Baghoarder

I am planning to escape the Australian winter in July this year with my family, and I am considering Laucala. This property does not seem to have received much attention here; has anybody visited it recently?

ABG

I only know one person who went last year with her family too.... she is well travelled and gushes about this resort more so than others. (Her last trip was Ballyfin so that sorta might guide you)

She is not on FT so if you want I can link the two of you together via email for questions etc

Baghoarder

Thanks very much; "family" and "gushes" are all I need (I don't need a lot of persuading on this one)!

Groombridge

Hall Cannon, owner and manager of Otahuna Lodge in NZ, was also praising Laucala as an utterly amazing experience, and he has impeccable taste and experience of many of the world's top properties. (For example, he is a big fan of Villa Feltrinelli as well.)

DUflyer

Is there any other way to go to/from Laucala than to take their $1200/person private jet?

Baghoarder

Well.... you could take your own private jet (the island is a customs/immigration point)!

It's actually one of the small "island hopper" airline services, not a private jet per se. The plane seats 7 passengers in comfort, plus 2 crew and has twin prop engines (sorry I can't recall the aircraft type). Children fly free, if that's of any relevance to your circumstances. That $1200 figure sounds like the adult return cost per person IIRC.

It's actually a really nice way to arrive. You are met at the door of your international flight into Fiji and escorted through immigration and customs to your connecting flight. (We were the only passengers on our flights both ways.) The managers and staff greet the aircraft at the airstrip on arrival with cool drinks and songs, which is lovely.

I suppose in theory you could take a boat but it would be an awfully long trip from Nadi... On the other hand, it would be terrific to kick off or end a sailing holiday there.

I highly recommend Laucala. I posted a trip report in this forum which you have probably already located (sorry, I would link to it here but I am writing this on my iPad and links are defeating me!)

DUflyer

No, doesn't work, it is too big to land in Laucala. I would have to park it in Nadi for the duration of my stay and that is way too expensive and in addition to the $1200pp.

ABG

Really.... the runway is 1200 meters long... your pilots might be able to make it. Of course, crew accommodations on island are pricey!

SanDiego1K

So that folks can easily navigate between this thread and that, here is the link:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ip-report.html

DUflyer

Assuming zero wind and dry conditions. If it is wet, I wouldn't be able to land safely on 1200m. Here is what it says on the website:

"With a 1,200-by-23 meter airstrip and three aviation hangars, only smaller jets may land on Laucala Island; larger private jets will use Nadi, where the resort keeps an exclusive hangar and trained technicians for round-the-clock arrivals and departures."

But back to my original question: Is there no cheaper way to get there that is still reasonably fast? What is the nearest alternative hotel?

instyleprincess

I have a friend who just came back last month and LOVED it

She did mention there were some service issues upon arrival with their staffs, but other than that, she loved everything

She has a travel blog but it's all written in Chinese though
http://samyoyobelinda.com/fiji/laucala/laucala.htm

Baghoarder

There's Taveuni Matei Airport, which as far as I know is the access point for Qamea Resort and Spa and Taveuni Island Resort and Spa (might still require boat connections to reach at least one of those?). I think that airport is about 20-25km from Laucala Island. Presumably you have to charter a boat to make that connection. Would be interesting to see if the air connection plus boat connection worked out cheaper than the more direct alternative. Just my perspective, but it would want to be significantly cheaper to justify the extra inconvenience and transit time.

DUflyer

Thanks, that's very helpful!

Flights from Nadi to Taveuni are about $400pp return. So for the same price as taking the Laucala plane you can fly to Taveuni, charter a boat and stay for a few nights in the other two resorts (which look very nice too).

speedbird001

Their aircraft is a King Air 200. I don't know the year but it is considered the Rolls Royce of private turbo-props.