Fiji

[claassenam]

Hi all,

What are your thoughts on the LL properties available in Fiji? I've just realized that Fiji is an excellent destination for my husband and I in terms of flight time from California - much shorter than the flight to Bali, which is our other prime option right now for a June surf/dive/relaxation trip. What's gotten me really excited is seeing the Vatulele Island Resort offering currently on Luxury Link, as the resort is now managed by Evason Hideaways - it sounds heavenly. Not sure, however, if there is decent surfing anywhere near that particular island. I've emailed the management and am keeping my fingers crossed. If that wouldn't work out, how are the other offerings? They all look like fun, not entirely luxurious but well-done eco-resorts. Thanks for your help!

[kurtis]

We bought 2 luxury link packages and used them for Dec. 2007 for Vatulele. The six senses group took over management about 7 months before, I think in May 2007.



Up until just recently Vatulele was all inclusive. I think drinks are now not included and the price is much higher.



We have been to a number of upscale Fiji resorts and found Vatulele to be OK. The staff are wonderful, but are learning the new six senses ways. (it seemed to us that they were sad).



There was no waves at Vatulele, so no to surfing. As far as luxury, I would say that the Point Room is luxury, the beach bures are large, and comfortable, not really luxury. The meals were chosen off a menu that didn't change for the 6 nights we were there. Some of the lunch items were also offered on the dinner menu. They did do a six course tasting dinner one night that was nice.

[smamane]

We went to Nukubati (purchased on LL) and were really disappointed. The pictures make it look a lot nicer than it actually is. We also stayed at the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort and had a great time, nice bure, incredible food and really really amazing diving.

[kurtis]

We also bought a LL package to Nukubati. We also followed this by a stay at Cousteau. We did this in Dec. 2005. We thought Nukubati was wonderful. The picnic in the middle of the ocean was to die for.



My kids came with us that week. The girls asked my son what he wanted for lunch (her mistake was she gave him nothing to select from) His repy was lobster and lemon merange pie. The girls were sad for him as they just couldn't pull this off for lunch. Much to our surprise, they sent the boys out to the reef looking for lobster, and we had his request for dinner.



The bures are not as Fijian as Cousteau, the meals were not as gourmet, but the place is beautiful, staff are more than friendly and accomadating. We enjoyed our stay with them. They also had a wonerful wine list that was all included.

[obrienkf]

Beqa Lagoon Resort, a regular LL client / ppty, is exceptional. Diving is fantastic, and if you are not certified, gee, you can do it there (if you have a sense of humour, asi did, you can do your first post certification dive in open water with sharks, and if you are lucky, as i was, a 3.5 metre / 20 ft tiger shark will grace your presence). Sea horses in the lagoon. Best soft coral reef in the world (according to Cousteau), and if surfing is your thing, the Fiji Pipeline is yours..



for me a 5 star rating, low key resort, perfect value for money... am going back the minute i can.



kind regards

[kurtis]

We, too, were just there for a week over Christmas. We too are frequent LL purchasers. We have also been to Fiji many times and stayed and dived at many resorts all over Fiji. I must disagree with you on a few notes about Bega Lagoon.



This was our 5th trip to Fiji, usually staying at 3 different resorts each time. Beqa Lagoon is no where close to the best diving we have done in Fiji. The resort is way too close to the mainland for the best Fiji diving.



We also did the shark dive. If I knew how the dive was going to be conducted, I never would have went. We went on a dive boat of approx. 15 divers (may be more). When we got to the location there were two other boats with as many divers on it. We ALL went down to our 100 ft. all together. There were divers everywhere, not enough dive masters for that many people, as the dive masters were also doing the feeding. Just way too many people.



As for the dive operation at Bega. We rented their equipment. (we do this when we travel and stay at 5 star properties. Have never had a problem with equipment before, as we are at 5 star properties). Our rental equipment was in very poor shape. We missed dives because of broken equipment, (they claim they pack spare equipment on the boat, but they do not). We were not the only people there complaining about broken equipment. No to go into alot of detail about the disrepair, but my husband found it necessary to use my daughtersalternate reg at a safety stop. Well, the spare reg was broken and he got a lung full of water. What would have happened at 100'. When you need to voice these concerns with someone in charge at Beqa, you get a nice Fijian who really has no idea or control to do anything about it anyway. They say to contact LA office when you return.



As far as the 5 star claim and gourmet meals. This place is not 5 star. Not by Fiji standards (which I realize are much lower than the rest of the world) or byanywhere that we have everstayed. This place is maybe a 3 star. Meals are basic, some better than others, but using the word gourmet to describe them is very generous.I have never lost weight on a vacationwhere we were fed 3 gourmet meals a day.

For the price LL is selling the 7 night dive packages for is a good deal, if you are not expecting the 5 star resort atmosphere to go with it. BRING YOUR OWN DIVE GEAR!!!!