Fiji sells us a lovely dream. Think palms, warm sun, long days and blue sea. You pack a swimsuit, switch off your phone and hope the world can cope without you for a week.
Our family trip to Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort in 2022 gave us much of that bliss. We loved its green grounds, pools and calm pace. But the sea had a surprise in store. Instead of the clear blue water we had hoped for, we found brown water by the beach.
That did not ruin our stay. It did change how I felt about the resort. And it is worth knowing if you plan a Fiji beach break of your own.
A first impression full of charm
The Sheraton sits on Denarau Island, close to Nadi. Its large lobby and open-air spaces set the mood at once. There is room to breathe. Palm trees sway above neat lawns, and the sea forms a broad, calm backdrop.
The gardens were a real treat. They made even a short walk feel like part of the holiday. The shared spaces were bright and pleasant, too. You could find a spot, sit down and let the day unfold.
I like a hotel that makes rest feel like a fine plan, not a lack of one. Here, nobody needs a packed schedule to enjoy the grounds. Even the family member who says, “What are we doing next?” might learn the joy of doing nothing.
Lee Family holiday photograph
The pools win plenty of points
For us, the pools were among the best parts of the stay. Set amid palms and lush gardens, they looked just right for a long, lazy day. It was easy to see why a family might choose this resort for time spent close to the water, yet still within reach of shade and a place to relax.
There is golf nearby as well. The Denarau Golf & Racquet Club has an 18-hole course, with green views that add to the area’s charm. I admired the scene rather than claim a string of birdies. My best golf skill may be knowing when to leave the clubs alone.
The resort’s official website lists family activities, pools and places to dine. Do check what is on offer when you book. This review is based on our 2022 visit, not a new 2026 test of the hotel.
Dining with a sea view
A meal by the water is one of the joys of a warm-weather trip. At the Sheraton, the open-air dining areas have that appeal. You can look out across the bay and enjoy the breeze. It is a fine setting for a slow lunch or an easy evening.
It would be unfair to rate dishes I cannot describe in detail from this visit. What stands out is the setting, not a scorecard for the menu. And the view, even without blue sea, had its own charm.
But what happened to the turquoise water?
Here is where the postcard and our trip parted ways. We had hoped to swim in clear seawater. Instead, the water by the resort was brown during our stay.
That may sound like a small point when the hotel has so much else to offer. For me, it was not. I love a good pool, but I do not travel to Fiji just to swim in one. I want that first step into the sea. I want to see the sand below my feet. On this trip, the beach did not draw me in.
To be fair, I can only report what we saw in 2022. Water colour can vary, and brown water alone doesn’t tell us whether it is safe. It would also be wrong to judge every Fiji beach by this one stretch of coast.
If clear water is your top priority, consider your options before you book. Tourism Fiji points travellers towards trips from Port Denarau to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, where clear water and reef trips are major draws. The Fiji of your dreams may be a boat ride away.
The best souvenir was our family time
Our family photo from the trip still makes me smile. It brings back the good parts: warm days, walks in the gardens and time together with no real rush. A trip need not be flawless to give you fond memories.
That is why I can see the Sheraton working well for families who prize pools, nice grounds and a handy Denarau base. Golf fans may find more to love. But those who want to spend each day in clear sea water should compare beaches first. Not all Fiji stays offer the same kind of island escape.
My verdict: four stars, but not a return visit soon
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. The Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort gave us a lot to enjoy. Its pools, gardens, shared spaces and laid-back feel earned those stars.
Still, the brown water by the beach was a letdown. Would I go back? Probably not any time soon. Next time, I would look for a spot with clear water and a beach that calls me in for a swim.
The Sheraton gave us a good family break. It just did not give me the beach holiday I had pictured. And for a place with “Beach” in its name, that is quite a great detail.
By: Vera Lee – © 2026.
Read Time: 5 minutes.
Author Bio:
Vera has spent her life making travel happen for other people. Now she gets to write about the best bits, especially when lunch is involved.
She started in aviation at Lauda, working in reception and as personal assistant to Richard Froggart, before spending five years in reservations with Austrian Airlines. LTM Travel and TravelEdge followed, including online consultancy in 2007-08, a London chapter in 2008–09 and a return as TravelEdge’s Online Manager.
From 2009 to 2014, Vera managed travel-and-expense implementations and projects at BCD Travel. Motherhood brought two boys, a new timetable and considerably less predictable departures.
She later owned Royal Aquatics and oversaw the business for more than eight years.
Today, semi-retired but hardly idle, Vera writes about luxury travel and food, combining industry knowledge, an appetite for discovery and a belief that good service is never an accident.
