Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort [In-Depth Hotel Review]

If you’re looking for a classic resort stay along the beach, this is it. The Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort has multiple restaurants, several pools, endless activities, entertainment for kids, good food, meetings, and weddings galore, and — my favorite part — can be booked with points and free night awards from Marriott Bonvoy.

I’ve looked at this property during previous visits to Fiji, always finding it out of reach for my free night awards or too expensive due to the downsides of Marriott Bonvoy’s dynamic award pricing. This time, I got lucky, snagging 2 nights in mid-September with free night awards. Aside from a few bumps at checkout, I also got an upgraded room and thoroughly enjoyed my stay (despite not being a golfer).

Let’s take a look at my recent 2-night stay.

Booking

I booked the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort with 2 35,000-point free night awards from Marriott Bonvoy. As the calendar shows, finding availability at this property for under 35,000 points can be tough.

However, you can add up to 15,000 points on top of your Marriott free nights to book more expensive properties. Alternatively, you could book with a free night award that has a higher value.

The standard room at this property is a Garden View room, which was 34,000 points per night during my stay.

Cash rates were nearly $200 per night. That’s a redemption rate of less than 0.6 cents per point — a bit lower than average for our valuation of what Marriott Bonvoy points are worth. I was happy to use my awards, though, due to other high costs on this particular trip; saving money was the most important criterion in my booking.

I also received an upgrade to an Ocean Front room, typically costing 48,000 points per night or $252 cash.

Location

The Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort is in the Denarau area outside Nadi. There are numerous resorts in this area, including The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, Fiji and Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa. A taxi ride from the airport costs FJ$30 to FJ$40 (~$13 to $17) and takes about 20 minutes.

While numerous resorts and restaurants are within the Denarau area, nothing beyond that is within walking distance — plan to hire a driver or use a rental car if you want to see locations further afield.

Checking In

I arrived at the hotel slightly after midnight, taking a taxi from the airport and paying FJ$35 (~$15).

I emailed the hotel in advance inquiring about shuttles, and an employee replied that I could book with their preferred provider, but I found that a taxi would be cheaper. The ride took about 15 to 20 minutes.

As we neared the hotel, I noticed the numerous other resorts nearby, including controlled access on the street. We had to inform a guard station that I had a reservation at one of the properties in the area.

Upon arrival, a spacious, open lobby greeted me, along with a team hard at work cleaning the lobby to prepare for the following day. I rang the bell on the desk to get the attention of the sole check-in employee who was in the office.

She was friendly and welcoming, asking if I was arriving late due to a delayed flight and making small talk as she scanned my passport and issued my room keys. She confirmed that I’d been upgraded to an Ocean Front room and said that no suites were available, unfortunately. The hotel was near capacity during my stay.

She also provided a thorough welcome packet.

It included information about the restaurants and hours.

Next, she asked what I would like as my welcome gift. I chose daily breakfast over points, and she provided a voucher to use at the restaurant each morning.

From here, she indicated where to find my room on the resort’s extensive property. I was glad there was a map included in the welcome packet.

She chuckled as I grabbed my backpack and prepared to head off, map in hand. “Bula! Welcome! Of course, we will drive you to your room.” The resort uses golf carts to take guests to their rooms on arrival, which is handy for a family with lots of luggage in tow.

For those who arrive during daylight hours, I’ll add that the resort has free drinks available at check-in. These included several types of juice, beer, and cocktails.

Elite Benefits

As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, I enjoyed several perks during my stay. The first was a welcome gift, and I opted for daily breakfast as a more valuable choice than 1,000 bonus points.

Additionally, I received a room upgrade to an Ocean Front room. Rather than a room facing the center of the property or other guests’ rooms, I was near the ocean and had a nice patio.

For guests arriving during busy periods, the hotel also has a dedicated check-in desk for Marriott Bonvoy elites, helping them reduce wait times at the desk.

Amenities

The Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort was overflowing with amenities. Let’s look at each in turn.

Pool

There was a large, multi-section pool between the hotel’s restaurants and the beach.

This area was popular throughout my stay.

I saw employees cleaning the pool each morning, and there was ample seating around the pool.

Sections varied in depth and size.

Adults-Only Pool

There was a small, adults-only dip pool to the right of the Tatavu restaurant (when facing the ocean). It had several loungers around it, and the vibe was definitely one of relaxation.

Beach

As the hotel’s name implies, there is a beach. Actually, there’s a lot of beach here.

Along the beach, numerous seating types and even cabanas were available for guests.

And, I loved that I didn’t witness guests throwing a towel on a chair early in the morning, claiming it for later, as is so common in the U.S.

Each morning, staff prepared the beach for the day, combing and cleaning it.

Several foot wash stations near guest rooms helped you rinse off after walking along the beach.

Activities Center

As seen in the welcome packet, there were numerous activities available.

These activities met at the Side by Side sign.

The sign was located near the towel hut and Island 619 restaurant.

Behind this hut was a sand volleyball court.

Water Sports Rentals

The towel hut also served as the rental center for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, and other equipment for water sports.

Children’s Playground

A large, popular children’s playground was near the activities hut and Island 619 restaurant.

Shopping

Few hotels I’ve visited have had as many options for shopping as the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort. Located within the larger indoor area of the resort’s lobby, one shop offered fine jewelry and perfumes.

Another store offered various types of clothing.

A convenience store offered snacks and drinks.

It also offered pool items like snorkels and floaties.

A handicrafts market just outside the reception area offered items made by local artisans.

Art Gallery

At the far end of the lobby area, near the pool, an art gallery had numerous works for sale.

Virtual Reality

Near the art gallery and the resort’s restaurants, Mindflight7 offered virtual reality experiences. Prices varied depending on the experience and length of time you chose.

Fiji Airways Lounge

A Fiji Airways lounge near the hotel’s check-in desk offered check-in facilities that could provide boarding passes and even tag your luggage before arriving at the airport. Unfortunately, this facility cannot check in U.S.-bound passengers.

Public Restrooms

One of the great features of the property was the abundance of public restrooms. Rather than returning to your room to use the toilet, you could find toilets near the pool, restaurants, and activities center.

Copious Seating

Want a place to sit in the shade without returning to your room? The lobby had a ton of options. There were options with lounge chairs and tables.

Long tables with stools provided another option.

And look at this interesting bench.

Seats closest to the check-in desk also had outlets built into the wood framing.

Internet

Thanks to multiple broadcast points, the resort’s Wi-Fi worked throughout the property. Speeds were good at 50 Mbps (on average) for downloads. And the signal worked whether I was in my room, at the restaurants, or just walking around.

Convention Center

The Denarau Island Convention Centre was located adjacent to the reception area of the resort.

It held numerous multi-purpose rooms that could be opened to create large ballrooms or sectioned off for smaller meetings.

Wedding Facilities

I felt like I was the only person at the hotel not attending a wedding. I saw 5 weddings during my 2-night stay, and there may have been more I wasn’t aware of.

A gazebo at the far end of the property provided a standard facility for weddings, but I saw pop-up altars and tents set up for receptions and other facilities hosting weddings big and small.

Complimentary Parking

For those with a car, complimentary on-site parking was available.

Off-Site Amenities

Beyond what’s available at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, guests can access shared facilities nearby, mostly at other Marriott Bonvoy properties.

Guests could use the gym and the Heavenly Spa at the nearby Westin.

The Denarau Golf & Racket Club was immediately across the street from the Sheraton’s entrance for those wanting to golf or play tennis.

Ocean Front Room

I booked a standard Garden View room. On arrival, I received an upgrade to an Ocean Front room. I spent 2 nights in room 1417, in building 14.

Each block of buildings had 2 floors and an interior courtyard.

There was ample green space between buildings to help guests feel like their patio wasn’t running into someone else’s.

The spacious room had a king-sized bed along the wall on the right side and a wooden ceiling fan in the middle of the room.

While the bed was comfortable and the sheets were very smooth, the pillows didn’t provide much support. All 4 pillows were the same, as well.

Each side of the bed had a small table, and above it, built into the wall, was a control panel. This had multiple charging points, a control for the ceiling fan, and buttons to control the lights in the room. This included a small night light under the sink in the bathroom, helping you find your way to the toilet in the middle of the night if needed.

The table on the other side of the bed also had a clock with a cordless charging point for smartphones. I tried using it twice, and my iPhone never charged either time. This table also had a phone, pen, notepad, and a note about the hotel’s sustainability initiatives.

Across from the bed, lining the other wall, was a large wooden dresser with several drawers. A flat-screen TV sat on top.

One drawer held coffee mugs and a kettle.

Another drawer provided tea and coffee supplies.

The minifridge had milk inside.

The final drawer had drinking glasses.

Next to this, near the exit to the patio, was a small sofa with cushions and pillows and a small, round table.

Upon arrival to my room, this table had a welcome gift from the hotel.

This included a bottle of wine on ice and miniature desserts.

A note also thanked me for my brand loyalty and wished me a pleasant stay.

Past the sofa, 2 large windows let in abundant natural light during the day.

These could be covered with heavy, black-out drapes. Unfortunately, closing one side was difficult, as the stick typically used to slide the drapes along the track had broken off.

Near the room’s entrance, there was a large wooden desk.

Under the desk, there were a few drawers and a small trash bin.

A wooden chair with a leather seat was available at the desk.

Next to the entrance, there was an easy-to-operate digital thermostat. It also shut off automatically when it sensed that I had the patio door open, which I enjoyed.

I left my 2 favorite features of the room for last.

While the first may seem silly, I thoroughly enjoyed how heavy the “do not disturb” signs were. Rather than the flimsy paper signs that fall off when you shut the door at most hotels, these survived the winds and my comings and goings throughout the stay.

The other, more prominent, favorite was the oceanfront patio. A door and screen door led to this small patio behind my room.

My patio had a round wicker sofa with cushions and pillows.

And the view from the patio was excellent.

Even though I had another patio above mine, I never heard anyone up there. Plants between the patios provided privacy for guests.

Closets

In the corner of my room, near the bathroom, was a small blue armchair and a closet with sliding doors.

Inside the closet, there were hangers and a small safe.

The wooden box on which I found the safe was actually a chest with 2 drawers. Holy books were inside.

The closet held an iron and ironing board.

There was also a giant umbrella.

The closet had bath robes and slippers for me to use.

I was also surprised to find a second closet space behind the sliding barn door to the bathroom. There was a shelf for holding luggage and a rod for hanging clothes. As this was an accessible room, there was a handle you could pull to bring the rod (and thus your items hanging there) within reach.

Bathroom

If you want a spacious bathroom at your hotel, it’s available here.

The sliding barn door opened to reveal a large bathroom with a tiled floor.

A full-length mirror was located on the side of the bathroom with the toilet.

And this side of the bathroom also had several hooks and racks for hanging towels.

A small shelf built into the wall beside the toilet held a drinking glass and hairdryer.

In the middle of the bathroom, a small sink was set on metal poles. There wasn’t much counter space around the sink, which was a strange contrast to the large nature of the bathroom in general. On the counter, I found bottled water, a box of tissues, and spare toiletries in a box.

Toiletries included a toothbrush and toothpaste, dental picks, hand lotion, a shower cap, a razor, and more.

The Gilchrist & Soames soap had a nice oak scent that I enjoyed.

My favorite feature of the bathroom: these interesting lamps.

My wheelchair-accessible shower had a fold-out bench with both rainfall and handheld shower options.
The water heated up quickly, and the pressure was excellent.

I had pump bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash on the wall from Gilchrist & Soames. These had the same oak scent as the soap bar by the sink.

I also found another soap bar on a shelf in the shower, plus a loofah. That was a surprising but excellent feature.

With an open shower layout, a negative side effect is that anything on the bathroom floor can get wet. Thus, there was a rust stain forming around the metal poles holding up the sink.

Food and Beverage

There were numerous options for eating and drinking to your heart’s content at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort. Most restaurants also offered discounts or free meals for children with a paying adult.

Tatavu

Tatavu was the restaurant nearest to my room and also where I had breakfast each morning. I loved many things about this restaurant.

First, I loved the numerous types of seating. That included regular tables and chairs nearer to the lobby.

But there were also tables in the sand. I chose these each morning.

And you could sit right along the ocean if you wanted, though these tables were popular and filled up quickly once the restaurant opened for meals.

The breakfast menu was very limited.

But everyone also received pastries, fruits, and juices.

The açaí bowl tasted alright.

But it had my Brazilian relatives rolling over in their graves. If you aren’t aware, açaí shouldn’t be drippy.

At dinner, there was a “resort casual” dress code.

The main feature at dinner time was the show kitchen, which I found interesting.

Dinner also had a much more extensive menu, largely focusing on grilled items.

But there were also vegetarian options, seafood, and pasta.

Salads and raw and chilled dishes were also available.

And there was an extensive menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

I had the Moroccan tagine at dinner, which was excellent and filling.

Tatavu served breakfast from 6 to 10:30 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Island 619

On the opposite side of the pool from Tatavu, near the activity shack, Island 619 had a dinner buffet with a changing theme each evening. It also served lunch on a patio overlooking the beach and the pool.

While the menu wasn’t extensive, it had varied options to suit many tastes.

And the back side of the menu had multiple options for vegetarians.

The samosas were delicious, with just the right amount of spice.

The spring rolls were decent, but the dip was fantastic.

The dinner buffet (with reservations strongly recommended) was available in 3 seatings: 6, 7:30, and 9 p.m. Breakfast was available from 6:30 to 9 a.m. in the mornings, with lunch offered between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

28g Coffee Shop

Sitting off the lobby, near Island 619, 28g served up coffee daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

It was incredibly popular, and the desserts nearly ran out by closing time.

Sega na Leqa

In front of the convention center, next to the main road, Sega na Leqa served fried chicken and beer daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Wet Edge & Pool Bar

I couldn’t find this place, and I honestly believe it’s the outdoor area of Island 619. Listed on the welcome letter, Wet Edge & Pool Bar didn’t exist on the map. When I asked an employee where to find it, I received directions to the patio, where I had lunch with an Island 619 menu.

Alternatively, maybe this place no longer serves food, just drinks, operating as drink stations.

Drink Stations

Located along the beach and the pool, there were several drink stations.

They offered beer, mojitos, and mixed drinks.

Inclusive Packages

It’s possible to book inclusive packages at the Sheraton Denarau Golf & Beach Resort. Signs at the restaurants indicated which meals and drinks were included with the different package options.

In-Room Dining

The in-room dining menu was extensive, offering something for every appetite.

There were numerous drink options, and orders were available from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Heineken House

Located across the street, at the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, this restaurant served pizza, burgers, and American fare from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Service

Until some awkward moments at checkout, I thought the service here was fantastic.

At check-in, the desk agent was cheerful and helpful, providing the right balance of efficiency and friendliness while going through the numerous parts involved, such as explaining my elite benefits, the map of the giant property, and putting a security hold on my credit card.

At meals, service was consistently friendly and efficient. I never found wait times excessive for food, drinks, or receiving the bill.

This is a cashless property; everything is charged to the room and settled at checkout, which I was told about at check-in. That helps to make meal times more efficient.

After breakfast on my final day, I went by the front desk to inquire when to leave for the airport and whether I needed to prearrange a taxi. The front desk staff told me I could use the Fiji Airways lounge to check in and get boarding passes (plus check luggage if needed), saving time at the airport and cutting the line. Thus, they said leaving 90 minutes before my flight’s departure was sufficient. And they would schedule a taxi for me at that time. This matters, so remember that detail for later.

At checkout, I had 2 frustrating, awkward moments with staff. The hotel charges a 3% fee for paying by international credit or debit card (even when paying with my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card or other Marriott co-branded card). That is not disclosed in advance; I feel that should be stated for guests at check-in, especially since the hotel requires a credit card for the security deposit. When handing over your card, that’s the perfect time for employees to say, “By the way, if you pay with this card at checkout, there’s a fee.” Guests would have time to prepare other options, such as withdrawing local currency.

However, there’s no ATM on the resort property, so guests must bring hundreds of Fijian dollars to avoid this fee. I inquired about exchanging U.S. or Australian currency to pay my bill in cash, but the exchange fee was 5% — higher than the credit card fee I was surprised with.

And after checking out, I went to the Fiji Airways lounge. Imagine my surprise at being told that I couldn’t check in there because I was flying to the U.S. I had very specifically asked the staff at the front desk if all passengers (including U.S.-bound flights) could use this lounge. I had precious little time and needed a taxi to the airport ASAP.

The bellhops were friendly and helpful in securing a taxi and telling the driver to go fast, even though my rush wasn’t their fault. This created unnecessary stress and left me running in the airport due to incorrect information from staff. And I was glad I hadn’t spent more time disputing the surprise credit card fee since I needed that extra time at the airport.

Staff must provide more precise and correct information for passengers to avoid surprise fees and ensure they don’t incorrectly answer simple questions.

Beyond this, service was very good overall, though it ended on 2 sour notes.

Final Thoughts

I struggled with the question of whether or not I’d stay at Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort again. I enjoyed many things about it: my room, the food, and the restaurant staff, plus the abundant amenities. The ridiculous fee that’s obligatory for foreigners (who bring hundreds or thousands of dollars in cash to pay for a hotel bill in another country?) left me sour, and I had to sprint through an airport because 2 employees provided the wrong information at the front desk.

Over time, I may get over those things, but few things in travel bother me more than unfair fees used to rip off travelers. So maybe I won’t get over it. And if I don’t, I won’t be back at this property. Only time will tell.