This Fiji resort is so peaceful, you won't want to leave

"How's the serenity," I overhear Linda say, as she relaxes in the pool with husband Greg. Like me, they're newly arrived at Lomani Island Resort - just long enough to have a cocktail delivered poolside as they slide in for a dip.

Let the relaxation begin. With some romance thrown in.

Any visitor to Fiji quickly learns that "bula" is a way of life here. As is music. The two will greet and stay with you wherever you go. Bula means "hello" and you'll almost instantly start saying it yourself. And at Lomani you'll arrive to the sound of music as the resort staff come together to welcome you with song. They're genuinely happy to see you and it isn't just a show for tourists - as highlighted by the big burly bloke who flashes you a smile and a bula in a Port Denerau shop. Or the truck driver at the traffic lights, who shoots out an arm and shouts "bula" as you walk to the Nadi International airport for the flight home. Even when you're leaving they're making you smile.

But back to the serenity and that trademark line from Australian film The Castle. It's easy to imagine it was written while floating in Lomani's infinity pool. Or lounging in the sunbeds around it - where the hardest choice you'll face is whether to fall asleep or fall back into the gorgeous water, the breeze rustling through the fronds of the palm trees that ring the picture-perfect beach as you gaze out past them to the crystal-clear water that's almost as warm as the pool.

Nobody said paradise would be this good.

Life slows down, as you ease into "Fiji time" - that wonderful concept where time is more a guideline than a deadline. The perfect companion on a relaxing, romantic getaway. And given Lomani means love in Fijian, romance is never far away. Whether it's cocktails and a canoodle in the pool. Or a walk along the beach at sunset to a candlelit dinner.

The bures - or Fijian bungalows - will blow you away, especially those with private pools. With a backyard that runs down to the beach, within seconds of getting out of bed you're floating in the sea. Or stay in bed and take in the stunning views of the ocean as luxury yachts sail by. As well as a regulation bathroom, you also have an outdoor shower in a private courtyard. There's something enchanting about showering in the warm tropical air, birds singing all around you.

Something else you might hear around the pool: "What does adults-only mean?"

The mind could easily boggle, but it simply means "no kids". No one else's kids and, perhaps even more importantly, no kids of your own. It's perfect for wedding anniversaries, honeymoons and popping the question (the pristine sand is soft on the knee), or simply a well-earned break.

The company that owns Lomani, Raffe Hotels, also owns the next door Plantation Island Resort, so if you're looking for a family holiday in paradise then they've got that covered, too. Plus they own the Gateway Hotel, across the road from Nadi airport.

Lomani's a short catamaran ride from Port Denarau, near Nadi, to Malolo Lailai Island, and if you keep an eye out during the 50-minute journey you'll be accompanied by dozens of flying fish - leaping out of the water and skimming 50 metres away as you glide by. You'll also get a glimpse of world-famous surf spot Cloudbreak. You can charter a boat out to the reef if you're itching for a surf - and you're good enough to handle the iconic waves.

The waters are filled with stunning coral reefs and teeming with fish, making for spectacular snorkelling. You'll see an explosion of almost every colour of the rainbow. Whether it's the blooms of coral - spiky purples and pinks or giant flat pancakes - or the fish - small neon blue ones, big aqua ones, black and white stripes, reds, greens and long, thin orange ones.

Snorkelling's part of the resort's free daily activities, along with dolphin safaris, and borrowing bikes, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and catamarans to help you explore the island. Not to mention "Fiji Day" on Wednesday, where you can learn how to cook a "lovo" - an underground BBQ - have a kava ceremony and watch the "meke" - a traditional Fijian song and dance.

The day spa offers massages, and if you thought you were already relaxed, think again, as the hands of an angel massage away all tension. From the top of your head to the tips of your toes, the scented oil ensures you know you're in the tropics.

You can enjoy a sunset serenade, where bubbly and bean bags are accompanied by Petero's dulcet tones. The longer you stay, the better it gets - reds, yellows and oranges lighting up the horizon as life grinds to a halt, making it feel like you've been here longer than you have.

As the tide goes out, a sandbar springs up out of the ocean just a kilometre or two offshore. A quick boat trip and you're enjoying a tipple in deckchairs under umbrellas, on a picnic rug or simply sitting in the shallows of the sandbar surrounded by starfish.

It would be the perfect start to a unique pub crawl, Fiji style. Off in the distance there's Cloud Nine and Seventh Heaven, floating bar-restaurants where you can relax, enjoy a drink and a feed, and jump into the refreshing water whenever you want.

Fiji's farewell song, Isa Lei, can bring tears to the eyes of those who never want to leave. As your time in paradise comes to an end, the resort staff gather to sing you farewell with one last song. And of course, a few last "bulas".

Getting there: Fiji Airways has direct flights to Nadi from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. Malolo Cat runs regular ferries from Port Denarau to Malolo Lailai Island.

Staying there: Rates at Lomani Island Resort, including breakfast, for a deluxe suite start from $500 per night, or $870 for a bure with a private pool. There's a 15 per cent discount for returning guests. Their sister hotel, The Gateway Hotel, is across the road from Nadi Airport.

Explore more: lomaniisland.com

The writer was a guest of Lomani Island Resort and Fiji Airways.