Journey to Paradise: Pacific Island Destinations Welcome New Routes, Elevated Experiences
February 18, 2025 by Hidden Doorways
The palm-dotted Pacific Islands, where crystal waters merge with infinite horizons, are what castaway dreams are made of. These destinations tempt honeymooners, adventure-seekers, sunworshippers and snorkelers alike – and for good reason.
The appeal has grown even stronger this year with recent aviation news. As of December, Fiji Airways has launched a new non-stop flight connection to Dallas as it joins the OneWorld Alliance and American Airlines AAdvantage® Program. With travel now as breezy as the beachfront winds travelers will enjoy upon touchdown, what’s stopping your clients from heading west to make one of the islands of the Pacific their next destination?
Pacific Air Routes are Expanding
December 2024 marked a milestone as Fiji Airways launched thrice-weekly nonstop service from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Nadi, expanding its North American network beyond existing routes from LA, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Honolulu. The airline will join the OneWorld Alliance in 2025 and has adopted American Airlines’ AAdvantage® program, offering members priority check-in, boarding and other premium benefits.
For travelers heading to exclusive destinations like Kokomo Private Island, the new Dallas service provides seamless access – upon arrival in Nadi, guests refresh in Kokomo’s private lounge before boarding the resort’s seaplane or helicopter for the final leg of their journey to paradise.
Pacific connections grow further in mid-2025, with four weekly flights between Papeete and Rarotonga operated by Air Tahiti and Air Rarotonga. These flights, complementing Hawaiian Airlines’ existing services, make it easier than ever to combine stays at iconic properties like The Brando in French Polynesia and Halekulani in Waikiki.
Kokomo Private Island | Fiji
An untouched Fijian gem set in the pristine Kadavu Islands, Kokomo Private Island spans 140 acres of world-class comfort, lush green topography, and turquoise waters bordering the Great Astrolabe Reef. Here, slow days make way for privacy and peace, adventure and intrigue, where guests craft their own definition of paradise. Whether diving the world-class reef, restoring coral gardens, exploring neighboring waterfalls, or simply unwinding in pristine seclusion, each experience is curated to individual desires. Twenty-one secluded beachfront villas dot the crystalline shoreline, each with its own private pool, tropical garden, and endless ocean views, embodying the Kokomo promise of “your stay, your way.”
For those seeking even more space and privacy, Kokomo’s five hilltop residences represent the pinnacle of luxury island living. These grand estates command breathtaking panoramic vistas, from Sunset’s six-bedroom split-level sanctuary perfect for multi-generational gatherings, to Dravuni’s entertainment haven with sweeping sunrise-to-sunset views, to the intimate three-bedroom Namara tucked away in tranquility. Each residence comes with dedicated butler and nanny service, offering an atmosphere of assured luxury that’s both pervasive and effortless, with multiple living areas, private infinity pools, and extensive outdoor spaces designed for the ultimate in tropical entertaining.
The Brando | French Polynesia
Along the serene shores of Tetiaroa Atoll in French Polynesia lies an extraordinary world forged by the elements and preserved by coral reefs. Emerging from the vast Pacific blue as an untouched oasis, the atoll’s 12 motus create a natural sanctuary where a world-class resort treads lightly on the land. Every detail of The Brando has been mindfully built into the delicate ecosystem, with 35 private thatched villas and a single residence. Here, the essence of Polynesia permeates every experience, from naturalist-guided explorations of the atoll’s edge to cultural immersions where guests craft art from palm fronds and move to the gentle strum of ukuleles. The resort’s commitment to sustainability runs as deep as the surrounding waters – buildings cool with seawater, solar panels capture daylight, and glass returns to sand in a cycle as natural as the rain, sun, and wind.
For a limited time, guests of The Brando can elevate stays in their two-, three-, and four-bedroom beachfront villas with unprecedented luxury through the new ‘Ultimate Villa Experience’. The journey includes VIP “fast track” service and private ground transfers at Papeete’s Faa’a International Airport both on arrival and departure, along with scheduled roundtrip Air Tetiaroa flights. Upon arrival, guests find their belongings expertly unpacked while welcome beverages and canapés await, with the chef’s selection of canapés continuing to arrive daily throughout their stay. Available for stays of five nights or more between November 2024 and March 2026, and combinable with the “Stay 5, Pay 4” offer, this package transforms the idyllic island experience into an unforgettable journey where luxury meets authenticity, and where guests find what Polynesians call “fare” – home.
Halekulani | Hawaii
“A house befitting heaven” is how Halekulani describes itself, and rightfully so. Oahu’s most acclaimed luxury hotel, just steps from Waikiki Beach, boasts unobstructed views of Diamond Head and an enviable beachfront location, complemented by service levels that are equally exceptional, delivered by generations of team members who care for guests like family.
Though Halekulani hardly needed enhancement, recent additions have elevated it further still. The reimagined SpaHalekulani fuses the ancient theme of Kawehewehe (healing waters) with cutting-edge technology and therapies. The expanded space now features three new suite-style treatment rooms, Waikiki’s only full-service salon with zero-gravity pedicure chairs, and an apothecary-style boutique offering locally crafted wellness products. The hotel has also unveiled two stunning new Premier Suites: The Penthouse, with its sophisticated midcentury Hawaiian design and 730-square-foot wraparound lanai, and The Bungalow, a modern reinterpretation of the hotel’s original 1900s accommodations, each offering an unparalleled level of luxury living.
