Grand Pacific Hotel
Central
The Grand Pacific Hotel, established in 1914 in Suva, Fiji, is a landmark historic hotel renowned for its colonial architecture and unique design inspired by ocean liners. Situated on Victoria Parade along the main sea front, the hotel was designed to evoke the feeling of being aboard a ship, with all guest rooms on the second floor featuring saltwater bathrooms and a wide veranda wrapping around the building. Designed by architects Salmond & Vanes, it features high ceilings, louvred French doors, and a wrap-around verandah to maximize comfort in Fiji's tropical climate. Over the decades, it became the social hub of colonial Suva, hosting grand balls, official visits, and attracting notable guests such as writer Somerset Maugham and Australian Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. The hotel witnessed significant historical moments, including receptions for British royalty and aviation pioneer Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Its reinforced ferro-concrete construction by Hall Hogg & Company ensured durability, while its cultural significance remains strong as a symbol of Fiji's colonial heritage and hospitality.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to check the hotel's official website for current opening hours and to book accommodation or event spaces in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons or special events. The hotel’s veranda and sea-facing rooms offer the best views, so early reservation is recommended. Discounts may be available for longer stays or through membership programs. Visiting during the dry season (May to October) ensures more comfortable weather for enjoying the outdoor verandah and nearby waterfront.
Interesting facts
- •The hotel was designed so guests felt as if they never went ashore, with rooms styled like first-class ship cabins and a veranda resembling a ship's deck.
- •Notable guests have included writer Somerset Maugham, Australian Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, and playwright Noël Coward.
- •Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was honored at the hotel with a ball after his historic trans-Pacific flight in 1928.
- •The hotel was the site where British royals addressed their Fijian subjects from the wrought-iron portico, known as the 'bow' of the hotel.
- •The building was constructed using reinforced ferro-concrete by a New Zealand company, ensuring its durability in a tropical environment.
History
The Grand Pacific Hotel was commissioned in 1910 by Sir James Mills of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand to serve transpacific passengers.
Built on reclaimed land from Suva Harbour, it opened on 23 May 1914.
Its design mimicked first-class ocean liner staterooms, with all rooms on the second floor and a wrap-around veranda.
Throughout the 20th century, it became a central venue for colonial society, hosting dignitaries, royal visits, and cultural events.
Significant milestones include the 1920 reception of Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, and the 1928 ball honoring Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's pioneering trans-Pacific flight.
The hotel has preserved its colonial charm while adapting to modern hospitality needs.
Place Guide
The Veranda1914
A 15-foot wide wrap-around veranda on the second floor that overlooks Suva Harbour, designed to mimic a ship's deck and provide cool comfort in the tropical climate.
Wrought-Iron Portico ('The Bow')1914
The hotel's iconic wrought-iron portico where British royals stood to address crowds during royal visits, symbolizing the hotel's colonial prestige.
Historic Guest Rooms1914
All rooms are located on the second floor and were originally designed to replicate first-class staterooms on ocean liners, including saltwater bathrooms and matching plumbing fixtures.
Contact
Phone: 322 2000
