jaffa.oz

Hello all,

Have just booked a great flight deal to Fiji Feb 8-14th 6 nights, flying into Nadi.
Have searched here, but not much success with most advice pretty old.

So am looking for advice and insight for somewhere nice to stay.

Resort or hotel? does not really matter. As long as 4.5 star or above. Prefer an interesting suite/large space.
I do like my own space and No kids, If there are kids, l prefer them mute with no legs

Location? no real preference but beach side/water front sounds appealing. Would consider islands. Of course inland or rainforrest would work as well, as long as near to fresh water creek or lagoon, waterfall ect.
Would prefer some sophistication, style, elegance.

Service? very imortant to me.
Food & wine? please see service.
Views? Important, but not as important as direct beach or water access.

Purpose? Me, run down, fun, CEO, solo male 47, needs to chill out, play with water, rejuvinate, lots of reading and maybe meet some new friends for the odd meal and a little socialisation.
Loves Martini's and cocktail bar spaces.

What do you think? Where should l stay.
Any Virtuoso reco's or packages.
Would be happy to pay up to $700 US per night .

Thanks in advance.

Colin.....................

number_6

Turtle Island might be what you are looking for; it has a 6 night minimum stay (USD 3000) plus USD 1000 for the seaplane transfer from NAN, putting it within your budget. The movie Blue Lagoon was filmed there. Of course it is isolated, mostly for honeymoons with little socialization. Quite worthwhile; I wasn't able to stay there (not enough time) so stayed at Westin Denerau instead, which is quite nice 5-star but high density and lots of kids around.

jaffa.oz

Thanks for that "number_6"

Turtle Island does look good and ticks most of the boxes.

However l am woried that it might be just, "to quiet" and it seems only geared for 7 "couples", 14 guests in total. The web site keeps repeating the "couples" thing.
If l read the web site correctly, there is no main dining space. Just a whole range of locations for romantic diners for 2 and romantic picnic options.

Does anyone know if I would fit in as a solo guest, or is it just the marketing position?

Would l be very uncomfortable, wandering about like a stray dog. I'm not sure.

335i

We stayed at Tokoriki for a week and loved it http://www.tokoriki.com/ although it appears prices have gone up a few hundred and may not be in your price range anymore.

I have heard great things about Vatulele on one of the islands south of the main island. The prices are usually $1200/night or more but are discounted to $550 for a Deluxe Beach Bure during the time you are going (including meals) http://www.vatulele.com/specials_pac...l_bonus_offers

instyleprincess

Has anyone ever heard of Laucala Resort in Fiji?
Judging from its website, I'm not sure if it's open
Has anyone stayed there before?
http://laucala.com/#Home

SojournsOf

Tokoriki was very much just okay for me.

I'd be inclined to try Vatulele if I was to return to Fiji, which I can't say I would any time soon.

ABG

Not personally, but a very good friend did and she really loved it.... Very high end price point and well above the OP budget. Bill Gates loved his time here I am told.

ainternational

I love Fiji.

There was just a great article in T&L or Conde Naste about Wakaya Club (and a few other resorts) last month. Worth the read if you can find a copy.

I'm a big one for service. Great service, excellent food, good activities. I've been to Vatulele for 10 days, although granted it was YEARS ago. But I can say that even with only about 8-10 couples, it never felt lonely, there were tons of activities and we were constantly busy when we wanted to be.

In general, I found no really 4+ star properties in the islands with the exception of the island exclusive resorts like Vatulele, Turtle, etc. I visited the Sheraton Fiji and a number of other hotels on the main island - I cannot even remotely recommend them. You'd be better off in Hawaii hands down.

But Fiji is wonderful. I recommend the following resorts in no particular order.

Wakaya Club - Most exclusive, most expensive, features a golf course. This one may be a bit 'private' for you as it's a movie star hangout.

Vatulele - Good balance in that there's plenty to do, beautiful beaches, excellent food and staff. One downside, no pool (at least when we were there) - but we didn't notice / care

Turtle Island - Also great reviews. I've read on part with Vatulele in many ways. They do have a pool and horseback riding which are pluses. Probably similar pricing to Vatulele.

For any of these, check with TA's and the resorts themselves for package deals (buy X nights, get transfer free or 1-2 nights, etc). A Virtuoso agent may help, may not. I've had better luck with "Fiji speciality" agents in California, but the one I relied on retired. Good luck!

Kagehitokiri

has she been to fregate or north, for comparison? laucala is somewhat larger, but being new seems like a major strength.

ainternational, laucala is about twice the cost of wakaya.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12054395-post173.html
click thread at top right to see discussion

ainternational

Gates honeymooned at Wakaya Club

ainternational

Wowzah! I gotta check that one out. For when I 'make it big', eh? Better be some damn nice perks in that rate.

------

Oh my lord... just checked out the website and video. Thanks for the tip. This is a new one to add to my "must do" list immediately. Great find!

Addicted2Fiji

Hi Colin,
There are only three Virtuoso resorts in Fiji at the moment:
Royal Davui Island
Wakaya Island
Intercontinenal

If you want a child free environment steer clear of the Intercon.

number_6

My impression is that Fiji aims at 2 markets: families with kids, and couples on honeymoon. I suspect Bali would have been a better fit for what you are looking for, but all the high-end resorts will ensure you are welcome. Most likely you won't see many guests at Turtle, just the staff. All the expensive resorts will be isolated -- you are paying for the privacy.

The Denerau resorts are the opposite (high density like Hawaii) and much cheaper, also 30 min from NAN airport instead of the day travel of the more beautiful outer islands. The comment about the Sheraton being somewhat dismal is correct, which is why I stayed at the Westin and was happy (albeit as a couple). In your situation I'd pick Turtle (even over the more expensive resorts mentioned on this thread), but quite frankly Bali would have been closer to what you describe.

jaffa.oz

Thanks everyone!

Number_6,

I think l will follow your rec and try for a booking at Turtle.

I was lucky to score the double status credit offer with QF so booked the j Nadi tickets. This is just a throw together trip for a bit of Lux and tender loving care.

Thanks again everyone.

ainternational

Enjoy your trip. Please report back on how you liked it. I'd love to get the latest scoop on Turtle!