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Boutique on a budget at Wailoaloa

It is tempting to call Dale Hermanson an accidental hotelier, and their hosts that can sometimes be difficult to find in larger
as in Suva circles he is much better known for the work of his hotels and resorts.
company Pasifika Communications, which recently celebrated Guests at the Aquarius on the Beach can make use of the
its 20th anniversary as a creative agency. beach on their doorsteps, with sea kayaks and beach volleyball
However he is no hospitality novice, having been in the tourism equipment readily available. The onsite Vaka restaurant serves
business for more than a decade after buying the small budget local and international meals in an alfresco environment, and the
hotel he rebranded as the Aquarius on the Beach in 2011. Wreck Bar is one of most unique places to have your sundowners
Tucked into a corner of Wailoaloa Beach, the Aquarius on the on the strip.
Beach has an authentic family vibe, with a fresh blue and white ‘Launched’ in 2022, the boat bar was inspired by a boat that
colour scheme and ocean view rooms. had run aground on the beach. Bringing their unique vision to
Hermanson aims to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, life was challenging, Hermanson said with a laugh, but ‘The
from the furnishings and fit out to the mellow evening Wreck’ now provides a novel destination for sunset cocktails and
entertainment and kava circle, which guests are welcome to join. chasers.
The 17-room hotel was one of the few to stay open throughout It’s from here that Hermanson can survey the beach, and
the pandemic, cementing its reputation with local guests as well. reflect on the many changes he has witnessed on the Wailoaloa
These efforts have been well recognised. Aquarius on the stretch. He is optimistic about the future of this new area and the
Beach was a bronze winner in the budget accommodation diversity of accommodation, food and entertainment options it
category of the 2023 Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards, and now offers a wide range of visitors, particularly if these changes
has received accolades from the Luxlife Hospitality Awards and are accompanied with a serious community commitment to
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. protecting and improving the natural environment that attracts
This is gratifying for Hermanson, who says they work hard to visitors to the area.
provide an intimacy and personal connection between guests

Where the day ends,
and sunset

Boutique begins @thewreckfiji

Beachfront

at a Budget Price

17 Wasawasa Road, Wailoaloa Beach
992 2672
aquariusfiji.com
@aquariusfiji

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