Honestly, the word "luxury" feels a bit too small for a place like this. Most high-end resorts are just fancy hotels with better thread counts and a nice view of the ocean. But COMO Laucala Island resort Laucala Island Fiji isn't really a hotel. It’s more like a billionaire’s private playground that you just happen to be invited to—provided you have the bank account to match.
The island used to belong to Malcolm Forbes. Then, the late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz bought it in 2003 and poured an unthinkable amount of money into making it a self-sustaining paradise. Today, it’s under the COMO Group's umbrella, but that "money-is-no-object" DNA is still very much alive.
The Logistics of Pure Isolation
You don't just "show up" here. You land at Nadi International Airport and then hop on the resort’s private King Air B300. It’s a 45-minute flight over some of the most ridiculous turquoise water you’ve ever seen.
Most people worry about the price tag, which starts somewhere north of $6,000 USD a night. But here’s the thing: it’s actually all-inclusive. And I don’t mean "mid-shelf gin and a buffet" all-inclusive. I mean your private butler (they call them a Tau, which is Fijian for friend), world-class diving, horseback riding on the beach, and even a submarine ride are usually part of the deal.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Villas
There are only 25 residences on a 3,500-acre island. That is a staggering amount of space per person.
People often think all the villas are the same, but they couldn't be more different. You’ve got the Plantation Residences tucked into coconut groves, which feel very classic South Pacific. Then you have the Plateau Villas up on Nawi Hill. If you want views that make you feel like you’re at the edge of the world, those are the ones.
The Wai Residence is the overwater option, but it’s not your typical Maldivian bungalow. It’s carved into the rock and hovers over the lagoon with its own private jetty.
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And then there's the Hilltop Estate. It’s basically a castle. It sits 360 feet above sea level and is usually where the actual celebrities stay because it’s virtually invisible from the rest of the island.
The Submarine and Other Wild Extras
Let’s talk about the DeepFlight Super Falcon. It’s a two-person winged submersible.
You sit behind a glass dome while a pilot takes you through the "Great White Wall" and other reef systems. It’s silent. It’s surreal. Most resorts offer a glass-bottom boat; Laucala offers a literal submarine.
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If you’re more of a land person, there’s an 18-hole championship golf course designed by David McLay Kidd. Most courses in the tropics feel forced, but this one weaves through old plantations and up against volcanic cliffs. It’s brutal if you’re a high-handicapper, but the views of the Pacific make losing your balls slightly more tolerable.
Why the Sustainability Part Isn't Just Marketing
A lot of places "greenwash" their operations. Laucala actually runs its own 100-hectare farm.
- They grow their own vanilla, cocoa, and coffee.
- There are wagyu cattle, quails, and free-range pigs on the island.
- They press their own coconut oil for the spa.
- Hydroponic greenhouses provide veggies that usually wouldn't survive the Fiji humidity.
Basically, if you’re eating a salad at the Plantation House, the ingredients were likely in the ground a few hours ago. It gives the food a crispness you just can't get when everything is flown in from Australia or New Zealand.
Is It Actually Worth the Hype?
Look, $6,000 to $15,000 a night is a lot of money. You could buy a car for the price of a long weekend here.
But if you’re looking for a place where "no" isn't in the staff's vocabulary and you want to feel like the only human being on earth, this is it. It’s for the person who wants to go for a 5-mile hike and not see a single other guest. It’s for the person who wants to dive some of the healthiest reefs in the South Pacific without twenty other divers kicking their mask.
Your Next Steps for a Laucala Trip
- Check the 2026 Calendar: The resort often has periods where it’s fully bought out for private events. Secure your dates at least 8 months in advance.
- Pick Your Vibe: Decide if you want "Sea" (Seagrass Villas), "Elevation" (Plateau), or "History" (Plantation).
- Pack Light: Since almost everything is provided—from high-end sunscreens to gear—you really only need your swimwear and a few "island chic" outfits for dinner at the Rock Lounge.
- Book the Submarine Early: It’s the most popular activity and requires specific weather conditions, so put your name on the list the moment you land.