Daku Resort

Daku Resort has a humble entrance, with a gravel driveway and a front sign that looks like it’s advertising a summer camp. The driveway leads to the lobby — a simple reception space with a small seating area, a bar, and top-notch ocean views. Staff members eagerly greet guests upon arrival — Fijians are nothing if not hospitable — and show them to their room. Daku’s rooms are spread across its sprawling grounds. Some are a few yards from the ocean, while others are wedged into the hilltop. Rooms on the hill require a lot of stairs to reach, so they can be a challenge for people with mobility issues, or those traveling with young children. The atmosphere around Daku is quiet and relaxed. The resort is often booked by large groups, for yoga retreats, week-long painting classes, or writing seminars. During our visit, the entire hotel was occupied by a painting troupe from Sydney — and us, which made for an incredibly interesting stay. We dined with the painters for every meal and encountered them everywhere on the property. It was a unique experience, but other travelers may not enjoy this type of setting.  

Daku Resort is located across the street from a pebbly beach and is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Savusavu — a tiny town located on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island after Viti Levu. Referred to as “up north” by Fijians living on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu looks like a place where time has stood still. Practically untouched, and much less developed than Viti Levu, Vanua Levu is an authentic Fijian paradise. Vanua Levu’s intensely hilly landscapes, towering waterfalls, and stunning coastlines almost seem otherworldly, and the island’s overwhelmingly friendly locals only add to its charm. Savusavu is one of Vanua Levu’s most populous towns. It’s also a popular cruise destination, thanks to its deep water harbor and cute downtown. Daku Resort is approximately 10 minutes from Savusavu Airport, and about a 90-minute drive from Labasa Airport. Both airports are accessible from Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu.

Rooms at Daku Resort have a casual island feel. Decor varies a bit between the hotel’s multiple room types, but all have a relaxed, unfussy vibe. Some have wood beam ceilings and wood-paneled walls, while others have a white-washed look, with colorful accents. “Bula,” the Fijian word for “Welcome,” is written across each bed with palm fronds before guests’ arrival. Beachfront Bures are the hotel’s entry-level category. They’re studio-type rooms with a queen-size bed, located on the hotel’s flat main lawn, and are within a stone’s throw of the beach. Daku also has Family Beachfront Bures, which are slightly larger and have two additional twin beds for kids. Bayview Suites are located on a hill which overlooks the entire property. These rooms may not be ideal for guests with mobility issues, since they require a lot of stairs to reach. Bayview Suites are smaller than the Beachfront Bures, but have outdoor showers. In addition to its studio-type rooms, Daku also has large apartments with full kitchens and separate living spaces. Bayview Villas are the newest apartment-style rooms, and offer lots of indoor and outdoor living space. Bayview Villas are equipped with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a large living and dining room area. They also have large outdoor decks with private plunge pools. Like the Bayview Suites, that Bayview Villas are located on a hill and require quite some stairs to reach. Other apartment-style rooms include the Beach House and the Pool House, which have four bedrooms, full kitchens, and large living rooms. However, both are older than the Bayview Villas, so decor is a bit more dated.  

For a three-pearl property, Daku Resort has a lot of nice features, including a pool, restaurant, yoga platform, and a small massage room. And since it’s located across the street from the beach, Daku is a great place for travelers looking to snorkel, kayak, and swim.  Daku’s pool is centrally located in the middle of the property. The pool area is a daytime hub, where guests like to hang out, swim, and relax in the sun. The pool isn’t huge, but it’s surrounded by lush foliage and dozens of towering palms. Adjacent to the pool is the restaurant, a completely open-air space covered by a thatched roof where breakfast and dinner are served. Breakfast -- included in the nightly room rate -- is served buffet style, and includes choices like fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, and eggs. For dinner, the restaurant has an a la carte menu that features an array of international and Fijian dishes. For large weeklong retreat groups, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the package rate, but guests do not have options for meals. The beach across the street from Daku is stunning. Though the shoreline isn’t sandy, there’s a small patch of pebbles and dirt that lead directly into the water. The beach feels like an untouched piece of paradise, and has stunning views of Vanua Levu’s hilly terrain. The water is calm and great for swimming and kayaking, and there’s great snorkeling just offshore. The hotel has a floating pontoon in the middle of the water, where guests can hang out and take in the stunning views.  Additional on-site amenities include a gorgeous outdoor yoga platform and a small spa room where guests can book massages. The yoga platform is often converted into a writer’s studio or a painting space when the hotel is booked for group retreats. There is free, fast Wi-Fi available in the lobby and restaurant area, but there is no internet connection in the rooms.