Best luxury resort for diving
Jul 26th, 2003 | 07:59 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16
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Best luxury resort for diving
We, my husband and I, are planning a 10 day trip to Fiji in May and are looking for an upscale resort with great diving. A "house reef" for snorkelling would also be great. Diving and snorkelling are our top priorities so, while pampering is great ,we'd be willing to sacrifice this for an excellent underwater experience. Any help picking a resort would be appreciated. We are currently considering Jean-Michele Cousteau's Resort, Matangi, Yasawa Resort, and possibly Vatulele but the notion of communal dining doesn't appeal to us.
Jul 31st, 2003 | 06:02 AM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 596
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Silver - we went to Matangi as non-divers. There were lots of returning people there who were strictly divers and loved it. It is a fabulous place. I am sure you have read a lot about it in a text search. The Cousteau resort is up for bids right now on www.luxurylink.com. If you can get the right time frame this is a great way to buy a vacation. We bid on an Amazon cruise last year and everything went perfectly. Other Fiji resorts come up at times also. Check it out.
Jul 31st, 2003 | 08:48 AM
#7
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2
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I just returned on MOnday from Fiji and I highly, highly recommend Cousteau. Everything about the resort was incredible...the food, the staff,the accomodations, the diving was excellent! It was an extremely well organized and professional dive operation with a great boat, a great staff and some great spots to explore.
We purchased the accomodations from Luxury Link and if you can hold out for a good deal, I've been watching the auctions and you may be able to get 7 nights for under $2000. Compared to the rack rate, that is amazing.
There was some pretty nice snorkeling off the pier too but the diving is so close and so great. Once a week they do a trip to this eco-marine reserve called Namenalala (that's where the rustic resort "Moody's Namena" is located. It's about an hour ride out but well worth the trip. We were in a channel feeding from the Koro Sea to the reef and just hung out watching large schools of pelagics just cruise by. And, we saw a humpback whale and got in with our snorkel gear..it was amazing.
Seriously, you can not go wrong with Cousteau. I am so waiting to go back soon! Feel free to email me to ask me more specific questions. I will be posting some pictures of our trip soon and if you want to see them, let me know.
After Cousteau we headed north to the Nukubati resort (also on Luxury Link) and it SUCKED. I was so disappointed..
Anyways, sorry to ramble.
We purchased the accomodations from Luxury Link and if you can hold out for a good deal, I've been watching the auctions and you may be able to get 7 nights for under $2000. Compared to the rack rate, that is amazing.
There was some pretty nice snorkeling off the pier too but the diving is so close and so great. Once a week they do a trip to this eco-marine reserve called Namenalala (that's where the rustic resort "Moody's Namena" is located. It's about an hour ride out but well worth the trip. We were in a channel feeding from the Koro Sea to the reef and just hung out watching large schools of pelagics just cruise by. And, we saw a humpback whale and got in with our snorkel gear..it was amazing.
Seriously, you can not go wrong with Cousteau. I am so waiting to go back soon! Feel free to email me to ask me more specific questions. I will be posting some pictures of our trip soon and if you want to see them, let me know.
After Cousteau we headed north to the Nukubati resort (also on Luxury Link) and it SUCKED. I was so disappointed..
Anyways, sorry to ramble.
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Jul 31st, 2003 | 06:21 PM
#8
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16
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Steph099 -
Thanks for the reply - you're the first person who's actually been to Cousteau's resort who's replied to this thread. A few questions, if you don't mind:
What kind of accommodations did you stay in?
Do you think it would make sense to spend our entire stay in Fiji at Cousteau's resort? We were thinking of splitting it up and going to perhaps, Yasawa, but maybe it would make more sense to spend less time traveling and packing.
How were the mosquitoes? I'm pretty prone to bites and I'll bring pretty of repellant, but it's not going to keep me from visiting Fiji either.
We were thinking of going in June (you just came back so it would only be a month or two difference from when we would go). What was the weather like? What was the water temp and vis?
YOU SAW A WHALE?!?!?!?! Tell me more!
Would love to hear more about the diving (depths, macro life, conditions (heard the surge can be pretty strong), did you do any night diving, did you do any underwater photography?
If this is too much to post, please email me at [email protected]
Many thanks in advance!
Thanks for the reply - you're the first person who's actually been to Cousteau's resort who's replied to this thread. A few questions, if you don't mind:
What kind of accommodations did you stay in?
Do you think it would make sense to spend our entire stay in Fiji at Cousteau's resort? We were thinking of splitting it up and going to perhaps, Yasawa, but maybe it would make more sense to spend less time traveling and packing.
How were the mosquitoes? I'm pretty prone to bites and I'll bring pretty of repellant, but it's not going to keep me from visiting Fiji either.
We were thinking of going in June (you just came back so it would only be a month or two difference from when we would go). What was the weather like? What was the water temp and vis?
YOU SAW A WHALE?!?!?!?! Tell me more!
Would love to hear more about the diving (depths, macro life, conditions (heard the surge can be pretty strong), did you do any night diving, did you do any underwater photography?
If this is too much to post, please email me at [email protected]
Many thanks in advance!
Aug 1st, 2003 | 11:43 AM
#9
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
STEPH0099,
I'M DYING TO HEAR MORE!! YOU REALLY ARE THE FIRST PERSON ON FODORS TO ACTUALLY REPORT ON A RECENT STAY AT THE JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU RESORT!! MY HUSBAND AND I ARE GOING TO COUSTEAU AND QAMEA IN OCTOBER AND ARE JUST RAVENOUS FOR ANY INFORMATION. AND WHY WAS NUKUBATI BAD? WE ALMOST BOOKED WITH THEM AND AM SO ANXIOUS TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! ANY SPECIFIC DETAILS/PICTURES YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE GREAT!! IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, COULD YOU E-MAIL ME YOUR TRIP REPORT/PICS? MY ADDRESS IS [email protected].
CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE INFO! I PROMISE TO POST A REPLY OF QAMEA/COUSTEAU AS WELL UPON OUR RETURN.
LOVE,
JULES
P.S. I TOO, AM CURIOUS AS TO THE MOSQUITO PROBLEM. I'M ALLERGIC SO AM TRYING TO PREPARE MYSELF BEFORE BEING EATEN ALIVE. ALSO, ARE YOU DIVERS? WE ARE CERTIFIED AND ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE DIVING CONDITIONS TOO. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP STEPH!
I'M DYING TO HEAR MORE!! YOU REALLY ARE THE FIRST PERSON ON FODORS TO ACTUALLY REPORT ON A RECENT STAY AT THE JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU RESORT!! MY HUSBAND AND I ARE GOING TO COUSTEAU AND QAMEA IN OCTOBER AND ARE JUST RAVENOUS FOR ANY INFORMATION. AND WHY WAS NUKUBATI BAD? WE ALMOST BOOKED WITH THEM AND AM SO ANXIOUS TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! ANY SPECIFIC DETAILS/PICTURES YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE GREAT!! IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, COULD YOU E-MAIL ME YOUR TRIP REPORT/PICS? MY ADDRESS IS [email protected].
CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE INFO! I PROMISE TO POST A REPLY OF QAMEA/COUSTEAU AS WELL UPON OUR RETURN.
LOVE,
JULES
P.S. I TOO, AM CURIOUS AS TO THE MOSQUITO PROBLEM. I'M ALLERGIC SO AM TRYING TO PREPARE MYSELF BEFORE BEING EATEN ALIVE. ALSO, ARE YOU DIVERS? WE ARE CERTIFIED AND ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE DIVING CONDITIONS TOO. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP STEPH!
Aug 28th, 2003 | 02:40 AM
#10
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
In July my wife and I stayed at three resorts during our 18 day (2nd) trip to Fiji: Cousteaus, Qamea Resort & Spa, and Matangi Island Resort. This is my take on all three.
Cousteaus is great. The food is "good" to "excellent", the service is "excellent", the diving is "good" (but excellent if you are ready to spend an hour in open water to get the best dive sites", and snorkelling is "good". The bures are well appointed, not luxurious, but you will not be disappointed by any stretch of the imagination. The beaches are mostly tidal and not very user friendly. The beachfront bures are a long ways from the beach, and forget the Garden Bures, no privacy at all. I would say this is the best resort in Fiji if you are bringing children, because there are everywhere having a good time, but also making a lot of noise. We ejoyed our time there, but it was not as relaxing as we would have liked. Secondly we went to Matangi. Their food was average to good, their beaches okay, and their service was less than acceptable. I felt that there were some management issues, because the staff did not seem happy. (this was a huge contrast from Cousteaus where the staff were meticulously trained and always there with a big Fijian smile on their face, ready to help out in any way they could). Matangi's bures were "tired", orange bedspreads with blue linen, and the showers had very little water pressure. On the plus side, their diving operation was excellent. Our last stop was Qamea Resort and Spa, where we spent 7 nights. This is truly a botique and luxury hotel, and only charging 4 star prices. They have a long white sand beach, not as good as Yasawa where we were 2 years ago, but still excellent. The two new owners live on the property, and also have a full management team, but are very much involved with the resort. All the bures are traditional, with high ceilings, face the beach, have air conditioning (a must!), excellent food, and a few things that set them apart - on arrival at the airport we were met by their driver in a new Land Rover Discovery, very classy! Then transported to their private boat landing. When we arrived on the Island, we were instantly made to feel at home. On our first night after a beautiful dinner of Mud Crab and serlion steak, we found a questionairre on our pillow from turn down service - with a personal letter from the owners asking for our initial views and opinions of the resort and how it was going generally, so in the event something was wrong they would have an opportunity to fix it so that our stay would be the best possible. This was a wonderful touch. Also at turn down service every night we received an issue of the Qamea Times - with the weather report, the menu for the following day, all activities, a Fijian word that we would be quizzed on at breakfast, and lots more. The bures have all recently completed extensive renovations, and are superb. Huge bathrooms with outdoor showers - the best I have seen. The beds have high quality white cotten linens and hypoallergenic pillows, another nice touch.
In summary, I loved Cousteau's, but as I was not travelling with my children, I would not choose this resort. Matangi was nice, but not worth the money. Qamea captured our hearts. No matter where you choose, you will be happy. I love Fiji!
Cousteaus is great. The food is "good" to "excellent", the service is "excellent", the diving is "good" (but excellent if you are ready to spend an hour in open water to get the best dive sites", and snorkelling is "good". The bures are well appointed, not luxurious, but you will not be disappointed by any stretch of the imagination. The beaches are mostly tidal and not very user friendly. The beachfront bures are a long ways from the beach, and forget the Garden Bures, no privacy at all. I would say this is the best resort in Fiji if you are bringing children, because there are everywhere having a good time, but also making a lot of noise. We ejoyed our time there, but it was not as relaxing as we would have liked. Secondly we went to Matangi. Their food was average to good, their beaches okay, and their service was less than acceptable. I felt that there were some management issues, because the staff did not seem happy. (this was a huge contrast from Cousteaus where the staff were meticulously trained and always there with a big Fijian smile on their face, ready to help out in any way they could). Matangi's bures were "tired", orange bedspreads with blue linen, and the showers had very little water pressure. On the plus side, their diving operation was excellent. Our last stop was Qamea Resort and Spa, where we spent 7 nights. This is truly a botique and luxury hotel, and only charging 4 star prices. They have a long white sand beach, not as good as Yasawa where we were 2 years ago, but still excellent. The two new owners live on the property, and also have a full management team, but are very much involved with the resort. All the bures are traditional, with high ceilings, face the beach, have air conditioning (a must!), excellent food, and a few things that set them apart - on arrival at the airport we were met by their driver in a new Land Rover Discovery, very classy! Then transported to their private boat landing. When we arrived on the Island, we were instantly made to feel at home. On our first night after a beautiful dinner of Mud Crab and serlion steak, we found a questionairre on our pillow from turn down service - with a personal letter from the owners asking for our initial views and opinions of the resort and how it was going generally, so in the event something was wrong they would have an opportunity to fix it so that our stay would be the best possible. This was a wonderful touch. Also at turn down service every night we received an issue of the Qamea Times - with the weather report, the menu for the following day, all activities, a Fijian word that we would be quizzed on at breakfast, and lots more. The bures have all recently completed extensive renovations, and are superb. Huge bathrooms with outdoor showers - the best I have seen. The beds have high quality white cotten linens and hypoallergenic pillows, another nice touch.
In summary, I loved Cousteau's, but as I was not travelling with my children, I would not choose this resort. Matangi was nice, but not worth the money. Qamea captured our hearts. No matter where you choose, you will be happy. I love Fiji!
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