Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific to manage new Hotel in Fiji

Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific is to manage a new hotel in Fiji. The Radisson Resort Fiji, Denarau Island is located on Denarau Island, and will be one of the largest integrated resorts in the South Pacific. Scheduled to open in May 2007, with construction already underway, the hotel will be a first for Carlson Hotels in Fiji and the second Radisson resort in the South Pacific.

Radisson Resort Fiji, Denarau Island is located twenty minutes from Nadi International Airport on a superb 10-acre beachfront site, which includes an 18-hole championship golf course, hotels, residences, a marina and port.

Developed by Tabua Investments, the 135 dual-key apartment resort will be designed with distinctive Fijian features, spread around an impressive swimming lagoon including one of the largest swimming pools in the South Pacific.

The development of the Radisson Resort Fiji, Denarau Island will be funded by Westpac, one of Australia’s leading commercial banks and built by Fletchers, a premium construction company of New Zealand and Fiji.

President of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, Mr. Paul Kirwin, commented, “The strategic location, innovative design and high level of facilities make the resort an excellent addition to the Radisson portfolio of quality resorts worldwide. Radisson branding will bring a distinctive experience to the resort and introduce innovative services and amenities commensurate with the quality of the destination.”

Tabua Investments is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based BIL International who acquired its interests in Denarau Island in 1996. Tabua Investments has successfully developed several high-profile hotel, residential and retail projects on Denarau Island. 

Mr. Martin Darveniza, chief executive officer for Tabua Investments Limited said, “Fiji is the major tourism destination in the South Pacific, experiencing a period of strong growth, particularly from the Australian, New Zealand and North American markets.”

In 2004, Fiji achieved 18 percent growth in visitor arrival numbers and confirmed its position as the South Pacific’s top tourist destination. The South Pacific Tourism Organisation has forecast an 8% growth for the region in 2005. 

Darveniza added that, “Additional air capacity to Fiji is expected to further increase leisure and conference business and there is a need for additional quality accommodations in the market. Radisson, an internationally recognised and trusted name by leisure and business travellers, is the ideal brand to meet this need. It is very positive to see Fiji attracting global hotel brands and operators the calibre of Radisson and Carlson Hotels.”

Suited to leisure and conference travellers, the luxurious apartments will feature a two-bedroom, two-bathroom design. The versatile dual-key system will allow each apartment to be used as a separate hotel room and one-bedroom suite or as a two-bedroom suite. Each apartment will feature a separate kitchen, dining area and lounge room plus two separate balconies with views of the ocean, pool or golf course.

The centrepiece of the resort will be the spectacular swimming pool complex, comprising a series of individual pools including a family pool, a children’s pool that is protected with an ultra violet (UV) canopy, and five private beaches for adults only. 

Unique waterfalls, boardwalks and other landscaped elements will be incorporated, along with a spa facility built on a private island within the pool complex.

A conference centre, business centre and banquet space will also be part of the resort.

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