By the time our room was ready, we had settled into a poolside nest, eaten afternoon tea and been for a swim. On our third visit to InterContinental Fiji, Club again delivered what we had come for: space, a calm pool we could enjoy with our son, and staff who made us feel remembered. Our suite showed its age in places. The experience still justified the premium.
Our holiday brief, delivered
A quieter luxury holiday, together
Club gave us a quieter corner of the resort without separating us from the family holiday. Children were welcome at its pool, the service was attentive, and we could spend time together away from the bustle of the main children’s pool. That combination was worth paying for.
- Our stay
- 4–8 October 2026 · 4 nights · Third stay
- Booked
- 2 Bedroom Suite plunge pool club lounge access
- Our room
- 156 m² · Ground floor, block 37 · Private plunge pool · Gardens and distant sea view
- Stay cost
- FJ$13,577 total · FJ$3,394.25 per night on average
- Inclusions and extras
- Club lounge access and the Club food and drink inclusions described below. Additional food and alcoholic beverages outside those inclusions cost extra.
- How we booked
- Directly with the hotel through its app.
- Paid or hosted?
- We paid for our holiday. Nothing was complimentary or hosted.
Amounts are in Fiji dollars (FJD). Nightly figures are averages calculated from the total stay cost, not advertised room rates.
The view from the Club lounge
Booking: an unnecessarily stressful start
The holiday began less smoothly than it ended. Our rate required prepayment, but difficult email exchanges and payment links that would not work made settling it a chore. A helpful staff member on the phone eventually noted that we could pay on arrival. The problem was resolved; the pre-departure stress was unnecessary.
Location: Natadola beach and the surrounding area
The drive from Nadi to Natadola took us about an hour, past villages, schools, churches, roadside vendors and small businesses. Sugar-cane burn-offs, car wreckers and roaming chickens and livestock shared the view. It was a glimpse of everyday Fiji before the resort gates.
Inside those gates, winding driveways and lush gardens led to a beach and outlook we would happily compare with the offshore islands we have visited. Natadola is the reason to come to this part of the Coral Coast. If we were not booking Club, we would choose beachfront accommodation.
Some activities are close to Natadola, but check the actual departure point before booking. We would save trips departing Port Denarau for a stay closer to the port. On this holiday we stayed at the resort to minimise travel coordination. Explore our activity planning notes.
How we got there and back
Crowne Plaza → InterContinental
We booked directly on Epic’s website and paid FJ$150. We ordered a private car, with a Prius shown as the example, and received a more spacious SUV. It was new and clean, with excellent air conditioning, and pickup was on time. The journey took about an hour.
InterContinental → Nadi Airport
We booked through Viator with Explore operating the transfer, for FJ$140.85. The driver was on time and friendly, and our luggage fitted in the car. The vehicle was a little older, but comfortable, and the air conditioning worked well.
Fares are in Fiji dollars and reflect what we paid for these journeys, not current quotes.
See our Fiji travel and transfer guide →
Understanding the resort
The main resort sits along the beach, while the Club accommodation occupies an elevated position behind it. These photographs from the hotel’s website help show the overall layout and setting.
Two closer views of the resort
What Club added to the stay
Club carries a cost premium. For us, the generous rooms, quieter hillside setting and attentive service made the difference. Buggies also seemed to arrive readily, although we cannot say whether Club guests had formal priority.
We were welcomed at the main lobby with necklaces and cocktails, then taken by buggy to the Club lounge. Check-in there was quick, with no waiting. We had arrived three hours before the official check-in time, so settled into comfortable loungers and the woven seats we called “nests”, enjoying the view and more refreshments.
Help-yourself snacks were available, and we could order non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day without an extra charge. Included afternoon tea arrived by the pool at 2pm. After tea and a swim, our room key was brought over and a buggy was waiting. We had arrived three hours before check-in, but the holiday was already under way.
A suite with room to settle in
Our ground-floor, two-bedroom Club suite in block 37 had a private plunge pool and a distant sea view. A handwritten card and fruit platter awaited us. The minibar held included water, juice, soft drinks, milk and snacks. The espresso came out properly hot—a small pleasure after cold in-room coffee at our previous hotel.
A small practical discovery: self-service ice dispensers sit at ground level in the central space of each accommodation block. They were easy to miss; we heard other guests asking where to find ice.
The 156 m² layout gave us room to live, rather than simply room to sleep. A full dining table sat beside built-in cushioned seating, with a separate lounge and coffee table for reading the in-house travel magazines. We could spread out comfortably without retreating to separate bedrooms.
In the Club blocks we observed, the buildings were two levels high, with two-bedroom layouts at the ends and two one-bedroom layouts in the middle. Upper-floor rooms had balconies with broad views; ground-floor rooms had their own plunge pools. The Club rooms also had outdoor baths. Confirm the exact layout and outlook of the category offered when booking.
Our plunge pool was entirely ours, not shared with another room. We estimate it was about 3 × 4.5 metres, with steps, a seat along one side, and depths of roughly 1.2m and 1.5m across about half the pool each. These are our estimates for this particular pool. It is a proper plunge pool, not a shallow paddling pool.
The terrace felt reasonably private. Because of the angle of the rooms, we could see a neighbour’s pool if we deliberately looked for it, but we did not feel exposed. Thick curtains could be drawn around the outdoor bath for privacy.
Our picks for room location
Within the Club accommodation, the blocks circled on the map would be our picks for the best aspect: 29, 30, 32, 36, 37, 38 and 39. We stayed in block 37. If you’re booking outside the Club category, we’d recommend choosing a beachfront room.
Comfortable sleep, a little cosmetic wear
The beds were comfortable and the air conditioning quiet and effective, with separate temperature control in the second bedroom and ceiling fans as an alternative. We did hear thumping footsteps from upstairs, apparently children moving about, but they were not particularly bothersome.
The bedrooms use screens and shutters or blinds rather than conventional curtains. They worked adequately but were fiddly, and our son kept moving the screens so they banged together—prompting frequent requests to leave them alone. We do not require complete blackout; properly positioned, the shutters appeared capable of blocking the light, but we did not test full blackout.
Age showed in the outdoor furniture and timber cabinetry, but nothing was broken. The second bathroom’s tiles and showers had been replaced since our previous stay. The wear was cosmetic rather than a failure of the room’s comfort or layout.
Both bedrooms had TVs with a good selection of free movies and channels. There was a magnetic charger on the clock radio, but no dedicated USB or USB-C ports. Power outlets were limited, though sufficient for us, so bring plug-in chargers.
Both bathrooms had washing lines, scales and plenty of towels. An outdoor drying rack on the terrace was especially useful for swimming gear. Cleaning was good and supplies were generally replaced. Evening turndown was offered, but confusion over our “do not disturb” indicator meant we missed it for two nights before explaining the issue to staff.
More room details · four photographs
Bathrooms and storage
The second bathroom had a great shower with strong pressure, a washing line in the shower and a large ladder towel rail: plenty of hanging space. The master shower and outdoor bath both took a long time to warm up, but pressure was okay once they reached temperature.
The master wardrobe opened from both the bedroom and bathroom. A second robe held the safe and ironing equipment, and the second bedroom also had ample storage.
Working when something urgent comes up
Wi-Fi was reliable. The dining table worked well for a laptop, although reaching a power socket was a stretch. The master bedroom also had a small desk, but its stool would not suit a long session. For the occasional work interruption, we could manage; power access and seating were the compromises.
The main resort’s pools and beach
Club guests also have access to the main hotel facilities. There is a large children’s pool with shade cover, varying depths and gently sloping surfaces underfoot. It has lots of water jets but no slides—useful to know if, like our son, your child is sensitive to jets. There is a separate adults-only infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
Around the pools are a bar and restaurant, an ice-cream stand, and a convenience shop selling swimwear, jandals, sunscreen and similar essentials. Drinks service was available through QR ordering and roaming staff.
Swimming at Natadola beach
Natadola was lovely for paddling at low tide and easier for a proper swim at high tide. The sand felt beautiful underfoot and the water warm; at low tide there was more coral and small rock to step over. It did not feel especially salty to us. When we arrived unprepared to swim, a security guard went to fetch clean towels.
When we swam in front of Kama Lounge, there was no breaking surf and the current felt light. That describes the conditions we encountered, not a general assurance of safe swimming. On our visits, the smaller surf break was towards the resort’s southern end. We did not surf or take a charter; ask locally about suitable breaks and conditions.
Stinging jellyfish are present occasionally. During our stay, hotel staff advised guests by text when they were around and recommended using the pools during those periods. Follow the advice given during your own visit.
Independent beach sellers from the neighbouring settlement were friendly enough but could be persistent. A security guard explained that they were allowed on the beach but could not enter the resort grounds, and were not affiliated with the hotel. Guards were stationed along this boundary.
On an earlier visit, we witnessed an unattended handbag being snatched in this area. We do not know who was responsible and make no connection to the sellers. Security seemed much tighter on this trip. We would keep valuables attended on the beach.
Club dining and evenings by the beach
Breakfast at the Club lounge combined a continental buffet with an à la carte menu, tea, barista coffee and freshly squeezed juices. We had three breakfast venues to choose from but felt no need to try the others.
From 5–7pm, the Club lounge became adults-only and families headed to Kama Lounge for the included canapés and cocktails. We found the food generous enough that we did not need dinner afterwards. The tropical cocktails were delicious, and standard beverages were available too.
We usually took a buggy down. Our son loves buggy rides, so the transition was easy and the change of setting helped break up the day. There is also a walking shortcut, and it is not actually very far once you know the route.
At Kama, cocktail hour came with sunsets, live music and the nightly torch-lighting ceremony. We watched bats overhead and horses passing along the sand. We would have liked to remain in the Club lounge with our son, but the beach setting and change of scene made this an enjoyable alternative.
A special dinner at Navo
Navo was our special dinner: delicious food, a beautiful view and a sunset to match. During our stay, children could be seated between 5pm and 6pm, and booking was needed.
There was no children’s menu at Navo, so our son shared from our plates. He ate little, but has since asked to return. Elsewhere, the children’s menu resembled Crowne Plaza’s children’s menu, with the welcome addition of a small pizza.
The lobster hot entrée was a particular success. With a share of the side salad, it was enough for me as a main.
Sample Navo menu 2 pages · October 2026
Sample Navo menu captured October 2026 from the hotel’s website. Dishes and prices may change; check with InterContinental Fiji for the current full menu.
The poolside restaurant and bar served good pizzas, and its children’s menu matched Kama Lounge’s.
The buffet restaurant offered themed nights. There was no seafood night during our stay. The barbecue and curry nights looked and smelled delicious, but we were too full to try them. Menus, prices and seating arrangements can change. For full current menus, check the dining section of InterContinental Fiji’s website or contact the hotel.
To our son, this is “Delia’s hotel”
On our previous visit, three years ago when our son was six, he formed a real connection with a member of the waiting staff, Delia. Our son remembered little about the hotel itself, but he remembered Delia’s friendly manner, stories and excellent milkshakes. The place became known in our family as “Delia’s hotel”.
Delia was there again on this visit. His kindness and smiles put our son at ease, easing the social anxiety he can feel. A remembered welcome like that means as much to us as a beautiful pool.
That attentiveness extended beyond one person. Staff recognised us around the resort and remembered our room number. We felt looked after from arrival, before we had tipped anyone.
An easy departure
Departure was as easy as arrival: the luggage buggy came on time, and there was no wait to settle the bill. A FJ$2-per-day donation to local charities was included, with the option to opt out.
There was no obvious gratuity option when settling up. With so much included in Club, we signed fewer bills along the way; if you like to tip, taking some cash would make that easier.
Getting around the hillside
We had no difficulty with buggy transfers. Typically we set off walking and came across a buggy within a minute or two; that is our experience rather than a guaranteed wait time. Walking was easy once we knew where to go. Ask reception for the quick route down to the main lobby.
For us, the elevated views were worth the physical separation from the main resort.
Spa and childcare: our previous visit
We did not use the spa on this stay. My excellent massage three years earlier, however, remains part of the reason I think warmly of the resort. It was a full spa experience, with time to unwind before and after the treatment. On this visit, we confirmed that the facilities and access arrangements had not changed.
Allow at least 30 minutes before your treatment to enjoy the spa pool, ice room and sauna. If booking a babysitter, leave enough time afterwards to relax in the spa lounge, looking over the reflecting pool with refreshments in hand.
On that earlier visit, I lost a diamond earring without noticing. I mentioned it to reception as we checked out the same day, hoping it might eventually be found and returned. They immediately sent someone to look, several people joined the search, and about 30 minutes later the earring was back with me before our taxi arrived. I was overjoyed. That response has stayed with me.
We also used the kids’ club and nanny service on our previous trip. I thought both were good, and the nanny was great. Our son usually dislikes kids’ clubs, but joined this one for a few hours and thought it was okay—a meaningful positive for him, even if it was not his favourite activity.
We did not use the gym. Scuba diving, kayaking, glass-bottom boat rides and snorkelling trips were among the activities available, but we did not try them. Availability and any additional charges should be checked separately.
Did it deliver our holiday?
Yes. Club delivered the calm, space and care we wanted from this holiday. We could swim together, retreat to our own plunge pool and sleep comfortably, while the staff made our son feel welcome.
Our recommendation is specifically for Club. The cosmetic wear, fiddly bedroom screens and imperfect workspace did not outweigh the layout, setting and service. At this price, those details still matter—but they were not what defined the stay.
This review covers our third stay, in October 2026. The spa treatment, lost earring, kids’ club and nanny accounts refer to our earlier visit, as noted. Room positions, inclusions and arrangements can differ.
We would return. Club sits at the upper end of our family holiday budget, but we would happily shorten the trip to stay here. Its value lies in how easily the holiday unfolds.
“We would rather have six nights in our Club room than nine nights elsewhere.”
Our ratings
The upfront verdict
Yes. We would choose Club again.
The room we would book
A two-bedroom Club suite with a private plunge pool, in one of our preferred blocks.
The compromise
Some cosmetic age, and family cocktail hour moves to Kama Lounge.
The position, privacy and considered 156 m² layout suited us perfectly. We loved the outdoor bath alongside the plunge pool.
Age is showing, but maintenance appeared to be happening and the wear did not greatly detract.
From arrival onwards, we could scarcely fault it. Pre-arrival communication and payment difficulties are recorded separately above.
Varied breakfast options, good coffee, wonderful milkshakes and cocktails, good wine choices and consistently delicious food with attentive service.
A family-friendly Club pool and well-organised buggy rides made life easy. We would welcome a small slide at the children’s pool. Family cocktail hour at Kama was enjoyable, although we would have liked to stay in the Club lounge.
Expensive, but the experience justified the premium for us. We would choose a shorter Club stay over a longer holiday elsewhere.
Scale: Missed the mark · Adequate · Good · Excellent · Not assessed. These are personal judgments based on our stay.
Before you decide
Which stay would suit you?
Compare the beach, room, food, cost and compromises across our three stays.
Compare our staysBack to the full review