Air New Zealand Air Points - Nadi (NAN) Arrivals Lounge?

My Air NZ flight gets in at 03:00 at NAN (Nadi, Fiji) from LAX. Is there any sort of arrivals lounge access for C class passengers?

Is there any good airport hotel there (for the return)?

Hi gnaget

Unfortunately the NZ lounge is in the departure area, which is seperated from arriving passengers, so there is no chance of using it. The arrival time of the LAX flight is a little bit of a hassle (I'm on it around 4 times a year) but it's actually not too bad... it'll be around 10am on the US east coast so you'll be pretty much awake, and the sun starts to come up at around 5 am and the sunrise in Nadi is beautiful. Nadi airport has its busiest arrival times in the early hours of the morning (meaning 2 flights come in within a few hours of each other http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif), so everything will be open including the bank, shops, tourist agencies, rental car offices and the cafes and restaurant (I recommend the Cafe International in the departure hall, which IMHO has some of the best curry in Fiji, not that you'll feel like it at 3 am).

If you'd like somewhere to have a shower and freshen up, I recommend going over to the Raffles Gateway hotel and getting a room (around US$27). It's a 2 minute walk from arrivals (just opposite the entrance to the airport), ask anyone and they'll point you in the right drection. The rooms are pretty small and basic but fine for freshening up or a quick nap.

For the return, while there are no "airport hotels" as such, almost all of the hotels and resorts in Nadi offer free airport transfers, so you can take your pick. My personal favorites are the Mocambo and the Tanoa International, both are mid-range, 2-3 minutes drive from the airport and quite charming. If you're feeling a bit adventurous and want to splash out a bit on your last day, go for the Natadola Beach Resort, which is around 40 minutes drive from the airport on one of Fiji's (if not the Pacific's) nicest beaches. The rooms are beautiful and they will have you at the airport well in advance of departure (make sure you let them know on check-in, though). There are only 10 rooms so it's necessary to book in advance. The AirNZ LAX flight departs at around 10:30pm so you'll have plenty of time for the sunset, a swim and nice dinner before you have to leave for the airport.

The one thing I would add is that while the NZ lounge in Nadi is nice, it's certainly not worth checking in early for. The bar selection has recently gotten a bit limited (4 or so spirits, a few types of beer and 1 red, 1 white and a sparkling wine - not the usual NZ standards). They often serve sandwiches, if they're not being offered when you're there a nice word to the lady at the desk and she may be able to go and find some for you. There's also a shower there, but no internet and not much in the way or reading material.

Right, I think this may be more than you wanted to know (Fiji's my favorite topic and I can't help it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif), but hope it comes in useful. Enjoy Fiji and the great AirNZ service on the way down.

Cheers, Zac

[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited Jan 27, 2004).]

Thanks a million for all the info!

I am actually on a RTW so next stop is AKL. I booked a day with a civilized departure time of 09:55. Some days appear to have the continuation of the LAX flight departing in the wee hours.

Sounds like a good trip! In that case I'd recommend the Mocambo or Tanoa International (slight preference for the latter, but both are quite nice). The airport is a zoo in the mornings (it sounds like you're on the Sunday NZ67 flight) with about 5 flights departing within a few hours of each other, so don't leave te hotel too late. The lounge always has sandwiches for the AKL flight and I guess booze won't be an issue that early (although I always manage a champagne and sandwich breakfast for the morning flights, very nice http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif) so it should be a pleasant wait anyway. The flight will be serving a full lunch with cheese and dessert courses so make sure you leave some space. Enjoy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif!

Cheers, Zac

edited to add: also, if you'd like any recommendations on restaurants or places to go in Nadi (or pretty much the rest of Fiji) let me know

[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited Jan 27, 2004).]

Thanks, Mocambo appears to have a good rate at FJD 120.

Any opinion on First Landing Resort? www.firstlandingfiji.com (http://www.firstlandingfiji.com)
This would not just be for a few days and not an airport hotel.

That is a good rate for the Mocambo. Make sure they put you in one of the refurbished rooms (the ones overlooking the golf course are the best).

I've never stayed at the First Landing, but I've been there for dinner a few times and it has one of the classiest restaurants in Nadi with excellent food and wine. A co-worker of my fiancee has seen the rooms and said they are very nice, made out in a traditional Fijian bure style. If you want to stay near Nadi I think the First Landing is a very good choice.

The problem though is whether you really want to stay near Nadi. The beaches are quite frankly bad (the First Landing has a nicesh small beach but you can't swim there because the water is too shallow and full of coral). If you have even a few days I would suggest heading out to one of the island resorts (you can find rates not much more than the Mocambo), or if you do prefer the mainland, the Natadola Beach Resort. If you do want to stay near Nadi then the First Landing is fine. Also, if you do stay there, there's no need to transfer to the Mocambo for your last night as the First Landing is itself only about 15 minutes away by taxi.

Cheers, Zac

[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited Jan 27, 2004).]

Thanks for the heads up! If you have any suggestions for islands or particular island resorts then it's also much appreciated. Any good website for searching and reserving?

I am sort of visiting someone who lives on the main island. She is working on getting a deal at Fiji Landing, but not sure if the quoted numbers were USD or FJD.

Wasn't aware that it's so close to NAN.

Unfortunately I don't know of any good websites for booking resorts in Fiji, if you find any please let me know. I haven't actually been to many of the resorts myself, if you want good advice though I can highly recommend the Lonely Planet... the Fiji guide always seems to be spot on and they have reviews on all the offshore resorts.

The First Landing is close enough to the airport to be fine for early flights, but you wouldn't think it when you're there. It's on the Lautoka side of Nadi, on Vuda Point so it feels pretty isolated. Having thought about it a bit more, I think it probably is the best option in Nadi in terms of having real atmosphere, great food, nice rooms and setting and small size. It's also more reasonable than the Sheraton (which lacks any sort of charm IMHO but has a good golf course, if that's what you're in to). Hope you have a good trip!

Cheers, Zac

P.S. you might also want to think about doing a cruise... Blue Lagoon are excellent and offer 3 day, 4 day and 7 day cruises, taking you to some of the most beautiful places in the country. I've been twice already and am looking forward to my third.

Thanks. I talked to my friend who lives there. She argued that there is a lot more to do on the main island unless ones central focus is the beach.

Also, I thought I was being quoted USD and not FJD......