The former Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa will reopen as the JW Marriott Fiji Resort & Spa in the first quarter of 2027, following a major redevelopment and an agreement between the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and Marriott International.
The 282-room luxury resort on Denarau Island is expected to begin accepting reservations in December this year, marking a new chapter for one of Fiji’s longstanding tourism properties.
FNPF confirmed that its subsidiary, Dubbo Pte Ltd, had signed an agreement with Marriott International to introduce the JW Marriott brand to Fiji.
FNPF chief executive officer Viliame Vodonaivalu said the decision was aimed at transforming the property into a more competitive luxury tourism asset while delivering long-term returns for Fund members.
“The introduction of JW Marriott represents a significant milestone for one of our key tourism assets,” Mr Vodonaivalu said.
“Our focus has been to ensure that the substantial investment being made in this property translates into a stronger, more competitive asset capable of generating sustainable returns for our members over the long term.”
The resort was originally constructed in 1975 as the Regent Hotel before being rebranded as the Westin in the late 1980s.
Its redevelopment involves extensive upgrades to accommodation, infrastructure, facilities and guest amenities while retaining elements of the property’s original character.
FNPF said additional improvements were incorporated into the redevelopment after a review of the resort’s long-term market positioning and growing competition from newer and upgraded hotels.
The expanded scope has pushed the anticipated completion of redevelopment works to the end of 2026.
Mr Vodonaivalu said the decision to introduce the JW Marriott brand reflected the Fund’s intention to position the resort in the international luxury market.
“With an asset of this significance, it is important that we do not simply restore what existed previously, but position the property to compete successfully in the market of tomorrow,” he said.
“The transition to JW Marriott allows us to elevate the resort into the luxury segment and better align its market positioning with the investment undertaken.”
He said the redevelopment was about more than upgrading a hotel.
“This is about more than redeveloping a hotel. It is about protecting and enhancing the value of an important investment held on behalf of our members, while ensuring that the property remains relevant and competitive for decades to come.”
FNPF expects the new branding to strengthen the resort’s ability to attract premium international visitors, improve room rates and generate higher revenue.
The development is also expected to create employment opportunities, support local suppliers and businesses, and contribute to Fiji’s tourism industry.
Mr Vodonaivalu said the ultimate objective remained protecting and growing the retirement savings of FNPF members.
“Ultimately, a stronger-performing hotel supports the value of our investment portfolio and our ability to deliver sustainable returns to members,” he said.
