For over a decade, one vacation spot sat on the very prime of my bucket checklist—an island so mystical in its magnificence it nearly felt too paradisiacal to exist. That place was COMO Laucala Island in Fiji. My husband, Anush, and I lastly had the possibility to expertise it, and even now we catch ourselves questioning if it was all only a dream.
Landing in Paradise
Our journey started at Nadi Airport, the place COMO Laucala welcomed us into its new personal hangar with mild refreshments earlier than ushering us onto a personal jet for the brief, scenic 50-minute flight. From above, the island resort regarded like a floating Eden—lush rainforests, sugar-white seashores and a reef encircled by countless shades of blue.
On arrival, we have been greeted by heat smiles from the workers, and Jordan, our Tau (Fijian for “buddy”), drove us to our island residence for the following few days. We arrived at our one-bedroom Plantation Villa, a Fijian Bure seamlessly mixing rustic design with trendy comforts. The house was immaculate: hovering thatched ceilings, carved wooden particulars and extensive indoor–out of doors dwelling areas that opened onto a personal backyard. Our personal paradise even included an infinity plunge pool, out of doors bathtub and daybeds.
That first night set the tone. Sundowners on the cliffside Rock Lounge gave method to Cultural Evening, the place we joined locals for a standard kava ceremony, watched meke dances and savored a lovo feast—meats and root greens slow-cooked underground till tender and smoky. It was heartfelt, uncooked and totally unforgettable.
Days of Taste and Circulate
Due to jet lag, we rose with the solar the following morning. At our villa, Soko guided us via an energizing stretch earlier than we made our method to Plantation Home for breakfast. The chef’s “Tau tray” supplied a tasting of the kitchen’s favourite specialties in small parts. The coconut chia pudding and recent fruit have been my favorites, however what I regarded ahead to most every morning was the ever-changing unfold of housemade jams, nut butters, curds and the pastry of the day.
Later, we lounged by the spectacular pool, the biggest within the South Pacific. With its layers of lap swimming pools, lagoons and glass partitions, each angle felt like a postcard. After lunch, Government Chef Dan took us on a farm tour, exhibiting how the island grows almost all of its personal produce. From hydroponic herbs to their very own poultry farm, the extent of self-sufficiency was inspiring, and each meal tasted even brisker for it. That night, we lingered at Seagrass Bar earlier than a scrumptious Thai dinner. I nonetheless dream in regards to the pad thai and pandan mango sticky rice pudding from that evening.
Journey All Round
COMO Laucala Island is the primary resort I’ve visited the place “all-inclusive” lives as much as its identify—from personal eating to each day actions. After a blissful COMO Shambhala therapeutic massage on the spa, we headed to the lagoon. There, we joined a guided jet-ski tour to discover the island’s rugged shoreline and the ombré blues of its lagoon.
Later, I fulfilled a long-time dream with a guided horseback experience. We trotted via coconut plantations, cantered alongside seashores and eventually rode bareback into the ocean. The second my horse started swimming beneath me will keep etched in my reminiscence perpetually. That evening, the resort’s weekly curry evening supplied one other feast, with recent Fijian rotis and spiced rooster curry stealing the present.
Into the Island’s Coronary heart
Desirous to stability indulgence with motion, Anush and I joined Gary, the overall supervisor, on considered one of his favourite hikes on the island. The path wound via rainforest alive with birdsong, resulting in lookouts with sweeping views of Laucala and neighboring Qamea.
Again on the villa, we opted for a easy personal seashore picnic. With a calming recent mango juice in hand, a bowl of kokoda (Fijian fish ceviche) and the ocean at our toes, we had every thing we wanted. It was the sort of easy meal that matched the setting: recent, unfussy and extremely particular.
That night unfolded like a love letter to Fiji: a champagne-fueled sundown cruise aboard Rere Ahi, a traditional Seventies sailboat, adopted by a personal toes-in-the-sand barbecue organized by Jordan and the Tau staff. A flower crown for me, a lei for Anush, reside island music and dinner grilled earlier than us beneath the celebs—it was pure magic.
Sota Story, till subsequent time
Our final morning got here with out alarms. COMO Laucala doesn’t implement inflexible check-in or check-out schedules, so we lounged within the pool, lingered on the seashore and savored our final moments in paradise.
What actually stood out in regards to the resort is the way it feels as if your complete island exists only for you. That is by far essentially the most personal resort we’ve ever stayed at—you not often cross paths with different company, even at eating places or throughout actions. Nevertheless it’s extra than simply privateness; it feels deeply private, as if each member of workers is there solely to make your keep extraordinary. They accommodated each request with ease, remembered our preferences, addressed us by identify and at all times greeted us with heat smiles. Conversations about our day felt real, by no means scripted and their attentiveness gave each second a way of care.
COMO Laucala Island transcends being a spot; it’s a world unto itself, full in its seclusion, bespoke in its adventures and unforgettable due to its individuals. It’s going to stay considered one of our biggest journey experiences, and one I already can’t wait to repeat. Although leaving was bittersweet, I do know it’s not goodbye, solely Sota Story, till we meet once more.
Concerning the Writer: Jyotsna Shankar is a San Francisco-based content material creator, at all times seeking her subsequent tropical island journey. Comply with @jyo_shankar for bucket checklist locations, luxurious inns and journey ideas. To see Jyo’s good seashore trip packing checklist, learn her tropical necessities information.
