Taveuni Island Resort & Spa

If a luxury clifftop beach lodge is what you’re after, Taveuni Island Resort & Spa fits the bill. The resort’s entrance has a rustic-chic feel, with a coral driveway and stone half-wall that winds past lush foliage to the lobby. With hunter green siding outside, and knotty wood paneling inside, the lobby has a lodge-like feel that’s made to feel tropical with wicker furniture and potted birds of paradise. The rest of the property has this same look, which feels different than most other resorts in Fiji. The property’s endless ocean views won’t let you forget that you’re in paradise.  

Taveuni Island Resort is an adult-only property, so the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed. The majority of guests are couples, but we also saw a few solo travelers and adult friend groups during our visit. The property itself isn’t overtly romantic, so non-couples won’t feel out of place here. 

As its name suggests, Taveuni Island Resort & Spa is located on Taveuni, one of Fiji's larger islands. Known as the garden island, Taveuni is a lush paradise with diverse flora and fauna that includes prolific bird life. Taveuni is well liked amongst travelers for its laid-back lifestyle and stunning natural scenery, but it should be noted that this lush paradise tends to be rainier than in other parts of Fiji. 

The hotel itself is located on an expansive clifftop that overlooks the ocean. The hotel has beach access, but guests must descend a significant number of stairs in order to reach the sand. Taveuni Palms is a five-minute drive from Matei Airport, Taveuni’s tiny airstrip. In order to reach Taveuni, international travelers must first fly to Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu, then take a 55-minute domestic flight to Taveuni. We strongly encourage travelers to stay a night or two in Nadi before heading to Taveuni. This helps ease jet lag and frustration, since domestic flights in Fiji are often severely delayed. 

Taveuni Island Resort’s 12 villas are spread across its sprawling property, giving each one a supreme sense of privacy. The hotel’s entry-level category, Luxury Ocean View Bures, start at a whopping 1,000 square feet, and are equipped with separate living and sleeping spaces, outdoor showers, and massive outdoor terraces. We wouldn’t describe decor as Fijian, but there are some elements that feel island-like, such as mosquito-net covered beds, louvered windows, and paintings of hibiscus flowers. The bures’ knotty wood paneling and stone terraces give spaces a natural feel that seamlessly blends with the outdoors. Glass accordion doors encourage guests to create indoor/outdoor living spaces, and allow for island breezes to keep rooms cool (air-conditioning is also provided). Villas have massive outdoor living spaces, complete with cushioned lounge chairs, tea tables, and swinging hammocks. 

Bathrooms are large and luxurious, with double sinks, granite counters, and stone tile-work. They have indoor and outdoor showers -- a nice feature, considering Taveuni’s rainy weather can sometimes make outdoor showering a tricky situation. Toiletries, hairdryers, and robes are provided. 

There are essentially two room categories at Taveuni Island Resort. We mentioned the entry level, Luxury Ocean View Bures, but guests can also upgrade to Luxury Ocean Front Bures. The difference between the two? You guessed it -- Luxury Ocean Front Bures are oceanfront and have direct sea views. Entry level villas have partial ocean views, which can be obstructed by the ocean front villas. The resort has a large two- bedroom unit that’s equipped with a massive communal living area and a private outdoor plunge pool. Note that none of the villas have Wi-Fi or TVs. 

There aren’t a ton of communal amenities at Taveuni Island Resort, likely because the hotel emphasizes island exploration over relaxation and pampering. While the resort has a small pool, beach, and spa, the majority of guests are active travelers who come to Taveuni to explore its many natural wonders. Those in search of pure rest and relaxation might prefer nearby Taveuni Palms Resort or The Remote Resort, which is on a nearby island. 

While the hotel’s villas are scattered across the property, all of Taveuni Island Resort’s communal amenities are located in one central area. The hotel’s main bure is home to an indoor bar and lounge area, a covered outdoor dining terrace, and a day-room where guests can hang out before check-in or after check-out. All meals are included in the hotel’s nightly room rates, but alcoholic beverages and use of the in-room minibar incur an extra charge. Like most luxury resorts in Fiji, the all-inclusive dining at Taveuni Island Resort is excellent. Each meal includes multiple courses with a few different options in each course. The resort has its own organic garden where it grows most of its own produce and herbs. 

Behind the main bure is the hotel’s spa -- or what might be better referred to as a massage room. The spa is a dated space with wood paneled walls and cheesy decorations. There are two massage beds and a manicure table, but don’t expect a steam room or hydrotherapy baths. 

In front of the main bure, an expansive lawn leads to the hotel’s small pool, which overlooks the ocean. The pool’s infinity edge offers jaw dropping views of the sea and the lush surrounding landscape. The pool is pretty small, but it’s hardly ever used. Most of the resort’s guests spend their days exploring the island, so both the pool and the beach remain uncrowded during the day. Because Taveuni Island Resort is a cliff-top property, guests must descend several stairs to reach the beach. The hotel’s stretch of sand is small, and not particularly impressive, but there are free kayaks and paddleboards for guests to use. 

Taveuni Island Resort has free Wi-Fi in its lobby. The internet connection works well in this area, but don’t expect any connectivity in the rooms or the main bure.  Guests also receive free airport transfers .