The private island resort reopens following damage by tropical cyclone Winston in February.
PHUKET, THAILAND – June 1 was a day of celebration on Castaway Island, Fiji as this private island resort reopened and welcomed guests back following a three-month island clean-up and property renovation after February’s tropical cyclone Winston.
Resort General Manager Steven Andrews said: “Winston may have been classified as the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in Fiji in recorded history, but the reopening of our beautiful island resort just three short months after such a severe storm is proof that our Castaway Island vuvale, our family, is stronger and more resilient than any storm.”
In addition to repairing the significant damage caused by the cyclone, Outrigger Resorts, which owns and manages the property, invested further in the resort with an upgrade and refurbishment of a number of bures and public areas.
“Our hosts, most of whom stayed on the island during the cyclone, have worked tirelessly for the past three months,” Mr. Andrews said. “They have put in back-breaking days clearing debris, cleaning swimming pools, restoring gardens and making repairs to bures and thatched roofing,” he said.
Fourteen of the island’s 65 bures have been completely rebuilt or upgraded, but the comfort and traditional style remain, including the beautiful vaulted ceilings featuring traditional hand-painted tapa cloth.
The opportunity was also taken to upgrade the outdoor kitchen servicing the resort’s award winning 1808 ‘feet in the sand’ restaurant.
To celebrate the reopening, Executive Chef Markus Nufer created new menus for all of the resort’s four restaurants.
Mr. Andrews said: “We so look forward to welcoming our guests back to this island paradise we call home and offering the high standard of holiday experience for which Castaway Island is so well known.”
He added: “The island is looking great again and our hosts are ready and enthusiastic about returning to a normal operation. It’s important not only to Castaway Island, Fiji Resort but to the overall Fijian economy.”
Castaway Island has a 40 per cent return guest rate and the highest guest satisfaction scores in the Outrigger portfolio.
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ABOUT CASTAWAY ISLAND, FIJI RESORT
In November this year Castaway Island, Fiji Resort will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The first private island resort to be developed in Fiji’s renowned Mamanuca Islands group, Castaway Island has become the standard by which South Pacific resorts are judged. The island resort features 65 air-conditioned beachfront and garden bures, four bars and four restaurants, including the award winning, feet-in-the-sand Restaurant 1808.
Only 10 per cent of the private island is occupied by the resort, allowing guests to enjoy its natural beauty.
Castaway Island guests can enjoy North Beach and South Beach, two of the most acclaimed white sand beaches in Fiji with crystal clear waters that deliver the tropical island experience of which guests dream.
There are two freshwater swimming pools, one for families and the other an adult environment complete with a swim-up pool bar. There is also a wide range of water based activities to enjoy, such as water skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling excursions and banana boat rides.
The Fijians’ love of children is legendary and the staff of the Castaway Kids Club continues this tradition with complimentary access from 9am to 4.30pm and 6.30pm to 10pm for children aged three years and over. A supervised children’s dinner is served from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Massage is an essential part of the Fijian experience with Castaway Island’s experienced staff offering a suite of treatments including the traditional Fijian ‘bobo’ massage using cold pressed coconut oil infused with tropical fragrances.
A part of the Outrigger Resorts brand, Castaway Island, Fiji Resort embraces the company’s global conservation initiative Ozone, the Outrigger ZONE, which is committed to preserving coral reefs around the world. An emphasis on marine education, including coral planting, is a key focus for guest involvement at Castaway.
For current seasonal deals visit castawayfiji.com/2016-to-2017-fiji-accommodation-rates/ email enquiries@castawayfiji.com.fj , or contact your local Fiji travel specialist.
ABOUT OUTRIGGER ENTERPRISES GROUP
Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies operating in the Asia Pacific, Oceania and Indian Ocean regions. As part of its unique hospitality offering, the values-based company extends exceptional hospitality and authentic cultural experiences, incorporating local traditions and customs into the guest experience at each of its properties worldwide. Guided by more than 68 years of family leadership, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded portfolio of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Resorts, OHANA Hotels by Outrigger®, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger®, Embassy Suites®, Holiday Inn®, Best Western®, Wyndham Vacation Ownership® and Hilton Grand VacationsTM. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development 38 properties with approximately 8,000 rooms located in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island); Guam; Fiji; Thailand; Mauritius; and the Maldives. For online information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and www.outrigger.com.
Join Outrigger’s social network to Find Out. Find Outrigger! Follow @OutriggerResort on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OutriggerResorts. For on-going news, visit http://news.outrigger.com.
Outrigger Resorts, Asia-Pacific
Ste 105-112, Plaza Del Mar, No. 1 Pasak-Koktanod Rd
Cherngtalay Sub-Dist., Thalang District
Phuket Province, 83110 Thailand
Tel: (+66) 76 318 230
Fax: (+66) 76 318 232
Email: bam.phupongphiphat@outrigger.com
Media Contact – for further information, images, contacts or comments please contact:
Donna Parkin
Outrigger Resorts PR – Australia / New Zealand / Fiji
Mobile: (+61) 419 742 573
Email: donna@parkinpr.com.au
Nancy Daniels, APR
Director of Public Relations
Ph: 808-921-6839
Email: nancy.daniels@outrigger.com
Media Contact, Asia & UK
Ken Scott
ScottAsia Communications
Mobile: (+44) 7949 077959
Email: kens@scottasia.net
Anchalee Sriwongsa
ScottAsia Communications
Mobile: (+66) 91 806 0484
Email: ann@scottasia.net
