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FEBRUARY 2015
DENVERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM
CULTURE | ADVENTURE | STYLE
JET SET ACCESSORIES
ROMANTIC MOUNTAIN
GETAWAYS
HEALTHY EATING ON HOLIDAY
FIJI’S PRIVATE BEACHES
& HEAVENLY HOTELS
CHIC RESORT WEAR
COLORADO’S HEALING HOT SPRINGS
Plunge into the indulgent offerings at Dunton Hot Springs on page 75

2. FEBRUARY 2015 / DENVERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM
88
ADVENTURE
NANUKUAUBERGERESORTFIJI
I
magine standing on a deserted beach, sand stretching into
outcrops of volcanic rock and palms swaying in
the breeze. There is neither sight nor sound of
a boat engine or human voice for miles. No,
you’re not shipwrecked; you’re simply enjoy-
ing an unspoiled afternoon on a private
beach in northwestern Fiji.
This is the reality for guests at Yasawa
Island Resort & Spa, Fiji. As one of Fiji’s
most unspoiled archipelagos, there is little
development on this island, which is most
easily accessible via private airstrip by Island
Hopper charter flights operating out of Viti
Levu, Fiji’s main island. This luxury retreat’s
only neighbors are a handful of small villages. It has
a mere 18 private, beachfront bures, or cottages. With 11
private beaches as well as daily snorkeling, scuba diving and other
excursions around the island, you do the math… you don’t
have to see another soul for hours if you so desire.
Romance reigns at Yasawa. An adults-only
resort—other than designated family weeks—
guests often cite honeymoons and anniversa-
ries as the inspiration for their visits. Yasawa’s
beachfront dining room hosts mostly two-
person tables, decorated with candles and
hibiscus. Most guests leisurely make their
way from the al fresco bar to the adjoining
dining area for fresh lobster, prawns, mahi
mahi and more, literally plucked from the
nearby reefs that same day. Since all meals are
included at Yasawa, guests can request dinner on
the beach, beside the infinity pool, in a private hut or
inside their bures. The Fijian staff recognize how memora-
ble a private meal at Yasawa can be; they discreetly set up candles
Solitude in the Sand
Fiji’s internationally acclaimed resorts and beaches beckon travelers seeking
respite from the real world.
BY ALI HARRISON
DEPARTURES

3. FEBRUARY 2015 / DENVERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM
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ADVENTURE
and Champagne for an unforgettable evening.
Perhaps even more memorable are the meals visitors experience on
the private beaches. Each day, guests pack beach bags and meet their
“ship captains” along the shore. Each dinghy is packed with seafood,
salads, fruit juices and cocktails, along with snorkeling gear, towels
and umbrellas. A short ride lands travelers on their own beaches.
After a quick set-up. you’ll find yourself alone with the Pacific Ocean
and an occasional fiddler crab. Each beach is known for something
different, such as world-class snorkeling or added privacy. Guests
return to Yasawa tanned and renewed; a feeling one only develops
when they’ve explored such an unblemished corner of the world.
Yasawa’s beachfront spa is the first of its kind in Fiji. Guests meander
through palms and bougainvillea to the thatched-roof, open-air Baravi
Spa. The resort offers a full menu of treatments, but frequent spa-
goers insist on a deep tissue massage on the ocean-view massage deck.
Yasawa offers an Ultimate Spa Bonus that most guests take advantage
of. For a single payment per person per
stay, guests can experience a 50-minute
spa treatment for every night they vacation
at Yasawa.
Each bure has its own spa-like amenities,
including outdoor showers, cabanas and
expansive decks facing the ocean. Though
bures can be air-conditioned, many guests
open the floor-to-ceiling shuttered win-
dows and let the warm breeze drift through
the bedrooms, sitting areas and bathrooms.
Mini bars are stocked daily with guests’
preferred juices, sodas, beer and Fiji Water, of course. Gourmet tea, Fijian
coffee and homemade breakfast cookies line the counter. The island itself
serves as the resort’s florist. Staff are often seen picking colorful blooms
and decorating public areas and private bures.
One doesn’t have to venture to Yasawa’s private beaches to experi-
ence adventure. Guests can borrow a paddle board, kayak or snorkel-
ing gear and explore the world-class, national-reserve coral reefs
teeming with tropical fish right off the property’s beach; it’s common
to see snorkelers bobbing among the waves. Land-based activities
include tennis, beach volleyball, island hikes and visits to a nearby
village. However, many guests cite their favorite land activity as a
walk along the rocky reefs at low-tide when crabs, eels and fish splash
between tide pools.
World-class diving is also the norm at Yasawa. Enthusiasts suit up for
dives near the island and return with stories of sea turtle, octopus and
shark encounters. One of the most unusual excursions at Yasawa is a visit
to the Blue Lagoon, as seen in the blockbuster film by the same name.
A quick boat ride lands guests at the caves where this movie was filmed.
A guide leads visitors into the dim, main lagoon area, where they put on
snorkel gear and jump in. At first it’s eerie, especially if you’re not used
to caving, but adventurers soon
adjust to the atmosphere. A
short dive through an underwa-
ter passage—directed by a guide
with a flashlight—lands you in
a pocket of pitch black caves
where you’ll tread water and
learn about the history of this work of nature.
While romance reigns at Yasawa, families find their own versions
of vacation on Viti Levu. From Nadi International Airport, a two-
and-a-half-hour drive along the Coral Coast—sprinkled with fishing
villages and breathtaking shoreline—lands you at Nanuku Auberge
Resort Fiji in the Pacific Harbor, the adventure capital of Fiji.
It was nightfall upon my arrival at this five-star resort, which opened
in March 2014. A cheerful woman opened my car door and enveloped
me in the warmest hug I’ve experienced from a stranger. “Bula,” she
exclaimed. Soon I realized that such a friendly greeting is the norm in
Fiji. But in the meantime, my new friend showed me around my suite.
Every guest of Nanuku tells a similar story of boisterous greetings.
LEFT: Often cited as
having many of the
world’s best beaches,
Fiji hosts world travel-
ers, intrepid divers and
even film crews seeking
tropical perfection.
BOTTOM LEFT: With
more than 4,000 square
miles of coral reef, Fiji is
celebrated as the “Soft
Coral Capital of the
World.”
GUESTS RETURN TO YASAWA TANNED AND RENEWED; A FEELING ONE
ONLY DEVELOPS WHEN THEY’VE EXPLORED SUCH AN UNBLEMISHED
CORNER OF THE WORLD.

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ADVENTURE
DEPARTURES
NANUKUAUBERGERESORTFIJI
PURE FIJI
One of Fiji’s most-
enjoyed exports is
Pure Fiji, a skincare line
made with natural and
organic, local ingredi-
ents. Early islanders
used nuts and plants
to care for their skin,
and Pure Fiji carries on
these traditions.
Sugar cane, papaya,
pineapple, passion-
flower, deep-sea plants
and green coconut
are harvested to
make products, such
as sugar scrubs and
body butters in scents
such as mango and
coconut. You can find
Pure Fiji products at
Yasawa Island Resort &
Spa, Nanuku Auberge
Resort Fiji and online at
purefiji.com
Many resorts and hotels claim that
visitors are treated like family, but
I had never experienced anything
that rivals Nanuku’s fulfillment of
this claim. As guests dine and play,
staff members will drop everything
to introduce themselves. By the
end of my trip, I understood that
this was simply who Fijians are.
You will not find a kinder, more
welcoming culture.
Nanuku’s restaurant has both
al fresco and indoor dining areas.
The chef prepares perfectly cooked
meats and decadent desserts. An
on-site garden provides fruits that
become delicious juices, as well as
herbs and vegetables that serve as
sides and seasonings. Seafood is the star, however, with fresh-caught lobster, crab, prawns and fish.
Nanuku incorporates Fijian tradition into the daily activities at the resort to help preserve their culture
for future generations. Every day at sunset, during happy hour, guests are invited to watch Fijian warriors
perform a torch lighting ceremony. They can also participate in a coconut class, where a staff member
teaches you how to climb a palm tree, cut down a coconut, open it and prepare the meat and juices for a
traditional Fijian dish, kokoda. Created with coconut milk, fresh lime juice and vegetables—basically a
ceviche—this may have been the best, most flavorful dish I experienced while on the island. Each evening,
guests receive an itinerary outlining the following day, which often includes mixology classes, cooking les-
sons, stand-up paddle boarding and sunrise yoga.
Included in each family’s stay is the service of a skilled “carer,” or nanny, for every child under the age of five,
which makes finding time for romance and rest much easier. Regardless of little ones, a stay at Nanuku also
TOP: Nanuku’s lush property centers around its swim-up pool, lounge
areas and restaurant. ABOVE: The floor-to-ceiling windows and bi-fold
doors of Nanuku accommodations allow the sounds of waves to lull
guests to sleep.

5. FEBRUARY 2015 / DENVERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM
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DEPARTURES
NANUKUAUBERGERESORTFIJI
includes the services of a “villa
buddy” and “villa mama, who
are in charge of ensuring you
enjoy your vacation. My villa
buddy, George, became a fast
friend, coordinating stand-up
paddle boarding, sea kayaking and
cultural experiences, as well as biking
with me to a nearby village. He taught me
Fijian terms and introduced us to locals.
The resort’s suites and residences
overlook the beach and blend contempo-
rary and native design. Rooms are accented by Fijian sculptures and
artwork. Guests enjoy personal media rooms, gardens, outdoor living
areas and spa bathrooms with Pure Fiji amenities.
The crown jewel of the resort is the Vunikau, or Treehouse, Resi-
dence, which is an almost 6,000-square-foot house with approxi-
mately 3,200-square-feet of wraparound porches. Set on a volcanic
outcrop above the resort, guests have complete privacy as well as views
of Beqa Lagoon. The residence is separated into a Penthouse Suite
and three residences, which all have private pools and outdoor living
areas. The Penthouse has a media center, wine cellar, full kitchen, bil-
liards room, porch areas and a private infinity pool and hot tub. Each
suite has a personal golf cart, making it easy to explore the resort.
Nanuku’s off-site activities include golf, fishing, waterfall
hikes, rafting, zip-lining, jet skiing and diving with sharks, the
latter a renowned activity exclusive to this area. However, guests
can stay close and comfortable with on-site activities, such as
snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and more. DLM
PIT STOP: SANTA BARBARA
Denverites fly to and from Fiji by way of Los Angeles Interna-
tional Airport. Instead of a trip directly from the island’s welcom-
ing warmth to Colorado’s cold climate, pause for a weekend in
Southern California.
STAY: Fresh from a 2014 interior renovation, The Fess Parker – a
DoubleTree by Hilton Resort is a mission-style hotel near Santa
Barbara’s East Beach and owned by actor and winemaker, Fess
Parker. The on-site restaurant, Rodney’s Grill, prepares savory
steaks and fresh seafood for hungry visitors. fpdtr.com
PLAY: The town’s history as an artists’ colony paved the way for
more than 60 galleries; rent cruiser bikes and check out Santa
Barbara Museum of Art, Sullivan Goss and more. Santa Barbara’s
Urban Wine Trail allows you to sample varietals from more than
25 wineries and vineyards. Kunin Wines and AVA Santa Barbara
are must-visits. santabarbaraca.com, urbanwinetrailsb.com
NEED-TO-KNOW INFO
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa
yasawa.com
Nanuku Auberge Resort
866.976.4960
nanukufiji.com
Island Hoppers
679.672.0410
islandhoppersfiji.com
Fiji Airways
800.227.4446
fijiairways.com
Boats are the preferred
mode of transportation
for many resort
activities.
IMAGINE STANDING ON A DESERTED BEACH... PALMS SWAYING
IN THE BREEZE. THERE IS NEITHER SIGHT NOR SOUND OF A
BOAT ENGINE OR HUMAN VOICE FOR MILES.