Why This 5-Star Resort’s One Overwater Villa Puts Shade on All Others …

As a rule, overwater villas are pretty and aspirational by default – they’re great for honeymooners, and the bigger ones are fun for families and groups. There are plenty of choices, resorts and even destinations like Maldives, Tahiti, Jamaica, Bora Bora, Thailand and others which people can rattle off for being great places to jet off to. But Fiji also has excellent options to stack against the board, and plenty of them are 5-star resorts too. What we’re looking at, is the COMO Laucala Island’s Wai Two Bedroom Overwater Bungalow.

But why would we pick out this one resort, which has but the one overwater bungalow, as peerless? There are a few reasons, and we’d love to share.

The Resort, and Where It Is

Among 5-star resorts, is a more exclusive sub-category – private island resorts. Offering its guests unmatched seclusion, privacy (think no paparazzi or drones, period), and a mind-numbing variety of activities and experiences without even leaving the island, these resorts add full-blown luxury to the mix and voila! The COMO Laucala Island is 3,000-acre former plantation and quarantine station turned into a super-luxurious resort, surrounded by crystal-clear waters.

The resort is set off the larger Taveuni island, which is quite a distance from the Fijian mainland of Viti Levu. The resort does provide bespoke domestic flight charters directly from the international airport, but it welcomes international charter flights directly onto its landing strip. Guests have the freedom to clear international customs and resort check-in at the same time, while sipping on pre-ordered cocktails. It’s just one of the many conveniences.

The Wai Two Bedroom Overwater Bungalow

The COMO Laucala has just 25 residences in its entire inventory, and there are no other overwater accommodations to confuse with the Wai Residence. ‘Wai’ translates to water in Fijian, and it does justice to the massive bungalow. To get the cons out of the way, it is a two-bedroom bungalow, and although it is overwater, the purists will say the entrance is land-locked. That it is.

With that out of the way, the Wai Residence covers roughly under 4,500 square metres, or a little over an acre of personal space. To put that in perspective, most 2- and 3-star resorts begin and end in half the space. Spread over all this area, this two-bedroom bungalow offers massive bedrooms with walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms, living and dining rooms, multiple decks, a private jetty and a full-size swimming pool. And all rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass windows with panoramic views of the glassy green waters, the reefs and the bay beyond. Taking inspiration from traditional Fijian architecture, the residence features high-vaulted thatched roofs supported by thick wooden beams, hand-made island casual furniture and Fijian artwork.

The bedrooms in this residence feature king-size beds, and lead to a walk-in closet and dresser, and through to the ensuite bathrooms. The latter comes with either sunk or freestanding bathtubs, dual indoor and outdoor showers, and French windows for… soaking in the views! The huge living and dining room separate the two bedrooms, and offer a comfortable, relaxing space for guests. The COMO Laucala Resort has top-of-the-line restaurants at the ready for its guests, but sometimes when in-room dining fits the bill, the residence’s elegant dining section is perfect for romantic dinners and jovial family affairs. And speaking of dining venues, the Wai Residence spoils its guests for choice with covered outdoor venue with superb ocean views.

The Wai Residence also boasts of an infinity swimming pool hewn into a volcanic rock wall. Not a plunge pool, but a full-size one. The adjoining deck comes with a jetty, where holidaymakers can tie off pleasure-craft like jetskis, kayaks and the like; and a launch-point for all snorkelling adventures.

The Wai Residence @COMO Laucala Island, Fiji: One of a Kind

This palatial bungalow is perfect whether used for an ultra-romantic retreat (but there’s the Udu Residence, come to think of it!), a Fiji family vacation to reconnect and have a digital detox, or a friends’ getaway with enough adventure to last a lifetime. Oh, did you know that the resort has a range of watercraft for its guests, including an Olympic-level Dragon-class sailing boat! Check out our resort page for more information, pictures and details for this gem. We hope you enjoyed learning about the Wai Residence and the COMO Laucala Island – feel free to check out our other Fiji blogs. And if you want a bespoke Fiji holiday, talk to our South Pacific Specialists at 1300 991 751!