Description of hotel
The Shangri La is a massive resort with a range of restaurant options, three different pool areas, tennis courts, a golf course and about 400 rooms. Its age can be noticed but there is a real tropical and family friendly feel to this resort. Check out their website: http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/yanucaisland/fijianresort
Getting there
It takes 50 minutes drive from Nadi airport.
Average prices
Mum and I did a package deal which included flights, and 6 nights stay in a Lagoon view room, for A$1300. Generally their hotel rooms range in price from F$440 per night (above A$200 for the most basic room).
When we were there, meal and drink prices ranged from:
- Cocktail: F$21.50
- Gin and tonic: F$14.50
- Glass of white wine: F$11.00
- Chicken curry: F$35.40
- Tortellini: F$33.80
- Spring rolls: F$18.50
A bus to marina (Denarau Port) to catch boats to other islands: F$40 return
20km in a taxi: F$30
Wedding ceremony
There are quite a few places to hold the ceremony, such as on the lawn facing the beach, on the beach itself or in the chapel.
There is a small beach next to the Takali Cabana where you could have your ceremony. It is nice but a bit small.
There is a small beach next to the Takali Cabana where you could have your ceremony. It is nice but a bit small.
This is another section of the beach where you can get married. It is called the Coral Beach. This is also pretty nice but can be accessed by other guests. There is also a pool nearby.
The chapel is the most beautiful location by far and would be what I would choose if we were to have the ceremony at the Shangri La. It will fit about 40 people and is airconditioned. You have two choices for the ceremony time – either at 3pm or 5pm. It is expected that the ceremony will go for 15 minutes.
Check out this little bit of footage I took of the chapel - very amateurish but gives you an idea.
Reception venues
The venues for the reception can be on the beach strip at Lagoon Beach (next to the kiddie pool and must be buffet), the Takali Pool Deck (great view, would fit 30-50 people; also near a pool), and the Golden Cowrie which is on a terrace overlooking the water.
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| Beach location for reception |
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| Lawn area for reception |
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| Pool deck area for reception |
Shangri La only have their receptions from 6-10pm which is disappointing as the view will mostly be gone when the sun goes down (around 6pm in the winter months). However, guests can keep partying after 10pm at the Marlin Bar which is open 'til 1am.
Menus
We sampled all the food at the hotel and were not impressed. It was pretty bland and Westernised –which we were not expecting. The buffet menus for weddings look more varied, and may be better but there was no way to confirm this.
Buffet costs per head is F$92 (A$49) plus F$89 (A$47.55) per person for a four hour beer, wine and spirits menu. Therefore the total for each person would be around A$96 per person, plus more if you want canapés and cocktails.
Soooo, if we were to have 40 people, the total cost for food would be: A$3,840.
Wedding packages include the Seaside wedding chapel package. This costs F$3,990 (A$2130.80) and includes a range of things which can be located on the Shangri La website. The more simple Fijian Wedding Package costs F$2,750 (A$1468.60).
It depends what you are looking for but our ratings against our priorities are as follows:
Total score: 48/70 or 67%
- Scenic locations for the ceremony 10/10
- Scenic locations for reception 7/10
- Good food for the reception 4/10
- A good price for the wedding 8/10
- A good price for our guests' accommodation 3/10
- Not too far from Nadi airport 7/10
- A range of activities to keep everyone happy 9/10
Total score: 48/70 or 67%
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