The Full American Breakfast is Back at Sonaisali….!!!

Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji has re-introduced its full American Buffet Breakfast for all guests staying at the resort. The American Buffet Breakfast replaces the tropical (continental) breakfast and is included in the room rate of the resort so there is no additional charge for guests!

The American buffet breakfast includes a hot and cold selection, with a new addition of a waffle station for freshly made waffles and pancakes to die for! Still available are the old favourites of bacon, eggs, sautéed mushrooms and herb tomatoes but accompanying this is now an assorted variety of condiments, selection of locally produced fresh fruits, fresh bread choices, pastries, fried rice and another favourite the Egg and Omelette Station, made to guests liking. Tea and coffee is also available.

Breakfast is served at the resorts Sunset Terrace Restaurant, an open air restaurant surrounded by one of the largest lagoon style pools in Fiji. The Sunset Terrace Restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner and offers varied menus including a la carte and themed buffets.

“We really wanted to listen to our guest feedback and offer the Full American Buffett breakfast again, but with a little twist. We wanted people to start their day with a tempting variety of breakfast options before they embark on one of the many activities offered by the resort. We understand a day cruise or cultural village visit or a shopping tour can be hard work.” Says Gerrard McNamara, Sonaisali Island Resort, Food & Beverage Manager.

Managing Director, Aaron McGrath said, “I am delighted to see the resorts food and beverage offering enhanced. It is critical that we continue to exceed our guest’s expectations and deliver and excel within our 4 star niche. Sonaisali is the resort to watch over the coming months with many exciting initiatives coming to fruition.”

Sonaisali puts a great emphasis on food and beverage choices and boasts range of dining facilities including the fine dining ‘Plantation’ Restaurant, which is recognised by Trip Advisor as one of the best restaurants in Fiji, offering an a la carte menu or a decadent 9-course ‘Degustation Menu’.

For a lazy option by the waterside, the BBQ Grill offers guests a simple, yet casual lunch choice. The Sunset Terrace Restaurant hosts daily International Buffet dinner selections alongside a full a la carte menu for that something different.

Sonaisali Island Resort is a private Island destination situated 300 metres off the main island of Viti Levu and only 25 minutes from Nadi International Airport and 15 minutes from Nadi town.

Comprising of 123 air-conditioned and beachfront hotel rooms, ocean-view bures, beachfront spa bures, and two bedroom family bures, Sonaisali’s accommodation is second to none, featuring modern interiors which harmonise with Fijian architecture.

Sonaisali offers guests an amazing array of activities including swimming, tennis, shopping excursions, village trips, horse riding, sailing, fishing, jet skiing, paintball, surfing and daily snorkelling and dive trips.
Guests can also relax and be pampered at The Frangipani Health and Beauty Spa, while kids are looked after at the Kids Club which operates daily from 9am – 9pm

For further information visit http://www.sonaisali.com

Resort wins diving award by PADI

Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji has been selected ahead of a number of International resorts to win The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) annual award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Diving Community”.

Sonaisali Island Resort’s Managing Director, Aaron McGrath, accepts this award with great pride as it not only reflects Sonaisali’s commitment to the marine and dive community, but also to the guests that choose to dive while at Sonaisali.

“We are very proud to accept this award as it shows our PADI facility is built on a foundation of diver safety and quality education. This vision and commitment as a Resort will push us to achieve higher levels of performance.

Sonaisali will continue to contribute responsibly to the diving community, along with striving towards excellence in all areas of day to day operations, being an innovative leader for the dive and tourism industry and our local community.”  Continues Mr McGrath.

Since becoming a PADI Retail and Resort Association member in 1997, Sonaisali Island Resort dive shop has safely introduced thousands of people, many of them first timers, to Fiji’s fantastic underwater world. Divers are not only taught how to dive, but learn about marine environment and how to respect it. As a member of the Mamanuca Environmental Society (MES), which promotes awareness through school and community programs, Sonaisali is committed to monitoring, educating and promoting awareness.

“It is fantastic to be recognized for our efforts as our dive team is committed to providing exceptional customer service with the highest level of safety standards for our divers, whilst ensuring the experience is both enjoyable and fun”. Says Sonaisali Resorts Recreational Manager Mr. Andrew Redfern.

“We conduct small classes and divers receive a lot of individual attention. Sonaisali looks forward to introducing many more visitors to the beautiful coral reefs and amazing fish life in and around the Mamanuca Islands”. Continues Mr Redfern.

Andrew’s previous roles before moving to Fiji included 23 years of Dive and Hospitality Industry experience. With 15 years experience within Fiji Andrew is one of two PADI Course Directors in the country. As a Course Director he has trained almost all of Fiji’s local Dive Instructors, which leaves him as one of the highest ranking professionals within PADI. Andrew brings to the team his extensive marine and dive experience and knowledge, which will continue to contribute and enhance the diving community in Fiji.

4 Star Sonaisali Island Resort is a true island escape, a small green dot in the beautiful South     Pacific Ocean – yet the world you’ve left behind is only a 3 minute boat ride across the lagoon from the Main Island and 25mins drive from Nadi International Airport. Sonaisali is located just a short 30 minute boat ride away from the outer barrier reef of the magic Mamanuca Islands. This means they are able to offer diver’s the best visibility, best coral and fish life and the best chance of seeing big critters such as sharks, rays and turtles that can be found in this region of Fiji.

For more information contact:

Rochelle Stebbing

Sales & Marketing Manager

Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji

Ph: 679 400 2000 Fax: 679 670 6298

Email: sales@sonaisali.com

www.sonaisali.com

or

Brooke Tolar

Managing Director

DragonFly PR

Email:   brooke@dragonflypr.com.au

Sonaisali Facebook Fan’s Receive Massive Giveaways

Sonaisali Facebook Fan’s Receive Massive Giveaways

Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji, has launched an exciting facebook promotion, where guests simply have to ‘like’ Sonaisali’s facebook page, let the resort know before they travel, and they are guaranteed fantastic prizes on arrival at the resort. Guests can even have a chance to win a return trip to Sonaisali.

Sonaisali Island Resort’s Managing Director, Aaron McGrath believes this is an innovative promotion which rewards guests for staying at the property.

“We really wanted to do something special and different for our guests and give them great value adds to their holiday. We hope all travel agents get behind this promotion and encourage their clients to like our facebook page prior to arriving on the property so they can take advantage of this fantastic offer”. Explains Aaron.

There are four parts to this amazing promotion which will run between September and 31 December 2012.

• Part One – any facebook fan who visits Sonaisali during the promotional period will receive a Facebook T-Shirt on arrival.

• Part Two – Guests that wear their Facebook T-shirt within the Resort will receive a free Facebook drink at the Pool Bar between 12.30pm and 1.30pm, the Talei Bar between 6pm -7pm and at the Zero Bar between 9.30pm and 10.30pm. Guests are limited to one drink per venue per person per day.

• Part Three – Guests who take the funniest and most creative picture wearing their Facebook T-shirt at the most iconic part of the resort and post it on Sonaisali’s facebook page by the 25th of every month will go into a draw to win a prize. The prize draw will occur at the end of each month until 31st December 2012 and guests can enter as many times as they like.

• Part Four – Guests that take a picture wearing their Facebook T-Shirt at a landmark in their own
country and post it on Sonaisali’s Facebook wall will go into the draw to win a 5 nights stay at Sonaisali in the same room category as their last booking, including free return airport transfers. Guests can enter as many times as they like and entries can be submitted up until the 27th December 2012, with the draw taking place on 1st January 2013.

The four Star Sonaisali Island Resort is a true island escape, with an abundance of tropical beauty, an extensive range of activities and a relaxed and friendly ambience. Sonaisali is a small green dot in the beautiful South Pacific Ocean – yet the world you’ve left behind is only a 3 minute boat ride across the lagoon from the Main Island and 25mins drive from Nadi International Airport.

Sonaisali features 123 spacious rooms and bures scattered along the beachfront, two dining restaurants including the fine dining ‘Plantation’ Restaurant, noted as one of the best fine dining Restaurants in Fiji. The resort offers a range of activities including swimming, tennis, village trips, horse riding, sailing, fishing, paintball, surfing, daily snorkelling and dive trips, weekly Fijian Fire walking and traditional Meke, a divine health and beauty spa and a Kids Club.

For further information visit http://www.sonaisali.com

-ENDS-

For media enquiries contact Brooke Tolar, DragonFly Public Relations, M: 0411 553 246, Email: brooke@dragonflypr.com.au

or

Rochelle Stebbing, Sales & Marketing Manager, Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji, Ph: 679 670 6011
Fax: 679 670 6298, Email: sales@sonaisali.com, http://www.sonaisali.com

WEEKLY FIREWALKING & KAVA CEREMONY

Every Wednesday night Sonaisali Island Resort, Fiji is treating guests to the ancient Fijian tradition of Fire Walking, with a breathtaking Fire Walking show and traditional Kava Ceremony.

“Since its introduction the Firewalking and Kava Ceremony has been the most popular of the cultural events showcased at Sonaisali.  The show takes about 45 minutes to an hour and the performers all interact with our guests, often sharing stories and other Fijian Traditions.” Says Aaron McGrath – Sonasiali Island Resorts Managing Director.

Fijian Firewalking is unique to the Sawau Tribe of  the island of Beqa in the Southern Islands of Fiji and each week a group of 8-10 performers make the weekly trip to Sonaisali Island Resort to entertain guests and explain this ancient tradition.

All members must observe two strict rules, there must be no contact with women and eating coconuts if forbidden in the days preceding the ceremony.  Failure to observe these taboos may result in severe burns.  This ancient religious ceremony often requires great strength and discipline of the mind, body and spirit.

Six to eight hours before the ceremony a huge bonfire is built with the ceremony starting with the smouldering logs being removed with long green poles whilst the participants chant, to clear away the logs from the hot stones.   A long tree fern, said to contain the spirit of God, is laid across the pit in the direction of the bete (the priest/master of ceremonies).  Large vines are then dragged across the stones, levelling them for the actual firewalking.

When the stones are finally in position, the bete jumps on them and takes a few trial steps to test their firmness.  He will then call for bundles of green leaves and swamp grass which are placed around the edge of the pit.  Finally, the position of the tree fern is adjusted at the command of the bete, and the firewalkers will approach the pit from the direction in which it points.  The tree fern is removed and the firewalkers walk, single file, across the red-hot stones.

This performance is followed with a traditional Kava ceremony, where one member of the audience is appointed as the Chief.  Kava (also known as Yaqona) is the traditional drink of Fiji and is mixed from the roots of the piper methysticum plant and diluted in water.  Participants sit in a circle on a mat facing the tanoa, a large hand carved wooden bowl.  One by one, amidst chanting and hand clapping, each person drinks the kava from a share half coconut shell.  Kava ceremonies are still used in many Fijian villages to welcome visitors.

Feedback from guests includes: “My boys loved it and cherish the photos of them with the firewalkers” ~ Jenny Clarke.  “We attended and loved it” ~ Kathryn Brown.  “My hubby was chosen as Chief, so funny, great night” ~ Jo Hamilton Sime.

4 Star Sonaisali Island Resort is a true island escape, a small green dot in the beautiful South Pacific Ocean – yet the world you’ve left behind is only a 3 minute boat ride across the lagoon from the Main Island and 25mins drive from Nadi International Airport.

Bula Fiji ~ Lets ZUMBA!

 

Zumba, an exhilarating, effective and enjoyable Latin inspired, calorie burning dance fitness program is now at your favourite Fijian Resort.

 Sonaisali Island Resort is pleased to announce that New Zealand’s much loved Zumba instructor, Tui Keenan visited the resort last year and returned this again year to teach our two most enthuastic activities staff Zumba. Both Tue and Bubu love Zumba and definitely have the personality and passion for this very fun and phenomenal fitness program. Tue and Bubu have recently returned from New Zealand with their certificates and are now licensed instructors, two of 20,000 instructors worldwide and Fiji’s first. Sonaisali is looking forward to providing this service FREE to all inhouse guests every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

 Zumba is a fantastic fitness programme for all ages and all levels of fitness.

 Managing Director, Aaron McGrath says “We are very pleased to introduce Zumba in Fiji and very proud to have Fiji’s first certified Zumba instructors as part of our resort team. This program will not only be great for our guests but also for the local community. ”

 4 Star Sonaisali Island Resort is a true island escape, a small green dot in the beautiful South Pacific Ocean – yet the world you’ve left behind is only a 3 minute boat ride across the lagoon from the Main Island and 25mins drive from Nadi International Airport.

 Come and experience Zumba the Sonaisali way!!

New North American Representative for Sonaisali

The management and team at Sonaisali Island Resort and World Resorts of Distinction (WRD) are very pleased to announce the appointment of Clair Abot as the new WRD Business Development Manager for North America. Claire, in her new role will represent both Sonaisali Island Resort & Tadrai Island Resort, Fiji in the North American market.

 World Resorts of Distinction has represented Sonaisali Island Resort for more than 16 years and are the resorts principal Marketing arm in North America and Australia. Based in sunny California, Claire will have easy access to many of the resorts key partners selling Fiji and will add enormous value to both Sonaisali’s and Tadrai’s support role to key Travel Agent and Wholesale partners in the market.

 Commenting on her new role, Claire said “I have worked with Sonaisali and the Fijian market for a number of years and have always loved the property. I am delighted to now be a part of the Sonaisali Team and very excited to be representing Fiji’s newest Five Star Island Resort – Tadrai Island Resort”

 Sonaisali & Tadrai Island Resorts Managing Director; Aaron McGrath said: “Claire is a very well known supporter of our islands having worked with Fiji Product in a previous role with Happy Vacations in California.  Claire’s wealth of knowledge about Fiji and the South Pacific will set her in excellent stead in supporting our two resorts and also our wholesale partners – we are very excited to have Claire join WRD.”

 Fiona Wozney, Managing Director of WRD commented “We are thrilled to have Claire on board and welcome the fresh new approach she will bring to the table.” 

Contact details for Claire are Ph 1800 869 5409, email northamerica@wrd.com.au

New NZ Representative for Sonaisali

The management and team at Sonaisali Island Resort and World Resorts of Distinction (WRD) are very pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie Secker as the new WRD Business Development Manager for New Zealand. Melanie in her new role will represent Sonaisali Island Resort & Tadrai Island Resort, Fiji in the New Zealand market.

World Resorts of Distinction has represented Sonaisali Island Resort for more than 16 years and are the resorts principal Marketing arm in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Melanie joined the dynamic WRD team as Business Development Manager New Zealand on 10th January 2011. Based in Auckland, Melanie will have easy access to both resorts key partners selling Fiji and will add enormous value to Sonaisali & Tadrai’s support role to key Travel Agent and Wholesale partners in the market. Commenting on her new role, Melanie said “I have been working with Fijian based tourism operators in the past and have always had a special place in my heart for Sonaisali, and I am now delighted to be representing not only Sonaisali, but Fiji’s newest Five Star Luxury Resort – Tadrai Island Resort. It is all very exciting and I am very much looking forward to the coming year.”

Sonaisali & Tadrai Island Resorts Managing Director; Aaron McGrath said: “Melanie has been a key supporter of Fiji Product for the past several years and is passionate and dedicated to the destination. Melanie’s wealth of knowledge about Fiji and the South Pacific will set her in excellent stead in supporting Sonaisali Island Resort, Tadrai Island Resort and our wholesale partners. We are very pleased to have Melanie join our dynamic team”

Fiona Wozney, Managing Director of WRD commented “We are thrilled to have Melanie on board and welcome the fresh new approach she will bring to the table.” Contact details for Melanie – Ph +64 21 629 101, email nz@wrd.com.au