I’m @owncolorstravel, a blogger based in Okinawa, Japan, sharing travel and lifestyle stories from both Japan and abroad.
This is the Fiji solo trip edition of my overseas beach resort journey.
After arriving at Nadi International Airport, I headed to my very first destination in Fiji — my hotel.
For this trip, I chose to stay at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, located in the Denarau area, where many of Fiji’s luxury resorts are concentrated.
Staying here turned out to be the perfect choice, and in this post, I’ll share why this hotel made my stay so special.

About Denarau Island, Fiji

Denarau Island is a resort area located on the western side of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.
It’s about a 20–25 minute drive from Nadi International Airport.
Denarau is actually a man-made island, carefully developed with golf courses and beachfront luxury resorts. One of its biggest advantages is how easy and comfortable it is to get around during your stay.
A taxi from the airport usually costs around FJD 35–50.
A “Resort Village” with Luxury Hotels
International hotel brands such as Hilton, Westin, and Sofitel are all gathered in Denarau.
Before visiting, I imagined something similar to Waikiki in Hawaii, but the reality was quite different.
Shopping areas are limited compared to Waikiki, but Denarau feels far more surrounded by nature — quieter, greener, and more relaxed.
From Port Denarau, you can take high-speed ferries to the Mamanuca Islands and Yasawa Islands, making it very convenient to stay in Denarau while visiting uninhabited islands on a day trip.
The port area itself is lively, with restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops, and a supermarket. It’s also a safe area to walk around in the evening.

What I Loved About Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa

The first thing that impressed me was the clean, open, and airy lobby space.
All the staff greeted me with a cheerful “Bula!”, Fiji’s friendly hello. Everyone was warm, smiling, and welcoming — such a great first impression.
They were happy to store my luggage, and even though it was before check-in time, there was a changing area near reception, so I could change clothes and start exploring right away.
These small but thoughtful details are often not mentioned on official websites or guidebooks, so I’ll be sharing these practical tips as much as possible.
About Check-in & Deposits
At check-in, like most international hotels, Hilton requires a credit card deposit to cover the room and any additional charges during your stay.
This system allows for smooth payment if you dine or use services at the hotel.
When eating at hotel restaurants, you’re usually asked whether you’d like to pay on the spot or charge it to your room.
Even if you’re not confident speaking English, this process is almost universal worldwide. Knowing the flow in advance helps you stay calm and confident.
Resort Dining at Hilton Fiji
Hilton Fiji has four dining areas, and one of them is “Deli.”
I ordered an iced coffee here — it was already hot in the morning, and after the long flight, it was incredibly refreshing.
Unlike in Japan, liquid sugar syrup is rarely available, so I used regular sugar instead.

“Deli” is the closest restaurant to the lobby and is perfect for casual meals like pizza and sandwiches. They also offer wine and other drinks.
I took a Margherita pizza back to my room to enjoy.
By the way, cash is not used inside the hotel at all — everything is paid by credit card.



For dinner, I visited “Maravu,” an Asian dining restaurant open in the evenings only.
Located right by the beach, the atmosphere is lovely. It was very popular, so I had to wait a bit.
I ordered:
- Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts: FJD 48
- Jasmine rice: FJD 8
- Mineral water
Asian flavors suit Japanese tastes well, and the meal was very satisfying. I’d been dieting for a while, so this alone made me feel full.



Among all the dining options at Hilton Fiji, “Koro” is the one I recommend the most.
This is an adults-only dining area, featuring nightly live entertainment and an adults-only pool.
Families with children can use it for dinner only.
In the morning, the space is filled with natural light, making it a relaxing place for breakfast.
On my final day at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, I stopped by Koro for a quick breakfast before checking out.







At Nuku Restaurant, breakfast is served from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
Located right next to the pool and beach, this restaurant offers authentic Fijian island cuisine, as well as breakfast and lunch options.
If you want to try local Fijian dishes, this is the place to go.
I had breakfast here on my third day of my stay.


Getting Around the Resort: The Bula Bus

Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa is a long, spacious property stretching along 2.5 km of beachfront, making it one of the longest beach resorts in Denarau.
Because of its size, a resort cart called the “Bula Bus” runs back and forth throughout the property. You can either wait at a stop or simply flag one down when you see it coming.
The drivers are cheerful and friendly, and pleasant music plays during the ride, making even short trips within the resort feel relaxing and enjoyable.


Room Tour: My Beachfront Stay


Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa offers a wide variety of room types.
For my three-night stay, I chose a
One-Bedroom Beachfront Room with Kitchen and Laundry.
This spacious 65㎡ (approx. 700 sq ft) room features an ocean view, a private balcony, a separate living area, and a fully equipped kitchen that is completely separate from the bedroom.
For a solo traveler, it honestly felt like a luxury apartment.



There are balconies connected to both the living room and bedroom, making the space feel incredibly open and airy.
The room also includes an espresso machine, a large refrigerator, a dining area, and a full set of dishes and cooking utensils — perfect if you feel like cooking during your stay.
The room can accommodate up to three guests, making it ideal not only for solo travelers, but also for families or friends traveling together.
A Bathroom Made for Relaxation
What I loved most was the size and layout of the bathtub.
I brought my usual bath salts with me, and soaking in the tub after a long day was pure bliss.
Just a reminder: toothbrushes and some basic amenities are not provided, so be sure to bring your own. This is quite common even at five-star hotels overseas, so it’s a must when traveling.
By opening the partition, the bathroom becomes wonderfully open and spacious. There is also a separate shower room, but having a bathtub really helps your body fully relax.





Travel Tip: What I Brought With Me
For this trip, I packed a MUJI toothbrush with a replaceable head and travel case.
It’s compact, easy to carry, and since the head can be replaced, it’s perfect for frequent travelers.


View from My Room & Shared Pool
One small downside was that I couldn’t choose between the first or second floor.
However, the view from my room looked like this:
Right outside was a shared plunge pool. While it’s not completely private like a villa, being able to access the pool anytime felt incredibly luxurious.
Beyond the pool, a wide lawn leads directly to the beach.
In front of the building, there are also sun chairs with umbrellas, where you can read, relax, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. It’s a quiet, calm space — perfect for unwinding and doing absolutely nothing.





Adults-Only Pool Areas & Resort Facilities

Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa features nine different swimming pools across the property.
There are pools connected to the adults-only dining area, as well as pools located next to Nuku Restaurant. Guests can enjoy daily poolside activities, and there is also a spa where you can book massages and other treatments.



One of the most photogenic pools is lined with blue umbrellas and palm trees, creating a picture-perfect tropical resort atmosphere.
This spot is especially Instagram-worthy — don’t forget to take photos here.

Adults-Only Area: Relaxed & Refined
In the adults-only pool area, the umbrellas are orange, and there’s a bar nearby, making it an incredibly comfortable and relaxing space.
I asked the bar staff to make me a cocktail that matched the resort vibe, and enjoying a tropical drink in the middle of the day felt like pure luxury.
Fiji is an English-speaking country, so if you’re comfortable with English, conversations with the staff become even more enjoyable.
There is a unique local accent, but since I speak English with a Japanese accent myself, I felt that embracing those differences made the experience even more fun and friendly.



Poolside Activities & Local Cuisine
One of the poolside activities I joined was a cooking demonstration, where I learned how to make Kokoda — a traditional Fijian dish made with white fish marinated in coconut milk.
After watching the preparation, we were able to taste it, which was a great way to experience local food culture in a relaxed setting.



Outdoor Massage Experience
There are also outdoor massage beds by the pool where you can enjoy a massage surrounded by tropical scenery — a truly resort-style experience.

Capturing Travel Memories
I took many photos during my time in Fiji, but if you’re looking for a great way to capture travel memories beyond just your smartphone, I highly recommend an action camera.
Action cameras are perfect for resort destinations, especially around the ocean and pools. They’re waterproof, easy to use, and great for both photos and videos, making them ideal for beach trips.

Final Thoughts
What did you think of this five-star resort in Fiji?
To be honest, the beach in front of the hotel isn’t particularly known for crystal-clear water.
If your main goal is to enjoy highly transparent turquoise seas, the Denarau area may not be ideal. In that case, staying on outer islands or in areas like Natadola Beach on Viti Levu, which I’ll introduce in a future post, is highly recommended.
That said, the biggest advantage of staying at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa is its excellent access to the islands, thanks to its location in the Denarau area.
For example, it might be a great idea to stay on a remote island on days two or three of your Fiji trip, and then finish your journey at Hilton — or do it the other way around.
Even so, I’m truly glad I chose to stay at this hotel.
The smiles and positive energy of the staff were everywhere, and that atmosphere naturally spread to the guests as well.
It was lively yet calm, and for a solo traveler, the balance felt just right — comfortable, peaceful, and never lonely.

