semi-affordable place in fiji?
 

I have looked at some of the web sites for some of the fiji places recommended--they seem to cost in the range of $775-$1000 per day--is there something somewhat cheaper but still fairly nice?

YES! I totally understand your frustration! I've been trying to price things myself - between Costco and calling Travel Agents. When you call - you definitely will get better than the rack rate on a website.

That said - so far, I've had great luck with www.south-seas-adventures.com and www.costco.com

Call either, if you're looking to find deals. I've found a few resorts I like for around $300/night: Matangi Island Resort and Toberua Island Resort. If you want to spend more, my next choices were: Qamea and Taveuni, which ran about $600/night. BTW - those #'s include full meals, so that's a savings right there, I think.

If you're spending upwards of $800-1000/night, you better be staying at swank resorts like Yasawa or Nukubati or Katafanga or Namale or Vatulele.

Good luck!

Take at look at Matangi Island www.matangiisland.com. Their rates start at $310/night per couple. The rates per couple including air transport from US are in the $500 range for 7 night specials. My wife and I like this small family owned private island.

Wow. The prices you guys are quoting are unbelievably high! I spent months in Fiji and stayed at various resorts, paying nothing like the rates you're quoting. I think the problem, to be honest, is that you're pricing trips through agents/sites in the US. Rates are therefore higher. If you actually call the resorts and ask for their local rates, you'll get much cheaper options. Also, I think you might want to consider buying airfare and hotel separately. For example, on South Seas website they have a Matangi island 7 night basic oceanfront bure package for $2374USD per person. If you actually go to Matangi's website, there's a better package (that includes some tours, etc) for $1880AUD per person (or around $1000USD per person if converted). If you go to their North American package page, their price (including airfare from LAX) and the special tours is only $2045USD per person.

Hope this helps...I've never been a huge fan of US travel agents as with a little bit of research, you can usually get better rates yourself.

PixieChick, I guess I am a little confused by your post. My post and the one before me indicated that Matangi without a special rates was charging around $300/day for two which is around $1,050 per person for 7 days however there are pay 5 days stay 7 deals. Your post said about the same thing. Also I indicated that from the US including air from the West Coast and air in Fiji and transfers to the island the day rate for a 7 day package would be in the $500 a day range for two people. This is in accord with your $2045 per person rate quoted in your post which figures about $584/day for two. This is indeed one of the best values in Fiji. We have stayed for less and not as good. In Fiji you get what you pay for. For some unknown reason Qamea is more expensive. We have visited the island and we prefer Matangi. However Qamea has a nice location and many fans. Most other up scale resorts are much higher but there are specials if you know where to look. Most upscale properties in Fiji have exclusive hotel reps. They are the proper people to deal with and they are the ones you normally reach from the resort web site phone numbers. All other agents deal through them. Yes you might save some money if you can cover your own air fare at better rates than the contracted fares and no doubt if you call direct the property you might get a better rate. In line with the first post, I see Turtle Island is $5750 pp 7 days including air from LAX and Seaplane which is $1643/day for two. They do include all of the fine wines and booze you want and diving. I think all of the rates mentioned in the first post are typical of top places top places and about $300 to $500/day for two is about the least you can expect to pay for places that are still of similar quality but less reknown.

Of all the places we've stayed in Fiji Navini Island Resort is our favorite. The deluxe honeymoon bure which includes a jacuzzi is only $325 per night for two. They have cheaper bures as well you can spend as little as $200 per night for two. Three meals a day cost about $45. The beach is amzing, the staff is incredible and the island is surrounded by a reef so the snorkling is great. Go to their website and you can book directly.

Considering that the hotel staff earn about $2.50 per hour I have never been able to understand why Fiji is such an expensive place. I know food etc has to be transported to the islands but a few companies have the monopoly for this. It's so overpriced and the places you are quoting are the most expensive. The accomodation packages are much cheaper from New Zealand and I feel with these prices you guys are getting ripped off.