Across the road from Taveuni Island Resort, this hotel nestles amid the beautifully landscaped lawns and palms of a plantation full of coconuts, cacao, coffee, vanilla, bananas, papayas, ginger and wild orchids. Enveloped by all this foliage, the property gets no trade winds and often becomes hot and steamy, and reaching the beach here requires a trek across Taveuni's only road.
The dimly lit main building offers a reception area, a boutique, a dining room serving good Fijian-influenced fare accompanied
by one of the country's finest wine lists, and a bar. Breakfast is included in the rates here, as are most activities and some spa treatments.
Guests can cool off in the rock-lined pool and at the white-sand beach, a five-minute walk away. The spa and an exercise room add on-site diversions. Off-site fun, much of which exacts fees, includes diving, hiking expeditions, riding, mountain biking and visiting waterfalls.
The spacious bungalows have tin roofs topped with thatch, bamboo exteriors and reed-lined walls. Sitting areas, stocked refrigerators, coffeemakers, double or twin beds with mosquito nets (mostly cosmetic because all units are fully screened), and tubless baths mark all, as do porches with hammocks. Most have outdoor showers and sundecks, including four two-room honeymoon units equipped with large hot tubs. Four other units have been enlarged by adding sitting rooms and courtyards with whirlpools. Only two of the original units have partial views of the sea through the foliage, but six larger bungalows and one built up in a tree, a five-minute stroll away via a wooden walkway, look down over the Somosomo Strait. These units also have outdoor whirlpools behind rock walls. Room service operates during restaurant hours.
Like Taveuni Island Resort, this interesting property is less likely to appeal to couples looking for a beach experience than are Qamea and Matangi.
