Upgrading a resort is a big undertaking. Rebuilding a year later takes special patience and deep pockets – about $13.5 million and 28 weeks in the case of Fiji’s luxury Vomo Island after Cyclone Winston, the most severe storm in the nation’s history, hit in February 2016.
“It was a challenge,” says the resort’s general manager Mark Leslie, “but it gave us the chance to rethink everything and start again.”
The 87-hectare private island reopened in September 2016, with two three- and four-bedroom beachfront residences added to the spread of 32 villas, and a landscaping project involving about 10,000 plants. Vomo’s baby butlers have returned, and The Rocks bar still has its stellar view for sundowners. vomofiji.com
The Gourmet Traveller Team
Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.
Magazine Issue:
December 2016