Koro Sun Resort — Hotel in Vanua Levu

I’m hoping this helps others plan their vacation better. I’ll caveat we stayed 5 nights/6 days in May. We had heard wonderful things about Fiji and decided to tack this onto our vacation flying from Singapore home to the US (“on the way”). We don’t have kids, so I can’t speak to the kids amenities or programs. We paid $XXX for the edgewater bure room on the water (not floating), so with that price tag we had expectations of a secluded ocean resort. We also have traveled to 25+ countries, so basing my review on a variety of experiences.||Helpfulness:|When we arrived around 3:30, the airline had lost our bags and informed us they would arrive the following morning. Because of this, when we got to the resort at check-in we knew we needed to go buy a few things to get us through the evening. We let the lady who checked us in know this and she seemed unamused. I asked if she could help us find a place to go and get us a taxi (I had no internet and to use the WiFi at the resort you need a token which I hadn’t received yet at that time so I couldn’t find anything on my own). She said she would call us a taxi and they’d arrive in 20 minutes (around 4:30) but the shops close between 4:30-5:30. I said ok, well can you help us find a place to go because I can’t check closing times or anything. It felt like right from the start I had to beg her to help us. She was like I guess you can try jack’s. They never offered to like do a rush laundry service (even if we pay for it like hey could you wash my clothes because we had nothing) or even offer the resort shuttle for a fee to save the 20 minutes waiting on the taxi. Nothing. This was kinda how every day was. One or two people were nice and friendly, but for the most part it felt like nobody cared if we were taken care of or not and we had to beg for the bare minimum of even acknowledging we were there. We always smiled, said thank you, said please. It didn’t matter. A few other issues we had included being sat outside for lunch in the rain, forgetting our food orders multiple times with no apology or acknowledgement (sometimes we waited over an hour), no cushions were out on the pool chairs so there was nowhere to sit, and at one point while we were at breakfast it started pouring down rain. We asked for an umbrella at reception so we could get back to our room without being soaked (they had a stack behind them) and they looked like we inconvenienced them and they were like well you can have one but that’s all. That’s exactly how they worded it. The whole week it just felt like we were unwelcome and bothering them.||Restaurants & Food:|The hotel advertised 3 restaurants and a pool bar. The food is hit or miss with 1/10 items having flavor while the rest are just ok. My main issue is you have to pre-order lunch and dinner the morning of or you have to eat at the walk up restaurant, which I understand needing to know how much food to make. But the walk up restaurant closes at 7pm. So if you get hungry after that you’re completely out of luck. It’s quite stressful to have to plan your day around that honestly with not even a snack area or something open. The wait times are long for the drink and food orders (often we wouldn’t get the appeetizer until after the entree or a drink until after the food was done), sometimes over an hour. They constantly were out of things like mint, or I would order something on the menu (like lemonade) and they would just give me something completely different (like sprite, and then look at me like I’m being annoying when I said I didn’t want it (sprite was listed separately on the menu so I know it was a translation thing). When I would ask what they had to try and avoid the awkwardness of having to say no thanks, they would tell me, I would pick from one of the things they’d tell me, and then they wouldn’t have it after all anyways. It was very frustrating. Other times we would order the same thing and it would never taste the same so it was inconsistent. And at 22 FJD per smoothie, they use juices and powders to make everything, not real fruit or minimal real fruit, so it’s not good. The cups were dirty oftentimes, even the wine glass I got in the sit down restaurant had lipstick stains all over the edge and the water cups would be dirty. The pool bar wasn’t even open the whole time we were there and nobody came around and checked on us when we were sitting near the pool/etc.||Room:|Although we booked the edgewater bure expecting to be able to lounge outside privately and get in the water whenever we felt like it, we couldn’t for multiple reasons. The outdoor space, although private to your room, consistently had staff walk into to leave things at the door, etc., and there was no way to leave a dnd to the patio so they wouldn’t invade the space. Because of this, we also had to keep the curtains closed to the room because there was no way of knowing when someone would wander up and see inside so we didn’t get to enjoy the view much. The furniture on the patio/private area doesn’t include any type of lounge chairs so you can’t sit outside and enjoy a book or anything because you either have to be laying flat on the bed or one person can get in the hammock (not both), or you’re sitting on these horrible wooden chairs with no back support. It was odd. Also the bure’s next to you can see all your outdoor space so it’s not private at all. Additionally, you can’t really get in the water. When the tide is low it’s too far from the cement steps and when the tide is high it’s extremely rocky so you can’t really get in to swim. The inside of the room was large and nice, at least.||Other:|A few other issues we had:|- There’s no way to make announcements and activities didn’t start on time so we missed some things|- If you care about your bill, track what you order yourself because the bill only shows lunch dinner or the location, not what you ordered so you’d have no way of knowing if it’s correct or not. We ended up spending about $170 USD per day on food and drinks alone (2 ppl, 1 doesn’t drink alcohol)||Overall:|This is a 3 star hotel, at best. If all you care about are views, I would recommend staying somewhere else more affordable and just going out to eat. If you want a resort experience, I would not recommend coming here, and if you do, spend the extra $100-$200 for a nicer resort that really delivers. All the things above honestly made us regret our stay, but you live and learn, we made the most of it, and we had high hopes based on the advertising, pictures, and fact that this place had been established for 25 years so disappointing to come all this way and have such a...

We took a 10.5 hour red eye flight from LAX to Nadi, then a 1 hour flight to Savu Savu in a small 18 seater plane. We arrived the next day d/t crossing the international date line. We were welcomed with a song and a drink, and had breakfast. We had a 2 bedroom garden bure, and each had a comfortable king bed. The rooms were nice and large. The kids went to the kids pool, which has a slide, but it's not very slippery. We were exhausted and went to bed early. The next day we did the pearl farm tour which also includes snorkeling at split rock. The tour was just okay and the snorkeling is not great, but at least they don't pressure you to buy any pearls. On the boat they will give you raw oysters to eat. My kids licked them and said it was gross, haha. The 3rd day, we did handline fishing and the kids really enjoyed this. We also kayaked and tried to do the waterfall tour. Unfortunately, due to heavy rains, it was brown and the current was strong, so it was not safe to go in. The activities guides were nice though and took us to see the hot springs. The villagers actually cook their food on it, it's boiling hot!. They also took us to swim at the beach. Day 4, we booked the private beach picnic for about $40 US. You can order your food ahead of time and they'll pack it all up and take you to a secluded local beach, which is shallow for a very long time so it's safe for kids, and the water is warm. There are sand fleas though that will bite you, but they provided bug spray. They lay out a huge beach mat and table for you. We also booked a massage for my mom and me. I believe our therapists' names were Alice and Sita--and they were both excellent!. ||We fortunately came before peak season so the resort was not very busy. We could kayak, snorkel, or stand up paddleboard basically anytime we wanted. We saw some colorful fish, rays, and an octopus. We kayaked to a little uninhabited island called Bat Island with tons of fruit bats. They don't have a really nice sandy beach at the resort, but we had fun swimming in the lagoon. We found the staff to be incredibly friendly and happy! You can't walk anywhere without them saying Bula! I was very impressed with how nice the Fijian people are. They are not pushy at all like in other countries, and don't expect tips...you can put money at the front desk though, for their Christmas fund/party. They knew us by name, and we got to know them by name as well, Phillipe who welcomed us, Mareula and especially Ana in the restaurant, The guys in activities, Caleb, Sava, and the director (I forgot his name, maybe Alex?. He's tall) . Maybe bc it wasn't too busy, but the activities guys were very flexible, and would help the kids do handline fishing or take us kayaking to Bat Island even when it was not at the scheduled time. The kids had a great time finding hermit crabs by the lagoon (and do hermit crab races), and frogs by the rainforest. The tiniest frogs are smaller than your fingertip. Honestly, frog catching was my kids' favorite activity, and handline fishing probably the second favorite. The resort is so beautiful, lush and tropical. Don't miss when the villagers/choir come sing--so joyful, enthusiastic, and fun! They even got my 79 y/o mom up in the conga line. The Polynesian fire dance was spectacular and better than I expected. The kava...was interesting. I think it looks and tastes like dirty water. There were stray cats that had kittens that my kids loved playing with. There is an infinity pool that's adults only, but the staff was nice enough to let my kids swim if there was nobody else there||To summarize, we had a wonderful time on this beautiful resort. The staff is incredibly kind, happy, and friendly. They sang to us when we left as well! We had a meal inclusive plan through our Costco deal, though and I would not have been happy paying the prices listed for the food at the restaurants if we had to pay individually. Breakfast at Palm Grove was good and plentiful, as there is a large breakfast buffet AND you can order off the menu (eggs, pancakes, etc). However, though the menu changes daily at Palm Grove for lunch and dinner, most of the time we did not really like the food we ordered. We didn't have a problem with pre-ordering the day before--not a big deal except if you forgot to do it, but the staff would often ask at breakfast if you wanted to order your lunch and dinner for the next day. Also note that though "kids eat free", they can only pick from the kids menu, so it's a bit repetitive for them. Finally, the wifi, at least up in the garden bures, was not good. You may have to go down to the lobby to get decent wifi. Despite the food and the wifi, we LOVED our time at this resort, and this has become my kids' favorite vacation so far. The staff and property is amazing. We already...

Hi, my name is Karen and it has always been on my list to travel to Fiji. I had no idea if I should stay on the main island or any other island to conduct my yoga retreat. After many days of research I found Koro Sun Resort in Savusavu and well, I never wanted to go back to LA. ||If your dream is to go to Fiji and you really want to learn the culture and have an authentic experience where the resort has everything you need to be comfortable, with amazing food from their garden, the staff is divine, the villages are the way the rest of the world should live, then go to Koro Sun. You will not be disappointed. I have a few ideas for you as to make your trip amazing and to best take advantage of the many vast wonders of Fiji.||First of all, Savusavu is known as "The Hidden Paradise" by locals on the main island of Nadi. To truly experience the culture, jungle and coral reefs I suggest to fly into Nadi, then take the wonderful prop plane (which can be an adventure in it self) to Savusavu. The airport is a lovely one room and Koro Sun will pick you up. The airport is only 12 min away from Koro Sun. Stay at Koro Sun (trust me when they sing to you as you arrive and leave, this leaves a lasting memory forever), my favorite rooms are the Edgewater Bure, the Floating Bure and all of the tropical garden Bures are amazing.. ||They have so many activities (9 hole golf course, hiking, kayaking, line fishing, snorkeling, tennis, volleyball ( the staff is amazing at volleyball and would love you to join them) which is all included, and the staff will be there with you. Please know that many activities have to be scheduled around the tides so know this. ||I was there with my son for 11 nights along with 8 other guests and they worked with my group every step of the way. I have traveled to India, Bali and many European countries and this experience was magic for the mind, body and soul on a deeper level. ||I suggest going to the extra excursions such as Vuadomo Waterfalls (stunning), Kokomana Chocolate Factory (from farm to table learn how they make the best chocolate ever), The J Hunter Pearl farm (this isn't about just going to their plant or store, they will take you to their farm in the Bay, along with some snorkeling at split rock and you will eat the best oysters ever) Sunday service at the local village which was one of my favorites because this is why they are so happy. They start singing at the age of 7 or younger (the harmonies are amazing). They love god and love nature and they care for each other, and of course going into town for some local shopping. But also save some money to buy the most precious arts and crafts and jewelry from the local ladies at Koro Sun... ||Okay once you have experienced the true Fijian life style. I suggest to go back to Nadi and spend two days there and take a fairy to one of the islands like Beachcomber Inn (very rustic, kinda of more hippy) but they are upgrading it. Now they do offer the day trips so please know that. The reason why I suggest to do this is because you will then be able to experience the white sand beach - clear water experience. Savusavu will give you the tropical, authentic, most beautiful coral reef experience and one of the islands off Nadi (about a 45 min trip in a fairy) will give you the white sand. Many people think this white sand experience is everywhere but it is not. If you spend a day in Nadi, we used the company CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour. Manoj was the best ever!!! It was a whole day and he took us to a shopping market, the Temple, the garden, and to a village and then we ended at the Hot Spring Mud Bath||Conclusion- I wanted to experience true Fijian culture in a very nice place. Koro Sun was the perfect adventure. Then I wanted to experience a white sand beach, so I spent two days off the main island. I am so glad I didn't conduct my retreat on the main island of Nadi because first of all it has a much dryer landscape, it is almost 40% Indian and way more populated (which isn't a bad thing, but I wanted a more Fijian experience). I know now what I will never do is stay at a commercial resort like the Fiji Marriott Hotel (not bad but too commercial) in Nadi.. We booked it for a night and it was Disneyland Fiji, ugh! But of course some people just like to travel and not really get an experience, they just want a flashy hotel that wasn't authentic at all. In fact when they asked if we wanted to go to a traditional village and I said we just spent 11 nights in Savusavu, they said, " Oh, well you have already experienced the...