Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Offers an Enriched Family Vacation
Free Bula Club for Kids; Luxury, Value & Eco-Sensitive Living for Parents
VANUA LEVU, Fiji, March 3, 2006. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort offers an idyllic family vacation with one of the most expansive and diverse lineups of complimentary cultural and ecological activities in the South Pacific. From family outings such as glass-bottom boat tours of pristine coral reefs, edible landscape tours and Fijian medicine walks to unforgettable adventures at the kids' own Bula Club, the resort offers something for everyone in the family. In addition, the property has a free nanny service and children 12 and under stay, eat and play free, making the resort even more attractive to parents.
The property's ethic, 'to take as little from the environment as possible, to give back as much as we can, and to respect others with whom we share this place,' applies to everything at the resort from growing its own produce to Fijian community contributions, as well as its unsurpassed array of eco-friendly activities. This dedication to Fijian environment and culture, combined with a five-star luxury experience, recently earned the property the world's top score on Cond'e Nast Traveler's 2005 Green List, recognizing outstanding examples of ecotourism.
Kids can spend their days at Bula Club, a free program that considers its young guests to be the future caretakers of the earth and oceans. Here children are supervised and entertained by attentive nannies and buddies, bi-lingual in English and Fijian. Bula Club features a playground, family pool equipped with a 20-foot water slide and a separate wading pool with small water slide for younger children. Other activities include snorkeling, beach combing, picnics, and learning about Fijian arts and crafts.
In keeping with the resort's focus on sustainability, there is coral reef exploration, tidal flats discovery, mangrove reforestation and a Giant Clam restoration project: all led by the only on-staff marine biologist in Fiji or the resort's own award-winning Cultural Host. Evening activities include movies, storytelling, nature bingo and a scavenger hunt. The club is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and welcomes all children from infants to 12 years. Other amenities include children's menus and mealtimes. Each child receives a Passport showing which activities of exploration he or she completed. Signed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, it is a cherished souvenir of a Fiji visit.
With no distracting phones or TVs in the bures, families can find plenty of time to enjoy any number of the complimentary amenities; ecological & cultural tours and seminars; wellness activities; and evening entertainment. A sampling of activities and amenities includes sailing, kayaking to nearby Split Rock, beaches, night snorkeling, mangrove tours, NITROX seminars, reef and coral slide shows, a Nukubalavu Village trip, Fijian church services (various denominations), Kava ceremonies, Meke & Lovo (Fiji's traditional dancing and feast featuring fire-pit cookery), trips to a local farmer's market, plus daily yoga classes, water aerobics, rainforest and waterfall hikes, and nightly music from the resort's own Bula Boys.
Parents can steal a little alone time and lounge at the adults-only Serenity Pool or indulge in other luxurious activities, available for an additional fee. Choosing from an extensive spa program featuring traditional Fijian treatments and massage, parents can arrange a couples' massage in the privacy of their bure. They can escape to their own private island with a gourmet picnic lunch. Dining is an exceptional part of the resort experience (and included in every room rate), as the chef uses the freshest ingredients, including local seafood and produce from the resort's organic garden, to create award-winning cuisine served in the restaurant and poolside. In addition, the resort can also arrange an intimate dinner for two at either pier's end or any of the private dine-out bures for a romantic evening under the South Pacific stars.
The Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is located on the island of Vanua Levu on a former 17-acre coconut plantation. Accommodations are 25 Fijian-style, thatched-roof Gardenview or Oceanfront bures scattered among the palm trees. These bures accommodate up to two children; the Oceanfront Suites, three kids on one king day bed and one regular day bed; and the Oceanfront two-bedroom, three kids on two single beds and a day bed. 2006 daily rates start from US$575 for a Gardenview bure to US$865 for an Oceanfront two-bedroom bure. Rates include all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary activities and transfers to/from Savusavu Airport. For information or reservations, contact the resort at 800-246-3454, via email at [email protected] or online at www.fijiresort.com http://www.fijiresort.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
