It’s being touted as the most exciting private resort and superyacht marina development to hit the fabulous South Pacific yacht charter destination – Fiji, and given two-thirds of the luxury villas from stage one of the development were snapped up even before ground was officially broken, it’s also one of the most eagerly anticipated.
Aerial view of VUNABAKA - a fantastic South Pacific yacht charter destination
It’s called Vunabaka – a luxury residential marina and hotel resort paradise in the waters of Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands – and it’s fairly easy to see why it has the charter world talking.
Not only is Vunabaka offering an unmatched level of privately-owned luxury accommodation in the tropical paradise of Fiji, the 5-star resort also boasts the ultimate ocean-based resort experience – world-class surfing, superlative boating, pristine beaches, top-end marina berths and a strong design aesthetic that is both ecologically sound and architecturally luxurious.
Aerial view of Vunabaka - Sunset
Vunabaka is a ‘master planned community’ with two private marinas, 70 private luxury villas (40 marked for stage one and 30 for stage two), a high-end boutique hotel and an overall development that will take Fiji’s luxury resort offerings to a whole new level.
For a start, Vunabaka’s luxury yacht marina offers the only privately owned slip in the South Pacific able to house a vessel over 50m. It also has a further five slips available for 25m vessels and more than eighty 9-15m slips on offer with purchased land.
Vunabaka from above
Mike Lucas is one of five owners/developers of the Vunabaka project – all passionate ocean enthusiasts and all close friends who list surfing, fishing and boating as their ‘obsession’. Their vision for the property from the get-go was to build a community which would bring together their mutual love of the ocean with their desire to build a sustainable community that stayed true to this untouched part of the world and that they, their family and friends could be proud of.
”We believe Vunabaka ticks all the boxes and obviously the market can see the potential as well,” say Lucas. “Twenty-six of the stage one private villas have sold in pre-development.”
Vunabaka - Central Facility
Andrew Griffiths, another of the owner/developers, who is based in Fiji, has been taking a number of interested parties to view the site. There are still opportunities available for those keen to secure their own slice of paradise to also visit the property. The trick will be to get in quick.
“We are not your typical developers,” say Lucas, “and I think that is exactly why Vunabaka is garnering attention. After all, we are not just developing a generic community, we are building our own homes there as well. That shows we are deeply committed to the project at a fundamental level and, ultimately, committed to its success. We are there for the long haul.”
VUNABAKA - Beach
The resort is designed over 100 acres of hilltop, marina and superb beach front that steps directly onto a pristine white sand beach. As well as the two world-class private marinas, the resort community will also contain a boutique hotel named the Island Grace, a luxury experience with 5-star dining and accommodation.
When it came to planning the build itself, Richard Priest, an internationally renowned architect, was brought in from the start as Vunabaka’s overall ‘architectural visionary’.
Luxury villas at VUNABAKA
“The very first time I laid eyes on the site and the plans for Vunabaka, I knew this was a truly special site,” says Priest. “It’s one of the best I have ever seen in terms of the incredible natural environment with its dazzling sunsets, world-class marina and lush rainforests. What makes it even more spectacular is the site’s setting which is within incredible proximity to everything you could possibly want to experience in the sun or out and about in the water.”
Priest is designing the 70 luxury villas, each with between three and five-bedrooms and situated on 1/3 to 1 acre lots. The designs incorporate modern appliances and exquisite furnishings within an interior of traditional hardwoods and Fijian art – all combining the very best of island design and a cohesive luxury experience.
Vunabaka - Spa
Each of the villas is constructed around pavilions and covered walkways to link the indoor spaces to the exemplary Fiji environs.
“We paired Richard with a team of architects and designers who have particular expertise in tropical design,” says Lucas. “They are known for employing ecologically sound solutions that maximise outdoor living and embody our complete commitment to protecting the environment and staying true to the unique Fijian experience.”
For the design of the Island Grace, Priest was also paired with Charles Brand, founder of the Cape Grace Hotel (winner of the Condé Nast best boutique hotel) for further design and operational input. The result is an exceptional boutique hotel set across five acres of land and 150 metres of pristine beachfront that incorporates world-class restaurants, bars and pools, tennis courts, spa facilities, a fitness centre and kids club.
On top of all this, what makes this highly anticipated South Pacific resort also noteworthy is its proximity to Nadi. At just 10 minutes from Nadi Airport by helicopter or 30 minutes by private boat or ferry, travel time is also luxuriously minimal.
The Vunabaka resort marina and civil works are earmarked for completion by November 2014. Construction of the five-start Island Grace boutique hotel is expected to be finished in March 2016.
