Luxury Adventures are conducting a series of interviews with some of our key suppliers looking at the different aspects of their lives and how these influence the experiences they offer. Royal Davui Island Resort is a romantic Adults Only luxury resort, perfect for honeymooners and is located on the Island of Royal Davui off the Coral Coast, Fiji.

What special, unique features does Royal Davui have that set it apart from other luxury Fijian resorts? One of the most unique things about Royal Davui was pointed out to us by a guest that has visited 6 times. Royal Davui is an island, a true island, the island is so intimate that where ever you are on the island you can see the ocean. This is so special as a lot of resorts are on islands so large that you have no feeling of being remote or removed from the world. The other unique aspect of Royal Davui is our privacy – none of our competitors can claim to have the high level of privacy that the island offers.

Where does the name Royal Davui come from? The Davui is the Fijian word for the Conch shell. The shell itself is a very significant symbol as it has been used for hundreds of years in Fiji as a means of communication across great distances. It was used to call neighbouring villages together in times of great feasts and celebration.

Royal Davui is a boutique resort, how many rooms or vales are there? There are only 16 luxury villas on the island each with their own private plunge pool. Each villa is a one bedroom suite with a separate living room, stunning bathroom and unparalleled views.

Tell us about the journey to get to Royal Davui, what are the transfer options from Nadi? Getting to here is very much part of the adventure. Guests fast realise just how remote the island is when they board the resort’s private air craft for a 20 minute flight down the coast to a waiting launch that races you the rest of the way to the resort. Guests wanting a unique arrival can also opt for helicopter transfers direct from Nadi to the island.

What is the diving & snorkelling like at Royal Davui? To say it is stunning would be an understatement! The house reef is a marine sanctuary, so there is no fishing and has been that way now for 12 years. This is really evident by the many fish species and the shear numbers. The best part is that there is no need to get into a boat – all the snorkelling is accessible right off the beaches. With Royal Davui’s PADI dive centre there are many sites to visit and enjoy including the world famous Big Fish Encounter (shark dive).

Do you offer PADI courses onsite? We have a full PADI dive shop onsite and offer a wide range of courses. The best part is that guests can start the process before they even leave home so it reduces the time required to get an open water certification once they reach the resort.

Are there any current specials or events at Royal Davui that we can tell our clients about? We are currently offering two great Stay Pay offers – Stay 5 Pay 4 (valid all year round!) and a Stay 7 Pay 5 (only blacked out over the holidays).

What activities are included in the tariff?
* Luxury Vale accommodation with a private plunge pool
* Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
* Pure Fiji bathroom amenities
* Twice daily maid service
* Sunset canapés each evening (served in the Banyan Bar)
* Weekly Island BBQ
* Nightly Entertainment
* Complimentary WIFI
* Complimentary use of all non-motorised water sport and activities including kayaks, catamarans, stand up paddle boards, guided island snorkelling tours and snorkelling equipment.

I see you offer a village cultural visit, please tell us more about this? The village visit is very special. It gives guests a chance to see the real Fiji and interact in a culture that is so rich and loving. Guests take a 10 minute boat ride across the lagoon to the local village where they are welcomed with a traditional welcome ceremony (of course with Kava). They then get a tour of the village to see the ladies making and selling handicrafts before visiting the local school. Here the children do a small performance for the guests. Guests often ask if they can bring something for the kids – if they want to we recommend useful items such as tooth brushes, school supplies and the like rather than candy.

For those who do not know can you tell us what a Kava ceremony is? Kava is by far the most important plant in the South Pacific (second maybe only to the coconut). Kava is the dried and pounded root of a pepper plant. This is mixed with water and shared at many occasions in a ceremony that dates back hundreds of years. Kava is so important it is used from birth to death and everything in between.

What dining options are available at Royal Davui? We have an ever changing, ever evolving menu at Royal Davui that changes daily – we utilise the best of local seasonal produce and try to keep everything as local as possible. We have several small scale farmers that we buy our vegetables from (all organic of course) in an effort to help support the local community.

What off island activities do you recommend? My personal favourite is the Rivers Fiji White Water Rafting!! It’s a full day trip and it so much fun. You get to travel down a stunning river that most visitors to Fiji will never get to see – the gorges that you pass through are spectacular! The best thing is all the water falls and swimming holes.

What is the game fishing like at Royal Davui? The game fishing in the lagoon is fantastic – as I type the yellowfin and mahi are running! Guests have the choice of heading out for a full day with a great professional crew or taking a resort boat out for a half day of fishing.

As an adult only resort Royal Davui must be perfect for honeymoons, are there any special romantic activities that you can tell us about? We are very popular with honeymooners for sure! The most romantic activity by far is our Sand Quay picnic. Guests can take a 7 minute boat ride out into the lagoon to a sand bar that appears only at low tide. There they are dropped off with an umbrella, chairs, towels, snorkelling gear and a picnic – and of course a phone for when they are ready to come home!

Royal Davui must be a fantastic backdrop for a wedding, what options do couples have to choose from for weddings, how many guests for example can the coupe invite, how does the wedding process work? Getting married in Fiji is easy and getting married on the island is even easier. Our wedding cooridinator takes care of all the paperwork before the couple arrive in Fiji!! Most guests getting married at Royal Davui are eloping so it is just the two of them. In the past we have had guests hire the entire island and brought 30 of the closest friends. These weddings have of course been absolutely spectacular.

What travel and tourism award are you most proud of and why? I think I am most proud of our most recent award. We have just been named as Fiji’s best boutique island resort – I am so proud of my team who do such an amazing job taking care of all our guests with such a high level of service all while maintaining a genuine warmth toward them.

Tell us more about the different accommodation options at Royal Davui? There are four different levels of accommodation. Our lead-in Island’s are beautiful and face south with views out toward the barrier reef that surrounds the lagoon. Of course these villas (like all of them) have their own private plunge pool. Our next category up is the Deluxe plunge pool villas which face east and therefore get bathed in the morning Sun. Guests wanting the sunset should opt for our Premium Plunge Pool villas and those wanting the highest level of privacy lean toward our two Royal Davui Plunge Pool Suites.

What is the dress code on the island? There is no dress code as such (other than no jackets and ties). Most guests dress causal during the day with the evenings being a little more towards smart casual.

Is there a special recommended cocktail offered at the Banyan Bar we should tell our guests to request? My favourite is the Red Lotus – I could let you know what is in it, but then that would be telling! You’ll just have to come try one for yourself.

Christopher Southwick is the Director Of Sales & Marketing at Royal Davui Island Resort – Fiji.

Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.