Luxury can be loud but in Fiji it is gentle, especially at Royal Davui Island Resort, writes Helene Ravlich.
Moored in the deep blue waters of Beqa Lagoon, Royal Davui Island Resort is the picture of elevated luxury. The property, which recently underwent a major refresh, hosts just 32
guests in 16 private pool villas – or vales – and bungalows across the 4ha island.
After the 30-minute boat ride or helicopter transfer, you step into a different world, one with a slower pace and an invitation to engage or retreat as much as you choose.
It’s a testament to the passion and commitment of its owner and operator, fifth-generation Fijian Christopher Southwick. With his husband Grant Seylhouwer, the pair turned the once-deserted island into the haven it is today and continue to pour their heart into the place. It shows.
Not merely through the way they greet and bid farewell to every guest but in the personalisation and consideration afforded to those who visit their private, reef-fringed paradise.
Check-in is seamless and relaxing, as is the Royal Davui way. My luggage is sent to my vale, a Lagoon Plunge Pool Bungalow prepped with a bottle of sparkling wine, freshly baked loaf of grandma’s banana bread (an actual family recipe) and an invitation to sit back and take in the spectacular view.
A pool villa at Royal Davui Island Resort.
Bifold doors open onto a sprawling sundeck, but you can soak up those lagoon views from the comfort of your bed, outdoor sun lounger or in your very own plunge pool. The living area features a fully stocked wet bar and in-villa dining is available for that extra level of privacy. In the height of summer, you’ll appreciate how each spacious villa has an air-conditioned sleeping pavilion with an oversized bathtub and shower.
The aesthetic is minimalist but welcoming, with warm wood finishes and bespoke artwork fitting in alongside traditional Fijian touches. My elevated view across Beqa Lagoon and open water beyond creates a strong sense of privacy, and generous spacing between vales means you feel totally secluded. My only neighbours seemed to be the fruit bats who loved to swing by en route to the mango tree that separated my villa and the resort spa, a trip to the latter the perfect remedy for jetlag or post-surf.
Views are captivating at Royal Davui Island Resort.
Quiet in its approach to luxury, Royal Davui is also gentle on the environment. Since the breathtaking environment truly is the main attraction, villas were constructed in locations that meant old trees didn’t need to be felled, and all timber came from sustainable plantation stock to reduce the impact on Fiji’s forests. They even established a pipeline to Beqa Island that guarantees a purified water supply for the resort and Beqa’s main village, eliminating the need for single-use plastic water bottles.
The open-air Banyan Bar & Restaurant is the resort’s social heart, its name a nod to the shade provided by a 400-year-old banyan tree whose roots apparently run deep beneath the island. It’s one of the key spaces that benefited from a multimillion-dollar makeover, now sporting all-new dining, bar, and lounge furnishings; custom-made three-metre-wide cascading rattan chandeliers and 3D artwork of the local frigate birds – designed by Southwick himself.
After a slow wake-up on my first morning on the island, I head to breakfast in the restaurant, an a la carte affair with more inspired offerings than your average city cafe.
Over a second coffee, I’m invited to pre-select from that day’s multi-course lunch and dinner menu. Items are largely inspired by Pacific Rim cuisine, with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients chosen to showcase Fiji’s unique flavours. Kokoda is always in demand, but there are also a wide variety of dishes you wouldn’t normally find on an island resort menu, such as okonomiyaki pancakes (inspired by Southwick’s many trips to Japan over the years), and chateaubriand of yagara beef with palusami and pistachio-crumbed lamb.
Royal Davui also boasts one of the most sophisticated wine lists I’ve seen in Fiji, which is also a credit to Southwick, who curated the extensive offering.
Food is fresh and locally sourced at Royal Davui Island Resort. Photo / Supplied
Prefer to stay in your villa? The team can deliver wine by the bottle and cocktails by the carafe on demand, and I highly recommend the Cadillac Margarita to kick off proceedings.
When it’s time to get moving, the sea is undoubtedly the best option, with 1km of protected marine area surrounding the island just waiting to be explored. Snorkelling just off the main jetty with marine guide Api was a revelation, akin to floating in an aquarium thanks to the abundance of tropical marine life and the protective reef structure that keeps the water calm.
Schools of fish, graceful rays, and apparently the occasional sea turtle can be seen gliding through the crystal-clear waters, and the minute I left the water I was already planning my next dip.
Royal Davui Island Resort.
Guests can also grab a complimentary sea kayak, stand-up paddle board or Hobie Cat and while away a few hours on the water. Feeling more adventurous? Book in a reef safari by jet ski, fishing trip, scuba dive or sunset cruise for an additional cost. And if your villa isn’t private enough, arrange a gourmet picnic for two at the resort’s Sand Cay – I am told it’s so secluded that if you forget your swimsuit, no one will know.
With global luxury tourism surging as high-net-worth travellers prioritise exclusive experiences, it’s little surprise that a Pacific gem like Royal Davui is often at 100% occupancy with guests from around the globe.
The private beaches, panoramic views and refined accommodation are what reel you in at Royal Davui, but what makes it truly special is its warm heart.
The journalist travelled courtesy of Tourism Fiji.
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