Gateway celebrates 50 years

NADI

Fiji Gateway Hotel in Nadi has undergone large scale restructuring and re-development allowing it to become a stronger brand and more efficient. Speaking during Fiji Gateway’s 50th Anniversary celebrations last night, Director Reardon Raffe said the hotel had been part of his family for the past 30 years. “Fiji Gateway has always been a very popular choice for locals and tourists when visiting Nadi,” Mr Raffe said.

“Given its great location, ease of access to and from the airport and competitive room rates, we are now aiming to modernise this property whilst reviving its original intended spirit. “Although, our family weren’t the original founders of Fiji Gateway, it certainly played an integral role in our lives from a very early age.

“At the time it was part of Castaway Island and Castaway Taveuni which my father then renamed Gateway Hotel.” He said Fiji Gateway became a preferred property of his parents, the late Reg Raffe and Elle Raffe, due to its great location, accessibility and close proximity to the Nadi International Airport.

“After experiencing the destruction and devastation of Cyclone Oscar whilst being island based, my parents decided that safety was paramount and it was shortly after that he began the search for a mainland hotel and in 1989 purchased this property in Nadi. The late Reg Raffe was one of the pioneers of the outer island tourism industry. The family owns Plantation Island Resort and Lomani Island Resort on Malolo Lailai Island in the Mamanuca Islands off Nadi, and Fiji Gateway opposite the Nadi International Airport terminal.

Mr. Raffe said of the Gateway:

Originally the upper terrace was home to a bar overlooking the airport;

Later my father introduced a money free casino consisting of a black jack table and a roulette wheel favouring casino chips and drinks over money;

We also once had a Mexican restaurant smothered in sombreros which later was transformed into a Chinese restaurant called ‘Jade Court’; and

Also, playing host to many a fashion show in the 1980s. “The Raffe Family have both a professional and personal investment in Fiji Gateway and it is a property we take great pride in and will continue to do so for many years to come,” he said

Photo: Waisea Nasokia From left: Fiji Gateway Hotel Director Reardon Raffe, director Venaygam Pillay, CEO Bradley Robinson, project manager Mohammed Hakik, director Brian Kirsch, Director Hannah Raffe during the hotel’s 50th anniversary celebration in Nadi yesterday.