Yasawa Island Resort

We haven't written a review in many years but we were so touched by our visit that we had to post this one. We actually had tears in our eyes during our farewell song. We spent a wonderful 7 nights at the resort with the Costco vacation package (we added the spa package). We were treated so well from the time we arrived until we left and the staff is so friendly. Each day we heard the greeting song for new arrivals and each day we heard the goodbye song, as new friends were leaving. There is a bit of confusion about this being a 5 star resort. The resort is 5 stars for atmosphere authenticity and friendliness. If you want to stay at the Ritz or 4 seasons, this is not the resort for you. The Yasawa Island Resort is so much more enjoyable than that. The key is to slow down and relax (this took me a day and half, lol). And as everyone says you're on Fiji time. To start, the resort is remote. The choices of arrival are by plane or for an additional cost by helicopter. There is an option to arrive by boat but a 5 1/2 hour trip was too long for us. The resort was constructed in the late 80's using mainly local labor by a local Fijian named Manasa. (We were so lucky to meet Manasa one day at the resort). The resort is nicely laid out and each bure is nicely separated from each other. The resort is small with just 18 bures and is so peaceful and beautiful, with each bure having beach front views and their own access trail to the ocean. The bures are large and while they can be warm, an A/C unit directed over the bed made for a very comfortable sleep. The restaurant food and service was very good and had a changing menu each day (ask for the off menu seafood platter). The snack menu is also available during day. The pool area was fantastic, and very relaxing. Wifi is only available in the common areas which is the front desk, pool, bar and restaurant area. For us this was perfect, we could enjoy the beautiful beach and surroundings and we were always within a short walk to get on the internet if we needed it. Activities Connecting with the local culture was very enriching. It seemed like we had some kind of cultural event happening every day! At the resort the visiting village choir, Lovo feast and Kava ceremony were fantastic.Visiting Manasa's village, the school and attending a church service in Bukama were wonderful. Everyday we had activity options, spa treatments and hours of peacful relaxation! I can't express how friendly the people at the resort are. Every person greeted us with a "Bula" and a smile. We made connections with many of the staff and a special bond with Sai and Smiga! We look forward to returning!

This was our first trip to Fiji, and we were concerned that it wouldn't live up to our previous vacations in Bora Bora and Hawaii. Those concerns were forgotten within the first day. This trip exceeded all of our expectations and Fiji is our new favorite destination. This is solely due to the incredible experience that we had at Yasawa Island Resort & Spa. The flight to the resort is absolutely breathtaking and surprisingly smooth for such a small plane. After landing on a grass runway, there is a brief ride to the resort during which you learn all about the island and the people that call it home. Upon arrival at the resort, the staff greets you with a song and fresh drink before you are shown to your bure. The bure is spacious, comfortable and quiet. With so few people at the resort, you rarely see or hear other guests outside of the common areas. Having your own designated beach chairs and hammock is such a nice perk! It would be nice if the outdoor shower was a little more private, though. Every member of the staff is amazing. From the first day, everyone knows you by name and treats you like family. Starting each morning with the joyful smiles of Manasa and Wati is a blessing that sets the mood for the rest of the day. We celebrated my husband's birthday our first night at the resort and the staff arranged for a special birthday cake and song. So thoughtful! Special thanks to Sai for taking such great care of us all week and to Pedro, Smiga and the rest of the crew at the activities center. You can find fantastic snorkeling just in front of the resort and there are many activities that you can participate in throughout the week. Highly recommend signing up for a couple of private beach picnics. Don't forget to take your snorkeling gear with you! Be warned that the walk to the lookout is not a relaxing stroll. It's quite a climb with a beautiful view as a reward. If you visit the Sawa-I-Lau (Blue Lagoon) caves, be sure to check out the goods from the local villagers. We didn't bring money with us, so they let us charge our purchases to our room. If you're interested in the seafood platter, then make sure to request it early in your trip as availability is limited. Don't forget to attend happy hour each evening to sign up for the next day's activities. If you're looking for a luxurious resort with modern amenities and a bustling nightlife, then this is not the resort for you. However, if you're looking to unwind in paradise and escape reality for a bit surrounded by the most amazing people, then this is definitely the right place. We were already planning our next visit before we left the resort. Can't wait to return!

Pristine beaches - snorkeling , private beach picnics, sublime massages and an eco conscious ethos. Newly renovated bures with aircon that works , and incredible meals and wonderful staff. Perfection if you don’t want the big resort experience.

Let me begin by saying the location is beautiful with wonderful beaches, although coming from the US the trip was a trial with a long wait on the mainland before the flight over to the resort. But, and it’s a big but , it fell far below our expectations in many other respects. We were put in Bure #2, a so called beachfront bure. It was a distance from the beach and you could only see the ocean when standing ( not sitting) on the deck. The bure was in very shabby condition; cracks and stains on the walls, dirt in the corners, inadequate A/C , broken shutters and screens. I have seen better toilet rooms in gas stations! We have stayed in other small Fijian resorts on outer islands and never been in such poor accommodation. We did not expect or want a chain style hotel with icy A/C but we did expect a clean , comfortable and pleasant room with the promised view. We did ask to be moved immediately but were told the resort was fully booked. ( An online search suggested there was another room available). We had our last 3 days in bure SubZero which was a huge improvement. It really is beachfront! This was the first boutique adult-only resort that also fell short in the restaurant. The breakfast has no buffet where you can choose what fruit or pastries you want. A fruit plate is brought to your table and had very little tropical fruits. I asked for papaya and only got it once in 9 days! The breakfast menu is the same every day except for a daily special. Lunch and dinner are a choice of two starters, three main courses and two desserts. Fish was often spoiled by too much salt. The seafood platter was good but we were told we could only have it once even for a 9 day stay. The lovo feast night on Tuesday was family style seating and again no buffet style food presentation. Our beach picnic on Yawini was lovely but did need to be booked ahead of time which is understandable. But, even the snorkeling trips had to be signed up for the night before. Unlike other places we’ve stayed these were not offered every day. Snorkeling off the resort beach was limited. The village visit seemed to be a means for the locals to sell their goods . We didn’t go to the school and hear any singing because the children had tests that day! Why not reschedule the visit? Sadly there was quite a bit of trash there and it was frankly boring sitting waiting for the bus to pick us up. As always the Fijian staff were wonderful but that could not compensate for the other failings of this expensive resort.

Bull! I love remote islands and tropical get aways. We switched our days of stay because the hotel was undergoing renovations. We hoped that going at the tail end of the rainy season we would be ok. Unfortunately we arrived during a weeklong storm that caused the main island to flood, and flights to be cancelled. We had to spend a night by the main airport before taking a long boat ride to the island. Helicopter was another option discussed (at a $250/pp surcharge), unfortunately its departure was not guaranteed. We arrived a bit wet, but happy to have finally landed in paradise. Though I wouldn't say the rooms were 5 stars, they were nice. Staff was amazing, in particular Wati who has a "mother of the island" loving smile and makes the best latte (some other waiters are still learning the process and I'm picky). Our first encounter was with the warm smile of Wanka , we referred to as "smiling boat guy" until we got his name. Also kiddos to Jope (ops director), and Marcy (activities director) for being present and attentive to guests needs. Sami for making great drinks at the bar. The food was good, and I highly recommend reserving the large seafood platter if you love seafood, it looked incredible (my partner is allergic so it would have been a waste for us to get). However I was hoping for a more local based menu vs the curry based one they had. The Blue Lagoon is at an additional cost, what's included by the hotel is the boat ride out there. It is a beautiful ride and the lagoon is worth the trip. I would absolutely go on. at least one of the snorkel trips. We got to see dolphins, and the coral reefs are better than ones I've seen in Hawaii, Honduras, Corsica...... The lookout hike you can do on your own. It is very short and the trail is right off the road at the honeymoon sweet street. Worth the steep hike up. Shoes not flip-flops. They had coffee and a French press in the room, however due to the humidity the coffee was a bit rancid, hopefully they found some air tight containers to store the coffee packs in by the time you visit. All in all it was quite the adventure, and with all the updates and renovations, the hotel will only continue to get better, Manager Carley was very authentic in her response to our suggestions while there. She clearly loves the island, the hotel, and the workers that are there. We look forward to returning one day to see all the updates. Vinaka.

We stayed here for 3 nights on our 7 night Fiji holiday. The resort itself is set along the beach with each Bure having direct beach front access. The beach is great although you need to be selective where you swim as most areas have strong waves and rips. The location is remote but beautiful. Access is by small single or twin engine 8-10 seater planes assuming the grass airstrip is not too wet or muddy. The return plane trip was my favorite part of the stay! The room we had was large and spacious, except the tiny single toilet, clearly the designer forgot this and it went in as an afterthought. The room was clean tidy and nicely decorated. Daily cleaning and turndown service very good. Indoor and outdoor showers a nice touch. The rooms do not have internet, and 3g barely works either. For internet you need to be near the pool or restaurant. This is meant to be a selling point so you disconnect! The rooms are hot, the wind Dora’s not help there is one small air on unit in the room which is way too small to cool the massive room (70+ SQM). This meant 3 sleepless nights just sweating. The other main issue is the food. The selection is poor 2 starters and 2 deserts and 3 mains. Plus traditional long table Fiji night on a Tuesday which had the best tasting food of our stay. The limited menu is all you have as this is a full service catered resort there are no other options. Local staff are pleasant but forgetful. So the price charged is excessive and the service especially food is poor.