Fiji??

DAWNS423

Hello ladies,
I have read a few posts about Fiji but have some other questions for any of you that have gone there or are planning on going for your honeymoon. We have not made any definite decisions but with have spoken with our travel agent and Fiji seems to be the place we are leaning towards. She sent me two places that she recommends for us and I am just wondering what your thoughts on these two places are.

http://www.namalefiji.com/

http://www.likulikulagoon.com/home.cfm

I have done some research on both these places and they both seem to be amazing. Namale is AI so its definitely a plus for us. However, when I think Fiji I vision the crystal clear water and amazing views. I really don't get that when I look at the pictures from tripadvisor.

Would any of you ladies recommend staying elsewhere to get this vision or is one of these two places exactly what we are looking for? Any advice you can give on Fiji at all would greatly be appreciated!

jhg140

We were thinking about doing Fiji as well - Likuliku to be exact. When we found a travel agent, we told her the resort we were interested in, and for sh*ts and giggles, asked for pricing for comparable resorts in Bora Bora. Surprisingly, Bora Bora was less expensive, with both Fiji and the Bora Bora resorts including breakfast/dinner (no alcohol). I believe the exchange rate in Fiji is more favorable to the US dollar, so we will be hurting in terms of alcohol purchases, but Bora Bora was always our first choice and we were glad tolearn it was more affordable. Look at pictures of Bora Bora resorts on TripAdvisor, and I think you will find the crystal clear lagoons and gorgeous views you are looking for. Plus overwater huts!

We are staying at the IC Thalasso next March, for reference. The package was significantly cheaper than Likuliku

DAWNS423

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_fiji-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:11018ffd-5460-44e0-95ea-e116b5a7d81fPost:b29f3ed6-7341-499e-90d3-fecf63b5cb5d">Re: Fiji??</a>:
[QUOTE]We were thinking about doing Fiji as well - Likuliku to be exact. When we found a travel agent, we told her the resort we were interested in, and for sh*ts and giggles, asked for pricing for comparable resorts in Bora Bora. Surprisingly, Bora Bora was less expensive, with both Fiji and the Bora Bora resorts including breakfast/dinner (no alcohol). I believe the exchange rate in Fiji is more favorable to the US dollar, so we will be hurting in terms of alcohol purchases, but Bora Bora was always our first choice and we were glad tolearn it was more affordable. Look at pictures of Bora Bora resorts on TripAdvisor, and I think you will find the crystal clear lagoons and gorgeous views you are looking for. Plus overwater huts! We are staying at the IC Thalasso next March, for reference. The package was significantly cheaper than Likuliku
Posted by jhg140[/QUOTE]

Wow really?? Bora Bora was originally what we wanted but our agent said that Fiji would be cheaper to do....I will have to ask her about this place and see what she says! Thanks so much for the info...

Jells2dot0

I've been to both Bora Bora and Fiji. I spent WAY less money in Fiji. However, it really depends on the resorts you choose. I have spent time at LikuLiku. The OWBs there are not even comparable to those in French Polynesia. However, they do include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you can snag a deal in Bora Bora for breakfast and dinner included, you will save a ton of money. I thought LikuLiku was nice, and a bit smaller than most of the resorts in Bora Bora, but my preference there would be the deluxe beach bure. Namale is nice, but is not quite as authentic in feeling as some of the other Fijian Resorts. However, it will be on par luxury wise with LikuLiku. Also very popular is Royal Davui and Vatulele. Yasawa and Tokoriki are also nice. However, if you really want that crystal blue water, French Polynesia is the place to go! I've been to most of the tourist class islands there and the water is a million times bluer. The best water, IMO, can be found in Bora Bora or Tikehau. Overall, you will get more for your money in Fiji, depending on what you choose. Also, the Fijians are so warm and so welcoming, so that is something to consider as well. Fiji also has many private island resorts, with 10-15 bures. You can't really find a resort that small in Tahiti, except for Vahine Island in Taha'a. So, if budget is of concern and you can't get complimentary meals in Tahiti, Fiji may be the answer. If your budget is flexible and water color is most important, go with Tahiti.

Cinderella30

How long are you going for?  Are you thinking of visiting two different resorts while you're there?  When we started searching and comparing we found that our money went much further in Fiji than BoraBora.  Our HM was in Fiji and we stayed at Namale and Royal Davui.  They were both awesome and beautiful yet different.  Royal Davui is essentially an island with some amazing snorkeling.  It's a semi-inclusive resort which means that alcoholic drinks are not included.  The people definitely made us feel like we were experiencing Fiji.  The weather was absolutely stunning and you have the opportunity to picnic at a sandbar....the tide was too high when we booked it so we didn't get to experience it ; (....an excuse for us to go back.  Anyway it's a boat ride from the mainland where you can go ziplining, white water rafting or visit the capital.  Namale is on the smaller island.  While just as amazing the experience was a bit different.  Namale is a full AI...they even have bottles of wine and cold beer ready for you in your mini fridge or at the Kava Bowl...where you can bowl, play pool, golf, watch movies, etc.   While there's a reef at the resort the tide was too high for us to snorkel there so we had to go to a separate location.  The snorkeling at this location wasn't great.  All the activities are included when you stay at Namale.  There's definitely a more luxurious feel to Namale vs. Royal Davui where you have the opportunity to have dinner where you please (beach, blowhole, in your room, etc.).  The resorts were different but the experiences were amazing.  We were going to stay at Likuliku but one of the many complaints was that tide gets very low so it's mostly muddy during the main part of the day.  I think if you want OWB you might want to try Bora Bora....this wasn't so important to us.  I would recommend Fiji to anyone but if you're planning more than 8 days you may want to experience more than one resort. 

DAWNS423

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_fiji-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:11018ffd-5460-44e0-95ea-e116b5a7d81fPost:faf90d28-eb76-4ca9-a735-5dd0ba54460c">Re: Fiji??</a>:
[QUOTE]How long are you going for?  Are you thinking of visiting two different resorts while you're there?  When we started searching and comparing we found that our money went much further in Fiji than BoraBora.  Our HM was in Fiji and we stayed at Namale and Royal Davui.  They were both awesome and beautiful yet different.  Royal Davui is essentially an island with some amazing snorkeling.  It's a semi-inclusive resort which means that alcoholic drinks are not included.  The people definitely made us feel like we were experiencing Fiji.  The weather was absolutely stunning and you have the opportunity to picnic at a sandbar....the tide was too high when we booked it so we didn't get to experience it ; (....an excuse for us to go back.  Anyway it's a boat ride from the mainland where you can go ziplining, white water rafting or visit the capital.  Namale is on the smaller island.  While just as amazing the experience was a bit different.  Namale is a full AI...they even have bottles of wine and cold beer ready for you in your mini fridge or at the Kava Bowl...where you can bowl, play pool, golf, watch movies, etc.   While there's a reef at the resort the tide was too high for us to snorkel there so we had to go to a separate location.  The snorkeling at this location wasn't great.  All the activities are included when you stay at Namale.  There's definitely a more luxurious feel to Namale vs. Royal Davui where you have the opportunity to have dinner where you please (beach, blowhole, in your room, etc.).  The resorts were different but the experiences were amazing.  We were going to stay at Likuliku but one of the many complaints was that tide gets very low so it's mostly muddy during the main part of the day.  I think if you want OWB you might want to try Bora Bora....this wasn't so important to us.  I would recommend Fiji to anyone but if you're planning more than 8 days you may want to experience more than one resort. 
Posted by Cinderella30[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. We are probably staying 7-8 nights. Would you say that thats enough time for different resorts or only for one?She didn't really mention anything about two different resorts when we spoke about Fiji but I think I like the sound of what you did with those two resorts. Our orginal decision was that we wanted exotic and he really wanted to ziplining. Costa Rica came up for discussion but July was part of their rainy season so we put an end to that and started discussing other ideas. I like that at the Royal you can do the zipling. I guess I would need to speak with our agent and see if doing those two resorts would be in our budget. The OWB isn't so important to us, so Bora Bora isn't our end all be all. I am going to ask her about the IC Thalasso and other resorts there to see what ends up being the cheaper option.

Cinderella if you don't mind pming me with info on yor budget and other details for those two places that would be great! 
 

Jells2dot0

You can't do ziplining in Bora Bora, or any of the other islands in Tahiti. So, if you want to be able to do that, Fiji will be the place. LikuLiku's deluxe beach bures are fantastic. There are not many garden/beach bungalows in Tahiti that can rival them. Maybe only at Le Taha'a, the St. Regis, or the Four Seasons. But, they will be more pricey. If you do decide on Bora Bora, there are a lot of really neat non-OWBs there, which will make the whole trip cost less. Fiji sounds like the place for you, though!

girlinchicago

We did a 12 night wedding/honeymoon in Fiji.  Like lots of other pps, we split our stay between two resorts. We got married and spent a week at Royal Davui, then spent 5 nights at Likuliku. 

With the exception of the food, everything about Royal Davui wins for me.  The food at LL was out of this world good, but the accommodations, service, activities (snorkeling the reef and the sandspit picnic are musts!), etc. at Royal Davui spoiled us for sure.  We felt like we got a true Fiji experience at RD and it's true, the people there are so unbelievably nice.  

Some of the other places I looked into were Taveuni Palms, Qamea, Vatulele, and Namale.  The thing that turned me off to Namale was the fact that they do large corporate conferences there.  I also read some reviews on TripAdvisor and some posts on the knot from brides who had been displaced by conferences or felt like they didn't get the hm experience they wanted because of conferences.  Quickly checked Namale off our list.  

jhg140

Hmmm... we were quoted almost $3k more on an all food inclusive package at Likuliku vs IC Thalasso w/ breakfast and dinner included. I figured that at the end ofthe day, we'd spend the same amount at either location (due to alcohol being so expensive in BB), and we wanted an OWB, so BB it was. Maybe it has something to do with when we are going, as well?

xinabride

We are going to Lomani for 5 nights and Nukubati for 5 nights the end of October. We did a lot of research.

Nukubati is AI and from reviews it seems to have nicer beaches and snorkeling than Namale. I think Nukubati only has 7 rooms too so its gonna be a lot of piece and quet.

It looks like there is a store that you can get to for Lomani and you can pick up wine for your bure so that was a plus of us too.

We went back and forth between Bora Bora and Fiji too but Fiji was a better deal and our friend that went to Bora Bora in December said he regretted not going to Fiji instead. We looked at Likuliku for the over water bures also but the reviews weren't fantastic and the water can be murky when the tide is low. We decided to go to Bora Bora at a later date for a shorter trip. I'm sure what ever you decide though you will have a great time. 

Jells2dot0

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_fiji-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:11018ffd-5460-44e0-95ea-e116b5a7d81fPost:d54199c1-cf11-49f4-8257-b25bea68c258">Re: Fiji??</a>:
[QUOTE]Hmmm... we were quoted almost $3k more on an all food inclusive package at Likuliku vs IC Thalasso w/ breakfast and dinner included. I figured that at the end ofthe day, we'd spend the same amount at either location (due to alcohol being so expensive in BB), and we wanted an OWB, so BB it was. Maybe it has something to do with when we are going, as well?
Posted by jhg140[/QUOTE]

I saw your bio said you are getting married in March. So, yes, time of year would have something to do with it. March is considered low season in Bora Bora, so they offer much better deals during that time. It's technically low season in Fiji, too, but Fiji tends to have more stable rates through the seasons, where as, Tahiti does not. Also, it depends on room category. LikuLiku only has one pontoon of OWBs, so it's equivalent at the Thalasso is the diamond OWB, which is probably more on par with LikuLiku price-wise during low season (or maybe even more), but the price soars in high season, whereas LikuLiku's price stays flat.

sarahc222

Check out Octopus Resort. It is amazing!

eljayare

Likuliku was AMAZING.  We spent 5 nights there and could have stayed another week in paradise.  The water is very clear... although during low tide, the scenery is less than ideal.  We stayed in the OWB one night and honestly thought the Deluxe Beachfront Bures were MUCH better.  Food was delicious and to me well worth the expense.  I did want to do Bora Bora but ultimately knew we would have to be digging into our pockets a lot and didn't want to deal with all of those extra expenses when we got home.