Yasawas in January--A quiet budget resort??

I've read the posts that Yasawas is a tourist nightmare but I've also read that it's the driest area in Fiji in January. Can anyone recommend a quiet budget hostel/resort/inn for a middle aged couple to just chill out for a week? Also, would you pay the extra money to get air con in January?

"I've read the posts that Yasawas is a tourist nightmare" - not sure where you read that !! Ive just come back from there and whilst the resort where we stayed (Octopus on Waya Is) was just for tourists, I sure wouldnt call it a nightmare

"it's the driest area in Fiji in January. " - maybe, but Jan is the wettest time of the year and traditionally also cyclone season, though its been 5 or 6 years since the last one.

"would you pay the extra money to get air con in January? " - wwe didnt need it in July, but did appreciate the overhead fan. In Jan it would be humid, so air con would indeed be good. That said, anyplace in Fiji with air con is likely to be touristy.

Well by "tourist nightmare" I guess in my case it would be lots of loud bars and not much more than a beach scene. We are limited to January because that's when we are headed to NZ and this is a freebie stopover so we hate to miss the opportunity.

"lots of loud bars" - that describes nowhere in Fiji

Head to Nananu-I-Ra, much nicer, less drunken mobs and very chilled. Beaches are nice and the snorkling is OK. It'll take 4 hours by bus to the docks and a wicked 20 min ride over on a speedboat.

If this is not too late for you, seeing your first post is in July..
Firstly - can't agree with Nananu-i-ra - and I've been there several times, last time 2008. Yes, it's quiet, but very quiet! You are likely to have lots of wind - it's renowned for that, and the beaches are nothing like the Yasawas.
I agree with mandja - Octopus would be a good choice, and I've just visited a new sister resort that is being developed by the Octopus management, further up the Yasawa island chain - try Blue Lagoon Beach Resort. They don't open until late December this year, but it's a great spot, lovely beach, very good snorkelling right off the beach. You are welcome to PM me for more information &/or photos.