The Remote Resort

They’re not kidding. Eight villas on an isolated peninsula on Fiji’s famous Rainbow Reef, accessible only by boat, all with plunge pools — the Remote Resort is exactly what it claims to be. Its founder is a veteran of the corporate hospitality world, and it’s safe to say he was ready to take his career in a different direction.

Spread over sixty-four acres, where the jungle meets the beach, the Remote Resort is essentially a bit of the best of both worlds: the low-key seclusion of the vacation-house model, combined with the services and guided experiences that are best provided by a hotel. It's hardly a life of deprivation; expect local seafood and produce from the on-site gardens, kayaking, and fishing in addition to the usual beachside lounging, cooking classes, peninsula hikes, and more. Optional extras include scuba diving — practically a necessity given the quality of the area’s diving — as well as massage and spa services and the more intensive guided activities, from snorkel tours to farm visits, horseback rides, and waterfall hikes. However you choose to customize it, it’s hard to argue with the basic premise: if it’s a proper escape you’re after, you need to find yourself a remote resort.

How to get there: Two carriers, Fiji Airways and Island Hoppers, offer domestic flights from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport (NAN) to Taveuni and Savusavu islands. The flight to either island takes about an hour. From Taveuni, it is a 20-minute drive followed by a 20-minute boat ride to the resort; alternatively, from Savusavu, it is a 1-hour drive followed by a 15-minute boat ride to the resort. Car/boat transfers must be arranged and prepaid with the resort. Flights must be arranged independently.