Yasawa island Resort
 

Hi!
I am ready to make a booking on Yasawa Island Resort for the next October, but still I have some doubts about the resort service.
Have anyone stayed there? I am not considering Vatulele or Turtle because I need to disconect form other people, so not communal dinnig or even pre-dinner drinks!!
I would like to have and outstanding service, I do not know if I can get it in Yasawa Island Resort.
Do they have "beach service"?
During the picnic trip to any deserted beaches do they give you a walkie-talkie? Is the laundry service included?
It seems a lot of questions, but those are very important for me!
A lot, lot of thanks,

I just returned yesterday from a 7-night stay at Yasawa Island Resort. My main reason for going there was for the reports on the incredible snorkeling right off the beach. The service was outstanding. You can request all meals be sent to your bure, if this is your preference. You can also have your meals set up on the beach, by the pool or some other near by location, with reasonable notice. I do not know what you mean by "beach service", but you can have drinks served by the pool or sent to your bure. My husband and I also did several beach picnics. You will be taken by boat (weather permitting) to one of several secluded beach locations, along with a picnic lunch (usually cheese/cracker plate, fruit plate, sandwiches, gourmet cookies and a variety of drinks). The staff will also set up an umbrella, large grass mat and 2 beach chairs. You will also receive a radio and first aid kit for picnics. If you prefer a deserted island for your picnic, you should try and reserve this 2-3 days before, as this is the most popular choice. The most requested deserted island is Yawini Island, and we were very fortunate to have one of our picnics there. Yawini Island had the best snorkeling spots.

Lastly, the resort does provide laundry service, however this is at an additional fee. I believe it was pretty reasonable, ranging from $1 FD for one underwear, $3 FD for one T-shirt to $5 FD for one dress. There is no dry cleaning service on the island.

Also when planning, Friday nights are the Lovo Feasts and Meke dancing by the staff from the villages. Sundays have very limited activities at the resort, as this is their day of rest, but we were still provided with wonderful meals on Sunday.

If there is anything else you are wondering about, I would be happy to answer those questions. However, there were some other "extras" we were unaware of before our arrival, and those should be left as a nice little surprise to all future guests.

Dear "Islandgurl",
Thanks very much for your kind reply. It looks you really enjoyed your stay at Yasawa! That is a very good signal!
Thanks again,

Just to add a note, at Vatulele you can dine the same as at Yasawa, all private, in your bure or private island or gazebo, beach, wine celler if you chose. We did very little communal dining, though what we did we enjoyed, and some honeymoon couples we saw just coming in & not again til they left! Though service is great, it is a more relaxed service & atmosphere than you find in cosmopolitan cities. Turtle was too communal for us, though beautiful.

I read the response by the people visiting Yasawa, and have to say we had the same experience at Turtle.

Yes, there is communal dining, but I think the negative posters here are exaggerating.

Usually your first meal is with the group, but you DO have the choice of several solo meal adventures...so you don't technically have to dine with anyone after your "introduction."

Every Bure has a personal "valet," who will not only do your laundry and stock your fridge, they'll arrange any romantic adventure you can dream up. They all use walkies, so communication is easy. We found that several guests have been coming back for years, and consider their "Bure Manager" part of the family. Josie (sp?) is probably the most requested "Bure Mgr" on the island.

The Bure's are very carefully laid out...so you don't run into people very often.

The island is also large for the area, so you can take day trips to remote beaches (you have to reserve them, but it guarantees you privacy).

I have to wonder how anti-social a person has to be that the communal aspect bothers them so much. If you want total privacy, rent an island. We actually found ourselves sharing most of our meals, because the group was small, and interesting. And the local Fijians on Turtle are absolutely the most beautiful souls we have ever met.

2 suggestions:
Ask for the Honeymoon Bure...it's worth the extra $$.

Arrange a night under the stars. Your Bure Mgr. will have a comfy mattress placed on a remote dock...so after your private meal, you can just curl up on the dock with only a hurricane lamp and the stars...ahhhhhhhhhh!

About this:
"...I have to wonder how anti-social a person has to be that the communal aspect bothers them so much. If you want total privacy, rent an island. "
I must say:
Y you do like the "communal aspect" why you do not go to Vatulele with your friends? At least you choose them, or not?
I do not think is correct your answer...for me is excellent teh communal dinner, but....can I choose?

About this:
"...I have to wonder how anti-social a person has to be that the communal aspect bothers them so much. If you want total privacy, rent an island. "
I must say:
Y you do like the "communal aspect" why you do not go to Vatulele with your friends? At least you choose them, or not?
I do not think is correct your answer...for me is excellent the communal dinner, but I do not feel like this year, and (may be I am wrong) I can decide the kind of holidays I want, or I do not?

People that are paying that kind of money should be able to chose. It is not a negative post. The question was asked! We enjoy the communal part sometimes but these vacations for us are a part of marriage renewal & we love the privacy. Now, when we went to Turtle (1996) there was only communal breakfast, period. That was what we did not care for. Obviously they have made some changes which I am sure came from vistor input. We had some wonderful group dinners at Mountain top and a great anniversay dinner. But the poster was specifically asking about privacy.