There are few places left in the world that can be called a true tropical island escape. But in the islands of Fiji, a resort experience called Vunabaka can make this claim - as the ultimate high-end tropical destination that marries all that is luxurious with the exotic Fijian island experience.
Vunabaka is a brand new residential and hotel development designed to allow those after the ultimate island escape to either own their own tropical piece of paradise in the heart of the South Pacific, or holiday at its luxury five-star boutique hotel, the Island Grace.
Nestled on Malolo Island, the Vunabaka resort development – which is designed at the level of the famed Aman resorts – is a water-lovers' dream. Its entire design is set around two private marinas, 73 private luxury villa residences and the Island Grace boutique hotel.
As well as an unmatched level of luxury in its privately-owned luxury villas, the 5-star resort provides the ultimate ocean-based resort experience – world-class surfing, pristine beaches, marina berths and a strong design that is both ecologically sound and architecturally luxurious, while still remaining true to the stunning Fijian island aesthetic.
The Island Grace is at the very heart of the Vunabaka resort, with bures (a traditional Fijian beach-side villa) running along the white sand beach and marinas. Available are studio bures with their own private garden and access to the beach, or garden bures with their own private plunge pool.
Vunabaka was designed by five businessmen who are not your traditional property developers. All five are avid surfers who wanted to build a water lover's paradise and luxury getaway that was about indulging your sporting passion as much as luxury relaxation – offering surfing, fishing, boating, sailing, diving, swimming as well as land-based activities such tennis, running trails and yoga.
"It is the ultimate ocean lovers' paradise. It's in proximity to some of the world's best surfing breaks, fishing spots, kite-surfing destinations and boating activities," says owner Andrew Griffiths. "The likes of global surfing sensations Joel Parkinson and Kelly Slater have said the world-class surfing breaks – five of which are in close proximity to Vunabaka – are some of their all-time favourites. "
In line with being a water lovers' paradise, the resort has a marina capable of berthing luxury boats.
Vunabaka is also the only marina development in the Pacific Islands with a white sand beach, blue water and marina, and luxury boutique hotel, all just 35 minutes travel by boat or 10 minutes by helicopter from an international airport.
It is also unique in that the two world-class private marinas have been created with a swimming channel that allows for all-tide beach use.
Every element of the project has been designed specifically for those with a taste for ultimate luxury and a love of the ocean – but also with a focus on minimising the resort's impact on the pristine Fijian environment. It runs on networked solar power, with an organic wastewater system and even has a reforestation programme in place to restore native rainforest and hardwood trees.
For more information: www.Vunabaka.com