A meaningful collaboration between the FNPF-owned IHG Hotels in Fiji and the non-profit Rise Beyond the Reef is enriching guest stays across InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel Suva, and Holiday Inn Suva with a story of community, craftsmanship, and cultural pride.
Each guest room now features a custom ironing board cover, hand-printed by young people from rural Fijian communities, including those living with disabilities, through Rise Beyond the Reef’s Studio Print program. These covers are screen-printed one metre at a time using traditional methods, transforming everyday amenities into a platform for purpose. The initiative provides sustainable income and professional training for artisans in remote areas such as Ba and Sabeto.
“Our hotels in Fiji do more than welcome guests. They are a reflection of the people and the places we represent. This collaboration brings purpose into the everyday guest experience and supports the communities that define Fiji’s cultural identity. It is a privilege to work with Rise Beyond the Reef again and help share their story with our guests in such a tangible and lasting way,” commented Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Fiji and Pacific.
The creative process to create these ironing board covers begins in the highlands, where artisans find inspiration in the natural world surrounding their villages. The curve of a vine, the texture of bark, or the shape of a forest leaf often becomes the starting point for a hand-drawn pattern. These designs are transferred onto screens and pressed by hand onto natural fabric. Colours are mixed in small batches, and the fabric is air-dried outdoors on wooden racks under the sun.
One of the most striking colourways, known as Ravoravo, is inspired by the mist-covered mountain range that rises above Sabeto. The name, meaning “mountain range in Sabeto” in iTaukei, captures the softness of the landscape and the quiet strength of the communities who live there.
This initiative is part of a broader, long-term partnership between InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa and Rise Beyond the Reef, which spans multiple guest experiences and operational touchpoints. At Navo Restaurant, Rise Beyond the Reef products are used across every table, including handwoven table décor, natural centrepieces, and shell knives from the Waitui collection.
The partnership also extends into events and weddings, where guests may select high-quality, sustainably made pieces such as hand-woven mats, delegate packs, accessories, ornaments, and personalised favours that reflect both cultural heritage and contemporary elegance.
Guests are also invited to participate in the Rise Beyond the Reef Arts Shopping Tour, offered three times a week from the resort. This guided experience includes return transfers, a welcome coconut, a farm walk, artisan meet-and-greet, and an opportunity to purchase u nique handmade crafts directly from their source. For those guests who prefer to shop online, a 15 percent discount is available on the Rise Beyond the Reef website using the code BULAIHG. Every purchase directly supports rural women and their families while helping preserve traditional Fijian artistry.
“The covers we create are not just products. They are part of who we are. When guests see and use them, they are sharing in our story,” comments Janet Lotawa, Co-Founder and Director of Rise Beyond the Reef. “
This initiative reflects IHG Fiji’s enduring commitment to responsible tourism, cultural preservation, and local partnerships that uplift communities. Through every interaction, whether a guest is ironing a shirt, enjoying signature dining, or attending a wedding, the hotels offers a deeper connection to Fiji’s land, people, and spirit.
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.