Long a popular destination for adult getaways, Fiji’s Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort has in recent years also been drawing families who come to enjoy mangrove walks, glass-bottom boat tours, stargazing, and Fijian cultural offerings. That’s why when the luxury eco-resort reopened in April 2026 after the most extensive renovation in the property’s history, new family-friendly features are at the forefront of the multimillion-dollar refresh.
Most notably, five existing one-bedroom oceanfront bures—the traditional Fijian wood-and-straw huts where guests stay at the resort—have been transformed into two-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodations well-suited for parents and kids. “Having two bedrooms and two bathrooms is much more family-friendly,” says Nigel Fisher, general manager of Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. “It’s a real win-win.”
The spacious, ocean-facing bures also feature indoor-outdoor living areas with extended decks, daybeds, and outdoor dining for six, giving families plenty of ways to gather and enjoy the resort’s idyllic setting on the island of Vanua Levu. All of the other bures on the property got a glow-up, too, with new linens and paint and refinished millwork and flooring.
Traditional magimagi, the woven coconut-fiber rope used in Fijian craftsmanship, has been incorporated into beams and pillars throughout the resort’s accommodations and public areas, strengthening its connection to its island home. “We’ve really enhanced those kinds of touches to keep the authentic Fijian style,” says Fisher.
Embracing (and breaking from) tradition
But, he says, there were a few areas where it made sense to break from tradition, including the use of some synthetic decking around the swimming pool. In some instances, the resort is also using synthetic thatch from, of all places, Canada. “We were just seeing a big depletion in Vanua Levu of the stocks of the marshes where they pull it all from,” notes Fisher. “Traditional thatch is great, but it’s not sustainable. If we go with the synthetic thatch, you can’t tell the difference. It’s made out of recycled plastics, it doesn’t leach into the environment, and it looks great and is waterproof. So all the new bures have got the synthetic thatch. But otherwise, anything else is authentic Fijian.”
It’s that Fijian authenticity that draws guests to the resort and keeps them coming back. Says Fisher, “There’s an extraordinary village community here, and the family sort of is the basis of their society. You really feel that here. There’s this genuineness, I think, when people come here for the first time and they encounter this welcome. And it just goes through the whole stay.” It’s not uncommon to see what he calls “leg hugging” when families depart and kids have to say goodbye to the nannies and buddies who lead cultural activities, guided snorkeling experiences, and playtime at the Kids Bula Club.
Additional upgrades
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort’s renovation also included a major upgrade to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Centre, where guests ages 10 and up can learn SCUBA diving fundamentals, and a new 900-square-foot ocean-facing, air-conditioned fitness center overlooking Savusavu Bay. The resort’s tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts were resurfaced and are ready for some friendly competition.
The reception, dining, and main pool areas were given a facelift with updated furnishings, enhanced lighting, refreshed finishes, and a lighter color scheme. And the landscaping throughout the property’s 17 acres was trimmed, shaped, and replanted as needed. Ninety QR codes placed throughout a walking path help guests learn more about the plants surrounding them.
If you’re a return guest, you’ll still find plenty of familiar elements, just enhanced a bit to improve the guest experience. And if you’re looking for an adult escape, you can still have that at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, even as its popularity grows with families. Dining at the resort is divided into spaces for couples and families, so every guest can have the experience they desire. You can arrange for a couples experience on the resort’s private island Naviavia, complete with a butler to take care of all needs. A candlelight dinner at the end of the resort pier is another option for a special adults-only experience.
“We are catering to the adults-only group just as much as we used to,” says Fisher. “It’s a lovely balance between families and couples without kids.”
