Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Complete Fiji Novice - December Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
mitchlou84 01:43 UTC 18 Jul 2013 | Hello, I have done some google research, but there are so many islands, and I'm all confused. I have never been to Fiji before, and myself and my partner are hoping to go for 7-10 days over Christmas and New Year flying into Nadi. We are after something mid range - not a rowdy backpackers nor a top end hotel, we are 29 and 35. I read that it will rain less on the west side, are there islands where you can walk to different bars/restaurants? We like our food and drink, and so would prefer not to be tied to just the hotel restaurant if possible, going out for dinner is a big part of our holiday. Happy to go to a really quiet island for a couple of days where choice is very limited, but not all 10. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks |
jbinternational 08:13 UTC 18 Jul 2013 | I''d try to do one of the local Captain Cook or Blue Lagoon cruises for part of the time, you visit a lot of different areas | 1
raptorman 08:24 UTC 18 Jul 2013 | Hey Mitchlou84, Your post is so like what we were thinking, I thought my wife had posted it! After much messing about, we've almost decided on the Yasawa group of islands, Seems it will tick all the boxes. (I'm an ex backpacker/traveller with low or no standards, my wife slightly more five star!). At this stage, we are considering Octopus Resort - googel/tripadvisor it, generally has good reviews. We'll have a night in Nadi either side to fulfill my down & dirty tendencies, followed by a week or two to maintain good relations with better half. Good luck - maybe see you in the Yasawas for drinks October time! | 2
raptorman 08:27 UTC 18 Jul 2013 | Hey Mitchlou84, Your post is so like what we were thinking, I thought my wife had posted it! After much messing about, we've almost decided on the Yasawa group of islands, Seems it will tick all the boxes. (I'm an ex backpacker/traveller with low or no standards, my wife slightly more five star!). At this stage, we are considering Octopus Resort - googel/tripadvisor it, generally has good reviews. We'll have a night in Nadi either side to fulfill my down & dirty tendencies, followed by a week or two to maintain good relations with better half. Good luck - maybe see you in the Yasawas for drinks October time! | 3
mitchlou84 22:25 UTC 18 Jul 2013 | Thankyou both, off to google those suggestions now | 4
graymare 08:15 UTC 19 Jul 2013 | if you want to walk to different restaurants Octopus Resort is NOT the place----meals are part of the accommodation package and the dining "room" is where you eat, with the other guests. It is lovely but not what you described. Some of the larger resorts in the Mamanucas, closer to Nadi than the Yasawas, have more than one restaurant at the resort. Google Treasure Island and Plantation Island and possibly Castaways. | 5
tch7 11:41 UTC 19 Jul 2013 | Blue Lagoon Beach Resort is even better than Octopus. You are somewhat tied to their restaurant (best food I had in Fiji), but there's nothing to stop you from walking to one of the other resorts on the island for a meal if you really wanted to. Nanuya Island Resort would also probably satisfy you. I do recommend you don't waste your time on the mainland where you have the mega-hotels. Head out to the Mamanucas & Yasawas for better scenery and a more unique experience for the whole trip (3 days is generally a good length of time to spend in one resort). | 6
Taimarilyn 04:49 UTC 25 Jul 2013 | I can also recommend both Octopus and Blue Lagoon Beach Resort - but also consider their new sister resort Paradise Cove, also in the Yasawas on Naukacuvu Island. It is set to be the premier accommodation of the three resorts, and has only just opened. At the moment prices are lower while they get up and running, I'm heading there this year but soon it will be out of my price range. Although very new their standards are high, check out their website (they also have a Facebook page. They have installed a great chef, pictues I've seen of the food look fantastic! | 7