Hundreds of millions of years ago, volcanic activity created some of the world’s most beautiful islands sprinkled across the South Pacific Ocean – the Fijian archipelago was born.
Vomo is part of Fiji’s Mamanuca islands, where warm turquoise waters tickle the soft white sands that frame the island, and lush, green vegetation hides a variety of world-class accommodation along the shores and on higher ground.
Vomo, Fiji
Vomo General Manager, Wayne Milgate is very familiar with island life and what it takes to run an exclusive private island. Having worked on Hayman Island before Vomo and in a number of other resorts, including Leading Hotels of the World for 15 years, he tells Antoinette what’s so special about this particular Fijian jewel.
This lucky island nation has over 330 islands and 500 islets. With so much choice, what sets Vomo apart from the rest?
“Vomo is in a very good weather region of Fiji. It is large and private with no other resort or village on it. We are very close to the main island and international airport (15 minutes by helicopter), and our beaches and surrounding coral reefs are exceptional”.
Apart from the GM, his wife, the chef and an engineer, Vomo’s staff of 125 is entirely local, welcoming visitors in the usual warm and embracing Fijian way, sharing its culture and traditions, whilst ensuring that guests have a fantastic stay. It is exactly this open and friendly approach that has a lot to do with creating the unforgettable factor of a holiday experience.
What makes Vomo so special?
Vomo is first and foremost very exclusive, and offers the privacy so many holiday makers are now looking for. The island also gives guests a completely unique experience during their stay, blending the best of Fijian life with all modern conveniences.
Lailai
There are 28 luxury villas and two private residences with private pools, plenty of areas to lounge and relax in the shade or sun, and private beaches to enjoy the clear waters and marine life, whilst pottering around in the water.
After a few days of doing nothing, the neighbouring LaiLai private, uninhabited island, within sight of Vomo, is the perfect place to have a romantic picnic lunch brought over, after a morning of magnificent snorkeling.
Catering to families has been carefully thought out, from the accommodation to activities, including a Turtle Club programme for children and babysitters, so that adults can relax while the kids are kept busy.
The only question is, which villa will it be?
If the first thing you want to do when you wake up is feel the sand between your toes, then a Villa by the Beach is the go. The luxury never ends with private sundeck loungers, a Jacuzzi bath and mod cons, including the all-important complimentary wireless internet access for those who can’t quite cut off entirely from the rest of the world. The greenery around the villas creates privacy.
Beachfront Villas Yasawa Beach
For guests who are more taken with panoramic views, the Villas on the Hill and Villas with a Garden View located near Mount Vomo offer gorgeous expansive vistas of the island’s rich greens against the beautiful ocean aqua blues.
Taking the privacy and opulence up a level, The Residence of three pavilions situated on the beach offers the opportunity for eight guests to experience the ultimate in privacy and sophisticated island life in contemporary Fijian style, with a choice of self or onsite catering, outdoor dining and a butler to attend to all whims and wishes.
…or The Royal, located at the eastern end of the island at the base of Mount Vomo, which is truly a private oasis, with three bedrooms and pool.
How about owning a slice of paradise!
Hillside Villa view
Whilst the island is owned by three private investors, you can have your own piece in the form of a very long-term lease. This real-estate business is run by a New Zealand based non-profit incorporated society. In addition to enjoying the property and all the same luxuries and activities as normal guests, owners have the option to put their property into the resort rental pool when not using it and make a return on the investment. Though hard to imagine, if the time comes to sell, it is just like any other real estate sale.
Vomo has been divided into a selection of lots offering different types of already completed accommodation, ranging from a single bedroom at USD 500’000 to four bedrooms at USD 2.5 million or alternatively there is still a good selection of plots to be developed.
So how is the market doing?
“The resort is doing exceptionally well. We have only just started to market the property, but there are lots of enquiries and there have been steady sales over the past couple of years”.
Given Fiji’s location, it is not surprising that all foreign purchasers are from Australia and New Zealand and fortunately it is easy for foreigners to arrange the leases.
Beach Bar
Vomo recently became known to a much wider community, what’s more, one glued to its television sets for the three special occasions of the final episode of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) 7th edition of “The Bachelorette”. The show was filmed on Vomo and aired on August 1 this year. It included the gripping “Final Date” with one of the two remaining contestants, “Meet the Parents”, as well as the “Final Rose Ceremony”.
Not surprisingly, Wayne explains that Vomo didn’t look for this opportunity, it was approached by the TV producers, who fell in love with the natural beauty and chose it for the show, but it certainly has increased the island’s visibility.
“We’ve had an enormous amount of enquiries and web hits have improved by 500% on some days as a result of the show”.
Serving up legendary 5-star food
Delicious dining
No matter where you go in the world, dining out is a big part of the travel experience, whether trying something completely new, or revisiting a different version of a favourite dish. You could be enjoying a snack of pan-fried prawns with cucumber, mint, tomatoes, nam jim dressing, crushed macadamia nuts and sour cream, savouring a Fijian-style chicken breast curry with, roti, papadam, tomato chutney and steamed rice, or simply sipping a cocktail — meal times on Vomo will amaze as the reputed South African Executive Chef Geoffrey Crabbe and his team make the most wonderful, mouthwatering moments for you.
Private dining
Overlooking the main pool and particularly romantic in the balmy evenings, the restaurant is set in the heart of the resort, where menus change daily, using local produce from the pesticide-free vegetable herb and fruit gardens, which allow the chefs to create the most flavourful and fresh dishes. Since eating is one of life’s most enjoyable pastimes, uniting friends, families and couples, nowhere is too far, high or unreachable for the catering team, which tailors meals to your every taste as well as location, with special personal touches and attention to every detail.
Preserving the island’s beauty and giving something back
Vomo is working towards becoming self-sufficient in generating its electricity using solar power. In addition, its nursery already houses over 50’000 plants throughout the island. The proceeds from the recycling programme for water bottles, which are taken to the mainland each day, are put back into funding community projects in the staff’s village. Not surprisingly Vomo was originaly called Vunu or Fijian for turtle and has a breeding programme to ensure the small population of Hawksbill turtles that have always been found in the area continue to survive.
For more information about Vomo, Fiji see: link
*All photos are courtesy of Vomo Resort
