Radisson Blu Hotel Denarau Nadi Fiji [Master Thread]
Mar 26, 2012, 9:02 am
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2002
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Radisson Blu Hotel Denarau Nadi Fiji [Master Thread]
Stayed at the Radisson Blu Fiji for a night when I was doing a touring the island. I also stayed at the Hilton and Sheraton hotels in Denarau area and Hilton was by far the best. Mercure Nadi was a borderline disaster. I really liked the InterContinental resort in Natadola bay, however. Novotel Suva was nice as was the Holiday Inn Suva.
You can find a video of the room I had and photos in/around the property at http://bit.ly/blufiji.
This was my first stay at a Radisson Blu branded property. I had visited one of the Radisson Blu hotels in Helsinki few years back when it was branded as Radisson SAS. Club Carlson have been running quite a few attractive promotions lately, and I decided to check few of their properties in the coming months to see how they match to what competitors are offering.
The price of the hotel is way too high considering what it has to offer. If you have a friend or relative working at a Carlson affiliated property, you probably should looking to use their friends and family rate that brings the price of the hotel to reasonable. That’s what I did.
Location
It is on the western side of the Denarau island/peninsula next to the Sheraton and Westin complex. On the other side is a Wyndham timeshare property. It is about 20 minute ride from the airport that should cost around 25 FJD using one of the official taxis.
Check in
The check in desk is immediately right when you get in to the hotel. There is a separate check out desk. They had first some trouble finding my reservation as I had done it only couple of hours earlier when I was at the Hilton’s property. Further complicating the check in was my request for 2PM check out. Apparently the regular check in time is 11AM that would not have worked on my case. This request required the lady to make a phone call to the front desk/rooms controller, but the late check out request was granted.
Room
This was the weakest link. Overall the room was rather unremarkable. The phone didn’t work well and there was something wrong with the radio/clock as well. The hotel didn’t have wireless and the internet cord was way too short. I really have to start bringing with me a wireless router and/or a long Ethernet cable. I used to carry these, but after not needing them for few months stopped the practice. The hotel was able to solve the wireless issue by bringing a wireless router that is normally used at their ballroom/conference area.
Beach & Pool
There is really no beach in the Denarau area where you would like to spend any time. The pools at this hotel were absolutely fantastic, however. I believe that these pools are the strongest selling point of this property. There are two/three pools that are connected via waterways. There is the usual pool bar where you can drink your day away while still being in the water.
Fitness Center
It was rather small but had the usual equipment. The thread mill was broken and they didn’t have any sweat towels available. I let the front desk know. They need to update the equipment in not so distant future.
Conclusion
After you have spent some time in Fiji you accept a service that is slow, but mostly done with a smile, although not always. This property is fine, but doesn’t live up to its being the first on Tripadvisor (as of February 2012) for Denarau. You should come here if you really like spend most of your time by the pool and the actual room/suite is not that important.
You can find a video of the room I had and photos in/around the property at http://bit.ly/blufiji.
This was my first stay at a Radisson Blu branded property. I had visited one of the Radisson Blu hotels in Helsinki few years back when it was branded as Radisson SAS. Club Carlson have been running quite a few attractive promotions lately, and I decided to check few of their properties in the coming months to see how they match to what competitors are offering.
The price of the hotel is way too high considering what it has to offer. If you have a friend or relative working at a Carlson affiliated property, you probably should looking to use their friends and family rate that brings the price of the hotel to reasonable. That’s what I did.
Location
It is on the western side of the Denarau island/peninsula next to the Sheraton and Westin complex. On the other side is a Wyndham timeshare property. It is about 20 minute ride from the airport that should cost around 25 FJD using one of the official taxis.
Check in
The check in desk is immediately right when you get in to the hotel. There is a separate check out desk. They had first some trouble finding my reservation as I had done it only couple of hours earlier when I was at the Hilton’s property. Further complicating the check in was my request for 2PM check out. Apparently the regular check in time is 11AM that would not have worked on my case. This request required the lady to make a phone call to the front desk/rooms controller, but the late check out request was granted.
Room
This was the weakest link. Overall the room was rather unremarkable. The phone didn’t work well and there was something wrong with the radio/clock as well. The hotel didn’t have wireless and the internet cord was way too short. I really have to start bringing with me a wireless router and/or a long Ethernet cable. I used to carry these, but after not needing them for few months stopped the practice. The hotel was able to solve the wireless issue by bringing a wireless router that is normally used at their ballroom/conference area.
Beach & Pool
There is really no beach in the Denarau area where you would like to spend any time. The pools at this hotel were absolutely fantastic, however. I believe that these pools are the strongest selling point of this property. There are two/three pools that are connected via waterways. There is the usual pool bar where you can drink your day away while still being in the water.
Fitness Center
It was rather small but had the usual equipment. The thread mill was broken and they didn’t have any sweat towels available. I let the front desk know. They need to update the equipment in not so distant future.
Conclusion
After you have spent some time in Fiji you accept a service that is slow, but mostly done with a smile, although not always. This property is fine, but doesn’t live up to its being the first on Tripadvisor (as of February 2012) for Denarau. You should come here if you really like spend most of your time by the pool and the actual room/suite is not that important.
Feb 26, 2013, 7:40 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 600
Review posted in my Trip report and on TripAdvisor.
Oct 12, 2014, 8:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: Clubcarlson Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire AMB etc.
Posts: 252
As a followup- I was offered a Lagoon room but declined as it is facing the pool which I found way too noisy. Rooms facing the garden close to the beach are great.
Other than that be aware this is a FAMILY resort i.e. TONS and TONS of kids/babies. It is not a romantic getaway by any stretch.
Other than that be aware this is a FAMILY resort i.e. TONS and TONS of kids/babies. It is not a romantic getaway by any stretch.
Oct 13, 2014, 1:50 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 151
As a followup- I was offered a Lagoon room but declined as it is facing the pool which I found way too noisy. Rooms facing the garden close to the beach are great.
Other than that be aware this is a FAMILY resort i.e. TONS and TONS of kids/babies. It is not a romantic getaway by any stretch.
Other than that be aware this is a FAMILY resort i.e. TONS and TONS of kids/babies. It is not a romantic getaway by any stretch.
I've also found service to be lacking quite a bit.
Waited 25 mins for a pool towel.
Very rude attendant at the mini-snack shop.
No staff showed up to a number of activities.
Mar 9, 2015, 6:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: A bit south of east
Posts: 54
Does anyone have any recent info on this property ? Am looking to stop over in Nadi for 5-6 days this fall and was considering an award stay here. Do they upgrade Carlson Golds ? What about including breakfast ?
Not sure yet if I want to do this or head all the way down to the IC
Not sure yet if I want to do this or head all the way down to the IC
Mar 18, 2015, 9:44 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 151
Does anyone have any recent info on this property ? Am looking to stop over in Nadi for 5-6 days this fall and was considering an award stay here. Do they upgrade Carlson Golds ? What about including breakfast ?
Not sure yet if I want to do this or head all the way down to the IC
Not sure yet if I want to do this or head all the way down to the IC
ABSOLUTELY no breakfast.
Was able to get an upgrade to a suite but had to push a bit
Overall - not much to this hotel IMHO unless you are a family with kids.