Karen Merrick at Kokomo Island Resort scaled

At a Glance

Kokomo Private Island has appointed Karen Merrick as its new General Manager, bringing over twenty years of international luxury hospitality leadership to the exclusive Fijian resort. With senior roles at renowned brands across Asia and the Pacific, Merrick is recognised for repositioning high-end properties and leading strong teams. Her appointment marks a new chapter for Kokomo, reinforcing its ambition to remain a global benchmark in sustainable, experience-led hospitality while balancing commercial strength with cultural integrity.

In Depth

Merrick joins Kokomo after holding senior positions with Aman, Soneva, JA Resorts, and Song Saa Private Island, where she built a reputation for transforming luxury assets and driving high performance across diverse markets. Originally from Scotland and now based between the Maldives and Fiji, she has developed much of her career in remote, design-focused destinations. Her leadership philosophy centres on respecting a sense of place, ensuring that sustainability, community engagement, and innovation work together rather than compete.

She highlights Kokomo’s unique market position as an independent brand that combines the operational standards of a global operator with the character of a family enterprise. According to Merrick, this structure allows the resort to make agile, meaningful decisions while delivering a guest experience that feels both personal and world-class. She emphasises that effective leadership today requires a balance between commercial focus and cultural sensitivity, particularly in an evolving luxury landscape.

Looking ahead, Merrick plans to strengthen Kokomo’s presence in key international markets, deepen its sustainability framework, and foster a leadership culture grounded in purpose and pride. She stresses that while the hospitality industry is increasingly driven by metrics, people remain the ultimate differentiator. By empowering the team to lead with confidence and care, her appointment signals a new era for Kokomo Private Island—one that blends commercial vision with authenticity as it continues to shape the future of Fijian luxury hospitality.

Reserve Your Adventure in Paradise

Kokomo Island Logo and Banner scaled

There are private island resorts, and then there’s Kokomo Private Island — a sanctuary at the edge of the world where discretion outweighs display and substance surpasses spectacle. Days unfold diving with manta rays, wandering lush gardens, or simply surrendering to stillness. With 21 Beachfront Villas featuring private pools and uninterrupted ocean views, and five expansive Grand Residences nestled into the hillside with dedicated butlers and nannies, privacy is absolute, service is intuitive, and connection — to nature, to self, to others — feels effortless.

Founded by the late Lang Walker, Kokomo is a vision realised: the ultimate private island experience grounded in sustainability, community, and stewardship. From edible gardens supplying its dining program to coral propagation, manta tagging, mangrove reforestation, Dock to Dish fishing, and a no-take fishing zone, conservation shapes every detail. Guests are invited to engage with these initiatives, ensuring their stay leaves a lighter footprint and a lasting impact. This is more than a holiday — it is luxury, redefined.

  • Coastal view with turquoise waters at Kokomo Island Fiji.
  • Plane landing near Kokomo Private Island Resort, Kadavu Islands, with beach and turquoise water
  • Guest preparing for coastal dive at Kokomo Private Island, Fiji
  • yoga platform kokomo island resort fiji
  • kokomo island resort activities shed fiji
  • kokomo island resort aerial view fiji
  • kokomo island resort deck fiji
  • kokomo island resort garden fiji
  • kokomo island resort interior fiji
  • kokomo island resort sleeping room fiji
  • kokomo private island aerial view
  • Manta ray swimming near Kokomo Island Resort, Fiji.
  • Restaurant waiters serving guests on verandah at Kokomo Island Fiji.
  • Guest receiving spa treatment at Kokomo Island Fiji.
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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.