one week in fiji

hi guys
i m planning our one week in fiji and we are very confused about what we could do.
we have two options and both very different:
1. relax in a all inclusive (not too pricey resort)
2. land in nadi, spend 3 days around the area (natadola beach, lautoka)
one day in suva
and a day cruise trip to mamanuca or yasawa island
what would u suggest?
do u know any resort where we could spend some days all inclusive
thank u so much as usual in advance

we are very confused about what we could do

:-) Can't make up your mind what you want to do? If I'm ever in that sort of situation I try to make a choice which allows me to postpone making the decision for as long as possible.

Consider option #2. Since you will have to stay in one place for much of your time in/around Nadi anyway, you can sort of combine option 1 and 2 simply by picking an all-inclusive resort in the area and take day-trips -- or not as you feel when the time comes.

Which leaves the only decision to whether or not you want to visit Suva. It will require an overnight there. I wonder whether it would be worth the drive there and back? I have nothing against Suva as such -- I spent a week there. But, considering the time you have, and considering that you already have the chance to visit Lautoka, a day trip inland near Nadi would give you more variation in your day-trips.

And an overnight trip to Suva is always there to do, even with commiting to a resort near Nadi, so long as you're willing to pay for the one night in Suva, even when ahving a paid room in Nadi. I've done this myself on occasion. Sometimes it's simply the most convenient way of doing things.

I can't recommend a particular resort. Many would have some sort of meal plan, so there's a lot of choice. Otherwise, there's be an a la carte restaurant.

where could i check any resort on fiji on line?
then, how far would nadi be to suva?
why u wouldnt recommend the visit of suva?

how far would nadi be to suva?

At least 3 hours each way by road.

why u wouldnt recommend the visit of suva?

Not so much a recommendation as it is something to think about. Six hours total travel time, makes a lousy day trip. So, at least one night there .. but still that travel time. If you have personal reasons for going to Suva, sure why not? But if you're someone who doesn't know anything about fiji, I'm thinking 'save on the travel time and have a look at something closer to Nadi'. I'm suggesting another option to consider whiuch may or may not simplify how you look at the situation. After all, you are the one who is confused about what to do.

If you make up your mind and decide to go with plan #2, that's OK too.

yes now that i know that it's three hours drive i would spend a night there but only if it's worth the visit otherwise i can easily skip it cos i dont have particular reasons to go there
if the city is like nadi i'd skip it and save time for other activities

Suva is more like Lautoka. Nadi is smaller, more like a village. For the sake of having a look at Fiji's version of an 'urban center' Lautoka is interesting enough, not much in the way of conventional tourist attractions, but a bustling market to wander around in, a few shopping streets .. Suva has more of the same on a somewhat larger scale. Add the museum to the list.

I think your limited time would be better spent checking out some of Viti Levu (or even an island) closer to a base near Nadi. Except for Suva, everything on your wish list can be done as day trips from a near-Nadi base -- which effectively combines your options 1 and 2, leaving the options for day trips to be a day by day decision.

thanks bthd, so u'd skip yasawa islands?

u'd skip yasawa islands?

:-)

No, I just meant that sticking closer to Nadi would be better use of your time. You already mentioned a day cruise as a possible day trip. I just figured that instead of the time for Suva you could either do an inland tour (some variety to add to the island cruise and Lautoka visit) or use the time for more island time if you just want to relax (your option #1) rather than take more day trips.

I think you are creating a false dilemma for yourself. Book a resort. Once you're there, if you have the energy and interest for a day trip then take one. If you wake up one morning and don't feel like doing anything other than sit by the pool, then do that. You don't have to decide now. Wait until you're there and go with how you feel then, not now.

I lived in Fiji for just over 2 months this time last year. I lived in Suva but could not wait to escape it, it does give you a feel of the real Fiji but you only have two real choices of hotel there the novotel and holiday inn which are both pricey for the location. I personally would stay somewhere on the coral coast i stayed at tambuka sands a nice quiet resort or try one of the more upmarket hotels such as Outrigger as these were amazing. I would also suggest getting out to the mamanuca and yasawa islands as this is the traditional postcard fiji. Try and get away from the mainland. If you stay in Nadi and choose to stay at the touristy Denarau island i personally dont think you will be getting to see the real Fiji and you may find it a waste of money.
Another amazing place i can recommend is on the North of Viti Levu its a bit off the beaten track but theres a place called Voli Voli beach resort and the bure's are heaven such a quiet beautiful place.

hope this helps

you only have two real choices of hotel

This is incorrect .. or incomplete. There are a number of good hotel choices in Suva, but they are in a lower price range. Those choices are just as real as the upmarket places.

I cannot follow the rest of what you write. You consider Denarau "touristy" but then you say try to get away from the mainland while expressing concerns for seeing the "real Fiji". You recommend going to upmarket hotels/resorts on the coral coast (the mainland!). Then you call the Yasawas both "traditional" and "postcard". Postcard they are, if you want the tourist fantasy paradise island escape. But in what way are they traditional when many of the resort islands are uninhabited, except for the resorts on them?

It sounds like you can't make up your mind between the holiday bubbles of the island resorts and a vague unease that such resorts are as far from the "real" Fiji as a person can get.

thanks guys for your help
i m trying to figure out what it would be better for us
thanks