Destination: heaven

07 Dec 2008 21:21 PM | Posted by Editor

When Bh advertising dynamo Laina went to Fiji on her honeymoon, she couldn’t resist investigating the luxurious tropical spa at the Outrigger…

No holiday, let alone honeymoon, to any tropical location would be complete without an indulgent spa treatment. Or three.  

On the last leg of my honeymoon in Fiji, I checked into the Coral Coast’s lavish Outrigger hotel for some serious pampering after spending many long, lazy days on a little island with no mod cons. After endless hours of swimming, snorkelling, sun and cocktails, my skin and hair had taken a battering and I was in desperate need of a beauty hit. I hadn’t used anything more than conditioner and sunscreen since my wedding day weeks before.

The resort had loads of activities to fill days when we finally got bored with lazing on hammocks in the tropical lap of luxury. We kayaked, snorkelled, went to a traditional firewalking ceremony and even visited the nearby eco park.

But the star attraction of the Outrigger is definitely the Bebe Spa. Bebe, pronounced ‘Behm beh’, is the Fijian word for butterfly, and, just like the real thing, the spa floats majestically above the main resort on a plateau known to local villagers as Vakalomalagi Hill (Heavenly Hill). Every treatment room has panoramic views over the resort, the lagoon and 40 picturesque kilometres of the famous Coral Coast.

The spa uses traditional Fijian ingredients and techniques as well as the local Pure Fiji range and high-tech botanical skincare by Pevonia Botanica. The treatment menu features indulgences from massage, stone therapy, body scrubs and wraps to hydrotherapy and ultra-luxe facials. Where to begin?

First, I treated myself to a divine Myoxy Caviar Mask. Incorporating opulent ingredients like myoxy caviar, pearl extract and vegetal (non-injectable) botox, this super indulgent facial smoothes wrinkles, improves elasticity and counteracts sun damage. One blissful hour made up for weeks in the sun and sea as my poor, parched complexion was left revitalised, glowing, plump and smooth.

Another of the Bebe Spa’s signature treatments is the Frangipani Ritual, which uses heavenly Pure Fiji products to take you on a two-hour blissful escape. How could a girl resist? To begin, I was exfoliated head-to-toe with the frangipani-scented Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Rub, which contains sugar cane crystals and cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil. Then, after a relaxing hydrotherapy shower, my freshly-scrubbed skin was cocooned in a body wrap and drenched in a Frangipani Pure Fiji Coconut Milk Bath Soak. While my body was revelling in the fragrantly moisturising wrap, my ever-attentive therapist gave me a mini-facial with Pure Fiji skincare.

Finally, a relaxing half hour massage left me feeling totally relaxed and with supremely smooth and soft skin. The Bebe Spa uses extra virgin coconut oil sourced from a nearby village in all of its massage treatments. This essential South Pacific beauty ingredient has been used for over 2000 years by Fijian women to nourish, soften and moisturise their skin and hair. And I was the silky, glowing proof it still works.

Feeling somewhat guilty about spending so much of our honeymoon indulging alone, I even managed to coax (okay, bribe) my new husband into his first trip to a spa with the promise of cocktails afterward at the Kalokalo Bar, which is perched above the Bebe Spa and shares the same breathtaking view.  

The Romantic Discovery treatment began with a rose petal-scattered hydro-jet therapy spa bath on an open-air veranda. We shared champagne and a chocolate-dipped fruit platter while overlooking the Pacific vista, then we enjoyed a one-hour massage side-by-side. Even my blokey-as-they-come man had to admit he adored it.

But, while we felt a world away, we weren’t the only couple in love in Fiji. The picture-perfect Bure Ni Loloma Wedding Chapel lies right beside the Bebe Spa. Packages are even available where brides are taken straight from the Bebe Spa to the Chapel and on to the Kalokalo Bar for a reception. What a perfect day!

What a perfect honeymoon.

 -  Laina O’Donnell

Fancy your own luxury escape to Fiji?

Explore the Outrigger and Bebe Spa menu


Holiday at home

Recreate the Bebe Spa experience at home with Pure Fiji and Pevonia Botanica products:

Pure Fiji Frangipani Coconut Sugar Rub, $55
Pure Fiji Frangipani Coconut Milk Bath Soak, $44
Pure Fiji Frangipani Exotic Bath & Body Massage Oil, $39.60
Pevonia Botanica Myoxy Caviar facials, RRP $180, from selected salons
Pevonia Botanica Myoxy Caviar skincare