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Fiji’s Lomani Island Resort & Spa boasts a new wellness centre set to open by April. The Herald’s Alanah Eriksen was able to shut out all the noise in paradise and take a sneak peek.
It took a while to realise what was missing. And then it hit – the constant shriek of “mummy, mummy, mummy, watch me” that usually accompanies a swimming pool. Followed by a loud splashing sound that sprays a few people.
Late last year I got a sneak peek at the adults-only Lomani Island Resort & Spa’s new wellness centre before its official opening this year.
I’ve had plenty of massages but, usually, any tranquility you’d felt 10 minutes prior dissipates the moment you step out of the spa and back into the rowdy real world.
Guests can choose to have their massage in Lomani's new spa centre in a private bure or on the beach.
But hopping off the massage table and moseying towards the pool at Lomani – where you won’t find anyone under 16 – your daze continues. It’s just waves crashing and palms swaying.
There are no fake beach sounds coming from a Spotify playlist. It's the real deal.
The adults-only resort, on Fiji’s picturesque Malolo Lailai Island, has long offered massages in a smaller complex but a new custom-built building – set within what can only be described as a jungle oasis surrounded by frangipani and swaying coconut trees – offers a modern, vibrant and sensory escape.
Only a short walk from the resort’s 30 luxury bures and an even shorter walk from the golden sandy beach, Lomani Spa features a sauna, plunge pool, ice bath and relaxation deck, plus three private treatment bures.
The bures offer a mixture of couples and single treatment rooms, each with its own private outdoor showers.
And providing ultimate exclusivity, it’s all for Lomani guests only.
Fiji's Lomani Island Resort will officially open its new spa this year.
Guests can also choose to have their massage on the beachfront, as I did because they were still building the centre when I visited. There were no Spotify beach sounds playing overhead. It was the real deal.
I’m pretty sure I fell asleep for a bit during my hour-long session.
Hopefully, my lovely masseur took it as a compliment. I was at the height of relaxation and all that was left to do was drift off into a dreamy state.
The resort has added “spa” to its name to reflect its new offering.
Alanah Eriksen relaxed after a massage at Lomani Island Resort & Spa.
The design and philosophy of the new spa were crafted in collaboration with Australian-based spa consultant Julie Newman, founder of The Facial Architect.
“Lomani Spa has been a labour of love, we worked hand in hand with Julie and benefited from her incredible expertise to create a vision to spark joy and excitement for our guests,” says Lomani general manager Shelley White.
“We wanted to blend modern wellness practices with the natural beauty of Fiji. The result is a new lifestyle space within the resort where guests can escape, heal, relax and rejuvenate.”
White says Lomani wants to help people disconnect from their busy lives and reconnect with themselves, their loved ones and nature.
Artist impression of the new spa at Fiji's Lomani Island Resort & Spa.
“Lomani Spa is more than a place for treatments – it’s an experience that leaves a lasting imprint, inviting guests to carry the peace of Lomani with them long after they’ve departed.
“We want our guests to have a transformative experience that connects them to the healing energy of Lomani Island.
“Each spa ritual is designed to offer balance, tranquillity and renewal, perfectly matching the energy of their day or stay.”
Fiji's Lomani Island Resort has opened a new spa.
Lomani prides itself on keeping Fijian traditions alive. One of its offerings is the Bobo Massage, a practice passed down through generations.
With rhythmic strokes and natural oils, it’s aimed at easing muscle tension and detoxifying the body.
Another option is the Dua Tale Massage, where two therapists work together in synchronisation.
Luisa Nuku Seruitukana, one of Lomani’s senior therapists, comes from a family of healers. Her grandmother was her village’s masseuse and passed down the traditions.
“At Lomani, though we often come from different places, we become one family. This unity shines through in everything we do, especially in how we care for each guest,” Luisa shares.
Artist impression of the new spa at Fiji's Lomani Island Resort & Spa.
Giving back
The resort uses products from Nama Fiji, a sustainably sourced skincare range that uses wild sea grapes harvested by the women of Somosomo village, in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands.
The products are vegan alternatives to hyaluronic acid that the brand says offers deep hydration, but also promotes sustainable aquaculture practices that empower Fijian communities.
Nama’s products are free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, are cruelty-free and come in recyclable packaging. The products are stocked in major retailers and luxury spas around the world, including at Farmers in New Zealand.
Nama was founded by Australian Debra Sadranu who first came to Fiji in the 1990s and established a spa school and Senikai Spas, a chain of spas in luxury hotels and resorts.
Many women Sadranu trains are single mothers who have struggled to get training and secure employment.
If you can fit it in, I’d recommend getting in a pre-flight massage at Nama’s headquarters. It’s just a five-minute drive from Nadi Airport and the staff really take care of you.
My masseuse was known for her deep-tissue approach and really put her all into it.
The bigger picture
The 20-year-old Lomani is part of the Raffe Hotels & Resorts Group, owned and operated by the Raffe family since 1969.
In the group is the Fiji Gateway Hotel, which I stopped at for lunch before I waited for my transfer to Malolo, devouring a kokoda dish – Fiji’s take on ceviche. It was a treat to see the “entree” was a massive portion that could have fed two people.
Alanah Eriksen tried the kokoda entree at the Fiji Gateway Hotel. It's Fiji’s take on ceviche.
Also in the group is the family-friendly Plantation Island Resort, which you pass through on a golf cart-type vehicle when you get off the Malolo Cat to get to the gates of Lomani.
If you start to miss the sound of little people, Plantation’s facilities are available for use by Lomani guests. I had stayed there in 2018 for a wedding, so had already experienced its wonders for families.
Room big enough for a family (if they were allowed)
Each of Lomani’s bures offers stunning Pacific Ocean views and direct beach access.
I stayed in one of the pool bures, which included a private plunge pool, expansive sundecks and an outdoor shower.
The room itself was massive. Room for an entire family. That’s if families were allowed.
A beachfront pool bure at Fiji's Lomani Island Resort & Spa.
Things to do after the spa
When wanting to take a break from ultimate relaxation, the resort offers an array of activities, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling, a gym and a chill-out lounge with a pool table.
Inside a beachfront pool bure at Fiji's Lomani Island Resort & Spa.
You also have the use of bikes so you can explore the island.
I took a short boat ride to the tiny village of Solevu where the chief welcomed us with a traditional kava-drinking session.
Local children showed us around their school and women had stalls selling painted shells, pottery and handicrafts. A tip for tourists: bring cash. And if it’s not Fijian dollars, figure out the exchange rate beforehand when you have access to Wi-Fi if you don’t have data on your phone.
Alanah Eriksen visited the tiny Fijiian village of Solevu and was welcomed with a kava-drinking session.
The resort’s Flame Tree Restaurant, which guests can just rock up to at any time, uses locally sourced Fijian ingredients and no dish I had disappointed.
For lunch, I highly recommend the pumpkin, feta and walnut salad. Wash it down with a refreshing real coconut drink.
For dinner, the piccata chicken breast was delicious. It comprised spinach and camembert cannelloni, prosciutto, caper beurre blanc, pine nut and boysenberry.
Leaving was difficult. The friendly staff learn your name and will always address you by it. I even got a beautiful farewell song for just me by six of the staffers.
They did their very best to make sure I want to return and successfully succeeded.
The Mololo Cat, which takes you to Lomani Island Resort.
Checklist
Lomani Island Resort & Spa, Fiji
GETTING THERE
Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand fly directly from Auckland to Nadi. After a transfer to Port Denarau, it’s then a 40-minute ferry ride on the Malolo Cat – a private, high-speed catamaran service that travels three times a day – to Malolo Lailai, part of the Mamanuca Islands.
Or, if you’re wanting to arrive in style, take a seaplane, helicopter or private water taxi.
DETAILS
The new spa at Lomani Island Resort & Spa is scheduled to be open by April.
