Grand Pacific Hotel in Fiji

SDFijiHotels › Grand Pacific Review
Updated: December 9, 2020
By Santorini Dave

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Review of Grand Pacific Hotel in Fiji

Grand Pacific Hotel – Unparalleled colonial charm and convenient seaside location.

Built in 1914, then abandoned, renovated, and reopened a century later, the GPH (as it’s affectionately known) is such a Fijian landmark that it features on the ten-dollar note. Luminaries such as Noel Coward, W Somerset Maugham, and James Michener have stayed in the handful of Heritage Rooms in the original building. They feature dark soothing colors, plush curtains, photos of old Suva, and push-open double doors leading to the broad (shared) balcony facing the sports ground across the road. Even more opulent is the Queen Elizabeth Suite named after the royal guest who visited in 1953. Most rooms, however, are in the new wings, which don’t maintain the same historical character, but are still very stylish. And all this luxury and grace is only ten minutes on foot from the city center, with several stylish cafés nearby.

Grand Pacific Hotel – The Basics

  • Location: On Victoria Parade in Suva, on the main island of Viti Levu. In the southern part of the city center, facing the harbor and surrounded by colonial-era buildings and parks. About 1.5 km from the bus station in the city center and 35 minutes by taxi from the airport.
  • Guests: Particularly good for families and suitable for anyone who enjoys history. Probably not the best for younger groups on holidays.
  • Beach: Although it faces Suva Bay, there is no beach in the city. The nearest is at Pacific Harbour, about 50 km to the west, and not too far for a day trip by bus.
  • Views: The Club Rooms offer direct sea views, while others in the newer wings are angled for harbor views. Other rooms face the gardens or street (with very good sound-proofing).
  • WiFi: Complimentary throughout the hotel.
  • Parking: Free parking, with valet service also available for a fee.
  • Nice Perks: Welcome drink and (sometimes) a free 10-minute foot massage.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (679) 322 2000
  • Email: info@gph.com.fj
  • Website: grandpacifichotel.com.fj

Grand Pacific Hotel – Amenities

  • Pool: Long, inviting, and facing the sea.
  • Spa: Day Spa offers massages, with soothing music and a romantic setting, sauna room, and jacuzzi.
  • Fitness Center: Large, indoors, and fully-equipped.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: None in the rooms, but there’s a jacuzzi in the Day Spa.

Grand Pacific Hotel – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants: Prince Albert – So sophisticated, with a colonial-style setting and silver service. To avoid eyebrow-raising prices, check out the weekly specials. Famous for its desserts. Dress up, and dinner only. • Levuka Restaurant – More affordable all-day dining with a Pacific flavor and buffet breakfast (open to the public) inside or along the terrace. Live entertainment on weekends.
  • Lounges/Bars: Na Toba Pool Bar – Facing the sea and offering delicious cocktails and superb sunsets. Snacks and meals available. • Victoria Lounge – In the Heritage Building for special hotel guests. Old-world charm and drinks with canapés. • Steamship Bar – Elegant cocktail bar with seats inside or on the breezy terrace for sea views. • Grand High Tea – On the balcony of the old building, with serenading musicians. Sundays only and bookings essential. • GPH Bakery – Cute Parisienne-style café. Street-side at the entrance. Pastries, juices, and coffee on wrought-iron tables.
  • Breakfast: Buffet breakfast is included if booked directly with the hotel. Otherwise, the cost is not exorbitant. Served in the old-world Victoria Lounge for those staying in the Heritage Building.
  • Room Service: Available 24 hours, including breakfast delivered to rooms if ordered the night before.

Grand Pacific Hotel – Rooms

  • Room Types: Heritage Room • Royal Suite • 1 Queen Elizabeth Suite • Grand Pacific Park View Room • Grand Pacific Superior Room • Grand Pacific Premier Room • Grand Pacific Club Room
  • Smoking Rooms: Smoking is not allowed in the rooms, but permitted on the balconies.
  • Best Room: The Queen Elizabeth Suite, named after the former guest who visited in 1953 shortly after becoming queen, is opulent, spacious, and historic. It features a dining/conference table and corner location for double the sea views.
  • For families: Babysitting services available. Many rooms and suites have connecting doors, and the management is happy to configure rooms so families can stay for a low price.

Grand Pacific Hotel – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

  • Sirocco – Classy airy bistro at the Holiday Inn, next door. Great for buffet lunches.
  • Daikoku – Serves scintillating Japanese. Renowned and popular, a 5-minute walk up Victoria Parade.
  • Ginger Kitchen – Open-air garden setting at the Fiji Museum, with juices, quiches, pancakes, and light lunches. Also, breakfast. Back of Thurston Gardens, on the other side of the road from the hotel.
  • Yellow Chilli – Always busy for delicious Indian food. Small and unassuming. On Carnarvon Street, 400m north of the hotel.
  • Café Noir – Comparatively classy Mediterranean-style bistro for wraps, baguettes, and light meals. About 600m up Victoria Parade.
  • Tiko’s Floating Restaurant – In a boat attached to Ratu Sukuna Park in the city center, 1 km up Victoria Parade. For seafood, steaks, live music, and a unique setting.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • Several minimarts along Victoria Parade are within a short walk. About 1 km up Victoria Parade to the city center for malls and markets.

Local Transport

  • Local buses leave from outside the hotel entrance every few minutes to the city center and main bus station for services all over the island. Otherwise, plenty of metered taxis around.

Grand Pacific Hotel – The Hotel

Elegance of Grand Pacific Hotel is unparalleled.

The Grand Pacific is the most elegant hotel in Fiji, if not the entire South Pacific.

Rooms in the new wings feature balconies with sea views.

Most rooms are in the newer wings, built as recently as 2014, with balconies angled towards the sea.

Sunsets at the swimming pool are alluring.

The pool is a decent size and particularly alluring during sunset.

Century-old Heritage Building features few rooms.

A few rooms are in the Heritage Building, part of the original hotel built over 100 years ago.

Beautiful Suva Bay views from the Heritage Building.

Views from the original Heritage Building include Suva Bay.

The hotel has expansive and well-maintained grounds.

The hotel grounds are extensive and the lawns are immaculate.

Guests' lounge in the Heritage Building is very charming.

In the lobby area of the Heritage Building, the guest lounge exudes an old-world charm.

Levuka Restaurant features breakfast with sea views.

The Levuka Restaurant extends to the terrace where guests can enjoy breakfast and sea views.

Cocktails and sunsets at Na Toba Pool Bar.

The Na Toba Pool Bar features a wooden deck alongside the sea and is perfect for a cocktail at sunset.

Dinner at the stylish and expensive Prince Albert restaurant.

The stylish Prince Albert restaurant is open for dinner only.

Royal Suites feature charming old-world decor.

The Royal Suites in the original building are packed with old-world touches such as oriental rugs, plush curtains, and antique globes and maps.

Royal Suites feature charming old-world decor.

All Royal Suites come with colorful living areas and a charm that epitomizes the grace and history of the old hotel.

Royal Suites bathrooms are gorgeous.

The bathrooms in the Royal Suites are gorgeous.

Royal Suites share the spacious balcony.

The Royal Suites open out to a shared balcony that encircles the original Heritage Building.

Balcony around the old build has great views.

The wide balcony that surrounds the old building is perfect for relaxing. It overlooks the sea at the back or the sports ground over the road.

Stylish but smaller rooms in the newer wings.

Rooms in the newer wings are also stylish but not as spacious.

Grand High Tea is served in the Heritage Building.

The balcony on the second (top) floor of the original Heritage Building is used to serve Grand High Tea on Sundays.

Heritage Building suites feature luxurious sitting areas.

The suites in the original building feature luxurious and graceful couches as well as oriental rugs and plush curtains.

Magnificent sea views from the Club Rooms.

The Club Rooms in the newer wings offer magnificent views.

Club Room balconies offer amazing sea views.

The balconies of the Club Rooms seem to hover above the sea.

Contemporary and graceful decor of Club Rooms.

The Club Rooms feature a more contemporary décor that still fits in nicely with the overall history and grace.

Tasty and affordable meals Yellow Chilli Indian restaurant.

The Yellow Chilli Indian restaurant, only 400m from the hotel, is popular for its tasty and affordable meals.

Good lunch can be had at nearby Cafe Noir.

With pizzas, baguettes, and wraps, Café Noir, a few minutes’ walk up Victoria Parade, is ideal for lunch.

Seafood, steaks and live entertainment at Tiko's Floating Restaurant.

Tiko’s Floating Restaurant is unique: seafood, steak, and live music on a boat attached to the city park, about 1 km north of the hotel.

Ginger Kitchen is opposite the hotel in the Thurston Gardens.

Open for breakfast and lunch, the Ginger Kitchen is attached to the Fiji Museum and in the Thurston Gardens right opposite the hotel.

Modest collection of artifacts at Fiji Museum.

The Fiji Museum houses a modest but interesting collection of artifacts relating to the country and South Pacific region.

Shaded Thurston Gardens near the hotel are worth visiting.

The Thurston Gardens opposite the hotel are definitely worth a visit.

New sports ground at Albert Park.

Also across from the hotel, Albert Park is a new sports ground popular with rugby players.

Suva has a good mix of old and new architecture.

The area around the hotel contains some fine examples of old and new Suva.

Streets near the hotel are quiet.

Around the southern part of the city center and close to the hotel, the streets are wide and comparatively quiet.

Relaxing at Ratu Sakuna Park nearby.

Ratu Sukuna Park, about 1 km north of the hotel, is alongside the sea and offers some welcome shade.

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pratt Street is nearby.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pratt Street is about 1 km north of the hotel.

Plenty of eateries at nearby city centre.

The hotel is about 1 km south of the city center, which is packed with places to eat and drink.

Suva is based on the harbour but has no beaches.

Suva is based alongside a harbor but there is no beach. A few paths offer views and breeze.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.