Fiji - Quick Trip

My partner and I have booked flights to Fiji for a wedding next month but it has been called off!!! The wedding was meant to be at an expensive resort which we couldn't afford to stay at for too long so planned to only stay for three nights. The flights are non-refundable so we have decided to still go for a long weekend. Since we will only be there for four days we don't know if it is worth traveling to an island so have decided on staying somewhere near to Nadi airport but we still want to have a nice break - preferably somewhere reasonable with access to a few activities, beach, shopping etc. Can anyone recommend a self catering bure or apartment? Thanks!

I met some people at the Temora Hotel on Saturday. It looked like a good spot to relax a while.
There are also the Temora appartments nearby, but I don't know anything about them.
Both are a long walk, short cab ride from the airport.

Cheers,
Peter
(Currently living in Lautoka, Fiji)

"Near the airport....nice beach" doesnt really exist as the beaches closest by are not nice.
15 min by cab from airport is the luxury hotel enclave of Denerau (Sheraton, Westin, Sofitel Hilton etc) - some bargains on www.wotif.com , but otherwise expensive.Note that the beach there is not nice either but all the hotels have great pools and lovely gardens
Best bet might be the Coral Coast eg at the Fijian (Shangri La) which has a lovely beach and is about 1 hour by car from the airport.

You could visit an island , but given that youll need at least an hour or 2 each way (and many are further) to get there and you need to get to the Port (maybe Debnerau maybe Lautoka), I wouldnt bother on this trip. Flights rae possible too but pricey.

dude, if you stay on the mainland you may as well save the flights and stay local. the difference between a Nadi based resort and island paradise are so poles apart it hurts, i always stay on a reort in yasawsas or manmanucas but this time had a night at a 5 star place on my way out: if proccoious loud kids, ignorant parents, steep prices and dum others desperate to fight over reserving a deck chair to come back to 3 hours later are in your plan, go yourself, but the risk is youll make that mistake and think thats fiji and not return.