Escape to: Nanuya Island Resort in Fiji

Nanuya Island Resort is nestled amongst tropical greenery. The resort has been manually raised from the beach, giving it a sense of altered reality. If you are looking for great facilities and a good meal as opposed to natural surroundings, this resort is for you.

Rating

★★★☆☆

Location

Nanuya Lailai Island, Yasawa, Fiji

Accommodation

Rooms range from the Traditional Tree Top Bure to the Luxury Villa. There are four room categories in total. We stayed in a Deluxe Villa, which was the second cheapest option.

We resided in Nanuya for 2 nights, which was about right for us as this resort wasn’t my perfect match. Though that’s not to say it wouldn’t be right for you.

The Deluxe Villa felt closed off compared to others we stayed in. Whilst the room per metre was likely the same, the bedroom and living room were divided. So the villa lacked that feeling of openness which we had enjoyed in other Fijian resorts.

Overall, the room was nice and clean. We had a front porch, which we used often as space by the ‘beach’ was limited. There was functioning A/C and a safe within the villa and WiFi was available at an extra cost.

I have to say the ‘outdoor’ bathroom was very disappointing in Nanuya. It was very basic and not aesthetically pleasing. Plus it wasn’t really outside… it just had no roof.

Meals

Out of the 4 Fijian resorts we stayed in, Nanuya was the only one which didn’t enforce a set meal plan system. At first, I thought this was a good thing as it gives you flexibility. But their menu prices are quite high. Which is definitely something you should take into consideration before you book.

When we visited, there was also the option to eat at a pizza bar, yet, this appears to no longer be listed on their website. The pizza bar was really isolated at the other end of the resort and honestly, it wasn’t very inviting when were there. But it was good to have a cheaper option. We also met the only other mid-twenty-year-old couple at the pizza bar!

We dined in the restaurant on the second evening, which was a fairly formal dining experience. There was a great, vibrant atmosphere and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The food was fabulous, and the wine offering was even better.

Despite the pricey dinners, the breakfast buffet came at no extra cost when we stayed. A huge bonus. They now appear to have a breakfast menu, so I’m afraid I can’t advise on whether this is still the case!

Staff

The welcome party at Nanuya was amazing. We were provided with shell necklaces and clean, damp face towels upon arrival. As well as a refreshing fruit juice.

Other than arrivals and departures, we didn’t see many of the staff about the resort. Even during meal times, there wasn’t much of an opportunity to chat with them. Those that we did encounter were all polite, but not as fun and friendly as we had become accustomed to.

Facilities

Beach Area: There is no pool at Nanuya Island Resort. The resort has been raised from the beach using concrete and man-made rock formations. Meaning, it’s not possible to paddle in the clear waters or lay on the sand near the resort. Instead, there are nice beach cabanas for you to relax in, spaced out atop of the raised edge. If you’re desperate for the beach, you can wander down to the other end of the island. But make sure you don’t wander barefoot!

Spa: I had just had a massage at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, so I didn’t sample the spa at Nanuya. Their beachfront treatment room looked lovely!

Other: It’s important to note that no children were staying at this resort when I did. If you are looking for a family-friendly holiday spot, I recommend casting your net elsewhere.

Activities

Evening Entertainment: We participated in the ‘Kava Ceremony’ on our second evening. The ceremony takes place just outside of the restaurant, in the guest arrival area. These ceremonies are a big deal for Fijian locals and tourists alike, so I’m glad we got to experience one. A word of warning: Kava does not taste great!

Water Sports: The resort has an Aqua Centre offering gear for snorkelling, paddle boarding, scuba diving and kayaking.

Culture: Guided Island walks and cultural village tours are available to all guests.

Personal Summary

Our stay at Nanuya Island Resort was relatively average and we wouldn’t return. Although, in fairness, my views are in comparison to other resorts that we visited and adored. The natural elements such as the luscious greenery and clear blue waters are undoubtedly beautiful. But, the unnatural elements seem counterintuitive.

When Mike and I visited, the prices at Nanuya didn’t differ much from other resorts we stayed in but the attention to detail and the feeling of ‘luxury’ let them down. That being said, the food really was great!