so exciting to post about a holiday - Fiji - a real find!

[LAH]

Recently had a holiday trip (instead of business) and chose Fiji - again!! As I was flying from Auckland my flight was in the afternoon and realised I would have to spend the night in Nadi - :evil:

Found the Fiji Orchid - just outside Lautoka, max 30 mins from airport.

What a find! Used to be Raymond Burr's (Perry Mason/Ironside) bolthole! Only 6 bures - gorgeous, gorgeous gardens. Truly lovely staff - most have come over from Labasa on Vanua Levu. A couple of fawlty tower type things, but I have found my place and I'll probably even schedule a one or two nights here when I go to Fiji again. the web address is fijiorchid.com and Mitimiti who will answer your email, is most efficient! (I think she is the granddaughter of a previous King of Tonga - there's a little bit of gossip!)

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Yes it's a great place to stay if your overnighting we always stay there when we are going to VatuleleThe rooms are nice and the staff are interesting

 

[LAH]

Yes it's a great place to stay if your overnighting we always stay there when we are going to VatuleleThe rooms are nice and the staff are interesting

Vatulele is where I just blew all my hard earned cash - it went into receivership on the day I arrived and I have it on good authority that it will continue trading, so look out for the specials! Hope to be able to afford to get back there one day - I am already waiting for my accountant to reprimand me severely for my recent trip - oh, but it was worth it 100 times over!

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

I love the place we where going every year sometimes twice then they had some bad management there's an old saying How do you buy a small business sell a big business to a new Zealander and wait

 

[LAH]

I love the place we where going every year sometimes twice then they had some bad management there's an old saying How do you buy a small business sell a big business to a new Zealander and wait

That is great : I won't be sharing it with my neighbours as I live in Auckland now!

Yes, I heard about the bad management. The story of what has happened in the last few years is extraordinary - as the resort was nearly empty I had a couple of dinners with some of those involved and couldn't help but ask alot of questions.

Lusiana, who was one at reservations in Nadi, is now managing alongside the receiver (she is Mitimiti's sister) and she's doing a pretty good job under the circumstances.

From another source I have heard that they will continue to trade even if it is at cost!

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

We where their at the point the day the staff went on strike, it was so funny our breakfast arrived and tukini the butler at the point said, I have to go to. I received a call from the managers who asked what I wanted for breakfast,I told them I had it and they where shocked as no one had breakfast, tokini told me later that they could not Leave the Ratu with out breakfast, the managers where so incompetent they where from six senses, I rang the owner of six senses and told them I would not be back till the mangers had gone, it was 12 months,then the old Managers Grant and Deb who where always great called and asked why we where going to Namale, and not to Vatulele they offered us the point at 1500 a night it was good to get back, but after they left and the price shot up again to 40k for 8 nights way to much and that did not include grog So we have not been back since 2009 The thing that makes that place is the staff Hope they work it out I will call and see if there is a deal to be had we have stayed there 9 times.

 

[ajca]

Given the situation with Vatulele, you guys might want to look at Likiliku. It's not far from Vatulele and everyone I know who has been to both agrees that Likiluku is far better.

About $1k+ / night, absolutely stunning location and bures, no kids, incredibly friendly (and by Fiji standards quite attentive) staff, and the best food you will ever eat.

Here are some photos I took while I was there in April:
Bula! (Fiji 2011) - a set on Flickr

 

[LAH]

We where their at the point the day the staff went on strike, it was so funny our breakfast arrived and tukini the butler at the point said, I have to go to. I received a call from the managers who asked what I wanted for breakfast,I told them I had it and they where shocked as no one had breakfast, tokini told me later that they could not Leave the Ratu with out breakfast, the managers where so incompetent they where from six senses, I rang the owner of six senses and told them I would not be back till the mangers had gone, it was 12 months,then the old Managers Grant and Deb who where always great called and asked why we where going to Namale, and not to Vatulele they offered us the point at 1500 a night it was good to get back, but after they left and the price shot up again to 40k for 8 nights way to much and that did not include grog So we have not been back since 2009 The thing that makes that place is the staff Hope they work it out I will call and see if there is a deal to be had we have stayed there 9 times.

oh my goodness, so that was when Nick was there as manager! what a time!

Went to Namale about 17 years ago when it was smaller. I believe it is alot bigger now with mini conferences being run regularly. You seem to know a few places - any suggestions for a solo traveller (I am fine when I travel with the teenager or my older daughter as I fit in with them) who is looking for privacy, r & r but really should be looking at keeping the costs down?

Hope Lusiana can look afer you! Good luck! .... and goodness, you are right about 40k for the Point - definitely not worth it!

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Yes Nick I think they stated the rot he and his wife treated the staff like cough and I will never forget what his wife said to a to one of the guest on the morning of the strike she said the Fijians where not very intelligent let me tell you their far smarter than us they live a more simple life and are the most generous people I have ever met Namale is nice but it's not Vatulele the people who run it are nice and the rooms are great but it's a little bit American if you follow me Lusiana is a sweetheart and like most locals want to see the resort do well Ajca i have a lot of friends who love Likiliku may look at it some time looks like a nice place great photos

 

[ajca]

Vatulele is where I just blew all my hard earned cash - it went into receivership on the day I arrived and I have it on good authority that it will continue trading, so look out for the specials! Hope to be able to afford to get back there one day - I am already waiting for my accountant to reprimand me severely for my recent trip - oh, but it was worth it 100 times over!

Hi guys, am I reading correctly that Vatulele recently went into administration?

 

[LAH]

Hi guys, am I reading correctly that Vatulele recently went into administration?

Correct! Here is a link, and I was on the island when the receivers arrived.

Allied Farmers denies it will lose $10m - Hanover Finance - NZ Herald News

 

[Sprucegoose]

I love the place we where going every year sometimes twice then they had some bad management there's an old saying How do you buy a small business sell a big business to a new Zealander and wait

Ha ha, reminds me of Ansett!!

 

[maureeng]

Recently had a holiday trip (instead of business) and chose Fiji - again!! As I was flying from Auckland my flight was in the afternoon and realised I would have to spend the night in Nadi - :evil:

Found the Fiji Orchid - just outside Lautoka, max 30 mins from airport.

What a find! Used to be Raymond Burr's (Perry Mason/Ironside) bolthole! Only 6 bures - gorgeous, gorgeous gardens. Truly lovely staff - most have come over from Labasa on Vanua Levu. A couple of fawlty tower type things, but I have found my place and I'll probably even schedule a one or two nights here when I go to Fiji again. the web address is fijiorchid.com and Mitimiti who will answer your email, is most efficient! (I think she is the granddaughter of a previous King of Tonga - there's a little bit of gossip!)

Just arrived back from Fiji and I have to recommend Tokoriki Island. So relaxing and no kids, Vomo was lovely as well but they take kids there now and it was during school holidays. Still had a great time there though. Not so good at the Westin on Denaru. Definately not 5 star. Most of the staff were lovely but were put in a room next to a noisy generator and the air con wasn't working. The filter was filthy. We booked the best rooms (oceanfront) but when we asked to be moved they told us they had no other Oceanfront only Garden view and it had twin beds. They then said if we paid another $100 per night we could have a newly renovated room!!!! I said "so for our trouble we are to be downgraded not upgraded and I am a Starwood Preferred Guest. We ended up in the cheap room only to be called at midnight while we were asleep to ask us to be ready to move in 40 min as they had found an oceanfront room. My husband was not amused to say the least. We moved next day and when we got into the new room the bathroom phone was ripped off the wall and the wires haning out of the wall. I'd give it 3.5 stars. The beds were wonderful though. I cant understand as we were told Oceanfront were the best rooms only to be told when we get there that to have a renovated room you have to pay more again.