soleil17

My fiance and I are having a hard time deciding where to spend our honeymoon. We had decided on Turtle Island, however the recent reviews have turned us off of this idea (declining food quality, forced group meals amd activities). We are doing a honeymoon registry and are looking for: luxury accomodations at a place with 20 units or less; Adults only; white sand beaches; good snorkeling off the beach and great diving nearby; a wide selection of gourmet food; massages on site; privacy (no forced group dining if we don't feel like sharing our "alone" time!); clear blue water - no mangroves.

Does such a place exist besides in my dreams? I have yet to find a small luxury resort in Tahiti/French Polynesia. Taveuni Palms, Yasawa, Wakaya, Royal Davui, and Vatulele are leading so far in Fiji. Royal Davui looks great but I wonder if the island itself might be a bit small for more than a few days? Taveuni Palms sounds like it fits all of my wishes, except that I have read that the beaches are not so great there.

Our price range is $2500 total/night or under.

Thanks for the input. We really appreciate all of the help.

glenn_col

I can't comment on French Polynesia having not been there, but if you are considering Fiji, your search is over! You should definately stay at Royal Davui Island....the accommodation and snorkeling are spectacular.
There is only 16 bure's on this private island....no day trippers allowed, and only couples (NO children). We have been to many islands in the world snorkeling and we found this to be the best we have seen...masses of coloured fish and spectacular coral STRAIGHT OFF THE BEACH. Most other islands you have to go in a boat to the coral. It is also a marine reserve, so nothing can be removed. Saw a turtle on our first day snorkeling. The snorkeling equipment there is 1st class, so no need to take your own. You only have to look at their web site to see what the rooms are like....my husband got tears in his eyes when we first walked in, he was so overcome. All the bure's are very private, but some more than others, so if you tell them it's your honeymoon and want a very private room, they will be very accommodating. Each bure has its own private plunge pool, which we used quite often during the day...no costumes required.
The food was absolute gourmet, all included in the price. 3 courses each meal with quite a few choices, all served at tables for 2 under a magnificent banyon tree on several tiered decks...you will love it!!
Everyone on the island was unanimous it was the best place they have ever been.
Cost...about $1,000 Australian Dollars a night inclusive of food and all recreational activities...you only have to pay for grog. Advisable to catch the helicopter from Nadi airport and that cost's a bit, but well worth it.
You don't say what time of year you are going, but we were there in October and the weather was perfect, and the temperature of our plunge pool perfect as well. There is also a common pool in the resort. Let me know if you need more info.

soleil17

I am glad to hear a positive review of Royal Davui. I read the Tripadvisor postings and had nearly eliminated it. We are looking to go in June. The Tripadvisor reviews had said that the plunge pools and pool were always too cold to use...have they now added heating? Did you try any of the spa treatments? The reviews said that they were horrible. People also complained that the beach was rocky versus sand and that the staff doesn't inform guests about any of the possible activities. Did you find that to be the case?

How long did you spend there? The island looks so small that I was a bit worried about spending 7-10 days there.

Btw...the Royal Davui transport helicopter crashed this week. Fortunately, none of the passengers were killed but it appears that there were some injuries.

Thanks for the great feedback!

glenn_col

We stayed 6 days (pay 5) at Royal Davui and thought that was just about the right time, bearing in mind there is no night life to speak of, only what you make yourselves between the guest's, but as most are honeymooners they tended to take off back to their bure's after dinner. (We all met at about 6.30pm for happy hour each night around the bar and socialised until about 7.30 - 8pm before dinner.)
We had also read on Tripadvisor about the plunge pools being cold, but in October they were absolutely perfect as it was still hot at night, so don't know what it would be like in June.
There are small beaches around the island, the largest one being right in front of the resort and pool, and never a problem getting a lounge chair under a shady tree any time of day...same around the pool, and as there are so few guests on the island at once, everyone mixes really well. I was aso worried about the sand on the beach, but it is fine.
As for activities, they are posted on a billboard daily in the restaurant....obviously the management have read previous reports and have their act together. If you go there, be sure to book yourselves onto the sandspit for breakfast or lunch (depending on the tide at the time)...they drop one couple per day off with a picnic basket, umbrella and chairs, snorkelling gear etc, give you a phone, and you ring them when you want to go back....you are way out in the middle of the ocean out of sight of the island....very romantic! Be sure to book as soon as you get there.
We didn't try the spa treatments.
On the same trip we did a week on the Captain Cook Cruise visiting all the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, snorkeling twice a day, but found that Royal Davui was by far the best.
I would suggest you spend half your time on another island if you want a little more action than Royal Davui.
Have fun, let us know where you end up booking and if we can be of more help.

soleil17

Does anyone have experience with the Lomalagi Bure at Yasawa or the Vale Viqi/Grand Bure at Vatulele?

I'm wondering if they are worth the extra money versus the wonderful review of Royal Davui that has been posted here.

Thanks again!

katiekate

I, too am very interested in the same properties albeit not for a honeymoon but, rather a special birthday in September. So, if and when you decide, please share with us. What have you heard about the weather that time of year? Our friends spent a week at Wadigi and absolutely LOVED it. Have you heard of it? It's a private island allowing only one set of guests per visit. (I think) I think what they loved the most were the owners and staff. They still keep in touch with them.
Do you mind me asking where you'll be flying from? We will be leaving from Dallas.
I looked at The Point at Vatulele and it looks pretty spectacular.

katiekate

topping

soleil17

We're flying from Madrid...a bit more difficult of a routing. We haven't decided whether to go via LAX or via Asia yet.

katiekate

What month are you planning on traveling? Keep us posted about your decision and please send us a trip report when you get home.
While researching, did you consider Fiji or Tahiti?
Happy Honeymoon!! Cogratulations.

soleil17

We were looking at going in June, but will probably postpone until September now due to work reasons.

We looked at Tahiti briefly, but we're looking for something a bit more intimate and private. All of the Tahiti resorts are much larger than we prefer for our honeymoon.

katiekate

Did you consider Fiji?

global1974

For ultimate luxury and a taste of unspoilt paradise you should consider the island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. We have travelled the world many times over in search of places like this one. We stayed at Pacific Resort Aituktai the resort is very similar to the Bora Bora Lagoon and Spa only that it is not part of a mass tourism destination and oddly enough much cheaper.
The bungalows are all on the beach and very private, you can not see from one to the other (we loved that we could relax and not worry that our neighbours would catch a peak of what we were up to in paradise)...
The other resorts we saw on the island are ok but not of international luxury standards. Best if you try Aitutaki you stick with Pacific Resort Aitutaki which is in the same class of resorts you mention such as Turtle, Vatulele, Yasawa, etc...here are some of the websites we found helpful before travelling www.cook-islands.com and www.pacificresort.com
good luck with your dreamtime paradise hunting!

travelbugger77

I went to Fiji and loved it. I heard Tahiti is expensive. the differences between Fiji and tahiti I read up on at this blog before I decided and thought it was very informative.
http://fijihoneymoonsortahitihoneymoon.blogspot.com/