Paradise Taveuni Resort

Oh my gosh - this place is AMAZING! Just one of the best places I"ve ever been. The staff are what make it so special - to say they go out of their way to help is an understatement. They learn your names - never ever make you feel like you are a nuisance or in the way - they help you out with finding stuff that you should never have lost in the first place - there are no words for how they make you feel a part of their family - there are too many exceptional experiences to share them all - but suffice it to say the room was incredible - luxurious with a really hot outdoor shower and bath tub - the food was absolutely brilliant - lots of choice - with pre ordering lunch and dinner meant it came really quick even though were were a group of 16 divers - and the dive school was just SOOOOO IMPRESSIVE - I can really recommend them - full valet diving - they even take your fins off as you get onto the ladder - the diving was brilliant with mantas and sharks and healthy beautiful corals with so much to see - the dive shop manager was so welcoming and again - just so helpful. The staff work really long hours - but they really show up with smiles all around - they make your holiday just beyond brilliant. The only area I would change would be the early start to the diving day!! 7.30am!!! But that's just me looking for lazy on holiday! We were diving with Blue Horizon Diving - so a group of strangers initially - who became great friends - all with the help of Paradise Taveuni - and when Blue Horizon go back - I plan to be going with them. Such joy - such fun - such expertise all round.

We went well beyond our usual budget limits for this holiday and it did not disappoint. An absolute gem of a place to stay, beautiful surroundings, wananavu food, wonderful friendly staff and great snorkelling on the house reef. We love wildlife and as well as the great snorkelling there were interesting birds, lizards, butterflies and spiders in the beautifully kept grounds.

We travelled from the UK to Los Angeles and stayed over-night before heading off to Fiji, to break up the journey. The transfer from Nadi to Fiji was really easy – leave the international arrivals and walk towards international departures and then cross the road to the Domestic check in – less than 5 minutes. The flight to Taveuni was about 1 hour 20 minutes – over some beautiful landscapes and the view of Rainbow Reef from above was stunning. After arriving at the airport at Taveuni (very small) and being met for the transfer we headed to the resort, along some interesting roads, but with very beautiful scenery. We stopped off in Somosomo at the supermarket and bought some snacks and tonic (the gin came from duty free), and then continued on our journey – it takes just over an hour to the resort. On arrival we couldn’t have been made more welcome, and that lasted for the whole holiday. We were greeted and given refreshments, an introductory talk, and a foot massage, very refreshing and much needed after our long flight, before being shown to our room, an Oceanfront Vale. The room was spacious, with a sofa, and included indoor and outdoor shower (shower gel, shampoo and conditioner) provided. A fridge with water, replenished daily, or just pop to the bar and they will refill the bottles for you. Tea and coffee making facilities were also provided. We bought the 7 day wi-fi packages from the hotel reception and this worked well. The food was really nice, lots to choose from for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dress is casual for all meals, if you are unsure what to take with you. There is a laundry service, which came back the same day if you handed it in early in the morning. The resort is not big, and the grounds are beautiful and well kept. There is an infinity pool, which has sun loungers and umbrellas, and the palm trees also act as sun shades. I went to the spa several times and the massages were amazing, so relaxing, I could have stayed there all day! The ‘events’ during the day are a little hit and miss, but it’s Fijian time and a holiday so didn’t really matter, but if you get the chance to take part in the Lovo afternoon – do it – it is well worth it. It is then followed by the Fijian night (once a week) which gets everybody together and taking part – a really lovely evening. The resort was recommended for the diving, especially The White Wall – which bloomed whilst we were there - which was amazing, and the corals were really colourful along with the really big shoals of small fish. The dive staff could not do enough for you and were so friendly and helpful it made diving a dream. The trips to the dive sites took about an hour each way and the other divers that we dove with were incredibly friendly, making the trips to the dive sites pass quickly. The dive staff set up your equipment for you for both dives – you just had to check that you had everything and that everything was working and set up as you wanted. Each dive group had about 6 people in it, meaning that you all had ‘space and time' to see everything. Water was provided, along with a snack for between dives. We were also lucky enough to see a pod of Pilot Whales when we headed out one morning. We did a day trip to the Bouma Waterfalls and the International Date Line, which was really enjoyable, and we got to see more of the island. We were provided with lunch and water, and towels in case you want to swim at the waterfall. All organised via reception. We also went for a walk: leave the resort – passing the bakery at the entrance, and turn right. Walk along the coast road to the local school, about 20 minutes. We then continued on a little further and came to the hut and sign for the next village and then we turned around and came back – just over an hour (about 2 miles) – stopping off at the bakery for some of their delicious buns. If you’re into the night sky – go into outside shower late at night (strange as it might seem - it's the darkest place) and look up at the millions of stars and the Milky Way. The leaving ‘ceremony’ was so touching I really didn’t want to leave. We then headed back to LA for another over-night stop, before returning to the UK. From start to finish this resort, and its staff – all of whom could not do enough for us - was a true Paradise. Thank you.

Lots to do in and around this lush setting at the edge of an oceanfront cliff, whether or not you're a diver. We took the Discover Scuba Course, and my husband enjoyed it so much that he got certified when we later went to Nacula island in the Yasawas. Both Christine and Allan were wonderful, patient instructors, and Alusio explained everything clearly, but I decided to stick to snorkeling, which is wonderful just off the pier. I had an excellent massage each day, at the hands of Kata, Nono, and Ili. One morning after breakfast, we walked past the bakery, turned right onto the main road, and took a pleasant waterside stroll to the local school and village. Another day, we took the Island Hopping trip to snorkel at Rainbow Reef before being treated to a beach picnic and an elaborate meke (drumming, dancing, and singing performance) on Kioa Island. The Polynesian inhabitants (who look very different from indigenous Fijians) arrived in 1946, when people from the island of Tuvalu purchased Kioa from the Fijian government and founded the community with 37 settlers. We spent our last day touring the dense, flourishing island of Taveuni, including a fantastic trip to Bouma Waterfall and the natural rock slide with several excellent guides. The only reason I didn't give Paradise Taveuni five stars is that there was a bit too much confusion about the timing of events. I waited an hour for my first massage, and we didn't get to attend the school visit or the lovo feast, even though they were part of the package we had booked. However, Flo, Penelope, and other staff members were great about trying to work things out for us.

The staff and service is second to none in this price range. Food can be improved. Diving facility and team very good . In this price range it gets 5 out of 5 overall. Staff will go out of their way to make your stay comfortable. The facility is clean and comfortable