one day in fiji

Hi
Due to a mix up with our flights from Australia to the US, we are now spending one night and one full day in Fiji prior to a flight to the US. I would appreciate any tips regarding places to stay for that short amount of time and ideas about the best way to spend the day. We have to be at nadi airport in the late evening.
Thanks

Given such a short stay , your best bet is one of the plush hotels at Denerau (20 min by cab from airport).
Id look to www.wotif.com for last minute specials as there are a number of these hotels - Hilton, Raddisson, sheraton etc.

Depending on your actual time frame, I would suggest booking into the Raffles Gateway Hotel across the road from the airport and doing one of the day trips offered by South Sea Cruises(google both). We did one to Mana Island which gave us the opportunity to see some of the other islands on the cruise, do some snorkeling/beach walking, enjoy lunch and a dip in their pool - pick up was at 7:45am and we were back at the hotel by 6pm. They have quite a few choices for day trips. If your flight time doesn't allow this you can opt to take the bus into Nadi to have a look around(not a whole lot to see though), maybe lunch at one of the places in Martintar and then enjoy the pool at Raffles. Hope this helps!

I have stayed at the Raffles. Whilst the rooms are very basic, for one night they are ok. The grounds, pool and restarant/cafe are all lovely

Hi
Thanks so much for the tips, very useful. I think we will stay at the Raffles Gateway Hotel and do a day tour with South Sea cruises. Our flight only leaves at midnight, so we would have time for a day trip somewhere and it looks like you can walk to the airport!

do a day trip , the islands are beautiful and the sea aswell
do not waist time at nadi or denaru marina

You can walk from Raffles to the airport but the path is a bit rough if you are taking luggage and they run a shuttle service anyway.
We always stay there if we arrive too late for our transfer to the islands, it is fine for an overnight stay.
An option is a helicopter flight around the Mamanuca's or even a Helicopter day trip.

"You can walk from Raffles to the airport but the path is a bit rough if you are taking luggage and they run a shuttle service anyway."

From terminal to hotel reception is about 400 metres

The best day trip is to Beachcomber Island or the Seaspray which will take you to Castaway Island (as in the Tom Hanks movie). If you wanted to stay in Denarau - it is more luxurious and there is always Fijian entertainment at night whereas the Raffles & Tokatoka are good for the proximity to the Airport.

thanks everyone for the useful tips.

we stayed at the gateway hotel and did a great day tour with south sea cruises to the two closest islands. we did walk to the airport, which took approx 10 mins. the pool at this hotel was fantastic and very big.