Otto and Fannys v Octopus

Hi

the Mandja's (mum , dad, 18 yo boy and 15 yo girl) are heading for Fiji in July 2008 using our well earned Freq Flyer points.

I think the Yasawas may be the way to go as we fly into Nadi and the wife and daughter dont like small planes nor long sea journeys. We all want a beach style holiday - white clean sands , not too far to snorkle, resorty type feel, (but not Coral Coast style).Reading other TT posts, it seems that Octopus and Otto and Fannys have some good reports. We want to ideally stay in 2 rooms or one bure, not TOO pricey, say up to $50? per head plus meals (hopefully that wont be too pricey either). None of us drink much grog, so cost will be lower there too.

We arrive on a Tuesday into Nadi in the evening so will stay that night in Nadi or Lautoka. We depart on the following d=Friday, so , again need a few nights somewhere other than the Yasawas - suggestions? Im not too keen on Denerau , dont want the Coral Coast - where else do you suggest? Somewhere nice or maybe quirky (the kids prob wont like a village stay).

Little virtue in Denerau.

Here's a link to a recent report on Octopus. One of the plus-points of the resort is the island it's located on. Waya has a hilly interior, good for some hiking -- or at least the scenery, and large enough to have 2-3 villages. I thought it more interesting than the pancake flat islands that some resorts are located on. So there is some variation to the experience if you ever want to get out of the resort grounds. Octopus ought to have a website, which will update you on prices.

Sorry, but I don't understand the second paragraph. You arrive on a Tuesday and leave on a Friday ... not sure what you mean by the 'few nights other than the Yasawas"...

Thanks oldpro.

Sorry for the confusion. We'll be in Fiji for 10 nights, thus say 6 or so on say Octopus and days either side elsewhere eg first day Nadi, next 6 or 7 Octopus, last 2 or 3 elsewhere - Lautoka? Another island?

Otto & Fanny's and Octopus are completely different. Many have written about Octopus - the key point for your family I think is that there are many planned and unplanned activities to choose from - snorkeling/swimming off the beach, pool, movie night, village visit, massages, evening activites (crab races, quiz night), and the hike (which is very strenuous, virtually straight up, but worth it). O & F's is much smaller, much simpler, no activites, only basic service, simple meals, nothing fancy about it- definitely not resorty - not a destination, but good snorkeling - and the beach is not the beach you are going to Fiji to see. Also at least 2 hours further north by the Flyer. Sounds like you are looking for Octopus.

Don't plan on time in Nadi. You can stop by on your way through, but not much there to do/see.

We had a very nice sail with South Sea Cruises to the island where Castaway was filmed. Some of the best snorkeling we did.

Bures at Octopus are too small for your family - could you consider parents in a bure & teens in the dorm? Two adjoining rooms in Poppys Lodge there might suit but probably getting out of your price range. Otherwise it sounds perfect for your requirements. If you'd like to see photos PM me with an email address.

#2 The individual islands/resorts do differ, so a visit to two resorts can well deliver a different experience. On the other hand, 2-3 days on the mainland gives another view of Fiji. Lautoka would be a better place to stay than Nadi. Not that there is a lot of 'tourist' things to see, but it is a real Fijian town, an interesting market etc. Lautoka could be used as a base to visit the national park nearby. It's something to look into: most travel agents would have info on those tours.

Yes I agree that Octopus would be your best bet in the Yasawas. The Yasawa Flyer will drop you back at Bounty Island, which is near to Denerau, for your last few nights in Fiji, if you are wanting something different for a few nights.
Have a look at their Bounty website. It is small, takes about 20 mins to walk around, lovely beach, very relaxing, snorkelling ok but not brilliant. If your flight leaves in the morning from Nadi yes you will need to spend a night in Nadi before you leave. Alternatively you could stay a few nights on Beachcomber Island, which the Yasawa Flyer could drop you at as well. The 15 and 18 yr olds would love it, not sure about mum and dad though! Beachcomber website

I agree oldpro, that staying at different places gives more varied experience - and O&F's would give an experience of something closer to the Fijian family run guesthouse v. big foreign operated resort. And the opportunity to explore the local natural environment unguided v. planned leisure. I thoroughly enjoyed Octopus, but kept on the move.

I agree that putting the teens in the dorm would solve the small bure problem at Octopus. Travelers of all ages use the dorm.

Actually, I didn't think the bure was small at Octopus, but it just slept 3. (double + twin)

After several days in one resort, you might consider renting a car when you get back to Viti Levu. From Nadi it's a 3-4 hr drive to Suva, and you can stay in a number of places in your budget in or around Suva. Then maybe take the northern route back to Nadi a couple of days later, but plan on an overnight on the north coast to break up the very long day. Just an alternate suggestion to Nadi/Lautoka...

re #8. My friends put their 2 teenage daughters in their bure with them when the dorm was full - they fitted (just) but with a queen size & 2 single beds & all their luggage in the room there was no room to move.

I see on the Octopus website that they have 3 "private lodges " for " couples who would rather not stay in Dormitory" - what are these like?

They are just new this year so I haven't seen them yet. Erected so they could retire the tents - small bures near the dorm which use dorm facilities.