InterContinental Fiji wins twice at AON Award Ceremony

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has won two awards at the prestigious AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards, held on Denarau Island in Nadi on Friday night. The leading luxury resort on Natadola Bay was the recipient of accolades in two categories: ‘Spa and Wellness’ and Josaia Baleinatewa (affectionately known as ‘Little Jo’) for ‘Frontliner of the Year’.

InterContinental Fiji’s nominations represented two of their signature elements, ‘Spa InterContinental’ and the resort’s exceptional staff. “It is an honour to be a recipient of these esteemed awards,” says Scott Williams, InterContinental Fiji’s General Manager.  “Our vision is to be recognised as one of the South Pacific’s Leading Luxury Resorts delivering unparalleled service to our guests, pride to our employees, and returning profits to the people of Fiji.  I am exceptionally proud of our dedicated team who continue to go above and beyond guest expectations, and help turn this vision into a reality”.

The Frontliner of the Year award, awarded to an individual only once in their lifetime, acknowledges exceptionally dedicated employees whose commitment goes beyond their job descriptions to enhance the visitor experience.  

“Little Jo’s energy and enthusiasm for his job, guests and culture is infectious and clearly a result of his love of life,” says Rafaele Delai, Little Jo’s manager: a claim confirmed by the online reaction to his award win on Friday night: www.facebook.com/intercontinental.fj.

Little Jo, who is famous for his exceptional memory and unsurpassed local knowledge, has the uncanny ability to remember the name and face of almost every guest to visit the resort at Natadola Bay and epitomizes the famous ‘Bula Spirit’ that has guests returning to Fiji time and time again.

Claiming the ‘Spa & Wellness’ award later in the evening, Spa InterContinental established itself as a premium product in the Fiji tourism market. Featuring nine floating treatment rooms, the luxurious spa offers innovative treatments and packages using products from acclaimed Fiji spa and skincare brand Pure Fiji and Yon-Ka Paris. The Spa also features Fiji’s only hydrotherapy facility named the ‘Wai* Zone’, a yoga deck, tranquil relaxation lounge, retail outlet, two beachside Bure cabanas and a VIP treatment suite.

“I am very proud of our high performance team,” says Fareena Feroz, Spa Manager. “Commitment, passion, and the love of making our guests’ stay unforgettable truly sets Spa InterContinental apart.”

The Fiji Excellence in Tourism awards is run annually by a committee of independent industry members, to honour outstanding contributors to Fiji’s thriving tourism industry.

“The boards’ contribution to Fiji’s tourism industry is invaluable, and we thank them for their recognition,” says General Manager Scott Williams.  “Each award was well deserved and to all the finalists and winners I offer our heartfelt congratulations.”

Overlooking the only white sandy beach on Fiji’s main island, InterContinental Fiji offers four pools, its own on-site dive centre, yoga deck, Spa InterContinental and a dedicated kids club, all set across 35 acres of lush tropical gardens.  InterContinental Fiji is also home to the island’s only resort within a resort, Club InterContinental, which features 55 luxurious hilltop suites and offers use of a private infinity pool and lounge area.

*Wai is Fijian for ‘Water’.

About the Intercontinental Fiji:
The only resort on beautiful Natadola Beach on Fiji's Coral Coast, InterContinental Fiji is designed to treat couples to a luxurious, romantic experience, with private Cleopatra baths offered in every room, couples pampering at the award-winning Spa InterContinental and private cabana dinners served as the sun sets and a spectacular infinity pool.  Spread across 35 acres of tropical gardens, the resort offers all the facilities and services expected of a luxury international resort, including four pools, its own on-site dive centre, recreation and beach activities centre, volleyball, petanque lawn, yoga deck, gym and fitness centre and 18-hole championship golf course. http://fiji.intercontinental.com/

About Natadola Bay
Natadola Bay blends world class golf architecture with dramatic landscapes from rolling pastures through to absolute beachfront.  With the sparkling backdrop of coral reefs and the Pacific Ocean on 15 out of the 18 holes, Natadola Bay it is a journey through stunning Fijian landscapes.  The perfectly manicured (and environmentally friendly) seashore paspalum grass presents the golfer with championship standard playing conditions all year round.  Measuring 6,556 metres from the championship tees, the par 72 championship standard golf course boasts up to five tee positions on each hole, providing an enjoyable challenge for players of all skill levels.  Natadola Bay was officially opened for play in June 2009 with the staging of the Fijian Open, won by then Rookie Professional Matt Griffin. The course has since hosted the 2010 Fiji Open, the 2011 Nomura Cap and the 2012 Natadola Bay Fiji Classic.  Further information is available at www.natadolabay.com