Savasi Island Resort

My wife and I booked our stay at Savasi as part of our honeymoon in Fiji after reading the stellar reviews on Tripadvisor and elsewhere. In the days leading up to our stay we began to worry: could all the stellar reviews really be real? Is Savasi really the paradise it was made out to be? We quickly realized that all the reviews are correct and Savasi really is paradise. I would note that I do not attach any pictures to this review simply because every single picture on their website is a completely accurate representation of the rooms, facilities and amenities and can be trusted 100%. We stayed for 7-nights in Clifftop 2 which has a gorgeous view of the reef that surrounds the resort. During our stay we were awe-struck by the amazing view, the soothing sounds of the waves as well as the lovely breeze that comes off the ocean into the villa. Just sitting on the patio or in the pool in our villa you could see the small individual fish in the reef pools clear as day. That is how clear and pristine the water is at the resort. The room was exceptionally comfy with a small "living room" area and an amazingly comfortable bed and well designed bathroom and shower. The AC in the room worked more than well and was assisted by the strong ceiling fans in the room. We slept with the AC and fans on at night and it got quite cold in the room while still being able to hear the crash of the waves at night. In the day, the breeze off the water allows you to keep the windows open while ensuring the room is still comfortable. The villas are extremely private and we could not see or hear the other guests at the hotel during our time at the villas. In speaking with members of the resort staff they noted that the resort values guest privacy in the villas and factored that into the design (at least of the clifftop villas). While there were not any families at the resort during our stay, given the layout of the resort and the design of the villas, it did not seem like a family being at the resort would have been a disturbance during our stay (and we are a young couple). The main dinning/reception area is filled with south pacific charm and is the perfect place to eat your meals on the water, in the lovely grotto area or in the main dinning area. All of the meals we ate were delicious and included fresh ingredients from fish to beef to lamb to vegetarian and vegan options. It was hard to decide which meal we ate was the best. They also do a good job of showcasing Fijian dishes and flavors as well as including more familiar meals in the dinning options each day. The staff was also always willing to adjust some of the dishes to fit any dietary needs or preferences. Dinner each night included music ranging from the lovely solo singing of Rico (one of the most chiasmatic people we have met) to soft rock and Fijian/island music from local musicians. The excursions at the resort varied each day and all you needed to do was talk with Eddie (the activity director) at breakfast to book your slot. During our stay the resort (which can sleep about 45 people) varied from 4-8 total guests given the "shoulder season" we went in (the weather was amazing every day even at the end of rainy season). This limited guest count meant extremely tailored service but did slightly limit the activities that were available during our stay (however the resort is so amazing you will not want to leave). During our stay we did a waterfall walk, diving with the on-site dive team (the nearby dive/snorkeling sites are world-class), the chocolate farm tour as well as night snorkeling. All of the excursions were fantastic, insightful and helped you get a better understanding of Fiji and its people. The Kava demonstration lead by Isaac was extremely insightful and provided a lot of information on Kava, traditional Fijian culture as well as the history of the country and people. During our stay here it appeared to us that staying at Savasi was the right way to authentically, sustainably and ethically see and experience Fiji while staying at an amazing resort. My wife and I both used the spa (me as part of the included couples massage and welcome foot massage/scrub) and the ladies who work in the spa were friendly and provided extremely relaxing services. Despite the amazing nature of the resort, its excursions and the food, the real gem of this resort was the amazingly kind and genuine people that work there. The resort employs many people from the nearby villages and towns and each and every single person we interacted with at the resort treated us like family. From the cleaning staff that kept our room clean every day and night to the wait staff at meals, each person was excited to interact with us and was dedicated to ensuring that our every need was met. The staff kept referring to Savasi as "home" during our stay and it really felt like we were at home and Savasi and the staff treated us as honored guests. Overall, our stay at Savasi was paradise and was elevated even further by the staff. The value of the of the resort felt more than fair given the quality of the resort, its amenities as well as the food. As we left members of the staff serenaded us with a farewell song reminding us of the precious moments we had made while at Savasi (which were many). As the resort-shuttle drove us to the airport and away from the resort my wife and I were extremely sad to be leaving and could not wait to come back again some day.

Our stay in Savasi Island Resort Savusavu, Fiji (Oct 24) was a truly unique and relaxing experience. The setting itself is something quite special, with the resort nestled into a dramatic cliffside landscape that feels very different from your typical tropical getaway. It created a peaceful, almost secluded atmosphere that made it easy to completely unwind. The accommodation and overall experience were very comfortable, and we were especially impressed with the flexibility of the kitchen. They were more than happy to prepare off-menu options, which was a huge plus for fussy eaters and made dining stress-free and enjoyable. There were a few trip options available through the resort, which added some variety to our stay. However, we were a little disappointed with the lack of snorkeling directly at the resort, as it didn’t quite live up to expectations. That said, what truly made a difference was one of the wonderful staff members who took us out on several day trips, including some incredible long drift snorkels. These experiences were a real highlight and absolutely saved the holiday, giving us the chance to explore much better reef and marine life. Overall, Savasi Island Resort offers a very relaxing and distinctive escape, made even more memorable by the warmth and effort of the staff.

We went to this resort twice while staying in Savusavu for a week. The food was amazing and the service excellent. It was a great restaurant location and you are right on the ocean for your dining experience. The GM Dave was so helpful and welcoming we booked our next dinner there. We asked if we could get something special for our dinner and they drove to town and got fresh fish and prepared an amazing dish for us. While we didn't stay here Dave arranged a visit to see one of the villas and we instantly knew we would come back and stay there. A real treat for all of us.

First off, for some context on my background and expectations, my partner and I are a middle-to-upper middle-class couple from the US who wanted to visit Fiji for no other reason than to relax for 8 days (after a 12 hour flight). The nicest hotels either of us had ever stayed at prior to this trip were the Boston Harbor Hotel and a couple of JW Marriotts in the US, so I can't compare to the Four Seasons or the White Lotus. I received no compensation for this review (in fact, the words "Trip Advisor" or any mention of leaving a review were never said to us the entire trip). I have never had a nicer stay at a hotel or resort than I did at Savasi Island Resort. We booked Clifftop 4 for the privacy, private pool, and view of the ocean, but we were upgraded to Clifftop 5 (apparently Clifftop 5 has more space) likely due to occupancy concerns since we did go in the shoulder season (i.e. wet season). As we had an early arriving flight and a late departure, we received both early check-in and late checkout at no cost, although I wouldn't expect that during peak season. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but the quality of the rooms themselves fully lives up to expectations. The layout, design, and quality of the materials in the room made it very clear that this was not a low-rent operation trying to bait and switch you from the pictures (if you've ever stayed at an AirBnB, you'll know what I mean). We had plenty of everything we were craving, namely privacy, comfort, and a view of the ocean from anywhere in the Villa. All that being said about the room, the reason I'd choose to return to Savasi Island over other resorts is the staff. The fact that I can name a dozen staff members off the top of my head is due to the attentiveness, warmth, and sincerity that came with every interaction. Our meals, drinks, activities, and spa services all ranged from good to exceptional (I am not a fish person back home, but I recommend the fish here: it's that good). My favorite personal anecdote about the staff is when Eddie, the activities coordinator, realized that none of the diving fins the hotel had would fit my abnormally large feet (US 13EE shoe size), he lent me his personal pair for the duration of the trip without hesitation. Alternatively, when the bartender, Kele, realized that my partner couldn't have banana in her drinks, he began preparing a special tropical juice blend just for us so she could enjoy the drinks as well. Or when Rico saw us craning our necks to get a better view of the ocean at breakfast and just moved the whole table further out so we could see better. I remember all of these because every interaction was positive, which is incredible in a hospitality setting. I will temper my review, though, as not everything went perfectly. For starters, the weather was quite wet at times, which we expected. What we weren't expecting was the incredible humidity and a failing air conditioner our first day/night at our villa. I don't think this would normally be a problem as the room entire room has screened shutters to allow for airflow from the ocean for cooling, but given the humidity, this obviously wasn't cooling the room. We slept fine despite the warmer than normal conditions, but when Dave, the manager, came to our table to ask how things were, we had an AC tech in our room by lunch and ice-cold air by that air that afternoon. Another minor issue was other (presumably) drunk guests accidentally wandering into our villa's courtyard randomly, but I would blame that on their observation and reading comprehension skills rather than the resort. The last issue isn't really an issue, but an FYI as it has nothing to do with Savasi Island, but with the resort across the estuary, Namale and its owner. I have nothing against Tony Robbins personally, but apparently the man hosts some sort of wellness/detox seminar at Namale eight times a year and some attendees stay at Savasi as well. Some of these attendees are a bit odd, for example, the German squad of 5 men doing pushups in front of our table at breakfast or the mom that spent more time at the seminar than with her family. If you are American and these people are in town, you will be assumed to be one of them by the locals until told otherwise and it can lead to some hilarious interactions. Despite some of the odd behavior by this demographic, the Savasi staff still worked very hard to accommodate their needs as well as ours. Regardless, I would absolutely choose to stay at Savasi Island again, even with the Tony Robbins folks around, as the experience was so good, we both were left a bit sad when we had to leave. If Dave, Ma, Eddie, Kele, Roberta, Mila, Isaac, Rico, Nita, Charlotte, Sala, or any of the other staff I left out are reading this, vinaka vaka levu!

Amazing place. Fabulous friendly staff. awesome food. Only criticism, the markup on the wine was over the top. (more than double the retail price AT Savu Savu township for a below average Chardonnay) Am not keen on the "donate to the staff Christmas fund" tipping method either. Christmas is a LONG way off for the lovely people who I am sure would prefer to get a wodge of cash handed to them.

Savasi Island Resort is an incredible place! After a very rough start to our stay on Savusavu at a different property, my husband called Savasi Island Resort at 11pm in a panic to see if they could somehow accommodate us the next day. The customer service/booking team was outstanding! Within an hour, Mandy had given us 2 different Villa options, confirmed our stay, & even arranged a driver to transfer us the very next morning. We hardly slept we were so excited! Being warmly welcomed by Ma made us feel immediately cared for and appreciated. We loved getting to sit down to chat and her giving us a personal tour of our villa meant so much to us! All of the staff (Mila, Isaac, Roberta, Rico, Kele, Eddie, Vili, & many more names I’m forgetting!) were exceptionally kind, thoughtful, & provided the highest level of service and hospitality. The ladies at the spa also took fabulous care of us. Highly recommend the couples massage! We stayed in Blue Lagoon Villa 3 which was absolutely perfect. The villa was gorgeous, the AC worked well, it was impressively clean, and had a great functional layout! We loved all of the unique traditional Fiji decor plus the huge bathroom and closet. The private pool with an infinity edge overlooking the lagoon was unreal and the definition of paradise. The villa was kept spotless our entire stay and the nightly turn down service was a special unexpected surprise. We loved watching the sunset, listening to the nightly live music, & getting a pre dinner drink at the bar! The food was excellent with a great variety of options all with fresh ingredients! We appreciated the delicious coffee options and huge wine selection as well. The whole resort felt like a 2nd home and just had the best vibe. I can’t recommend this resort highly enough, it is a special place. Our only regret was not choosing this resort to begin with! Thank you to everyone at Savasi, you truly saved our anniversary celebration & we can’t wait to return! Luis & Ashley