Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort – Sigatoka, Viti Levu, Fiji

Posted on Aug 19, 2013 in Accommodation

We went to Fiji for a friends wedding and we had a wonderful trip however, if I were to visit Fiji again (and that’s a big IF), I wouldn’t stay at the Outrigger on the Lagoon next time. For me, it’s too far from anything. I prefer to get out of the resort a little more and with the exception of a couple of ‘cafes’ down the beach road (one we were told not to go to!), it’s all about the resort experience.

Our pickup driver even suggested that you would only do a day trip to the islands if you had a lot of time because it was almost 2 hours back to the wharf so that’s 4 hours out of the day straight up.

The staff were all super friendly but not overly efficient. We arrived early (8am) and our room wasn’t ready. We stored the bags, found some swimwear and then there was a room available – terrific. Packed the stuff away took the bags to the room, only to find that there was someone still in there… back to the storage room, get the togs out again and down to the pool. The staff at the pool kept checking all day for our room but when check-in time came and they said it still wasn’t ready, I went to reception…. but the room WAS ready and they were waiting for us! As we were platonic friends travelling together, we requested two doubles (a standard option so we weren’t asking for much) but found that we had one queen. When I called reception, they told me to open the sofa bed. It was all getting a bit too hard at that point so I gave up. (Others in our party had booked interconnecting rooms but that didn’t eventuate either).

One staff member (I think he was the mini bar man) was so friendly that he let me into my friend’s room when I told him the key didn’t work…. I had never seen him before, I could have been anyone! I found out later that this was the same guy that kept leaving my fridge door open so everything was constantly warm.

Physically, I think the resort could do with a major overhaul particularly if they’re aiming for 5 star. Bathrooms, fixtures & fittings, etc are becoming dated and some just a touch shabby. The bed didn’t suit me (very soft/lumpy) but that’s personal preference. Restaurants and bars are lovely but I didn’t find them terribly good value and I would like to have something a little more casual available but once again, this is when I would normally go for a walk ‘outside’. Wifi is extremely hit & miss so don’t go expecting otherwise.

The adults only pool was pleasant except for the day that a bunch of young Australians arrived at 8am and had to be cut off (from the bar) around 11am (apparently the bar isn’t open until 10am so I’m not sure what wen’t wrong there). They were all loud, obnoxious and extremely embarrassing. Most adults left rather than listen to their screaming and swearing.

The resort is extremely popular with Australian families (in fact, we didn’t see another nationality). The main pool is huge and everyone raved about the kids club and nanny service – with good reason. The whole ‘kids’ system seems capable, caring and very flexible. We used the canoes and many families were making use of the equipment – all free of charge.

In short, Outrigger on the Lagoon is most definitely not 5 star and I think it’s best suited to families or extended family/groups/weddings (which we were).