Pausanias

I must have done at least a dozen trips to the South Pacific and the jet-lag thing never improves. Business Class doesn't make any difference either in my experience. Oh, it's even worse when you get back home.

offerendum

[QUOTE=Pausanias;27167918/] Oh, it's even worse when you get back home.[/QUOTE
Comparde to First😂 Without joking: It's never worse in my eyes

Kagehitokiri

on laucala site >
they have a lounge in their hangar at nadi airport?

re offerings for children >
luxurytravelmagazine.com/news-articles/laucala-island-presents-customizable-and-unique-childrens-itineraries-22593.php
traveltheworld.com.au/Resorts/Laucala-Island/Kids-Club.html
holidayswithkids.com.au/FSK/destinations/LaucalaParadiseFound

MacMyDay

Not yet, but they told me that they will be the first and only planned company to have one next year. The entire airport is very much like a construction site right now, as they are doing a major development on it.

KatW

Yes, I am from the U.S. That being the case, may I please have your input on the theory and practice of gratuities at Laucala. Thankee.

CRAZ8

I don't know about Laucala, but I've been to Turtle Island a few times. They DO ask for a donation to the 'staff fund' as a gratuity. I've been there with Australians who were outraged at this request. Living in the US made it a little easier to understand.

bhrubin

I take a sleeping pill (15-30 mg temazepam) for any long-haul international flights. I also take a pill for the first 2-3 nights I'm in a new, distant time zone to acclimate faster. I do the same on any long-haul international flight home....and for at least the first 2-3 nights I'm home to help me readjust.

Epicura

We did not tip during our stay*. And from what I have seen, neither did other guests. This is not exactly the place where people are running around with money in their pockets .

We planned to tip anyway at check out and proactively asked Victoria (concierge/guest relations) how to proceed. Laucala does have a "gratuities fund" which serves all staf members. As far as I remember at check out nobody suggested to leave a tip. After having paid our bill (your nightly rate is already charged before check in IIRC) we left an enveloppe for the fund. I am not sure anymore about the exact amount, but it was roughly in the range between 50-100 USD/night. Afaik the staff is paid a normal wage and tips are a bonus.

*Correction: we did tip the private chef and waiter for the inroom BBQ night (private beach)!

FlyerEC

Thanks for the information .

Any idea when the lounge / new airport will be ready next year ?
The Saffire one is quite nice .

Wonder if occupancy is ever 100% or >80% & when ?

scented

Take into consideration that owning family sometimes uses island for family and friends, so occupancy can get higher, not necessarily by bookings only.

FlyerEC

Oh , yes , thanks . Forgot about that .

Perhaps do Huka Lodge & Dolphin Island instead .. & / or combine with here .

Wondering if anyone here has done this ?

MacMyDay

Fraid I didn't ask. I'd guess that very much depends when the airport finished on "Fijian time".

We were going to go for Christmas '15 but they were sold out and they're already sold out for Christmas period this year (26th > 2nd Jan, I think) and turning down bookings.

Kagehitokiri

can always ask re occupancy ("available rooms")
i have selected lower occupancy dates for stays

elsewhere, i've also seen (first hand) 'invited by owner'

nice that dolphin island added double occupancy rate

KatW

Thank you, Epicura.

Pausanias

Tipping in the South Pacific is absolutely not expected and is regarded as an insult in many Melanesian and Polynesian societies and that extends to Australia and NZ. Unfortunately in places such as Bora Bora the many mainly American tourists have had a corrupting influence at the hotels. I still won't tip anyone in the Pacific islands.