Star Hideaway Fiji

Star hideaway
August 24, 2007

Angela Cuming looks at the roll-call of the famous descending on Fiji every year.

It must be something to do with the palm trees because the Hollywood rich and famous are flocking to Fiji in well-heeled droves. In fact, the getaway has more celebrity pulling power these days than the gift suite at the Oscars.

It is exotic, picture-perfect and home to some of the most exclusive, not to mention expensive, resorts in the world.

There are 333 islands that comprise the tropical paradise of Fiji, so exclusivity is guaranteed.
Actor Mel Gibson loves the place so much he sprung for his very own island, "Mago", in 2004. The private retreat set him back $17.2 million, small change when it guarantees you paparazzi-free sunbaking.

Gibson's new friend Britney Spears is a fan of Fiji too. In October 2004 she honeymooned at Turtle Island resort with Kevin Federline. It's where both the Blue Lagoon films were shot, and accommodates only 14 couples, convenient when the resort has 14 private beaches which can be reserved.

You can get a lobster dropped off to you on the beach, so it's no wonder the then-happy couple forked out more than $US2000 ($2120) a day on food and accommodation.

In keeping with tradition, the couple inscribed paving stones with their initials to commemorate their union and Britney indulged in traditional Lomi Lomi foot massages.

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey also spent their honeymoon at Turtle Island resort.
When Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott tied the knot, they chose a private island in Fiji, barefoot and on the beach.

Julia Roberts has also been spotted in Fiji, and so has Bill Gates.

But the real red carpet resort of Fiji has to be the Wakaya Club & Spa, which has had more celeb visits than you can poke a palm frond at. Guests are housed in nine beachfront bures (Fijian cottages), with lava rock showers, bamboo beds, and a staff of 12 per couple.

For those willing to shell out $US7600 a night there's Vale O - the Wakaya's 1115-square-metre villa, or "royal suite", which offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, as well as a cliffside pool complete with spa and remote controlled waterfall.

A personal chef and chauffeur are thrown into the deal for good measure.

It's the spot where one day the music almost died when Rolling Stone Keith Richards fell out of a coconut tree and had to be fl own to a New Zealand hospital suffering concussion.

Full coverage on this article - Star Hideaway Fiji

RESORTS FAVOURED BY CELEBRITIES

Turtle Island
It's Fiji's very own love island and has been described as "hyperromantic". It's the spot for celeb honeymoons, where loved-up couples can make eyes at each other by candlelight on a private beach.

Wakaya Club & Spa
This tiny dot in the Lomaiviti group, in the Koro Sea, gets the Oscar for Best Celebrity Spotting Island. Everyone's been there: Nicole, Tom, Russell,
Renee. It's expensive, but private.

Vatulele Island Resort
Off the south coast of Viti Levu, this resort is so tuned into guest's whims there is a service for surprising your partner with a romantic dinner at a special location. The grand honeymoon bure comes with a personal butler, so married life can start on an easy note.

LikuLiku Lagoon
This couples-only resort is tight-lipped about celebs who have visited, but did confirm loads of "rich Americans" were always on the guest list. It has a restaurant menu that changes daily and the country's only overwater bures .

This feature is part of a special promotion from the Sun-Herald and Fiji Islands Visitor Bureau. Source: The Sun-Herald