Resort and spa a Fijian jewel
An award-winning, long standing island resort in Fiji is for sale also offering a rare opportunity to purchase 23 hectares of adjacent freehold land for possible future expansion.
The Qamea Resort and Spa, which was established in 1985 and comprises 17 luxury villas and a wide range of associated amenities, is for sale as a freehold going concern. It is located on the western coast of Qamea Island just off the northern tip of Taveuni, Fiji’s third largest island.
The offering is being marketed by Matt Lee and James Chan, of Bayleys’ International Division, and Philip Toogood, managing director of Bayleys Fiji. It is for sale by international tender closing March 23, unless sold prior to that date.
“Qamea Resort is an internationally-renowned resort which has won a range of prestigious awards, including for their spa services — the only Guinot Spa in the South Pacific — and for their five-star dive operation in one of the world’s premier diving areas,” says Lee.
“In addition to a resort and operating business with a proven track record, this is also a rare chance to acquire a freehold property in Fiji, where only around nine per cent of land holdings are freehold tenure.
The offering encompasses two freehold titles:
● 43 acres (about 17.4 hectares) of freehold land currently accommodating the Qamea Resort and Spa.
● 57 acres (about 23 hectares) comprising an adjacent beachfront parcel of land connected to the resort which is an optional additional purchase opportunity. This is mostly bare land, but includes a large private home. It provides potential development, sub division and expansion options.
“In total, the opportunity represents about 100 acres (40ha) of freehold land, with around 2 km of pristine white sand beach,” says Lee.
“It provides an excellent opportunity for the incoming owner to build on 16 successful years by the current operator and owner and take the resort to a new level.”
James Chan says under its current ownership, the resort has undergone several major renovations and expansions since 2003 — most recently in 2013 — and has been maintained to a high standard.
“Since the completion of the first round of renovations in 2004, the exclusive adults-only resort has enjoyed solid occupancy and its brand is widely recognised internationally.”
The resort caters for a maximum of 34 adults, with its 17 luxuriously appointed and air conditioned bures and villas all close to the beach, nestled in lush tropical landscaped gardens and bushland and set against a volcanic mountainous backdrop. The resort fronts onto a private white sand beach over 1km long.
The accommodation comprises 11 beachfront bures of about 65sq m; two 85sq m honeymoon bures, with private spa pools and a 108 sq m honeymoon villa. There are also two larger villas of about 163sq m each which have private swimming and spa pools plus a 127 sq m two-bedroom owner’s villa — also available to rent.
The bures and beach villas are designed and built in traditional Fijian style, all facing the ocean and featuring rising ceilings, handpolished local mahogany wood floors and large, covered terraces.
Central facilities include a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a bar which comfortably seats 34 guests and a 96sq m modern kitchen with walk in freezer/chiller plus an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven.
Recreational facilities include guest swimming and spa pools, a gymnasium and a giant chess board.
A new beachfront dive bure and surf shop was completed in 2014, designed to showcase some of the world’s premier dive sites within 10 minutes of the resort.
Qamea’s PADI accredited 5-Star dive operation employs four people and offers dive services from beginners through to full PADI open water certification.
There is also good snorkelling just off the resort and daily activities range from catered picnic lunches at jungle waterfalls to coastal and mountain hikes, says Chan.
The resort’s award-winning luxury Jungle Spa launched in 2008 consists of five free standing treatment bures and a relaxation bure built into the side of a cliff under the jungle canopy.
“Unlike most island resorts that depend upon expensive desalination or undependable rain water, the resort is fortunate to have access to unlimited fresh spring water which is stored in a 100,000 litre storage facility,” says Chan.