We were in Denarau for a business trip last week, and we stayed for three nights at the Radisson Blu Resort on the island. I enjoyed our stay. The front desk gave us a complimentary upgrade to a suite, and I really appreciated the extra room to relax.
I admit I miss the creature comforts of life in the U.S. It was nice to stay at a big chain hotel like the Radisson to have central cooling and good water pressure again.
The oceanfront resort has beautiful, lush tropical landscaping, a swim-up bar in the pool, a spa, several restaurants, a water sports kiosk, and in-house entertainment tailored to families.
Our suite, which had a balcony, was designed like a modern apartment. The lighting was bright and well placed throughout. There was plenty of space in the kitchen. It was so inviting, I cooked dinner there one night. The kitchen, living and dining are all one big open space. The bathroom was large and had both a shower stall and a tub, as well as Jack and Jill sinks. The bedroom had a smart TV, so we were able to stream to it from our phones. There’s a decent gym in the resort, and it’s got the basics covered: treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, circuit training and free weights.
There is a grocery store on the next block if you want to cook for yourself. You can also take a shuttle or cab to the Denarau marina, where there are upscale restaurants.
We had dinner one evening at the resort’s Blu Bar & Grill, where we sat on the waterfront and listened to waves lapping on the shore. I ordered fish and chips–one of my favorites–and liked what they served. The dish came with calamari. The fish was meaty, the batter was a perfect crispness on the fish and calamari, and the fries were crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The restaurant threw in complimentary soup, salad and dessert from the buffet because we ordered from the menu.
After dinner, we stuck around the patio to watch the nightly fire show. It’s a mesmerizing performance. I’m amazed at how the dancers are able to train to handle flames at such close range.
The verdict: Overall an enjoyable stay for business and pleasure at the Radisson Blu in Denarau.
ATB 