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Laucala

Laucala Island is a private Fijian island located east of Thurston Point on Taveuni, spanning approximately 3,250 acres of rainforest, reefs, and beaches. Wait, no, can't cite wiki. From [web:7] Taveuni, Fiji. But to cite: Use https://www.comohotels.com/fiji/como-laucala-island for location.
In 2003, Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder of Red Bull, purchased the island from the heirs of American publishing magnate Malcolm Forbes, who had owned it since 1972 as a personal retreat.^[1]^[2]
Mateschitz extensively developed Laucala into an ultra-exclusive resort with 25 villas, each featuring private pools, butlers, and direct access to natural features like lagoons and hilltops.^[3]^[4]
Following Mateschitz's death in 2022, the property is managed by COMO Hotels, preserving its emphasis on privacy, sustainability through an on-island organic farm, and high-end amenities including an 18-hole golf course, equestrian center, and submersible for reef exploration.^[5]^[6]
The resort's design integrates Fijian heritage with modern luxury, attracting elite clientele while limiting guest numbers to ensure seclusion.^[7]^[8]

Geography and Environment

Location and Physical Features

Laucala Island lies in Fiji's Cakaudrove Province, positioned approximately 370 meters southeast of Taveuni Island in the northern Fiji archipelago.^[9] Its coordinates are roughly 16°45′S latitude and 179°41′W longitude.^[10] The island encompasses 12.2 square kilometers (about 3,000 acres), extending 5 kilometers in length with widths varying between 1.5 and 3 kilometers.^[11]^[12] Of volcanic origin, Laucala features a hilly interior with central volcanic mountains cloaked in tropical rainforest, contrasting with western mangroves that give way to expansive white sandy beaches and fringing coral reefs.^[13]^[11]^[14] The terrain rises modestly, with average elevations around 27 meters, supporting lush vegetation including dense jungle forests across green hills.^[15]^[16]

Biodiversity and Conservation

Laucala Island, part of Fiji's Lau archipelago, encompasses approximately 3,500 acres of tropical rainforest, coastal mangroves, and surrounding fringing coral reefs, supporting ecosystems characteristic of the region's high marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The island's interior features dense rainforest habitats that serve as refuges for avian species adapted to Pacific island environments, including endemic Fijian birds.^[17] Flora includes notable tree species such as Swietenia macrophylla (mahogany), Santalum yasi (sandalwood), Agathis vitiensis (kauri), and abundant Cocos nucifera (coconut palms), alongside fruit-bearing plants like papaya.^[18] Under COMO Hotels and Resorts management since 2016, conservation efforts prioritize private stewardship rather than formal government-designated protected areas, emphasizing sustainability to preserve the island's ecological integrity amid resort operations. The resort operates a 240-acre organic farm producing over 90% of its food requirements, including vegetables, fruits, and herbs, which reduces external imports and minimizes environmental footprint through permaculture methods.^[19]^[20] Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, supplement operations, while waste management practices include composting and recycling to limit pollution.^[21] Marine conservation initiatives focus on protecting adjacent reefs through guest education programs and restricted access, aligning with broader Fijian efforts to safeguard coral ecosystems vulnerable to climate change and overfishing. Terrestrial practices involve selective harvesting of wild orchids and habitat maintenance to support native flora and fauna, with the island's low-density development—limited to 25 villas—preventing large-scale habitat fragmentation.^[22]^[23] These measures reflect a model of eco-luxury tourism, where biodiversity preservation supports long-term viability without verified involvement in national protected area networks.^[24]^[25]

History

Indigenous Settlement and Traditional Governance

The indigenous inhabitants of Laucala Island, known as the Kai Laucala, form a distinct yavusa (tribal unit) within Fiji's iTaukei population, with oral histories tracing their settlement to ancestral migrations led by Buatavata Naulumatua of the Qaraniyaku group, who established communities on the island and exerted influence across northern Lau islands such as Vanuabalavu.^[26]^[27] These traditions align with broader patterns of Fijian island colonization via canoe voyages from Vanua Levu or other eastern locales, predating European contact by centuries, though archaeological specifics for Laucala remain undocumented.^[28] Traditional governance on Laucala operated within Fiji's vanua framework, a socio-political unit integrating land, people, and customs under hereditary chiefly authority, subordinated to the paramount Tui Cakau of Cakaudrove Province in the Tovata matanitu (confederacy). Local leadership centered on the turaga i taukei (installed chief), who held custodianship over irreplaceable communal lands (i tokai ni vanua), mediated disputes, directed resource use, and presided over rituals like yaqona ceremonies to affirm alliances and hierarchies.^[28] This system featured stratified roles, including mata-ni-vanua (chiefly spokesmen) for diplomacy, bati (traditional warriors) for protection, and subordinate mataqali (clans) handling labor divisions such as fishing, farming, and copra production in later pre-colonial phases. The chiefly structure's authority over land tenure is illustrated by the island's sale on January 1, 1863, when Ratu Goleanavanua, the eighth Tui Cakau, transferred rights to European traders John B. McComber and William Beddoes for £100, dividing Laucala into northern and southern portions—an act reflecting paramount chiefs' prerogative in alienating territories amid expanding external pressures, prior to Fiji's 1874 cession to Britain.^[29] Such decisions underscored the hierarchical realism of Fijian governance, where chiefs balanced internal consensus with strategic external engagements, though often at the expense of subordinate yavusa interests. Post-contact, these structures persisted in modified form under colonial indirect rule, preserving core elements like genealogical legitimacy and communal obligations despite economic shifts toward plantations.^[28]

Colonial Period and Early Economic Activities

Following the cession of Fiji to the British Crown on October 10, 1874, by King Seru Epenisa Cakobau and other chiefs, European settlers established agricultural operations on Laucala Island, leveraging its fertile volcanic soil for cash crop production.^[30] The island, located off Taveuni in the Lau Group, transitioned from sporadic pre-colonial trader presence—marked by conflicts such as the 1855 burning of settler David W. Brown's house by Rewa Delta inhabitants—to formalized colonial land use under British administration.^[31] These early activities prioritized export-oriented agriculture, with copra (dried coconut meat for oil extraction) emerging as the dominant economic pursuit due to global demand for coconut products in soap, margarine, and lubricants.^[32] By the late 19th century, Laucala had been developed into a copra plantation, reflecting broader Fiji colonial patterns where small islands supplied raw materials to imperial markets. European planters cleared coconut groves, employing indigenous Fijian laborers under systems that blended customary obligations with colonial labor taxes, though records indicate limited scale compared to larger Viti Levu estates.^[33] Production focused on harvesting and drying copra for shipment via inter-island schooners to Levuka or Suva ports, contributing to Fiji's copra exports which rose from 1,200 tons in 1882 to over 10,000 tons annually by 1900.^[34] This activity sustained a modest plantation economy, with infrastructure like drying sheds and basic wharves supporting operations amid the island's isolation. At the turn of the 20th century, around 1900, the Plantation House was constructed in British colonial architectural style, serving as the administrative and residential hub for copra management.^[35] Economic viability depended on fluctuating copra prices—peaking during World War I shortages but crashing in the 1920s—yet Laucala's output remained niche, underscoring the colony's reliance on peripheral island plantations for non-sugar commodities.^[36] No significant diversification into cotton or sugar occurred, as the island's 3,500 acres suited copra monoculture without large-scale milling infrastructure.^[37]

Mid-20th Century Transitions

During the mid-20th century, Laucala Island functioned primarily as a copra plantation under European ownership, a economic model established in the late 19th century following Fiji's cession to British rule in 1874.^[32] The island's landscape was dominated by vast coconut groves, estimated at around 900,000 palm trees by the early 1970s, which provided the core export commodity of dried coconut meat for oil production and sustained local employment among indigenous Fijians.^[38] Operations remained largely unchanged through the post-World War II era, reflecting the stability of Fiji's colonial agricultural economy, where copra accounted for a significant portion of export revenue amid fluctuating global prices influenced by wartime demands and subsequent recovery.^[35] As British colonial administration persisted until Fiji's independence on October 10, 1970, Laucala's plantation activities showed no major shifts toward diversification or infrastructure upgrades, with the focus enduring on traditional copra harvesting and processing.^[32] ^[35] This period of continuity contrasted with broader Fijian developments, such as increased labor migration and debates over land tenure, but the island's remote location and established lease arrangements insulated it from immediate upheaval.^[39] The lack of significant investment or ownership changes during the 1940s to 1960s underscored a transitional stasis, setting the stage for the plantation's sale in 1972 to American publisher Malcolm Forbes for $1 million, which introduced modernization efforts like education and economic reorientation away from copra dependency.^[39]^[38]^[32]

Ownership and Development

Acquisition and Improvements by Malcolm Forbes

Malcolm Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine, acquired Laucala Island in 1972 for $1 million from its previous owners, transforming the 3,017-acre (1,220-hectare) former copra plantation into a private retreat and modest hospitality venue.^[38]^[1] He had first visited Fiji in 1969, drawn to the island's isolation in the northern Lau Group, and envisioned it as a South Pacific convening spot for business executives.^[40] Forbes invested an additional $3–4 million over the subsequent years to develop infrastructure and diversify the island's economy beyond copra production, which had long dominated local activities.^[40] Key enhancements included constructing modest accommodations for guests, a school to educate island residents, a church, and housing for staff and their families, thereby supporting community self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on subsistence agriculture.^[32]^[41] These efforts shifted economic focus toward tourism and hosted small-scale operations, including a basic hotel, while preserving the island's natural seclusion for personal use.^[42]^[1] Forbes maintained Laucala as his favored escape until his death in 1990, eventually having his ashes interred there beneath a palm tree near the beach, underscoring his deep attachment to the property.^[35]^[43] The improvements emphasized sustainable profitability over lavish expansion, laying groundwork for future owners while prioritizing operational viability for the resident population of around 100 Fijians.^[44]

Purchase and Transformation by Dietrich Mateschitz

In 2003, Dietrich Mateschitz, the Austrian co-founder of Red Bull GmbH, acquired Laucala Island from the heirs of Malcolm Forbes for approximately $10 million.^[1]^[45] The purchase followed Forbes's death in 1990, during which the island had served primarily as a private retreat with limited infrastructure, including a modest airstrip and basic accommodations developed in the 1970s and 1980s.^[1] Mateschitz's vision centered on transforming the 3,500-acre island into an ultra-luxury private resort, initiating a comprehensive five-year renovation project that emphasized bespoke design and environmental integration without budgetary constraints.^[1]^[46] He engaged London-based interior designer Lynne Hunt and Scape Design Associates to oversee the interiors and landscaping, resulting in 25 standalone villas—each with private pools, beachfront or hilltop locations, and amenities like personal butlers and chef-prepared meals sourced from on-island farms.^[47]^[48] The project included relocating the island's small resident population to neighboring Taveuni to facilitate unrestricted development, while incorporating sustainable features such as organic agriculture, a nine-hole golf course designed by David McLay Kidd, and extensive marine conservation efforts.^[46]^[1] The resort officially opened in 2009 as an invitation-only destination initially catering to high-profile guests, before limited public bookings were introduced, establishing Laucala as one of the world's most exclusive properties with nightly rates exceeding $4,000 per villa.^[49]^[1] This overhaul preserved the island's natural topography—featuring volcanic peaks, reefs, and rainforests—while elevating it to a benchmark for barefoot luxury, aligning with Mateschitz's personal affinity for extreme, high-performance pursuits reflected in Red Bull's branding.^[48]^[1]

Current Ownership and Management under COMO

In December 2021, COMO Hotels and Resorts, a Singapore-based luxury hospitality group founded by Christina Ong in 1991, assumed management of Laucala Island resort from its previous operator, while ownership remained with the estate of Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder of Red Bull.^[50]^[43]^[51] Mateschitz, who had acquired the island in 2003 and developed it into a private 25-villa resort opening in 2009, passed away in October 2022, after which management transitioned fully to his son, Mark Mateschitz, as the current owner.^[50]^[5] Under COMO's oversight, the resort underwent refurbishments emphasizing sustainability, wellness integration via COMO Shambhala, and broader accessibility beyond its prior ultra-exclusive clientele, reopening as COMO Laucala Island in January 2022.^[43]^[5] COMO's management model prioritizes holistic luxury, incorporating farm-to-table dining from the island's organic produce, eco-conscious practices, and personalized services across its 3,500-acre property, including a nine-hole golf course, spa, and private airstrip.^[52] This approach aligns with Ong's vision for properties blending cultural immersion and environmental stewardship, though the Mateschitz family's retention of ownership ensures continuity of the island's private character, with villa rates starting at approximately US$3,800 per night for two guests.^[50] Operations under COMO have included staff training enhancements and expanded wellness programs, drawing on the group's expertise from other Fijian properties like COMO Cocoa Island, while maintaining the resort's seclusion in Fiji's Cakaudrove Province.^[43]^[53]

Resort Features and Operations

Accommodations and Villas

COMO Laucala Island resort comprises 25 standalone residences, designed as private villas that emphasize seclusion and integration with the island's natural landscape.^[6] These accommodations range in size from 800 square meters to 8,000 square meters, accommodating 2 to 6 guests depending on configuration, with most featuring 1 to 3 bedrooms.^[6] Each villa includes a private infinity pool, sundeck, lounge areas, and outdoor bathing facilities, constructed using Fiji-inspired materials such as local woods and thatched roofs to blend with the tropical environment.^[6] ^[54] The villas are categorized by location and style, including beachfront Plantation Residences (2,000–8,000 sq m, 1–3 bedrooms) and Seagrass Residences (2,000–8,000 sq m, 1–3 bedrooms with wood and rock finishes), both offering direct lagoon access; hilltop Plateau Residences (1,500–2,000 sq m, 1–2 bedrooms) with panoramic ocean views; the overwater Wai Residence (2,000 sq m, 2 bedrooms for up to 4 guests) featuring a pool carved from volcanic rock and private docking; and the peninsula-based Udu Residence (800 sq m, 1 bedroom for 2 guests) with a plunge pool and built-in hammock.^[6] Of these, 19 are positioned along the island's beaches for immediate water access.^[55] Guests receive dedicated services including a golf buggy for island navigation and personalized staff support, enhancing the self-contained, estate-like experience.^[6] ^[56]

Facilities and Infrastructure

Laucala Island is equipped with a private airstrip designed for day operations, featuring a grooved concrete apron, runway and taxiway lighting, and illuminated windsocks to facilitate safe landings for small to medium private aircraft.^[57] The island's internal transportation relies on electric golf carts provided to guests for navigating its 1,600-hectare terrain, minimizing environmental impact while ensuring privacy across dispersed facilities.^[58] ^[4] Accommodation infrastructure consists of 25 standalone villas, constructed in traditional Fijian bure style with thatched roofs, each including a private swimming pool, outdoor living areas, and separate structures for bedrooms, bathrooms, and media rooms to enhance seclusion.^[3] ^[48] Recreational facilities include an 18-hole championship golf course supported by a 70,000 cubic meter irrigation lake, a marina with 45,000 cubic meters of excavation for docking, and engineered beach enhancements spanning 1.2 kilometers with 6,000 tonnes of rock armor for erosion control.^[59] ^[48] Wellness infrastructure centers on the COMO Shambhala Retreat, comprising four treatment villas each with outdoor tubs, relaxation rooms, and changing areas, plus two wet rooms equipped with Vichy showers and steam facilities, integrated into landscaped water gardens.^[60] Dining options are supported by five restaurants and bars, emphasizing farm-to-table sourcing from on-island agriculture, while communal areas feature expansive pools such as a waterfall-fed main pool and glass-walled infinity pools with surrounding pavilions.^[48] ^[61]

Activities and Guest Experiences

Guests at COMO Laucala Island enjoy a comprehensive all-inclusive program that encompasses complimentary activities ranging from high-adrenaline pursuits to serene wellness options, enabling personalized exploration of the 3,500-acre private island.^[62] ^[63] This setup fosters guest experiences characterized by exclusivity and flexibility, with dedicated staff facilitating bespoke itineraries amid the resort's remote Fijian setting.^[64] Water-based activities dominate offerings, leveraging the surrounding reefs and lagoons. Diving excursions target the inner reef during mid- and high tides for encounters with marine life, while snorkeling provides accessible reef exploration directly from shore.^[65] Additional pursuits include deep-sea fishing for game species, sunset sailing on vintage boats, and surfing at Wai ni Maqai breaks, reachable by a 20-minute boat ride and featuring left- and right-hand waves suitable for intermediate riders.^[63] Guests report these as highlights for their unspoiled underwater visibility and tranquil conditions, contributing to immersive, low-density experiences.^[7] On land, the 18-hole championship golf course—designed by David McLay Kidd as a par-72 layout opened in 2010—integrates volcanic mountains, coconut plantations, and oceanfront holes, including a signature par-5 12th ending on the beach.^[66] ^[67] Hiking and mountain biking trails traverse the forested interior, passing banyan trees, cliffs, and rare hardwoods, with horseback riding available for all skill levels under expert guidance.^[68] ^[69] The farm-to-table tour showcases the island's organic produce and livestock, underscoring self-sustaining operations.^[70] Off-island excursions, such as a 30-minute boat trip to Tavoro Falls in Bouma National Heritage Park followed by a hike and picnic, add variety.^[71] Wellness facilities enhance relaxation-focused stays, with complimentary massages at the COMO Shambhala Retreat and access to a fitness center equipped with cardio machines like treadmills and rowers.^[62] ^[72] Cultural activities and private dining options further personalize experiences, often praised in reviews for blending Fijian traditions with ultra-luxury service, though some note the remote location demands advance planning for specialized requests.^[63] ^[64] Overall, guests describe stays as transformative escapes for high-net-worth individuals seeking seclusion, with the all-inclusive model minimizing logistics and maximizing immersion in the island's natural and recreational assets.^[73]^[74]

Economic and Cultural Impact

Contributions to Local Economy and Employment

The Laucala Island Resort employs approximately 350 staff members to operate its luxury facilities, providing direct employment opportunities in a remote northern Fijian location near Taveuni.^[43] These roles span hospitality, maintenance, culinary services, and specialized activities such as guiding eco-tours and managing equestrian programs, with many positions filled by Fijians recruited from surrounding communities to support the resort's high-service standards.^[75] The workforce contributes to year-round operations, offering stable income in an economy where tourism accounts for significant employment, though specific wage data for Laucala remains proprietary.^[76] Beyond direct jobs, the resort's activities stimulate ancillary economic effects, including procurement of supplies from local Fijian vendors for non-self-sufficient needs and infrastructure investments like the 2024 commissioning of an air hangar, which enhances accessibility and supports broader northern Fiji development.^[77] Owner Mark Mateschitz has emphasized ongoing commitment to Fiji's economy through such projects, continuing initiatives started by his father Dietrich, who invested heavily in the island's transformation since acquiring it in 2003.^[77] While the resort's self-sufficient organic farming and livestock operations—covering 20% of the island—minimize some external food sourcing, they indirectly bolster skills in sustainable agriculture among staff.^[78] Overall, these contributions align with Fiji's tourism sector, which sustains over 100,000 jobs nationwide, though Laucala's ultra-luxury model channels high-value revenue into a concentrated local pool rather than mass employment.^[79]

Preservation of Fijian Culture and Community Relations

The Laucala Island Cultural Village, established during the island's transformation into a resort following its 2003 acquisition by Dietrich Mateschitz, preserves authentic Fijian architectural elements such as structures built with traditional materials like magimagi coconut husk string and balabala fern tree stems. This site, one of the few remaining examples of pre-colonial Fijian village layouts in the country, originally functioned as a communal hub for practices including lovo earth-oven cooking, masi tapa cloth weaving, and canoe carving.^[80]^[22]^[81] The village facilitates ongoing cultural transmission through staff-led demonstrations and guest experiences, such as kava ceremonies—a ritual historically restricted to Fijian chiefs, priests, and elders involving the preparation and sharing of the native kava root drink. Local employees, who comprise a significant portion of the resort's workforce, actively participate in maintaining these traditions, integrating them into daily operations and special events like traditional dining at the village.^[80]^[82] Additional preservation efforts incorporate indigenous herbal knowledge into spa treatments and cuisine, utilizing native plants for remedies and organic teas derived from island flora, while activities like sustainable cooking classes emphasize Fijian culinary heritage alongside local sourcing. Guests engage in cultural programs featuring ceremonies, weaving, and heritage education, designed to provide verifiable immersion without commercialization of sacred elements.^[80]^[83]^[84] In terms of community relations, the resort prioritizes local hiring, with Fijian staff delivering hospitality rooted in traditional protocols, and supports broader development by funding education, infrastructure, and skill-building programs that reinforce cultural continuity. These initiatives, continued under current management, employ over 400 personnel predominantly from nearby Taveuni and surrounding areas, contributing to economic stability while enabling families to sustain practices like handicraft production.^[20]^[85]^[78]

Controversies

Delayed Infrastructure Projects

The construction of a dedicated private aircraft hangar at Laucala Island's airstrip, intended to facilitate direct and seamless arrivals for resort guests, was announced in 2019 at an estimated cost of $30 million, later escalating to $45 million for the luxury lounge and hangar complex.^[86]^[87] The project encountered a stop-work order in 2022 amid safety concerns raised by Fiji Airways, which halted progress until the order was lifted in January 2023 by government decree to alleviate investor concerns and resume operations.^[87] Additional delays stemmed from construction errors, including a faulty concrete mix on the connecting apron that required full excavation and replacement, contributing to a five-year timeline without operational handover as of September 2024.^[86] Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica cited "bottlenecks in the investor space" as a primary factor in the prolonged disruptions.^[86] The hangar was ultimately commissioned by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on October 6, 2024, described as one of Fiji's most advanced facilities for high-end aviation services linked to the island resort.^[88] This resolution followed persistent regulatory and technical hurdles, highlighting execution challenges for isolated infrastructure developments reliant on imported materials and oversight.^[86]

Environmental and Accessibility Criticisms

The development and operation of COMO Laucala Island resort have drawn limited specific environmental criticisms, with the property maintaining that 80% of its 3,500 acres remain undeveloped to preserve native rainforest, mangroves, and reefs, supported by organic farming, livestock rearing, and renewable energy initiatives like solar panels to reduce its footprint.^[78] ^[89] Broader concerns about luxury tourism in Fiji, including potential strain on water resources and waste generation from high-end facilities, have been raised by observers, though Laucala counters these through rainwater harvesting, on-site wastewater treatment, and farm-to-table practices minimizing imports.^[90] No peer-reviewed studies or official reports document significant pollution or habitat loss attributable to the resort, contrasting with urban coastal issues elsewhere in Fiji.^[91] Accessibility criticisms center on the resort's extreme exclusivity, which restricts the island—traditionally accessible via public waters and potentially used by nearby Fijian communities—to only 25 villas accommodating ultra-high-net-worth guests, with minimum stays often costing tens of thousands of dollars and requiring private seaplane or helicopter transfers to the on-site airstrip.^[3] This model has been characterized as part of a "land grab" trend by billionaires privatizing Pacific islands, limiting local access to beaches, reefs, and resources that might otherwise support subsistence fishing or cultural practices for indigenous iTaukei groups whose landowning units lease portions to the resort.^[92] While employment opportunities benefit some locals, detractors argue such enclaves exacerbate economic inequality by catering exclusively to global elites, sidelining broader Fijian tourism that could distribute benefits more equitably.^[50] Physical accessibility for guests with mobility impairments is also constrained by the island's rugged terrain, villas perched on hillsides or over lagoons, and lack of emphasized wheelchair-friendly infrastructure in promotional materials or reviews.

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This book examines the spread, functioning and impact of capitalism in Fiji during the first sixty-five years of British colonial rule, 1874-1939 - the periodMissing: Laucala Island activities
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A Look Back at Laucala, the Dreamy Fiji Island Once Owned by ...
Sep 16, 2016 · William Bligh, the hapless captain of the Bounty, was the first European to take note of Laucala, a small island of green hills, silver streams and white ...
[37]
[PDF] Fiji's Economic History, 1874-1939: Studies ofCapitalist Colonial ...
These "temperate colonies" received substantially more foreign capital, both British and non-British (the latter was discouraged in colonies proper?) and ...Missing: Laucala | Show results with:Laucala
[38]
Laucala | Meer
Feb 6, 2020 · The spirit of Fijian wanderlust is best epitomised by the fact that families trace their ancestry through 11 generations – it invariably starts ...
[39]
Forbes Estate Selling Fiji's 'Idyllic' Laucala - The New York Times
Jul 29, 2000 · He modernized a 900,000-palm-tree copra plantation to give the natives gainful employment, and he built them a church, shop and school. For his ...<|separator|>
[40]
152 Years On: Forbes buys Laucala Is - The Fiji Times
Dec 26, 2021 · A New York publisher, Malcolm S. Forbes, bought Laucala Island for $US1 million ($F2.1m) and was to develop it as a South Pacific meeting centre for business ...
[41]
Back in History: Forbes buys island - The Fiji Times
Feb 3, 2022 · Mr Forbes first visited the country in 1969 and bought Laucala Island for $1 million a year later. “Since then, I've invested three to four ...
[42]
Long but interesting story. - Pearland.com
Apr 22, 2024 · Laucala Island was a former copra plantation with over a million coconut palms. A postcard-perfect tropical paradise with several secluded white ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[43]
What It's Like to Stay at COMO Laucala, a Billionaire's Eden in Fiji
May 17, 2024 · COMO Laucala (Lau-THA-la) was originally a private island owned by billionaire Malcolm Forbes. He operated a small hotel here, but it wasn't ...
[44]
Luxe Castaway Living on COMO Laucala Island - DestinAsian.com
Aug 20, 2024 · Developed by an Austrian billionaire and now run by a Singapore-based hotel group, Fiji's remote Laucala is the private-island resort of your ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
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Laucala Island: A Far-Flung Fijian Paradise | Travel Associates
Sep 6, 2015 · Laucala Island: A Far-Flung Fijian Paradise ... The American millionaire Malcolm Forbes had just about every toy a man could want: a Boeing 727, a ...
[47]
Laucala is One of the Most Exclusive (and Instagram-worthy ...
Nov 28, 2017 · Mateschitz began a painstaking five-year renovation that spared no expense. Literally. Local residents were moved to the neighbouring island ...
[48]
red bull co-founder dietrich mateschitz's laucala island resort
Oct 12, 2013 · laucala island is a small, private oasis lying to the east of taveuni, fiji. just 5 km long, the island used to be owned until 2003 by the ...
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Laucala Island Resort, Fiji - e-architect
Sep 27, 2013 · Its current owner, Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, selected Lynne Hunt London to transform the island into an inimitable private resort ...
[50]
Red Bull Billionaire's (Semi-Public) Island Paradise - Forbes
Apr 4, 2011 · The Austrian-born Mateschitz transformed the 2,950-acre island into a barefoot (haute) luxury resort playground, which opened in 2009. There are ...Missing: development | Show results with:development
[51]
Bula billionaires! Welcome to Fiji's most expensive island - AFR
Apr 11, 2024 · For $9000 a night, it's little wonder Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney check in to Como Laucala Island resort – because too much luxury is never enough.
[52]
FANTASY ISLAND: Welcome to Laucala - The Lush Life
Jan 12, 2024 · Built as a private island retreat by Malcolm Forbes and acquired and upgraded in 2003 by Dietrich Mateschitz, CEO of the Red Bull drink company, ...
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About COMO Laucala Island | Luxury Fiji Private Island Resort
COMO Laucala Island is a private island resort in Fiji's Cakaudrove province where private charters can land directly.Missing: geography | Show results with:geography
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COMO Laucala Island Resort - Fiji - Travel Weekly
This secluded, luxurious resort was the brainchild of Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull energy drinks. It was previously owned by ...
[55]
COMO Laucala Island - Virtuoso
Ranging in size from 2,500 square metres to 10,000 square metres, each villa is crafted from Fijian mahogany and vesi woods, with lofty thatch roofs over living ...Missing: accommodations details
[56]
COMO Laucala Island - Kiwi Collection
These lavish accommodations come equipped with beach access (19 of the 25 villas are on the beach), pool, golf buggy, and exuberant décor.
[57]
COMO Laucala Island - Luxury Hotel In - Jacada Travel
COMO Laucala Island is a private island resort with 25 villas, each with a private pool, and offers a spa, golf, watersports, and a dedicated butler.Missing: details | Show results with:details
[58]
[PDF] Laucala Airport Fact Sheet
Our island has a day-operated, grooved, apron concrete airstrip with runway and taxiway lighting, illuminated windsocks adjacent to the.Missing: power systems
[59]
What's New at Como Laucala Island and Vomo Island Resorts
which are built in the style of traditional Fijian construction — have private pools with daybeds, golf carts ...Missing: facilities infrastructure
[60]
Laucala Island Resort (2008) - Flametree Developments
Marine and Civil Works including 70,000m3 golf course irrigation lake, 1.2km of beach replacement, 45,000m3 Marina excavation, supply of 6,000 tonnes of ...
[61]
COMO Laucala Island Resort, Nadi - Five Star Alliance
A private island refuge in the South Pacific, Laucala unites dramatic rain forest-laced landscapes and white sandy beaches with unparalleled levels of luxury ...Missing: geography | Show results with:geography
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Laucala Island Resort, Fiji | Hospitality Interiors
Jan 9, 2014 · Lying to the east of Taveuni, Fiji, the Laucala Island Resort spans just over a third of the island's 12km² of dreamlike natural scenery.
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Stay Inclusions | COMO Laucala Island
COMO Laucala Island offers a range of extraordinary activities including an 18-hole golf course flanked by sea and mountains, horseback riding, diving and more.
[64]
Things to do in COMO Laucala Island, Fiji
COMO Laucala Island offers a range of extraordinary activities including an 18-hole golf course flanked by sea and mountains, horseback riding, diving and more.
[65]
COMO Laucala Island Hotel Review, Fiji | Telegraph Travel
Rating 9/10 · Rooms from £ 5617 per night · Review by Roxanne AndrewsDec 13, 2024 · A lavish South Pacific resort amid a remote Fijian archipelago. This private island escape attracts ultra-wealthy and A-list celebrities seeking complete ...
[66]
https://www.comohotels.com/fiji/como-laucala-island/experiences/golfing
[67]
Golfing in Fiji | Championship Course | COMO Laucala Island
The 18-hole championship course, designed by David McLay Kidd, is par-72, challenging for experienced players, and includes a driving range, putting green, ...
[68]
Laucala Island - DMK Golf Designs
Laucala Island is an ultra-exclusive, difficult-to-reach 7-star resort with a high standard golf course, created by Dietrich Mateschitz, and opened in 2010.Missing: details | Show results with:details
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Review: Laucala, Fiji - Dorsia Travel
Sep 15, 2016 · Laucala is a property that is amongst the pinnacle of luxury travel. Owned by the co-founder of Red Bull, this is the rarest of gems.
[75]
Review: Laucala Island Resort - Travel Codex
Feb 5, 2019 · Laucala's diversions range from relaxing to adventurous. A wide variety of water-sports introduce guests to Fiji's azure oceans, while ...
[76]
Join Us | Career Opportunities at COMO Hotels and Resorts
Careers Opportunities · Accounts Payable Clerk · Activities Supervisor · Assistant Concierge · Assistant Information Technology Manager · Assistant Manager.Bell Person · Chef de Partie - Pastry · Commis · ConciergeMissing: employees | Show results with:employees
[77]
Working at Laucala Island Resort: Employee Reviews | Indeed.com
Rating 4.3 (8) Reviews from Laucala Island Resort employees about Laucala Island Resort culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more.Missing: economic | Show results with:economic
[78]
Rabuka commissions Laucala air hanger raising visitor experience
Oct 9, 2024 · “Our owner Mark Mateschitz remains committed to Fiji and is very passionate about continuing his father's legacy in developing the North and ...
[79]
Sustainability | COMO Hotels & Resorts
At COMO Laucala Island in Fiji, 80 per cent of the island is undeveloped with extensive farmland, livestock, and an organic garden that support self-sufficiency ...Missing: jobs | Show results with:jobs<|separator|>
[80]
Fiji's Tourism Industry: A Gateway to Growth and Investment
Feb 22, 2025 · Tourism plays a pivotal role in Fiji's economy, contributing approximately 40% to its GDP and supporting over 100,000 jobs.
[81]
Laucala: Our Island Story | Travel - COMO Hotels and Resorts
Immerse yourself in the history and heritage of Laucala Island with this self-guided island tour and discover your new surroundings on the way.
[82]
LAUCALA ISLAND (FIJI) - Addicted to Australia
Laucala Island's Cultural Village is one of the few traditional villages left in Fiji and is designed to preserve and showcase local traditions, culture and ...
[83]
Arbiter Approved: Laucala Island, Fiji
The wellness center at Laucala Island, a COMO Shambhala Retreat, is a sanctuary of tranquility, offering a wide array of treatments, experiences, products ...For Anyone Who Loves Hotels... · The Hotel · To DoMissing: conservation | Show results with:conservation
[84]
Sustainable cooking classes at Laucala Island, Fiji
Apr 14, 2015 · Laucala Island offers tailored sustainable cooking classes ... Fijian culture. Each of the private island's cooking classes can be ...
[85]
Laucala Island: A Slice of Private Island Paradise in Fiji - Isle Keys
... economic development. By sourcing locally produced goods and employing residents from nearby communities, Laucala Island contributes to the local economy ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[86]
Immerse Yourself in the Pristine Beauty of COMO Laucala Island
COMO Laucala Island is a private 12 ... This includes employing local staff and promoting Fijian culture through various programs and activities.
[87]
$$45M & 5 Years Later, Laucala Island Hangar Yet to Open | Fiji Sun
Sep 15, 2024 · The delay in opening the hangar was partly owed to a 'wrong mix of concrete' on the connecting apron that had to be dug up and replaced, SunBiz ...Missing: infrastructure | Show results with:infrastructure
[88]
Work to continue on Laucala Island hangar - FijiLive
They have lifted the stop order for the construction of a $30 million hangar on Laucala Island as it was causing concern to investors.
[89]
PM RABUKA COMMISSIONS AIR LAUCALA HANGAR - Facebook
Oct 6, 2024 · Dubbed as one of Fiji's most advanced hangars, the multi-million dollar facility caters for high-end visitors who are traveling to Laucala ...
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Sustainable Luxury: Laucala Island's Eco-Tourism Revolution
Laucala Island has invested in renewable energy solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. The resort utilizes solar panels to generate electricity, ...
[91]
Ethical holidays in Fiji: responsible tourism - My Luxury Travel
Mar 20, 2023 · COMO Laucala Island is also involved in the conservation of local flora and fauna. The hotel has its own conservation center, where experts ...
[92]
Heavy metals contamination and risk assessment in sediments of ...
Laucala Bay is the coastal environment of interest for this study since it is known to have an interesting sediment environment with pollutant inputs from both ...Missing: resort criticisms
[93]
Billionaire Private Islands: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Retreats
May 8, 2025 · Set in Fiji's tropical idyll, Laucala Island covers 3,500 verdant ... The criticism aside, their land grab represents a larger trend in ...