Fijian-style massage or
select any number of natural beauty and body treatments
from the range of ‘Pure Fiji’ products.
Restaurants and bar info: Headed by Australian Executive
Chef Brett Kryskow and his team, Fijiana Restaurant is
the resort’s centrepiece. The cuisine is fresh and creative
with an emphasis on local seafood and tropical fruits. The
dining concept is changing daily in a mini-degustation style
for lunch and dinner, combined with a variety of themed
evenings showcasing local and cultural elements.
Pool: River stone tiled lagoon style, with 20-metre infinity
edge. Very nice.
Stuff for kids: Sorry, no kids.
‘X’-Factor: Has to be the over-water villas.
What’s great: The quality of the cuisine and the villas
exceeded expectations.
What’s not so great: The bedroom area of the villa looks out
to the neighbouring villa’s pool and deck. Blinds need to be
pulled for extra privacy, but no big deal.
Overall: A stunner of a property and a real credit to the
owners for creating a true, luxury property that is worthy
of the nightly price tag.
Editor’s tip: If you haven’t stayed in an over-water villa
before, try these - even if for just a few nights of your Fiji
stay. If staying on land, choose from villas 29 through 46 as
these are on the best section of the beach.
Website: www.likulikulagoon.com
Reservations: for information or enquiries please phone
Mondo Travel on 0800 955 655.
No matter how many times you stop in the City of Angels, there is always something
new and fabulous to try and even more shopping to sample. Sally Marshall spends
some time in Los Angeles on her way to Europe.
8.00am To find a good coffee in America is near impossible and Los Angeles is no
exception. That is unless you find yourself in West Hollywood and near to Joan’s on Third
(8350 West Third Street)… think Jones the Grocer or Zarbo. Remember to ask for a double
or triple shot latté; a request for a flat white will be met with total puzzlement. Joan’s has a
terrific blackboard menu perfect for breakfast or brunch and with the friendly and efficient
service and locals (many with their little dogs), we squeezed in an extra coffee and enjoyed
the atmosphere.
9.30am Fully fortified after a hearty breakfast, it was off to the Beverly Centre (8500 Beverly
Blvd Los Angeles). It isn’t my favourite mall but it does have all the designers, Bloomingdale’s
and Macy’s and isn’t too far from Joan’s. With some great shops on the way, we decided to
pound the pavements rather than cab. With only 24 hours in LA, we flagged hiring a car but
at all other times, a car is a must. Especially since they valet park everywhere. Just keep off the
freeways… the 405 is terrifying! Taxis are not easy to find either so make a note when you
see a Taxi Rank, usually around hotels and shopping malls or sometimes if you are lucky, you
can flag one down around Robertson Blvd. The blocks in LA can be huge so if you decide to
walk, make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
10.50am Into a taxi and off to Culver City where the highest concentration of art galleries
in Southern California can be found. It’s really worth heading this way if art is your thing, to
check out and buy some terrific pieces at really good prices. We managed 27 galleries before
the rumbling of our stomachs and aching of our feet became too much to ignore.
12.30am Back to Beverly Hills for lunch at The Ivy (113 N Robertson Blvd). With its white
picket fence and roses, patio dining and paparazzi lined up outside, this is a real LA landmark.
The place to be and be seen, a gimlet with homegrown mint, limes, and vodka is almost
compulsory and really, really good! Right in the middle of ‘June Gloom’, we sat inside rather
than on the famous patio area - think shabby chic, homey and buzzy with lots of flowers
and knick-knacks. The food is traditional American with Cobb salads, mesquite-grilled fish
and fried chicken plus the house speciality, crab cakes. The Ivy is quite small so bookings are
essential - unless you know someone famous. That of course, would be a different story.
2.10pm After a glut of celebrity watching, we were ready for some serious retail therapy.
The best place for this in LA is absolutely The Grove (189 The Grove Drive)… in a word,
AMAZING! It’s a huge ‘outdoor’ mall with all the best shops and a massive Farmers Market
with food from all over the world. A tramcar, complete with conductor, runs between the
Farmers Market and the main shopping area. This place is like a cross between adult Disneyland
and a shopper’s heaven. It’s here you can get Jimmy Choos, Stella McCartney, Abercrombie &
Fitch and shop at Anthropologie, American Girl Place, Nordstrom or at Barney’s Coop.
4.30pm With our shopping in hand, it’s a quick stop at The Whisper Lounge (189 The
Grove Drive) for a cocktail and glass of wine before heading back to the hotel to chill out
before dinner. Also a great option if you just need a breather between shopping sessions. We
decided that one last stay at the iconic Hotel Bel Air was a good idea before it closes for a
massive refurbishment from end September. We will most certainly be back when it reopens
in 2011 to see how this grand old dame has been spruced up.
8.00pm Off to dinner at the fabulous Chateau Marmont, the highlight of our stopover.
Another celeb hangout with plenty of waiting paparazzi, it’s like stepping into a film set from
the 30’s. Very gothic and intimate, you aren’t even aware that you are in a hotel. The dining
room is small and romantic with lots of mirrors, chandeliers and banquettes. We started
with the legendary martinis, followed by a delicious meal and plenty of wine. The terrace is
gorgeous so try to have your coffee out there. This is a MUST DO if you can get a booking;
try to do it online before you leave New Zealand for a better chance.
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