Epicura

To be exact: you forgot the "Health bar" = the fridge in your bedroom where they also will put 1 or 2 bottles with the freshly squeezed juice of the day.

And the most important to add: there is obviously Red Bull in the main fridge . Was the first thing I did when we were checking out our villa: mix a vodka & Red Bull. Instantly travelled 20 years back in time .

Enjoy it! And at least have a Red Bull

KatW

I imagine .there are differences amongst the villas. The half-fridge in the dressing room is stocked only with water and chilled glasses. There is no fridge in the actual bedroom. But, yes, lots of Red Bull.

Juices are sometimes stocked in the lounge fridges.

Ericka

Hi KatW,

Have you (or are you planning to) snorkeled? Any info on the fish life right off the beaches there? Coral bleaching?

Thanks,

Ericka

Pausanias

How utterly crass and cheap of them to do that. Desperately unhealthy, too.

Epicura

Energy drinks are something you will find in many in-rooms fridges. I agree that it's not a healthy option but you could say the same about a coke for instance.

And given that this entire island is financed with the profits of among other things that very same energy drink, I don't find it really strange or cheap that you will find some in the mini-bar.

For clarification: apart from the mini-bar and the livery of the submarine, there is absolutely nothing on Laucala that will remind you of the owner's cash cow. Laucala may be Red Bull financed but it's most definitely not Red Bull branded.

And I highly doubt that many guests will even have a Red Bull, apart from a melancholic like me, who had a vodka-Red Bull every now and then over 20 years ago, in the prime of her/his life. That used to be a very popular drink in Europe back in the days. Every amateur of Laucala should be even thankful for that for obvious reasons but it's very clear that you will never be one

KatW

I would have liked to have but I can't oversee Jim in the water anymore (other than a pool) and am not comfortable leaving him alone for long. So, no snorkeling, sad to say.

I am told the physical damage from Winston is repairing itself. The coral bleaching is more pronounced in the north (where Laucala is situated) but it is regenerating however slowly. Fish life is said to be excellent in the bay and average off the beach.

KatW

It's at this point I explain we did not avail ourselves of any of the water activities, golf or tennis. The latter two are not of interest and the former present difficulties according to Jim's issues. But, I did get to go for a lovely ride and that made up for everything. Such a sweet mount.

SanDiego1K

I appreciate how openly you discuss how you accommodate your husband. Some of us have faced similar matters, or are facing or will face. I learn from you that travel can continue and the kinds of changes you are making so that it does. Thank you.

KatW

That is so good to hear, thank you! Lord knows, it's always interesting.

KatW

We booked another ten days in April. I'll pack much less. Island is tres informal, plus laundry is returned same day, so beautifully done.

MacMyDay

We only ever take carry-on to avoid the potential of the airlines losing things and also having to wait to collect our luggage at the airport. Most top-end resorts we have visited recently are offering free laundry and those that do not offer reasonable prices, but Laucala seemed to go one step further not only offer it for free, but return the laundry within a matter of hours.

Kagehitokiri

agree i've really appreciated all-inclusive including laundry (especially casual) nice laucala does it fast

i also agree with SanDiego1K - thanks KatW

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4069571.html
laucala owner was one of first 3 owners of submarine

apparently manufacturer is hoping to sell to / partner with other properties, with possible locations including Hawaii, Maldives, French Polynesia, Caribbean. they seem to be hoping to have first location operating next year.

Baghoarder

I agree. It has the best laundry service I have ever experienced. Items left in the basket in the morning would always be spirited back by lunchtime. And as KatW has said, it is extremely relaxed and informal - definitely a flat sandals kinda place. It makes traveling with only carry on (even with children in tow) easy to achieve.

MacMyDay

I wrote up a full review of our stay in Laucala: http://thegoodthebadandtheluxurious....-laucala-fiji/

My stay unfortunately did not match the same excellence that the other FTers experienced, although we still had a truly memorable and fantastic time. The service left a lot to be desired, but the island offers so much that you feel you can forgive it; the problem is, I feel the staff felt the same too, like it was allowed to be overlooked. The short-comings were too frequent and too many for it to have just been the odd employee, so improvements should definitely be on the horizon. The positive is that the GM has continued to discuss the feedback with me since departure, so it looks like they've taken my feedback very seriously. It's hard to find fault in almost everything else, from the activities, villas, food to amenities, but at $6,000/n, the service and communication just has to be better.

KatW

Staff and Service at Laucala

I've put off commenting on Laucala staff and service in order to gain perspective sufficiently as to not over-enthuse with superlatives. We are home now, sadly, and I've mulled over our experience sufficiently to render a balanced report.

To cut directly to summation, staff and service are extraordinary and I don't mind that there were a few misses here and there (see below) as these pose the likelihood of even more fabulous service when we return in April. I should add Jim and I are fairly low maintenance and not especially fussy although I am preternaturally observant. We have found that the best service is delivered without hovering and this was our experience at Laucala.

Dining service was uniformly excellent and we ate repeatedly in three of the five venues: Seagrass Lounge (cantilevered down the cliff side of a peninsula), Plantation House (the fancy place for epicures) in one of the historic structures on the island, tres colonial decor), and the Beach Bar which was our favorite. The only oddity was the need to request ice with water (sparkling or still) in a climate in which ice water is much to be desired. We met with the ebullient Chef Anthony several times and arranged for one special lobster dinner which was both perfect and memorable.

Room service (in-villa dining) is finest kind and one may order just about anything. Jim's favorite breakfast was a fluffy lobster and bacon omelet. Meanwhile I was delighted with creamy scrambled eggs. Skip the bland, oddly grainy sausages in favor of great bacon. Breakfast breads and pastries are terrific and sufficiently plentiful for all-morning snacking. Don't miss homemade yogurt, plain and coconut.

Housekeeping was thorough with no suggestion that we forego fresh sheets and towels from time to time. A team of three sees to this with attention to detail. Shoes left outside were cleaned, wet bathing suits draped on the inside tub were hung to dry, fresh flowers scattered about, clothes folded or hangered, refreshments and bath amenities restocked, surfaces left immaculate, and the air freshened (don't know how they did that, not sweet or perfumey or hygienic). Not so different from many luxe resorts yet more complete and caring. Assorted towels in the main bath plus more bath sheets poolside.

I was not comfortable driving the golf cart at night, especially with a few drinks sloshing around in my tum, so we were charmingly chauffeured to the Rock Lounge for sundowners, then to dinner, thence home whereupon we were escorted to the door to ensure no stumbles although outside areas are well lit.

I alerted management in advance to Jim's dementia. This clearly had been communicated to staff who were endlessly kind to and engaging with Jim. And, he responded positively with animation and more happiness than I'd seen in months. Also, he was chatty, very chatty; talked all the way through his 90-minute massage with a patient, responsive therapist.

I am phone phobic and prefer to communicate by email. Laucala adjusted to this perfectly. I'm certain it's not in his job description yet Reginald, the reservations manager and my pre-arrival contact, fielded a dozen requests for everything from beach lounges with longer legs, to questions about art in the villa.

Preferences are recorded. Ahead of arrival, I requested a pitcher of sangria in the villa. It was there, and more sangria was offered often throughout our 11-day sojourn.

I am happiest when needs/desires are intuited; I am reluctant to ask (yes, a personal flaw but hardly unique). Thus far, Laucala has satisfied me best in this regard.

I do not know how or why although I suspect Fijian culture in addition to a successful training program -- the kindliness here is genuine and given gracefully with pride and pleasure.

Christoph, the GM here, is out and about every day seeking out guests to ensure needs and desires are met. His affability put us at ease. It was clear his isn't only a job but a vocation which he pursues with apparently happy dedication.

It is said Navahos deliberately weave into their blankets a flaw so that the deities will not be offended by mortal pretension to perfection. Thus it is that I note, despite three assertions eschewing bananas (each in response to direct question as to what one does not eat), I was offered bananas in dessert FOUR times. And, I'd been looking forward to dessert throughout our stay because I don't often indulge.

We were made to feel not only welcome but ... genuinely appreciated. So it is we return for ten days in April.