Friday 19 September 2025, Natadola, Fiji: Guests staying at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel Suva and Holiday Inn Suva are now welcomed with a thoughtful new detail that celebrates Fijian culture and craftsmanship.
In partnership with the non-profit organisation Rise Beyond the Reef, each guest room features a custom ironing board cover, hand-printed by women and youth from rural indigenous communities, including young people living with disabilities. The covers are created through Rise Beyond the Reef’s Studio Print programme, which provides sustainable income and skills training for artisans in remote areas such as Ba and Sabeto.
Every piece is screen-printed one metre at a time using traditional methods. Designs are inspired by the natural environment—vines, leaves, bark and mountain silhouettes—before being hand-drawn, transferred to screens and pressed onto natural fabrics. One of the most striking colourways, Ravoravo, takes its name from the mist-covered mountain range above Sabeto, symbolising the quiet strength of the communities who live there.
Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Fiji and Pacific, said: “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.”
Rise Beyond the Reef artisans work alongside master printers, who mentor apprentices in both technique and design. The process not only builds livelihoods but also preserves cultural heritage and creative traditions.
Beyond the guest rooms, the collaboration extends across other areas of the hotels. At Navo Restaurant at InterContinental Fiji, table settings feature handwoven décor, natural centrepieces and shell knives from Rise Beyond the Reef’s Waitui collection. Weddings and events also incorporate handcrafted pieces, from woven mats and ornaments to delegate packs and personalised favours that combine cultural heritage with contemporary elegance.
Guests can also take part in the Rise Beyond the Reef Arts Shopping Tour, offered three times a week from the resort, which includes a farm walk, artisan meet-and-greet and the opportunity to purchase crafts directly from their makers. For those shopping online, a 15 percent discount is available on the Rise Beyond the Reef website with the code BULAIHG.
Janet Lotawa, Co-Founder and Director of Rise Beyond the Reef, explained: “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.”
This initiative reflects IHG Fiji’s ongoing commitment to responsible tourism, cultural preservation and local partnerships that uplift communities. Through these collaborations, every interaction—from pressing a shirt to enjoying a signature meal—offers a deeper connection to Fiji’s land, people and spirit.
