Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji

After arriving by boat (or helicopter) to the Sheraton on Tokoriki Island, guests enter the lobby for a seated check-in process while given a welcome drink. The attractive room features sleek wood floors, contemporary sphere light fixtures, and cushioned seating with red-and-white-patterned throw pillows along the walls. This area connects to shops and several breezy dining rooms with cathedral-style ceilings. The upscale resort's modern aesthetic -- incorporating lots of wood, wicker, and neutral-tone decor -- is pleasant but a bit generic and it lacks Fijian touches. Although, most guests are willing to trade uniqueness for the widespread ocean vistas and turquoise water. In addition to the beach and available water sports, the large resort has plenty of facilities for kids and families, though a majority of guests are younger couples. Two daily happy hours see a steady crowd of these travelers, and there's often dancing to pop music after dinner. 

The Sheraton Resort & Spa is located on the beautiful, hilly landscape of Tokoriki Island -- which also houses the smaller, more romantic Tokoriki Island Resort. To reach the property, guests must first take a 20-minute taxi ride from Nadi International Airport to Port Denarau, located on the western side of the Viti Levu island. From there, it's about an hour boat ride using South Sea Cruises, which then connects to Sheraton’s smaller boat for the final leg -- note that depending on the weather, this last ride can be rocky. The captain pulls close to shore for a hop-off approach where staff will put on a traditional Fijian welcome while assisting with luggage. Big spenders can opt for a 15-minute helicopter ride instead.

At 101 rooms, this is one of the bigger resorts in the Mamanuca Islands. Decor is not the highlight here -- while contemporary, the neutral-tone design lacks color and any Fijian-inspired details. They do, however, have genuine hardwood floors, sleek wood furnishings, and white linens to provide a little contrast; some wear and tear may be present. Modern touches include Sheraton Sweet Sleeper mattresses, flat-screen TVs with multilingual channels, and iPod docks. Spacious bathrooms have glass walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, and toiletries, while closets come with bathrobes and slippers. Each room has a private deck outfitted with two cushioned chairs and separated from neighbors by shrubbery. Note that walls between rooms are thin and let in noise.Island Breeze Rooms have views of either other units or the grounds, while Beachfront Rooms have views of the water and can connect to Ocean Breeze Rooms. Island Family Suites can sleep up to four people and one has a small private plunge pool, though it doesn't have a view. On the other side of the resort is the adult-only section (18 and over) with 12 Tokoriki Ocean View Retreat rooms and 18 Tokoriki Beachfront Retreat rooms. These are larger and more sumptuous in design -- each equipped with a private plunge pool facing the ocean and a daybed.All rooms were fully reconstructed following damage caused by Hurricane Winston.

Despite the gorgeous turquoise water and coral reef for snorkeling, the actual beach is not the resort's best asset. Some parts are too narrow or rocky for sunbathing, though it's then quiet and has a secluded vibe. Instead, most guests stake their claim at the pool, which has several sections and lovely ocean views. The water-sports center includes kayaks, Hobie Cats, scuba diving, and Jet Skis for rent, plus snorkeling near the shore offers views of coral, colorful fish, and reef sharks. Also available are fishing tours, village tours, and island hopping adventures -- including a trip to the island where the movie "Castaway" was filmed.The Lailai Kids Club is a well-outfitted facility with indoor and outdoor activities that change daily. The service is free during the day and parents can pay to have their children participate in evening activities. Tokoriki Retreat Spa has four treatment rooms, each with a private outdoor shower, and Fijian-style spa treatments utilize Thalgo and Pure Fiji products. Next door is an indoor fitness center with modern cardio machines and free weights. A grass tennis court is available as well.A spacious business center has desktop computers, a printer, games, magazines, and newspapers. Weddings and events are popular at the resort and there is a chapel on-site.  A laundry room, Fijian cultural center, game room, and mini-golf course were added after our visit.

The main restaurant, Flying Fish, serves an impressive breakfast buffet with Asian and Western options, plus a la carte dishes for lunch and dinner. At dinner, the ambience in the dining room turns romantic, as guests tend to dress up and musicians play acoustic songs. Depending on the night, there might be buffet themes such as outdoor barbecue, Indian, or Italian, but guests can also just order from the a la carte menu. The Bistro, a cafe-style space added after our visit, serves tapas and international fare.A grab-and-go cafe is also available during the day, or guests can order room service. There's only one bar at the resort, which has a swim-up section facing the pool. It's open all day and has happy hour specials twice daily.