2nd August 2023
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay receives top accolades at the annual Marriott International APEC General Manager and Hotel Awards 2022 presentation
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has received three prestigious and highly coveted awards at the annual Marriott International General Management and Hotel Awards 2022, held on Wednesday, 19th July 2023. The hotel won Hotel of the Year in the premium category.
The annual awards cover General Management and Hotel Performance across a range of categories and are designed to recognise Marriott General Managers and individual properties for outstanding leadership, innovation, guest service, community engagement and business success. The awards are open for entry to 520 Marriott International properties across 24 brands in the Asia Pacific region excluding Greater China. In a highly competitive field, the win marks a special significance of a Marriott resort in Fiji winning the award against developed tourist destinations such as Australia, Singapore and Thailand, for it’s mainly Fijian associates.
Silvano Dressino, General Manager of Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay said, “I am truly delighted that Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has been recognised for our outstanding performance and community engagement in 2022. The resort has overcome significant obstacles, including emerging from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working closely with our local talent to cross-skill and up-skill via the Fiji Marriott Training Academy, we have successfully navigated these adversities to be positioned as a leading premium resort in the Asia Pacific region – and winner of the APEC overall Hotel of the Year for best performance.
“I congratulate all our Associates at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and the wider Marriott International Fiji team who have exhibited such dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences that has led to our outstanding business success.”
Along with the pinnacle award as Hotel of the Year in the premium category, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay also achieved Total Hotel Sales Growth Percentage Versus Budget and Highest Food and Beverage Revenue Growth Versus Budget for the APEC region.
Following a strategic partnership with celebrity chef Matt Moran, the food and beverage offering at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has seen significant uplift in enquiry and bookings. At the invitation of Marriott International Fiji, Moran hosted a dinner series bringing his paddock to plate philosophy to Marriott’s Fiji Resorts. Working collaboratively with the highly skilled chefs at Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, Moran also designed a special dish featuring local Fiji produce that remains on the menu until August 31.
Additionally, Elena Qereqeretabua, Assistant Front Office Manager for sister property, Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort has been awarded in the prestigious 2023 J. Willard Marriott Awards of Excellence. Elena was awarded among the group of ten exceptional associates across Marriott International, globally for her exemplary achievements, character, dedication, effort, and perseverance. She will be welcomed to Washington D.C in October to personally receive the award at Marriott International’s global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
21st June 2023
Chef Sudheer Kumar Joins Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay
Chef Sudheer Kumar, a seasoned culinary expert bringing over 15 years of knowledge and experience, has recently joined Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay at the resort’s lavish lagoon side restaurant Goji Kitchen & Bar.
Hailing from JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, Chef Sudheer has worked with prestigious hotel groups such as Marriott International, Oberoi Hotels, The Leela Palace, and Jaypee Hotels as well as participating in a one-month, hands-on training programme with Michelin Star Chef Soon Wah.
Chef Sudheer’s versatility and ability to master diverse cuisines has allowed him to hone his skills across various establishments, earning him a reputation as a talented chef.
As part of his role at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, Chef Sudheer will conduct ongoing training sessions with the restaurant team, focusing on the art of Asian dish preparation and presentation using locally sourced ingredients. His guidance and expertise will elevate the culinary team’s abilities, ensuring that guests continue to experience extraordinary cuisine during their stay.
Chef Sudheer will introduce several enticing additions to the resorts Goji Kitchen & Bar, including a signature live cooking station, where Asian Dinner Buffets will be served every Tuesday and Friday with tastes of China, Burma, Mongolia, Malaysia and Thailand.
5th June 2023
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay commissions local artist to celebrate World Environment Day
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has commissioned local artist, Stanley Joseph Waradi to design an upcycled marine sculpture depicting the world’s fragile eco-system in celebration of World Environment Day.
The sculpture, which aims to raise awareness of Fiji’s endangered reefs and fragile marine life is called Taukei Momi, meaning Guardian of Momi and is created from broken umbrellas, reinforcement steel and other scrap metal and plastic collected from around the resort. Consisting of a whale and three dolphins, the bodies of the animals resemble indigenous Fijian patterns which often appear in cultural Fijian art.
Stanley Joseph Waradi said: “This art is a new way of recycling, removing waste otherwise dangerous to nature and sea life and creating amazing art pieces, many of them showcasing the beauty and fragility of marine life. As a recycling artist, I hope to address, the issue of waste through its reuse in a way that encourages more creative thinking as opposed to the consumerism that has become a plague to the environment.”
This is not the first time the resort has partnered with the local artist, in 2022, Stanley was commissioned to create the sculpture “Na i Qasiqasi ni vonu”, meaning voyage of the turtles for Momi’s award-winning, Quan Spa.
Silvano Dressino – General Manager, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay said: “We are excited to be working with Stanley once again to not only showcase the incredible local talent and culture to our guests but provide something that will educate them on the fragility of our local environments.”
Taukei Momi will be submersed in the lagoon at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay Resort and will also feature underwater lights around the whale and dolfins, which can be explored by guests’ day or night. The sculpture will function as a refuge for the smaller marine organisms from predators and the elements, whilst also providing an educational attraction within the resort.
The project started in December of 2022 and took Stanley a total of 149 days or 1788 hours to complete.
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has partnered with the Mamanuca Environment Society since 2022, spearheading a wider goal of supporting local communities, the environment and sustainable experiences within Fiji.
16th February 2023
Matt Moran to take over the kitchen and partner with Marriott International Fiji
Matt Moran, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs is taking his iconic paddock-to-plate philosophy to the tropical oasis of Fiji. Under a new partnership with Marriott International Fiji Moran will be taking over the kitchen at two of Fiji’s premium resorts – Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort and Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay in March.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Moran is known throughout Australia for celebrating local producers and ingredients – his passion for fresh and seasonal produce will be highlighted by his curated menu on offer across the resorts.
Moran will launch an ongoing menu inclusion at Tatavu Grill & Bar and Fish Bar, available from 23 March through to 31 August. He will also host two dinner events during his visit, the first on Tuesday 21 March at the newly renovated Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort’s chic and elemental dining restaurant Tatavu Grill & Bar. The second event, on Wednesday 22 March will see Moran takeover Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay’s popular Fish Bar.
Guests at both resorts in the popular island paradise will enjoy a special three course dinner designed and hosted by Moran – highlighting local Fijian produce and ingredients, including some directly from the resorts’ kitchen garden.
Moran said: “I am truly excited to partner with Marriott International’s Fiji Resorts and look forward to experiencing the beautiful Fiji Islands. Fiji offers an exciting canvas to create something truly special with the freshest line caught seafood and an abundance of fresh vegetables and lush tropical fruits.
“I love teaching people about food and how pure, fresh ingredients, treated simply, are the basis for creating extraordinary dining experiences and I know that Marriott International Fiji aligns with this philosophy. I can’t wait to explore their kitchen gardens myself.”
The revitalised Tatavu Grill & Bar forms the dining centrepiece of the multi-million-dollar newly refurbished Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort on Denarau Island, which has experienced a surge in bookings since opening. Offering guests a barefoot luxury dining experience where waves lap the sandy shore, the feature multi-level open vertical grill, custom made for the resort will provide Moran with the opportunity to demonstrate his style and technique as he presents his three-course menu.
Situated on the tranquil shores of Momi Bay, the Fish Bar restaurant serves freshly caught seafood and succulent meats complemented by panoramic ocean views and striking sunsets. Moran will be experimenting with a wide selection of local meats from the land and sea paired with the locally infused flavoured Fijian salt – a highlight of the dining experience at Fish Bar.
Neeraj Chadha, Multi Property Vice President Pacific Islands said: “We are so delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed Chef, Matt Moran, to our Fiji properties. Matt is all set to take our guests on an extraordinary culinary journey.”
“Dinner with Matt Moran will be an unforgettable experience that perfectly complements our ethos at Marriott in providing unforgettable and exclusive experiences for guests. It is also part of our ongoing commitment to providing our guests with the best hospitality offering possible”.
Moran’s signature menu inclusion will be on the menus at Tatavu Grill & Bar and Fish Bar from 23 March through to 31 August. The herb inclusion will be delivered by the restaurant’s inhouse Chefs and culinary teams and will be available to all guests.
Sources of Information
- Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay receives top accolades at the annual Marriott International APEC General Manager and Hotel Awards 2022 presentation Press Release PDF
- Chef Sudheer Kumar Joins Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay Press Release PDF
- Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay commissions local artist to celebrate World Environment Day Press Release PDF
- Matt Moran to take over the kitchen and partner with Marriott International Fiji Press Release PDF
