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I have mixed feelings about posting this review as I love trying new things, support local businesses and really wanted to have a great time here, but it was a very disappointing experience.
I booked directly via the Sabeto website and paid $600AUD (1 adult and 2 children) for the cost of the day, which included the waterfall trek. (That was amazing BTW - will review).
The positives, I went on a Sunday mid-morning with my 2 boys (14 and 11), and it was very quiet. We could take our time with the mud and in each of the pools.
Covering yourself in mud and dipping in each of the 4 hot springs was a unique experience, but unfortunately, it was let down by the staff that were there on the day.
Our guide at the pool was disengaged and missing for most of our time there, which left us wandering about, unsure what to do. She really looked as if she didn't want to be there, which is the complete opposite of everyone else we had encountered in our 10 days in Fiji. They usually provide such wonderful warm friendly service, especially with the kids.
We had taken the option of the 30-minute massage too, and it was awful. The room didn't look clean. Again, the ladies were not interested in providing any kind of service, and the massage oil had a terrible smell. My son thought it was cooking oil. My masseuse was inexperienced and was sniffing and coughing the entire time. Sadly, it's not relaxing at all.
We couldn't wait to get out of there. The drive back to our hotel was really uncomfortable, too. No aircon in the back, covered in the disgusting oil and our driver was all over the road.
Given the other reviews, maybe we just caught them on a bad day. Maybe because it was a Sunday? Not sure, but there are so many other wonderful things to do in Fiji, I'd give...
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We had a 10-hour layover in Nadi, so we decided to make the most of it with a quick little adventure — and it turned out to be one of the most relaxing things we could’ve done.
We grabbed a taxi from Nadi Market in the downtown area and headed to the mud pools. The round trip — including 90 minutes at the pools and a ride back to the airport — cost us $80. It felt a bit pricey, but the driver waited for us the entire time, so honestly, it wasn’t a bad deal. (Tip: try to negotiate a little — prices can vary.)
We were greeted by a warm and friendly local auntie who guided us through the whole experience. First, we changed into our swimsuits (that’s all you really need to bring), then lathered ourselves in thick, warm mud — such a fun and strange feeling! After that, we moved through a series of hot pools to wash off and relax.
After hours of travel, soaking in those pools felt amazing. The place was totally empty when we arrived around 10:00 AM, so we had the whole area to ourselves. Super peaceful.
I also treated myself to a 30-minute massage for $40. Let me just say — the lady who did it had magic hands. Strong, big hands that somehow made everything feel both powerful and gentle at the same time. One of the best massages I’ve had in a long time! while I enjoyed massage, my kids were still enjoying hot pool or relaxing with ipad.
We ended up staying for about 90 mins. The entrance fee was $30 per person, and towels were available for $5 if you didn’t bring one. Honestly, for how relaxing and private it was, the whole experience felt like a hidden gem.
If you ever have a long stopover in Nadi, this is so...
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We visited the Sabeto Hotsprings & Mudpools as part of a half day tour. This was truly the highlight of the day. It is such a fun & unique experience. The staff (who are all family members) were very nice and helpful. They took pictures at every part of the process for everyone with our own phones/cameras. We never felt rushed and we got to meet other travelers as we waited for mud to dry. A few tips in case you are a planner like me- When you enter they will ask you if you would like to add a massage at the end...(this is an additional charge) DO IT! its so relaxing and a great way to finish the experience. Take your own towel, wear a suit you do not care if it gets muddy, take water. There is a small shopping area for souvenirs so take cash and cash to tip the massage ladies. We left all valuables at the hotel and only packed what we needed for the day, there are no lockers for your things, you leave them out in the gathering area but someone is there to watch them. There is a changing room and showers if you need them. This is a family owned and operated business and in a pretty remote area, hire a driver or go on as part of a tour, you will have a better experience as the drivers seem to know the people and you get a more personal experience. We hired Thomas from xplore airport transfers to take us and that was the best! He added things to our trip we would not have gotten otherwise. The Sabato Mud Pools are absolutely a must if you are visiting...
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