InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Nadi

One balmy evening, as I’m grazing on my decadent seafood dinner at InterContinental Fiji’s upmarket restaurant, Navo, something not-so-unexpected happens: a group of Fijian staff members gather around a table of departing guests and sings Isa Lei, a traditional and heartfelt farewell song.

What does surprise me is how powerfully the song resonates. Not just physically – the choir’s nine voices blend in seamless, rich harmonies, filling the humid air with even more warmth – but also emotionally, as one of the guests visibly breaks down during the performance. Clearly, they’ll remember this holiday for years to come.

Looking around during the day, I see plenty of smiles. The clientele is predominantly Australian, and yes, there are lots of families with small children. If you’re after a quieter stay for that special occasion, Club Intercontinental – perched up on a hill – is a resort-within-a-resort concept worth looking into.

The Club Lounge isn’t an adults-only space, but during my visit, the ambience is considerably quieter, with elevated service and dining benefits to match.

Getting to InterContinental Fiji

Nestled close to Natadola Beach on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, the InterContinental Fiji is roughly a 55-minute drive from Nadi International Airport. Fiji Airways’ FJ914 from Sydney is well-timed to arrive in Nadi before midday. You’ll be sipping cocktails at InterContinental by the early afternoon.

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Fly to Nadi starting from 36,000 Qantas Points return per person (+ fees and taxes) on Fiji Airways.

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For the well-heeled, there’s another way to get around… by private helicopter. Operated by Island Hoppers, a one-way transfer to InterContinental costs FJ$815pp (A$560pp) and takes around 15 minutes. You’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Nadi Airport’s main runway, followed by the turquoise waters of Fiji’s Coral Coast.

At check-in, you better get your ‘Bulas’ ready as there’s a sizeable welcoming party during busy arrival hours. If you’re staying in a standard room, you’ll proceed down the hallway to check in. But Club InterContinental guests are whisked away by buggy to the lounge reception to complete the formalities.

I’m quickly ushered to a table with a cool refreshing towel, a zesty lemon mocktail and a bottle of Fiji Water as I learn more about the resort facilities. We’re well and truly on ‘Fiji Time’ now.

The One-Bedroom Suite with Club Lounge access

The InterContinental consists of multiple bures, each with several rooms across two levels. On the Club side of the resort, the one-bedroom suite is the entry-level room type. But it’s no slouch, with a generous 115 sqm footprint.

Past the entryway is a sizeable living room with a small table, couches and a 55″ TV. On the other side is the main bedroom with a plush king bed and another TV. The wardrobe cleverly opens on both sides from the bedroom and bathroom, making it easier to dig something out from your suitcase.

The bathroom itself is well-appointed with dual vanities and Pure Fiji products throughout. Out on the balcony is a freestanding Cleopatra bathtub and a privacy curtain for a relaxing outdoor soak.

If I have one criticism of the space, it’s that the room looks dated now. There’s something about the tiled interior and the dark furnishings that doesn’t invoke a feeling of cosiness. Softer touches would help here.

Club rooms have complimentary minibar and soft drinks replenished daily. The Wi-Fi speeds are acceptable, and there are a few Australian plug power points around, so you don’t need a converter.

Club InterContinental perks

Remember how Club InterContinental is up on a hill, overlooking the rest of the property? It’s both a blessing and a hindrance, depending on how you view it. Personally, I love the isolated location as it emphasises the privacy and quiet guests can enjoy here compared to the central pool below.

It’s a bit of a walk to the main resort facilities, but buggies and the ‘Bula Bus’ are never far away. If you prefer to explore the 35-acre property on foot like I do, you’ll soon learn all the shortcuts to take.

The jewel of Club InterContinental is the infinity pool and poolside ‘nests’. Throughout my multiple visits over two days, this area never gets too crowded or noisy.

Soft drinks and mocktails are always complimentary in the Club Lounge. Festivities kick off at 5pm daily when we’re invited to join in for two hours of cocktails and canapés. A wide range of alcoholic drinks and cold canapés are available free-flow. My favourite by far is the mahi mahi fish bites.

At every sitting, guests also receive one plate of warm canapés on request. These include tender beef sliders, salmon bites, calamari and more. They’re all delicious – just be sure to leave room for dinner.

Breakfast and daily high tea are also complimentary for Club guests. I only sample the high tea once as I can’t eat that much food between lunch and dinner every day – the three-tier stand comes laden with finger sandwiches, house-made chocolates, sweets and scones. Talk about indulgence!

There are plenty of a la carte options for breakfast, but my favourite is the grilled mahi mahi with poached eggs and salad. It’s delicious and refreshing, plus a bit out of the ordinary. Guests can also help themselves to an array of pastries, fruits, and even honey from an on-site apiary. Barista-made coffee comes as standard, too.

Families with children are allowed at Club InterContinental throughout the day. But at sunset cocktails and canapés from 5pm to 7pm, it’s strictly an adults-only area.

What to do at InterContinental Fiji

The InterContinental Fiji is relatively isolated from other towns and areas, so you’ll likely spend most of your time on the property. ‘Enjoy the sun, sand and sea’ proclaims a note in my suite, not that I need the encouragement.

My first sunset by the beach doesn’t disappoint. The sky is painted with stunning hues of orange and pink, with dramatic cloud formations adding depth to the scene. It’s equally striking at the adults-only infinity pool (below), where the last sunbathers slowly pack up for the day.

Daily activities

There’s always something happening that’s free to join in or watch. The kids will love being a part of the nightly torch-lighting ceremony outside of Kama Lounge. The schedule also features a variety of group sports, pool activities, evening performances and more. You can also access a 24-hour gym to work off the holiday calories.

On a more serious note, ‘Litter for a Latte’ is a beach clean-up initiative held every Saturday morning. Armed with a bag, we trawl through a stretch of Natadola Beach and pick up rubbish for an hour. There’s even two free drinks for you at the end. (Being a child at heart and already well-hydrated as a Club guest, I opt for ice cream instead).

If you’re after some me-time without the kids, you can drop them off at Planet Trekkers Kids Club (FJ$30 per session) or hire a nanny for FJ$16.5 an hour for a minimum of three hours. I didn’t try out the Spa InterContinental, but it looks elegant, with plenty of treatment options (and pricing) to match.

Water sports

The free schedule is very family-focused, so couples and older groups might prefer a range of more exhilarating, paid activities. Visit the Hydro Sports shed for jet ski hire (from FJ$625 per ski) or parasailing (from FJ$295 for two). Over at Reef Safari, try snorkelling for FJ$69 or perhaps an introduction to scuba diving for FJ$225.

With plenty of marine life outside the resort, you won’t have to look far to spot elegant turtles or vibrant fish. My fantastic guide, Giovanni, takes me to The Lion’s Den, where we spend an hour marvelling at the docile (but venomous) lionfish that hide in the reefs. I have previous certifications in scuba, but even a newcomer will feel at home here with a practice diving pool at the resort for training before you go out.

I’ve heard that the coral planting activity (FJ$99) is also quite popular; plus, it helps rehabilitate the coral reefs. Finally, all guests can enjoy one hour of complimentary snorkel gear, kayak, and boogie board hire each day.

Cultural experiences

For an authentic cultural experience, I highly recommend the Kokoda cooking class (FJ$49), held on Saturday afternoons. With a beautiful local produce set-up not dissimilar from a MasterChef challenge, the chef takes us through the steps of blending this deliciously tangy, cured mahi mahi fish dish.

Making our own coconut cream from scratch with real coconut is another highlight – it blows my mind how rich and pure the end result is compared to the canned versions we have at home. (I recreate this kokoda recipe for my family the following week – using saddletail snapper and canned coconut – but it’s still a hit).

Championship Golf Course

The drawcard for many visitors is the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. Located a short complimentary shuttle bus away (and incidentally, the landing spot for the helicopter transfer), the course features rolling greens against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The renovated clubhouse hosts an open-air bar and restaurant.

I’m not much of a golfer, so I can’t speak to the specifics of the course. But during a brief tour, my host points out a diverse mix of players, including an elite-level sporting team coach and visiting dignitaries. It’s clearly a popular spot. One-off playing fees hover around FJ$220 per adult for 18 holes.

Dining at InterContinental Fiji

Back at the resort, there are three main dining areas: Sanasana, Toba Bar & Grill and Navo. Sanasana is your main buffet restaurant, serving up breakfasts and themed dinners. But if you can, make a reservation at the upscale Navo Restaurant. Here, local delicacies such as Yasawa rock lobster and fruits from the nearby town of Sigatoka shine. Prices are relatively high at Navo but still reasonable compared to Australia.

Toba Bar and Grill is a convenient one-stop shop for casual lunches and dinners. After my scuba dive, a grilled salmon ‘Omega 6 Poke Bowl’ for FJ$32 is a hearty pick-me-up.

I also sample the room service menu once, ordering via the handy bedside tablet. The Fijian yellow curry of walu and prawns (FJ$49) is a bit pricey for the serving I get, but it hits the spot when I want to chill inside for the night.

How to earn and use points at InterContinental Fiji

InterContinental is part of the IHG One Rewards program, so you can earn and use IHG rewards points. Earning points is easy – you’ll receive a minimum of 10 IHG One Rewards points per US$1 spent, plus a bonus of 20%-100% if you hold Silver Elite through to Diamond Elite status.

If you opt out of housekeeping for a particular day, you’ll also earn an extra 500 points each time you do so.

As IHG One Rewards uses dynamic pricing on hotel rewards, the number of points you’ll need will vary significantly depending on the season.

During off-peak periods, you’ll find base rooms for as low as 33,000 points per night with nothing extra to pay. But when it’s high season (such as the September school holidays), it can soar above 101,000 points per night.

Unfortunately, you can’t book Club InterContinental rooms with points. With IHG points, you can only redeem points for a base room – here, it’s a King Garden View room. InterContinental Ambassador members can use their free weekend night certificate here when staying at least one paid night.

At the time of writing, the lowest price we can find for a suite with Club InterContinental access is A$1,349 for 3 nights in early December 2025 via Luxury Escapes.

Our verdict: InterContinental Fiji

InterContinental Fiji is a luxurious resort primarily catering to families, but there’s still plenty for couples and groups without children to do. Club InterContinental offers a much higher standard of service and amenities. I’d certainly recommend looking at it, particularly when it’s on sale. But at peak season pricing, it’s worth comparing more options.

On service: it was exceptional throughout the whole resort. The regular staff at Club InterContinental greeted guests by name and were always up for a good chat. Even other staff members I’d only pass by once throughout my stay, like housekeepers or porters walking around the grounds, would usually fire off a friendly ‘Bula’.

Some areas – particularly the rooms – would benefit from another refresh. Another point to note is the resort’s somewhat isolated location, which means you’ll likely spend most of your time on-site. Still, there’s enough variety to keep guests engaged through water sports, cultural experiences, or simply unwinding by the beach.

Photography and words by Brandon Loo, who travelled as a guest of InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa and Fiji Airways. Some meals and activities, including scuba diving, were at his own expense. All opinions are his own.

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