Property
A 23-acre tropical resort with four miles of white sandy beaches (part of which is a beautiful sheltered lagoon), the Plantation Island Resort is a low-key, affordable paradise for families. There are hotel rooms as well as spacious studio, one, and two-bedroom bures. Accommodations are fairly basic, but air conditioning and ceiling fans come standard. Resort amenities include three pools and waterslides, plus golf, tennis, miniature golf, snorkeling, scuba, windsurfing, and canoeing. All non-motorized water activities are free to guests. There is a very active kids club, and evening babysitting is easily arranged. No televisions, computers, or internet, so this is an unplugged holiday.

Location
Plantation Island Resort is on the island of Malololailai (part of the Mamanuca Islands) just 10 miles west of the Nadi International Airport (on the island of Viti Levu, a quick ten-minute hop by air). Direct flights from LAX take 11 ½ hours to get there, and 10 ½ hours coming home.

Sleeps
2-8.

Highlights
Never once having to shush your children while on vacation. Post-dinner fun for the whole family (you’ll be so relaxed that hermit crab races will seem like the apex of evening entertainment). Taking your kids on the semi-submersible for a fish-eye view of the coral reef. Having your daughter’s hair braided and beaded at the resort’s salon.

Good to know
The rainy season can be a real slog. Best to visit from May through October. Taking a night to decompress on the mainland before making your short onward journey is a very good idea (the flight or boat ride to the island isn’t long, but delays are inevitable).

Contact
www.plantationisland.com

Written by Jamie Pearson