What’s Happening in the Luxury Fiji Market?

I hate being right.  Said no one ever.  But let’s roll with it.

Here I was, writing about how Laucala, closed for a refurb that was meant to take them to the end of 2026, would naturally push into 2027 or 2028.  And now, they’ve officially confirmed they’re reopening on October 2027.  Which probably translates to 2028.

I will take this as good news.  I wrote that I want them to do it properly, no matter how long it takes.  I didn’t quite imagine they’d follow my advice.  But, you know if it’s taking this long, there is a great chance that Mark Mateschitz has decided to win the inaugural Dorsia Peace Prize for Services to Submarines, by bringing that sub back.  You’re one of the good ones, Mark.  And what else will they get up to during the two year closure?  Only good things, that’s what.  Let’s just hope it’s not like Fregate, who closed for their three year refurb…and we’re getting pretty darn close to year five now, with no opening date yet confirmed.

So, what else is happening in Fiji, now our Lord and Saviour is closed for such a long time?  You’ve got Vatuvara. Or sorry, Kaibu now.  The lesser-known private island resort that was quietly sold and rebranded seems to be trying to make a comeback.  Go check out their website.  I’ll wait.  We can laugh about it together.  It looks like it was designed during a hostage situation, by a blind man, who was smashing buttons on GeoCities.  Which is a shame, as I’ve been on that island, and seen the product – it’s really rather lovely.  Just three villas, super private, good stuff, but is that what you’ll come away thinking after looking at their website?  No.  You’ll think they hired child labour to make it for their work experience, using a potato and an abacus.

But, at least it is something.  At least there’s life in the old dog still.  As currenly with Fiji, with Laucala out of action, it would have looked like Kokomo is the only real option left standing.  And I’ve had my thoughts about Kokomo before.  I was tempted to go back last year because everyone deserves a second chance.  Well, almost everyone – Giraffe Manor will not get one.  But I couldn’t bring myself to do it; I was still scarred by those memories.  Maybe one day.  But that day is not soon, as with Laucala not opening until late next year (at the absolute earliest), Fiji feels stuck in the same strange rut as the Seychelles.  Two of the most naturally beautiful places I’ve ever been, both somehow struggling to really move forward at the luxury end of the market.  All whilst the luxury market is booming, and Europe and Saudi Arabia seem to open a new property every other week day.

At this rate, One&Only will probably end up racing Laucala to see who opens first.  One&Only are saying 2029.  So naturally, see you all there in 2031.