My wife and I are trying to find a very romantic, first-class getaway for our 20 year anniversary. We are looking for a very nice, non-commercial resort with privacy, but not so isolated that there is nothing to do.

We have been looking at the various options for ocean front villas with private pools and wait staffs. Since we have never been to the South Pacific, we are really in need of some advice.

http://www.turtlefiji.com/

Thanks Sam! Turtle Island looks great! What about Namale? Any thoughts? We were also looking for a private pool.

http://www.taveuniislandresort.com

we went there for our honeymoon in 2001 and loved it! Privacy, and we found plenty to do- I guess it depends on what kind of things you want to do!
Tell us where you pick!

Yasawa Island Lodge is my "best ever Fiji" resort(and they have a wonderful pool). I've also heard good things about Namale. We did not enjoy our visit to Turtle.

Sezm,

Did you stay in the Matalau Villa while staying at Taveuni? What were your thoughts re: the Villa, the privacy, the private pool, the beach, etc?

Thanks for your help!!!

romparoundtexas- no we didn't stay in the Matalau villa- it wasn't built then! (it's only new)- we didn't even get to stay in one of the luxury bures because we had a short engagement & they were booked by the time we booked our honeymoon - the Matalau sounds even better!
But we loved it anyway & when we were there, we we felt like had the place to ourselves anyway, our bure was lovely, even without our private pool, there was only one time when we went to use the pool that someone else was there (and only for 20 minutes ) - so the other bures must be even better!
the beach was peaceful, and we went kayaking to another island, and walks, and motor-boated to another island to ourselves for a day with picnic lunch- i recommend it!, food was really good- i'm a vegetarian and they cooked whatever i wanted- but my husband the meat-lover was very happy too.
The staff were very friendly & helpful- they even delayed mowing the lawn several hours one day because we slept in!!
the whole place was like a postcard, truly!
hope I answered your questions!

Hi,
You should really check out Taveuni Palms at www.fiji.taveunipalms.com

They have everything you have mentioned you want and more. You have romance, privacy (including your own private pool) you have the entire property to yourselves and there is a lot to do on Taveuni so you can keep busy if you want.

Good luck with your decision!

Yasawa, Namale, Beqa - are all delightful. Beqa is a prime dive resort - but they also cater to non-divers. Yasawa is spectacular. I personally did not like Turtle.

Service, food, beach were the best at Vatulele (no private pool though). Namale was romantic (Nanise bure)and private, they have since built some bures with private pools but I think Nanise would be hard to beat with your own private bridge out to a deck. But the beach there was not so great. Turtle was my first trip to Fiji so of course I loved it but not as much after I compared it to Namale & especially Vatulele. Not as much privacy, too much on the communal concept for me. Now if Katafunga would just open up, it looks like it just may be the ultimate.

Vatulele has a magnificent lagoon (with excellent diving) but no pool other than a Grand Bure opening in July and THE POINT which has two pools. This is probably the best resort villa in the south pacific. Both premium villas have their own dedicated staff. www.vatulele.com
Good luck. BB

Namale does not have a beach and that may or may not be an issue for you
BB

Another vote for Yasawa if you are looking for a private location on a lovely little island. Check out their website and see what you think.

Have also been interested in Katafanga ( as Peggy mentions ) but was not aware that they have still not opened the resort. I believe the original date of completion was almost a year ago.

DJE, you're right, Katafanga was supposed to open Jun 2003 & it just keeps getting pushed out, so it makes you wonder what the problems are & I know I wouldn't want to be among the first visitors!

I wonder what could be so scary to be among the first visitors of a new resort....especially when one has no idea at all what it would be like, Peggy. I think that being first in a new place is a great opportunity for freshness and contribution. If you wonder why Katafanga is not opne or what is going on there, email them and ask them.
Speculation is the stuff of the lazy!

Personally i loved Namale, liked Turtle when it was good (way back when) and think Yasawa Island Resort is great.

For something absolutely First Class, private & exclusive, have a look at
Myola Plantation - the villa is out of this world.