Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Review - A Tranquil Beachfront Haven
When it comes to seeking out a slice of paradise far from the crowds, Fiji is the ultimate destination. Located in a remote area of the Pacific, you have several resorts to choose.
Arrival and Transportation
The adventure begins at the Ferry Terminal in Port Denarau, where I arrived after spending a week at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort and diving with Bull sharks. However, you might be coming straight from the Airport in which case I have linked my flight review of Fiji Airways above. If that is the case, you can contact the hotel directly to arrange a shuttle from the Airport.
As we arrived at Port Denarau by boat from Mantaray Island, we were greeted by a plethora of cab drivers all eager to find customers. If you're planning to visit Marriott Momi Bay, remember that this resort is located far out in the middle of nowhere, making it essential to arrange transportation. We approached one of the cab drivers and negotiated a price that left us both content. In my experience, everyone in Fiji spoke perfect English so many tourists will feel at ease here without the language barrier. The cab driver will likely quote you a higher price initially so remember to haggle a little. If you can't agree on a price, look for another cab driver (of course, this depends on the time of day and how many drivers are around). It's wise to negotiate a return fare upfront as well so that the cab driver will come pick you up at the end of your stay, otherwise you are dependent on the resort to call you a cab at their inflated prices. This is exactly what we did and our driver was punctual and showed up at the lobby ready to take us directly to the airport on our departure date at the exact time that we agreed upon. As always when travelling, get their Whatsapp number so you can always keep in contact in case plans change and also send them a confirmation the day before. Some North Americans might not be familiar with Whatsapp but it's basically a messaging and calling app that uses WiFi or Data to stay connected. It's like iMessage but better and works with all smartphones. It is ubiquitous is most countries outside of North America.
Before visiting Fiji, you can purchase your esim on the Airalo App so you're connected as soon as you land and can call your Uber, use Google Maps and Whatsapp without searching for WiFi. If you sign up with my referral code C0887, you’ll get $3 USD off your first purchase!
Marriott Momi Bay Resort
The lobby as you arrive at Marriot Momi Bay
The road to the resort is very poorly paved and it was a bumpy ride. After about an hour drive through endless fields with no civilization in sight, we finally arrived. This resort is absolutely stunning! The lobby had very high ceilings and everything is designed so it feels very open and airy. You could see the beaches from several areas of the resort. The different sections are connected by overwater bridges, adding to the feel that you’re really on the coast here.
Beach Bungalow
Our beach bungalow was directly on the beach and I never saw another person there during my stay!
After visiting the overwater bungalows, we decided it was not worth it to pay for the upgrade of $500 USD per night to stay there. It's important to note that while the lagoon may look turquoise and inviting in the photos, the water was actually murky while we visited, possibly due to the lagoon being an artificial manmade bay. This murky water did not make us want to jump in the water directly from the overwater villa as not being able to see through the water made us uneasy. We preferred going to the beach where the water was clear. The sand also felt peculiar, being compacted and dense in certain areas. We stayed in the beach bungalows, which were nothing short of remarkable with stunning open-concept architecture that open up to reveal breathtaking views of the beach and lagoon.
The bungalow featured the bed in the middle, with the living room on the side that opened out to a deck. The deck faced the lagoon and it felt like you had your own private beach as there was never anyone there. The bathroom was gorgeous with a tub in the centre. The toilet and shower were located all the way in the back with separate doors.
Note that the beach bungalows are semi-detached so each “hut” is actually divided into 2 units as you can see below. The balcony outside had a separator between the two sides. While I never experienced any noise from the neighbours, your mileage may vary.
The Secluded Oasis
During our stay, we found ourselves virtually alone on the beach, giving us the sensation that the entire hotel was ours to enjoy. It's a true testament to the luxury and exclusivity of this destination. The service was generally good but we did find room service to be a bit slow at times. For example, we had to call several times for some extra towels and bottles of water.
Food and Dining
The resort's dining options were varied, with a massive breakfast spread at Goji Kitchen that included crab omelettes, dumplings, fresh fruits and smoothies, a pastry and bread station coupled with a view overlooking the lagoon. The restaurant itself was located over the water, just like the bungalows. We opted for the breakfast meal plan and did a la carte for the rest of the meals and snacks. Keep in mind that there is nothing around the resort so you don’t have other options for dining other than the hotel’s restaurants. If you take a taxi to go to town, that’s a different story.
Dinner at Fish Bar did not disappoint with their Fish Steaks. The chef also sent over an amuse bouche before the meal.
Activities
The hotel’s activities were available at the front desk in the form of a brochure. I’ve added it below. There’s plenty to keep you busy.
As our departure date approached, our taxi driver arrived on time to take us back to the ferry terminal. However, it's crucial to have enough cash in Fijian dollars with you, preferably in small bills. We learned this the hard way when we had a $100 bill and struggled to pay the driver at the airport. It's advisable to prepare smaller denominations to avoid any inconvenience.
Note: it's essential to exchange your Fijian dollars back into another own currency before departing. Fijian dollars aren't really accepted outside Fiji, and you may find yourself holding onto them for years without an opportunity to exchange them elsewhere. I am still holding on to $70 Fijian dollars years later.
Conclusion
Our journey to the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Resort was a remarkable experience that left us rejuvenated and yearning for more. Although I personally enjoyed the authentic Yasawa Islands where I got to swim with sharks more. If you're seeking a secluded paradise with luxury accommodations, this remote Fijian gem should be on your travel list.