What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's Fiji

Fiji remains peaceful under the "interim" government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama, and casual visitors continue to experience few consequences of the military coup he led in 2006. Bainimarama has gone back on his promise to hold elections for a new democratic government in March of 2009, claiming that reforms are taking longer than anticipated.

Here's a recap of other developments since we prepared the first edition of Frommer's Fiji, which has full details. I also post updates frequently on my personal website, www.billgoodwin.com.

Fiji in Depth

Despite the worldwide economic slump, "Fiji" water continues to prosper and recently topped Evian as the most popular bottled water imported into the United States.

Planning Your Trip to Fiji

The Savusavu airport (SVU) will be closed until November 2008 while undergoing significant renovations in order to accommodate Pacific Sun's 42-seat ATR turbo-prop airplanes. In the meantime, travelers bound for Savusavu must fly to Labasa (LBS) and drive 2 hours across Vanua Levu Island. The scenic cross-island road is paved. Air Pacific (www.airpacific.com) continues to offer special fares to its home base at Nadi. For example, a "Bula Saver" fare costs F$1,436($890/£499) round-trip from Los Angeles to Nadi during November 2008. Children two to 11 years of age pay 75% of the adult fare; infants are charged 10%. Taxes and fees are an extra F$466 ($285/£160) per person.

Nearly all travelers to Fiji from the U.K. and Europe must stop in Los Angeles on the way and thus must comply with U.S. immigration procedures. Citizens of 27 countries (including the U.K., most European nations, Australia and New Zealand) can visit and transit the U.S. without a visa, but as of January 12, 2009, they must register online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov more than 72 hours before leaving home under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (www.dhs.gov). Citizens of all other countries without a visitor visa to the U.S. must obtain a C-1 transit visa from the U.S. State Department (www.unitedstatesvisas.gov), even if they don't leave the airport.

Abercrombie & Kent (tel. 800/554-7016; www.abercrombiekent.com) will send the 118-passsenger Clipper Odyssey, which specializes in out-of-the-way places, across the South Pacific beginning in October 2008.Its First stop will be 2½-weeks in French Polynesia, after which the ship will make a "South Seas Adventure" cruise west through the Cook Islands and Tonga to Fiji. Likewise, Silversea Cruises (tel. 800/722-9955; www.silversea.com) will divert its luxurious expedition ship Prince Albert II from French Polynesia to Fiji in June and July 2009, with stops in the Cook Islands, Samoa, and Tonga.

The Nadi Area

The late actor Raymond Burr's property in the foothills of the Sabeto Mountains north of Nadi is now home to The Fiji Orchid ( tel. 888/345-4669 in the U.S. and Canada or 664 0099 in Fiji; www.fijiorchid.com) The upscale resort features six bungalows and has transformed the actor's house into Raymond's Restaurant. Rates are F$550 ($358/£179) double. It's next door to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, the lush orchid range Burr created.

The Sheraton Fiji Resort (www.sheraton.com) on Denarau Island will be closed until November 2008 while undergoing a major renovation, the first since it opened in 1987. All guest rooms are slated for refurbishment and the outdoor pool is being completely rebuilt.

Also on Denarau Island, the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa (www.sofitel.com.fj) is offering seven-night packages starting at F$3,145($1,913/£1,072) per person, including airfare from Los Angeles, for travel until November 30, 2008.

The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

Treasure Island Resort (www.treasure.com.fj) has added an infinity-edge swimming pool as part of a new beachside complex. It's much more attractive than the old rectangular pool.

Matamanoa Island Resort (www.matamanoa.com) now has a branch of Senikai Spa, which offers a wide range of treatments.

The luxurious Yasawa Island Resort and Spa (www.yasawa.com) will let you stay two free nights for every two nights you pay until December 15, 2008. In other words, you get 6 nights for the price of 4 on lovely Yasawa Island.

The Coral Coast

Several Coral Coast hotels are offering special packages until December 2008. Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa (www.shangrila.com) has a deal for those who fly out of Los Angeles for F$3,313($ 2,015/£1,128) per person, including airfare. Bedarra Beach Inn (www.bedarrafiji.com) is charging a special rate of F$159($97/£54) double per night. The water sports-oriented Waidroka Bay Resort (www.waidroka.com) is offering its rooms for F$192($117/£66) double per night. Waidroka Bay also has one-week surfing and diving packages for F$1,103($671/£376) and F$1,602($974/£545) per person, respectively.

Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island

At the mouth of the Deuba River, the new Tiri Villas (tel. 345 0552; www.tirivillas.com) has 11 thatch-roof, Fijian-style bungalows between a mangrove forest and a beach. Every unit is air conditioned and has a small fridge and private bathroom. Amenities include a restaurant and swimming pool. Rates range from F$289($188/£94) double for a garden unit to F$399($259/£130) double for a beachfront bungalow.

Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa (www.taunovo.com), where you can buy your own piece of paradise, has refurbished an old airstrip near Pacific Harbour and is using it for charter flights from and to Nadi International Airport. The plane ride from Nadi takes about 25 minutes, compared to a 2½-hour road trip.

Taveuni

The American dive company Aqua-Trek has sold the Garden Island Resort on Taveuni (www.gardenislandresort.com) to CHI International, a Hong Kong-based company which has announced plans to significantly upgrade the hotel. Fiji-born Nigel Douglas, a veteran of the nearby reefs, will head the dive operation. Carl and Muriel Fox, the American owners of Taveuni Dive (www.taveunidive.com), have taken over the scuba operation at Paradise Taveuni (www.paradiseinfiji.com), a boutique resort on Taveuni's southern end. Paradise Taveuni occupies the site of the former Suzie's Plantation. Off Taveuni, Qamea Resort & Spa (www.qamea.com) has turned its former owners' home into a "premium villa." One of its two bedrooms has a romantic four-poster canopy bed, from which you can look out at the pool and sea.