Good one-night stay close to Nadi?

Thought there'd be an existing thread asking this simple question but there isn't so here goes: we are flying out to Kavadu, for Ono Island, from Nadi. The connection is a problem as always and we have to overnight there and back but there are no middle of the night flights involved so we can travel out of town a little. Taxi fares are not a problem.
We know the airport hotels are iffy and cheap - you get what you pay for. But is there a nice hotel an hour or so out of town with a good pool and maybe a beach? I am struggling to find anything.

We know the airport hotels are iffy and cheap

Not in Fiji they're not. Besides, the concept of an airport hotel doesn't exactly fit the situation in Fiji/Nadi. I'm not sure what you think you're going to find there, but I think you have the wrong image. The arrangement isn't "big city plus isolated airport on outskirts". Aside from Raffles right across the highway from the terminal building, I doubt any hotel would consider itself an airport hotel. Probably Raffles isn't interested in that label either. There are hotels of various standards scattered all over the countryside between Nadi and Labasa to the north, inland and down to the coast. A nice hotel "an hour or so out of town" can almost get you to the coral coast, so I don't understand the problems you're having.

If it's just a matter of staying somewhere overnight, why don't you just wait until you arrive to find a room? There'll be more than enough possibilities. Some hotels will have a shuttle bus to pick you up, or you could take a taxi.

I'm sure oldpro wanted to write "There are hotels of various standards scattered all over the countryside between Nadi and Lautoka to the north" as Labasa would be a bit too far to go for one night! :-)
I wouldn't bother with the beaches around Nadi. For one night, you might as well just stay in the town proper, and do whatever can only (or best) be done in a town of that sort, like shopping for souvenirs.
You'll probably find far better beaches around Kadavu anyway.
You will have an entire comitee of travel agents waiting for you and happy to book your room as you walk out of arrivals at Nadi airport.

yes. correct. Lautoka.

Those "L" cities sometimes get crossed in my phonetic memory. "Levuka" occasionally creeps into the scuffle ..

I stayed at the Nomads Skylodge. It was basic and cheap but it was ok for one nights stay.

Thanks all - seems too easy to just wait till we get there although we are still taking pot luck with the most successful spruiker! And yes we will have beaches galore after...but who can resist a swim in the ocean as soon as you hit a tropical island? :-))

Nomads Skylodge is fine for one night but if you want something nicer and money not a option, then Denaru has plenty of resorts to choose from,, is about 20 mins from the airport.

The beaches around Nadi have blackish sand and are crap.

An hour you can get to the coral coast,, similar standard resorts as Denaru but nicer beaches... but for one night it not worth the effort,, if you are staying on a island then I am sure you wont mind skipping the beach for your last day as you would have experienced the best of them already no doubt.

Ohh just read that it will be your first day,,, hmmmm wait till you get to the island,, much better swimming there

I'd book into Raffles, across the street. Easy to get to and from the airport. Then go back to the aiport and take a free shuttle to a hotel at Denerau, and try to find a spot that looks inviting enough to swim in.

Here's a couple of other options for you to consider.
First Landing Resort @ Vuda Point - 15 minutes from the airport (toward Lautoka) or depending on how much time you have try the new Intercontinential at Natadola Beach- its an hour from the airport - the beach & lagoon are beautiful.
Enjoy Fiji.