The island life

It’s been a difficult couple of years by any standard, but now as the international borders open up for Australians it’s time to start planning a long awaited getaway. Of course you have no desire to mix it with the madding crowd – even pre-COVID that was never a recipe for relaxation and what with the positive aspects of social distancing, you’re definitely after exclusivity.

So a tropical island then, but not somewhere that requires you fly half way around the world to get there. Somewhere breathtakingly beautiful with that all important privacy, but without compromising on the finer things in life. Well, it’s a tall order but, we have just the place for you. Opening its doors for the first time this weekend, the COMO Laucala Island resort ticks all of those boxes and then some, with an uncompromising luxury experience nestled on its own private island just a hop, skip and a jump from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport.

Of course Fiji has long been a favourite holiday destination for Australians, offering multiple travel options to suit every budget and taste. High end properties are not new to the Fiji islands, but the COMO Laucala resort promises to add a new tier of luxury if COMO’s other international properties are any guide.

Ironically the brand new COMO property in the Fiji islands is more accessible for Australian residents at the moment than its beautiful COMO The Treasury in Perth. Even without the current border closures, flying time from the east coast to Fiji is less than to Perth, and with just an additional 45 minute private flight from Nadi to the island’s private airstrip, it’s anything but long haul.

Occupying 14 square kilometres of lush, tropical – private – island in the south pacific, the resort is home to just 25 luxury residences spread out around the property to ensure maximum privacy for the guests, while ensuring complete immersion in the spectacular surrounds. Private beaches and secluded lagoons, towering mountains covered in verdant rainforest and all surrounded with impossibly blue sea – it is the very definition of picturesque. Situated along the northern shore of the island, the residences are designed with a blend of traditional island architecture with a contemporary feel, each with its own private pool, between 3000 and 4000 square metres of living space and their own butler for the duration of your stay. Privacy is complete, and each villa is placed so that occupies its own area and is completely separate from the report of the dwellings. 

But, should you decide to venture forth from your private retreat, the resort’s bars and various dining options, as well as its health spa and even its private golf course are all suitably low key and sophisticated, in keeping with the feel of the entire property.

All of the staples of a tropical getaway are available to guests at Laucala, but given the very exclusive nature of the property and the limited number of guests at any given time, it takes on the feel of being your own private island for the duration.

Go sailing in the turquoise waters, or explore by jet skis. Go game fishing or scuba diving in what is one of the premiere diving locations in the world – indeed think of an activity and you’ll find available with that special COMO flair during your stay. Horse riding or hiking into the island’s interior is on hand for the intrepid traveller looking to explore, or there tennis or mountain bike riding for the truly energetic. Then there is the aforementioned private golf course – an 18-hole layout by celebrated Scottish course designer, David McLay Kidd – which represents a first for a COMO resort. 

Those looking to truly relax need look no further than the COMO Shambhala Retreat at the resort. Like the Shambhala wellness centres at other COMO properties around the globe, offer up a comprehensive menu of physical and spiritual treatments and activities designed to sooth and rejuvenate the body and soul. Think everything from yoga to aromatherapy, reflexology to every conceivable massage therapy, meditation and beauty care. 

Then, to actually sustain the body, the resort offers no less than five outstanding dining options, all supplied by the resort’s own 100 hectare farm. Here, crops are organically farmed as well as livestock including quail and wagyu cattle, while the seafood is of course sourced from local fishermen working in the pristine surrounding waters. The menus even include COMO Shambhala options – think healthy gourmet items – specially prepared to assuage the guilt of the health conscious without compromising on taste.

An action-packed escape or a deep, meditative island retreat – the choice will be very much up to the guest at this newest attraction in the South Pacific, but with COMO’s signature luxury execution, the result promises to be memorable.