Fiji - mainland accomodation

Any suggestions for mainland accomidation within 2 hours of Nadi airport? I can't decide if it's worth it to go out the the islands or if it has lots of things to do without the cost of a ferry.

Thanks!

~Candice

the answer depends on your budget, interests, time availability and preferences.

thart said, on the mainland, i rather like the Shangri-La Fijian - about 90 mins by road

Thanks for the advice. I am looking for something very cheap, dorm style accomidations. I only have 3 days, and the I will be alone, so I want something safe with nice beaches.

In that case, Id suggest either Bounty or Beachcomber Is which have lovely beaches and are less than 1 hour by boat from Nadi (Denerau port)

I shouldve said that Beachcomber is a "party island" but as a 26yo, suppose that this might be ok for you.

Beachcomber is good fun and very safe, the island is just the resort so there will be only staff and tourists there (though drunk, horny backpackers are a hazard too, I guess). Lock up your stuff, there are lockers provided. You can BYO but you will have to sweet talk them into letting you use the staff fridge in the laundry, they did it for us but I don't think it is normal practice.

If you stay in Nadi I can recommend Smuggler's cove in new town ($35 FJD for a dorm inc. toast and juice for breakfast). The beach is ok (not as good as the islands but good at sunset and ok for a swim/sunbake, no coral nearby), the bar is lively and its not far from Ed's bar which is where most people will end up later in the night.

If you really want to save money you can get a dorm at the Capricorn next door to Smugglers cove for about $15 FJD but it will be significantly worse quality. On the plus side you can still eat and drink at Smugglers.

In two hours you could almost make it to Pacific Harbour too, its a nicer beach than Smuggler's Cove, stay at Uprising ($35 FJD dorm) or the Pearl (more expensive, more luxurious). There are also diving and snorkelling trips out to Beqa lagoon from here, supposed to be amazing.

I dont agree with #6 - the Coral Coast on the mainland is lovely in parts.
Here's a budget option you should look at http://www.fijibeachouse.com/

Agree - definitely go to the islands.... don't stay on the mainland. If you do you may as well not bother going to Fiji.

I stayed at the beach house in Feb 06 - looks like it has been nicely updated since then. It was a great place to stay! And yes, agee with #7, the coral coast is quite nice and we did a great trek to a waterfall. I think it took us more than 2 hours to get there from Nadi airport though. We took the local bus/taxi system so it might be less depending on what transport you use.

Otherwise, I can recommend the Nadi Bay Resort for budget resort style accomodation close to Nadi airport. (I can't find a website for them, but if you google it you can find reviews etc). I definitely recommend at least a day trip out to Beachcomber Island. Absolutely stunning beaches and fantastic buffet lunch included.