Marriott’s luxury Ritz-Carlton brand has just announced the location for its latest property, and it’s one that I’m pretty excited about…
In this post:
Basics of the Ritz Carlton Fiji, Namuka Bay
Plans have just been announced for the Ritz-Carlton Fiji, Namuka Bay, with an opening planned for 2030. The 249-key resort will boast 166 guest rooms and 83 villas, so there will be lots of options in terms of accommodations (it’s much bigger than I prefer for a luxury property — then again, Ritz-Carltons aren’t exactly known for being boutique).
The resort will be located on a 28-hectare beachfront site along the Coral Coast, roughly a one-hour drive from Nadi International Airport (NAN).
The Ritz-Carlton will offer two pools, seven dining venues, a full service spa and wellness area, a kids club, and more. The spa is expected to feature eight treatment rooms, along with a sauna, plunge pools, and a salon. More details about the property will be made available as the opening date approaches.
Here’s how Richard Crawford, Marriott’s VP of Hotel Development for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific, describes this deal:
“It is exciting to reach agreement to debut The Ritz-Carlton in one of the world’s most desirable destinations. With Fiji experiencing significant growth in visitor numbers, market profile, and infrastructure, now is the ideal time to introduce Marriott’s luxury portfolio to the island.
The government’s clear and coordinated commitment to sustainable tourism and quality hotel development is driving strong investor interest and attracting top-tier global brands. We expect the local benefits of this investment to be far-reaching, and we are confident that The Ritz-Carlton brand has the global cachet to attract new affluent travel markets to Fiji.”
I’m looking forward to this luxury Fiji property!
The bad news is that we’re going to have to wait around five years for this property to open, and that’s best case scenario. So it’s honestly too soon to even look forward to this property. When properties are announced this far out, it’s basically 50/50 as to whether they become a reality, since developers sometimes change plans, change branding, etc.
If this does in fact happen, it would be a very nice addition to the Fiji hotel market. Fiji is an absolutely gorgeous place with friendly people, though it currently lacks many good luxury points hotels. Yes, there are lots of points hotels, but very few are in the luxury category.
This seems like a market where there would be big demand for that, so I’m happy to see these plans. Marriott already has four properties in Fiji, with Marriott, Sheraton, and Westin branding.
Bottom line
A 249-key Ritz-Carlton is planned for Fiji, with a projected opening in 2030. It’s nice to see a luxury Marriott brand planned for Fiji, since the country otherwise only has more midscale Marriott properties. I’m looking forward to this happening, though given the 2030 timeline, a lot can happen between now and then.
What do you make of plans for the Ritz-Carlton Fiji?
a NEW luxury Marriott Fiji property? WHY?
… i remember well, when Vomo Island was under Sheraton management and it didn’t last long, till Sheraton dumped the Luxury Resort again.
Fiji has many nice Resort Islands and Hotels on the Main Island, but i wonder due to the mostly budget or mid-class budget traveller to Fiji, if such a huge Resort will really be necessary and profitable at the end? :-o
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a NEW luxury Marriott Fiji property? WHY?
… i remember well, when Vomo Island was under Sheraton management and it didn’t last long, till Sheraton dumped the Luxury Resort again.
Fiji has many nice Resort Islands and Hotels on the Main Island, but i wonder due to the mostly budget or mid-class budget traveller to Fiji, if such a huge Resort will really be necessary and profitable at the end? :-o
1 good thing is, it’s on the Main Island rather then a complicated and expensive boat transfer away for those, who just want to go there for a few days!
Reminds me of the Maldives, 30 years ago and now, when you had to take a Dhoni to get to the Resort Islands while today you yake a Speedboat for 20-40 minutes and reach most Resorts for a long weekend or quick trip to the Maldives from UAE, China, Singapore, India or Hong Kong, that’s the reason why i would NEVER stay at a Resort at South or North Male Atoll. Sounds like Fiji is trying to get more High end Visitors in recent years, but at the end it will pay the price for it.
A place so far away from anything in the world, so maybe a couple daily flights by QF A321XLR with more availability on comfortable seating does makes sense then to fly to Nadi Airport?
Maybe we don’t know the whole story about it sll and WHY? … but i guess, Marriott did it’s homework? (or maybe not?!) Former (Sheraton) Island was a flop i’d say!
That’s a massive property. Why would people want to pay luxury prices for a factory?
Too big for my liking for a luxury resort. Hopefully something smaller in the bonvoy collection that’s more luxurious comes along.