One of the main reasons we chose to spend our honeymoon at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Fiji on Sonaisali Island was for their incredible horseback riding on the beach! We also discovered that compared to the densely packed hotel zone on Denarau Island, this resort feels much less commercialized. It's the perfect place to experience the local natural beauty while soaking in the relaxed, laid-back rhythm of Fijian island life. The pricing is also relatively budget-friendly, making it a fantastic option to consider whether you're planning an independent trip to Fiji or a romantic honeymoon! (Information as of May 2017)

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The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji is about a 25-minute drive from Nadi International Airport. Since the resort is located on Sonaisali Island just off the main coast of Fiji, you'll need to catch a transfer boat at the pier to get there. The boat ride takes a mere 3 minutes to arrive at the hotel!

We took a taxi to the resort's pier first.

There's a DoubleTree by Hilton sign standing right outside the pier area~

That little pavilion up ahead is the pier itself~

As soon as you arrive, the wonderful hotel staff are right there to help load your luggage onto the boat~

Even though it's only a three-minute ride, the ocean scenery along the way is incredibly refreshing and uplifting~

After arriving at the resort's pier, you can still easily see the pier we just departed from on the opposite shore. It's seriously so close!

On the way to our room after checking in, we noticed the resort's pathways are all natural sand. Instead of heavily manicured concrete or paved stone roads, they've preserved the island's authentic, rugged charm. The 🌴🌴🌴 along the coast grow especially lush and dense here!

Our honeymoon suite! While the exterior might not look overly extravagant, the inside features my absolute favorite high vaulted ceilings!!!! The flooring is also quite unique—instead of the standard laminate wood or carpet you see in most hotels, it's laid with beautiful tiles~

Not only were there a heart and an elephant crafted from towels on our bed, but they also used freshly folded leaves to spell out "Happy Honeymooners"! Even though we've had hotels leave lovely anniversary decorations on our bed in the years since, by definition, you only get one true honeymoon in a lifetime. Receiving this "Happy Honeymooners" greeting in our hotel room was a literal once-in-a-lifetime moment for us, definitely worth cherishing~~~

I have to say, while the hardware and facilities at this Hilton might not be as brand-new as the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay we stayed at later, their service is truly impeccable. The dedication they put into decorating our honeymoon room honestly exceeded our expectations, showing even more heartfelt care than the Marriott!

Besides the bed decorations, our table was overflowing with welcome gifts from the hotel! Along with DoubleTree's signature warm chocolate chip cookies, they gifted us a large bottle of champagne, two bottles of water, and a lovely travel-sized skincare set made locally in Fiji. Talk about going all out!

On our second night, they carefully folded swans for us, but the lettering underneath was actually my own creation using the leaves from the day before! 😆

The room itself is quite spacious, complete with a cozy little sofa next to the bed~

The bathroom sink area features an open-concept design~

There are double vanities, and the counter is fully stocked with amenities. One interesting quirk is the faucet placement—they're installed off to the sides (one left, one right) rather than perfectly centered over the basins, which is a rather unique and rare design.

There’s no bathtub in this particular room, but the shower stall is wonderfully spacious, spotlessly clean, and very comfortable~

The TV in our room, and right next to it is a compact minibar area~

Our room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows across the entire wall, giving us a direct view of the gorgeous sunsets outside~

Lazily lounging in the balcony chairs, sipping on the complimentary champagne while watching Fiji's breathtaking sunset… it doesn't get any more relaxing than this!

The daily torch-lighting ceremony is definitely something to look forward to! As the sun begins to dip, a staff member dressed in traditional Fijian warrior attire makes a grand, spectacular procession along the coast, lighting every tiki torch throughout the resort. He was so incredibly friendly, too—when he noticed us taking photos, he threw his hand up and gave us a booming 'Bula~~~~~~!'

The blazing torches set against the fading sunset glow were magical. We were so lucky one evening when the sunset revealed a stunning, angelic blue ray of light slicing through the fiery orange and red skies~~

Isn't it just absolutely gorgeous!?

We have to admit, this resort is an unparalleled spot for sunset chasing. Not only do all the oceanfront rooms have their own private balconies perfect for soaking in these stunning South Pacific sunsets, but whether you're lounging by the pool or sitting at the beachside pavilion, Mother Nature's magnificent daily light show is always right before your eyes.

After dark, the hotel even arranges "free" traditional Fijian island dance performances for guests! (Schedule depends on the hotel's current itinerary)

Compared to Bora Bora in Tahiti, where you have to shell out big bucks for a mandatory hotel buffet dinner just to watch a traditional dance, this resort is incredibly generous!

The breakfast restaurant is located right next to the swimming pool~

Inside the restaurant~

You can see the ocean straight from your dining table!

And you get a great view of the crystal-clear, light blue pool too!

Even the sugar packets provided at the restaurant are locally produced in Fiji~~

Breakfast is served in a delicious buffet style~

You can also order the quintessential hotel omelet. Their omelets are packed with generous fillings, and when you cut into them, gooey, perfectly melted cheese oozes right out~

This restaurant also offers a dinner buffet. Worth mentioning is that one evening, they served authentic local Fijian cuisine! Earlier that afternoon, we spotted this mound of earth in the garden~~~ Upon asking, we learned it's actually a natural underground oven used for their traditional method of cooking. It’s very similar to Taiwan's 'Kongyao' (earth kiln) — they heat the earth, place the food inside to slow-roast, and cover it back up with soil! Just seeing this traditional earth oven made us confident the food was going to be absolutely delicious!!

The sand on the hotel's beach is more on the brown side, which is a bit different from the pristine white sands and Tiffany-blue waters you might typically imagine when you think of Fiji~

But the endless, sweeping natural coastal views are still incredibly captivating and dreamy 🌊

As for resort activities, during the day you can always opt for the "do absolutely nothing" itinerary while melting into a lounge chair~~

Alternatively, they have kayaks and other gear available on the beach. But my absolute favorite has to be the sunset beach horseback riding 🐴—after all, that's exactly what we came here for! If you're interested, be sure to check out our extended reading below.

Overall, the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Fiji does a fantastic job of preserving the authentic, raw beauty of the Fijian islands. All the architecture leans toward a charmingly rustic, village-like feel. While the rooms might not be as overwhelmingly lavish as some ultra-luxury five-star properties, the entire vibe is undeniably relaxing and profoundly comfortable~ The absolute standout feature has to be the sunset. Every ocean-view room boasts a private balcony facing the sea, allowing you to effortlessly take in the spectacular sunset right from your own room—a massive plus! If you ever have the chance to visit Fiji, we highly recommend adding this to your list!

➡️ Check Official Website for Rates & Offers
➡️ Check Real-Time Rates & Offers

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