Don't plan to stay long in Nadi -- there's nothing to do. Stay one night and immediately move to one of the islands.
I went to Beachcomber Island for six nights with three of my friends for my twenty-first birthday last year and could not have had a better time! I highly recommend doing parasailing! And there is also putt putt golf, and the banana boat! There is entertainment with the island band from around 11 a.m., and there are plenty of activities such as international crab races and the bula dance that allows you more interaction with people from all over the world! And best of all there were no kids on the island! Beachcomber also has one of the nicest beaches around!
Bounty Island is a wonderful place. The people are incredilbly sweet. I went there in November of 2002. Mana Island is also wonderful...
Lautoka is a pleasent enough place. Nice indoor market.
Yasawa Island Group … All the staff on wanna taki cruise, safe landing, dive staff on manta ray island are great, this is from the kava king or sukie man.
Beachcomber Island … Only a half-hour boat trip from the main island, Beachcomber attracts a young party crowd and is perfect for a couple of big nights before exploring the outer islands, which are much quieter and relaxed.
Raintree Lodge in Suva … This is by far THE BEST HOSTEL IN THE WORLD. It iss clean and ultra modern, with a great fishing lake. We had a whole 10-share apartment all for us, and it's great for rainforest walks. The neighbour's dogs follows you everywhere, too. The Net access iss Stone Age, though. It's run by a really cool Aussie guy who, by the hostel he owns, is on the ball!!! STAY HERE!!! (Great bar, too.)
Ratu Kini's Backpackers & Dive Resort in Mana Island … An absolute paradise, everybody is so friendly there. The kids are adorable, say a big hello to Elton and Tomas. I went and stayed on the island twice while on my trip to Fiji.
Bounty Island Sanctuary Resort in Bounty Island … I stayed here for five nights in September and it was paradise. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are so friendly. The food was great and the island is beautiful. I spent hours snorkeling and enjoying the amazing beach. Absolutely fantastic!
Nadi Downtown Backpackers Hostel in Nadi … The hostel is great and all the staff were really helpful and friendly. The accomodation is really safe, and of all the hostels we have stayed in--including in the States--this is where we have felt most safe. You don't even have to lock your bags. They are also very helpful in organising your trips out to the islands and anything else you may decide to do, and transportation to the trips and to and from the airport is great as well.
Nananu Island Lodge in Nananu-I-Ra Island … A lovely getaway here. I spent a week here just chilling by the beach. They do a daily meal, which is well worth buying. The staff will remember your name in seconds! It's really friendly. They have a great lookout at the top of the resort which is lovely at sunset. Glenn, the manager is a great bloke. He does fantastic diving and snorkling courses and days out. I stayed in a dorm, which was pretty large and can get fairly hot in the heat. They do have fans, but still. Showers are always cold and the bathrooms are a bit grubby. All in all though, it's a great place to stay and get away from it all.
Uprising Beach Resort in Pacific Harbour … This is one special little resort. Strong points -- so very affordable, awesome beach, great accommodation, great food, so many activities. clean, bright, tropical, friendly. but what i reckon is best is that you feel like you are away from everything yet just five minutes walk away you have ice cream parlor, an arts village, bakery, many nice restaurants, cute little town with bank, post office, gym, and lots of public transport.
Beachcomber Island Resort in Beachcomber Island … Bula Beachcomber is the best place to stay in Fiji. I recommend it to anyone wanting to have a great time!!! Moce
Tubakula Beach Bungalows in Coral Coast … We stayed at the Tuba Kula for two months and loved every day. We felt safe all the time, which is not always the case in Fiji. It's a good place for children. My son had a great time. The shallow waters are perfect for young children. Very laid back and easy.
Coral View Island Resort in Yasawa Island Group … If you just want to relax in the Fijian sun this place is perfect for you. No distractions like TV anywhere, just the ocean and the beach and good people. The staff were really great and friendly and the food was adequate for a person who eats an average amount of food; if you're a big guy there may not be enough food at each meal. If you can deal with bare bones accommodation then this place is great. Loved it, hope to be back some day.
Vakaviti in Sigatoka … We stayed there two times. It has a great room, good pool, and it's a wonderful place.
Cathay Hotel in Lautoka … The dorms here are a great deal -- most are three-bed rooms with ensuite bath, so you get plenty of privacy. Since it's really a hotel rather than a hostel, there's also a restaurant, bar, and pool. (Of course, that also means there's no kitchen, so self-caterers beware.) The beds were pretty saggy, but otherwise, the place is comfortable. The desk staff are very helpful and book reasonably priced day trips; I recommend the Abaca village trek if you're interested in doing something other than lying on the beach all day. All in all, a good choice.
MacDonald Beach Cottage in Rakiraki … There is absolutely nothing to do on this island, except walk around and get pissed. Because it's an island, there's no electricity after about 8pm, so then it's boring AND dark.
The hostel is ok, though. Don't stay more than a day, however.
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