Which Denarau Resort Is Best For Families? Our Honest Comparison After Staying At Three
Updated: Aug 26
If you’re planning a Fiji family holiday, chances are you’ve found yourself comparing the same Denarau resorts over and over again.
We’ve now stayed at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort and Radisson Blu Resort Fiji, and each offers a very different family holiday.
There isn’t one perfect resort for everyone. The best Denarau resort for families really depends on what matters most to you, whether that’s pools, waterslides, spacious rooms, dining, golf or simply somewhere the parents can relax too.
Here’s how the three compared for us, and which one we’d choose again.
Best Denarau Resort for Families: Our Quick Verdict
If this matters most... | Our pick |
Best overall family resort | Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa |
Most luxurious | Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa |
Best pool complex | Radisson Blu Resort Fiji |
Best waterslides | Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa |
Best for golfers | Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort |
Best for extra space | Radisson Blu / Sheraton Villas |
Best for a first Fiji holiday | Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort |
Our personal favourite | Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa |
For us, Sofitel was the best all-rounder. It combined the most luxurious stay with enough waterslides, activities and entertainment to keep our son busy — which meant we actually had time to relax too.
Contents
Before You Choose a Denarau Resort
One of the things we love most about Denarau is that you’re not limited to your own resort. The Bula Bus makes it easy to visit other resorts, restaurants and bars, while Port Denarau is only a short trip away.
It’s also worth knowing that Denarau isn’t really about the beaches. For most families, the pools become the centre of the holiday, which is why they feature so heavily in our comparison.
All of the major resorts have family facilities and kids clubs, so we wouldn’t choose purely on that. We found the bigger differences were the overall atmosphere, pool experience, accommodation and how each resort worked for the adults as well as the kids.
Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort
What Makes It Different?
If we had to describe Sheraton in one word, it would be variety.
The resort connects with Sheraton Villas, giving the whole precinct a larger feel than many of the other Denarau resorts. There always seemed to be somewhere to walk, somewhere to explore or somewhere different to eat.
We also found Sheraton to have the most relaxed and least kids-centric atmosphere of the three — still very family friendly, but with a nice balance between families, couples and golfers.
What We Loved
One of the biggest advantages for our family was the direct access to Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.
Rory could head off for a round of golf while Henry and I relaxed by the pool, then we’d meet later at Heineken House for pizza and a game of pool. It became one of our favourite routines of the trip.
The main pool also works beautifully for families, with a shallow sandy-entry section for younger children.
We loved having access to several pools across the wider Sheraton precinct, and Tatavu Grill & Bar was one of our favourite restaurants in Denarau.
Our Room
Sheraton had been renovated before our stay, and our room felt fresh, modern and comfortable.
It wasn’t quite as luxurious as Sofitel, but it was still a lovely room and perfectly suited to a family holiday.
Things To Consider
Sheraton’s size is both a strength and a weakness.
There’s plenty of choice, but popular areas can become busy. We found breakfast at Island 619 particularly lively during peak periods.
It’s also the least child-focused of the three resorts we stayed at. For us that was a positive, but families wanting waterslides and constant poolside entertainment may prefer Sofitel or Radisson Blu.
Best For
First-time Fiji visitors
Golfers
Families wanting plenty of choice
Families who prefer a relaxed resort atmosphere
Planning Your Stay
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
What Makes It Different?
Luxury without sacrificing family fun.
Sofitel was easily the most luxurious of the three resorts we stayed at, but it still had plenty to keep children entertained.
That combination is what made it stand out for us.
What We Loved
The biggest hits for Henry were the two waterslides and inflatable water park. He could happily spend hours there.
For us, that was the real advantage of Sofitel: there was enough happening to keep him entertained without the whole resort feeling like it was designed only for children.
The dining was excellent, the resort felt polished and premium, and Sofitel also had our favourite beach area of the three Denarau resorts.
While Denarau isn't known for white-sand beaches, this felt closest to a traditional resort beach experience.
Our Room
Sofitel had the most luxurious room of the three resorts we stayed at.
Everything felt fresh, modern and premium. If room quality is high on your priority list, Sofitel would easily be our pick.
Things To Consider
Sofitel is generally one of the more expensive family resorts on Denarau.
For us, though, it was one of those occasions where we genuinely felt we got what we paid for.
Best For
Luxury family holidays
Families wanting premium rooms
Parents who want to relax too
Families wanting waterslides and plenty for children to do
Planning Your Stay
Radisson Blu Resort Fiji
What Makes It Different?
The pool.
More specifically, the pool becomes the destination.
Radisson Blu felt the most family-focused of the three resorts from the moment we arrived, with music, games and organised activities creating a lively atmosphere around the pool.
What We Loved
The pool design is fantastic, with beach-entry sections, tropical gardens, waterfalls and a waterslide area that became one of Henry’s favourite places to spend time.
The apartment-style accommodation was another major advantage. Compared with Sheraton and Sofitel, having more space meant we could continue enjoying the evening after Henry had gone to bed.
The grounds felt lush and tropical, and we also really enjoyed the food. One of our favourite dinners was at Byblos, overlooking the water.
Our Room
The apartment-style layout was one of our favourite features of Radisson Blu.
The extra space makes it particularly appealing for longer stays or families who want separate living areas.
Things To Consider
Radisson Blu had the liveliest atmosphere of the three resorts.
The busy swim-up bar and activity-filled pool area gave parts of the resort a more social feel than Sheraton.
It still felt very family friendly, just noticeably more energetic. Whether that’s a positive or negative really depends on your family's holiday style..
Best For
Pool-loving families
Families wanting more space
Families who enjoy a lively, social atmosphere
Longer stays
Planning Your Stay
Also Worth Considering: Sheraton Villas
We haven’t stayed overnight at Sheraton Villas, so we haven’t included it in our main comparison.
We have, however, spent time exploring the property and using some of the facilities.
For larger families or multigenerational holidays, it would be one of the first places we’d consider. The biggest advantage is the additional space while still having access to the wider Sheraton precinct.
Planning Your Stay
What About Wyndham and Hilton?
We haven’t stayed at either property, so we haven’t ranked them against the three resorts above.
We have visited Wyndham and enjoyed a meal there. Its apartment-style accommodation could make it worth considering for larger families or longer stays.
Hilton remains the major Denarau resort we haven’t experienced firsthand, so I’d prefer not to recommend it based purely on other people's reviews.
Which Resort Would We Choose Again?
My Pick: Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
For me, Sofitel would be the first resort I’d return to.
Yes, the rooms were the most luxurious and the resort itself was beautiful, but the biggest reason was much simpler:
I could relax too.
Between the waterslides, inflatable water park and activities throughout the day, Henry was happily entertained while I could sit back with a book, enjoy a cocktail or simply soak up the view.
For me, that’s what a great family holiday is about, not just happy kids, but parents who come home feeling rested as well.
Rory's Pick: Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort
Rory would choose Sheraton.
Having the golf course right next door and the slightly more relaxed atmosphere suited him perfectly.
Still Deciding?
Choose Sofitel if you want the best all-round family resort, premium rooms and plenty to keep the kids entertained.
Choose Radisson Blu if the pool will be the centre of your holiday or you want more apartment-style space.
Choose Sheraton if you value variety, golf and a more relaxed atmosphere that doesn't revolve entirely around children.
The truth is, there really isn’t a bad choice.
One of the biggest advantages of staying in Denarau is that the Bula Bus and Port Denarau make it easy to enjoy restaurants, activities and facilities beyond your own resort — whichever one you choose.
More Fiji Family Guides
Denarau Island vs Plantation Island: Which Fiji Holiday Is Better for Families? A comparison of two very different Fiji family holidays to help you decide which style of trip suits your family.
Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort Review Our full review after spending seven nights at Sheraton Fiji, including rooms, pools, dining, kids club and what we'd consider before booking.
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