SD › Fiji › Hotels › The Pearl South Pacific Resort Review
Updated: December 8, 2020
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The Pearl South Pacific Resort – Convenient, spacious, and comfortable, with perfect beach and river frontage.
With a marvelous location where the river and beach converge, The Pearl offers the best of both worlds. Most rooms face the river, with mangroves along the other bank, while the pool, other facilities, and the prized Premium Ocean View Rooms overlook the serene bay. Except for the Penthouse Suites, all rooms have fairly simple décor and furnishings, but they’re reasonably spacious and comfortable. The world-class attractions include the associated championship golf course nearby, the abundant activities offered (many for free), the shady and popular pool with swim-up bar, and the serene and shady beach with snow-white sand and calm waters.
The Pearl South Pacific Resort – The Basics
- Location: At the crossroads along the coastal highway at the western end of Pacific Harbour. Midway along the southern coast of the main island, Viti Levu. About 50 minutes by bus (quicker by car/taxi) from Suva, and another 30 minutes from the international airport at Nausori.
- Guests: Most seem to be on packaged tours.
- Beach: Long, wide, and white. At the western end of the bay, so it’s virtually private.
- Views: Almost all rooms have views of the river, with grass in the foreground and mangroves in the distance. A few offer views of the sea, although these are partially obstructed by trees.
- WiFi: Free usage for 30 minutes every 24 hours.
- Parking: Parking is available. Secure and free.
- Nice Perks: Priority booking at the associated 18-hole golf course, with free transfers.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: (679) 773 0022
- Email: stay@thepearlsouthpacific.com
- Website: thepearlsouthpacific.com
The Pearl South Pacific Resort – Amenities
- Pool: Facing the beach, the pool is a decent size, but gets very popular. The swim-up bar is a nice surprise.
- Spa: The Pearl Spa is far better than most, with massages and facials a specialty. Alongside the river.
- Fitness Center: Impressive gym in a lovely setting facing a pond.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: None.
- Activities: Plenty of free activities, e.g. pool table, croquet, petanque, ping pong, and beach volleyball, and free rental of kayaks, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards.
The Pearl South Pacific Resort – Food and Drink
- Restaurants: Riviera Restaurant & Bar – All-day dining and breakfast for guests. Casual but chic, with river views. Themed dinner buffets with a Fijian flavor and live music most nights. • The Deli – Ocean views, welcome breeze, and happy hours. Salads, sandwiches, coffees, and juices. • Seduce – More romantic and atmospheric, where the river meets the sea. Seafood specialties with Fijian influences. Extensive wine list. Dinner only.
- Bar: Pool Bar – Soups, pizzas, and cocktails in an agreeable open-air setting. Also, snacks and wood-fired pizzas.
- Breakfast: Not included in the rates.
- Room Service: Available 24 hours. The menu is on the TV screen.
The Pearl South Pacific Resort – Rooms
- Room Types: Premium Garden View Room • Premium Marina View Room • Premium Ocean View Room • Penthouse Suite
- Smoking Rooms: Smoking is not allowed anywhere in or near the rooms or public areas. Only on the beach and in the gardens.
- Best Room: The lavish and secluded Penthouse Suites come with king-sized beds, living/dining areas, ornate furniture, and huge balconies/patios. Each suite also features a different décor (e.g. Indian or Oriental).
- For families: Babysitting services and cots available.
The Pearl South Pacific Resort – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars
- The Establishment – Just across from the hotel entrance. Relaxed or sophisticated areas for pizzas, seafood, and barbecues. Beer garden, themed nights, live music, and drink specials. What’s not to like?
Avoid the low-key eateries across the road and walk about 1 km eastwards to the cluster of delightful cafés at the Arts Village, which face the lily pond:
- Skinny Bean Cafe – About 50m from the pond. Funky and family-friendly, with plenty of vegetarian options.
- Oasis Restaurant – Modestly claims to offer the ‘best coffee in town’. A local favorite for burgers and pizzas. The first along the pond-side path.
- Baka Blues Café – Mostly outdoor seating with a dingy bar inside. Barbecues, Cajun food, and live music nightly, which can be heard in adjoining cafés.
- Water’s Edge – Spacious pond-side deck, with permanent specials (including delicious curries) to lure clientele from other cafés closer to the road.
Nearby Market or Grocery
- A few modest shops offering basic supplies are just across the road from the hotel entrance. The Arts Village is better with a minimart, bank, and post office about 700m eastwards.
Local Transport
- The hotel entrance faces the coastal highway. Every hour or so, buses stop on the way to Suva and Nadi. Taxis also available; best ordered at the hotel lobby.
The Pearl South Pacific Resort – The Hotel
The resort is based in the upmarket enclave of houses, marinas, and resorts at Pacific Harbour, about an hour from Suva by bus/taxi/car.
Despite substantial beach frontage, most rooms face the river.
Much of the river frontage now features an extensive new marina.
Rooms are in small blocks, often with different designs facing the river or sea.
The marina is used to moor yachts and as departure/arrival points for boat trips and watersports arranged at the hotel.
Kayak hire is one of the many activities offered free for guests.
The hotel is based at the point where the river meets the beach at Pacific Harbour.
The resort maximizes its position alongside the river with plenty of decking and seating.
Surprisingly, the beach frontage is not nearly as developed as the riverside.
The beach is pleasingly undeveloped, although there are some places to relax.
In an ideal location where the river and sea merge, the Seduce restaurant offers a romantic setting.
The grounds are substantial, with blocks of rooms no higher than 3 levels.
The pool has a likable tropical feel with palms, sand, and grass, and is very popular during peak season.
The Premium Rooms are large enough for 2 double beds, so they cater well to families.
The Premium Rooms are spacious, although the furnishings don’t always seem to match perfectly.
The Premium Rooms are colorful, with some interesting photos and art along the walls.
The Premium Ocean View Rooms face the sea, although most views are obstructed partially by palms.
About 100m from the hotel entrance, The Establishment caters very well for tourists and expats, with Western food, drink specials, and live music.
About 700m from the hotel entrance, the Arts Village is a collection of cafés, shops, and other tourist facilities around a huge lily pond.
The lily pond at the Arts Village is lined with tempting cafés and bars.
The first café alongside the pond from the main road, the Oasis, claims to serve ‘the best coffee in town’.
The Baka Blues Café at the Arts Village offers the blues and barbecues, and much more besides.
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