Click for slide show of Qamea Resort in Fiji

Qamea, one of my all time favorite resorts in Fiji, has enhanced an already outstanding experience with its new all inclusive format, resort renovations, upgraded bures and expanded activities.

Qamea has always included meals in the room rate but for those wishing an all inclusive vacation in Fiji Qamea now includes a lovely selection of wines, domestic beer and soft drinks by the glass between noon and 10 p.m. Non motorized watersports and many activities are also included in the room rate and for a limited time, airfare is on sale.  So if your travel dates fit and everything is available a complete package starts around $7.5K  total for two for a 7 night stay with airfare from Los Angeles.

Other recent enhancements at Qamea include

• Upgraded bathrooms in all Beachfront Bures with rock wall and stone basins in addition to the lovely and popular outdoor showers.
• A new jacuzzi at the main pool.
• Full size jacuzzis in both Honeymoon Bures in place of jetted tubs.
• A surf pro on site November through March with 3 breaks within 15 minutes of the resort which can  accommodate beginners as well as those more experienced with surfing.

Popular activities available year round include daily snorkel trips, an excellent scuba diving operation with 5 star PADI dive center, kayaking, sailing, beach volleyball and Fijian arts and crafts. And Qamea Island Resort and Spa offers the area’s easiest access to Taveuni Island’s most popular attractions – Buomo waterfall and national park and the pearl farm.

For information on Qamea vacation packages or assistance planning a honeymoon in Fiji, please contact Linda or Patty or Request a Quote from the Fiji vacation specialists at Totem Travel.

Click here for a slideshow of Uprising Resort

Uprising Beach Resort recently added some fantastic Commodore Villa Bures located both on the beach and in the gardens.  These villas are spacious with big bathrooms and outdoor showers while retaining a authentic “Fijian” atmosphere.  The resort offers budget to moderate accommodations and is on one of the nicer beaches in the area.  Uprising Beach just might be the best value dollar for dollar in Fiji and because the resort is located in the Pacific Harbour area on the main island of Viti Levu, there are many off resort activities at your disposal in addition to activities on the water.  Here is what my family of four (2 adults and 2 teenage sons) wrote about their 7 night stay at the end of August 2011.

Patty,

It was a wonderful trip and Uprising was much much better than the reviews.  The bures were great and the one we stayed in very new and right on the beach.  The beach was very very nice sandy and could walk right in and still sand.  Some of the other beaches we went to very nice but rocky.  We walked to Pearl and there really is no comparison in fact a couple of folks from Pearl walked down the beach and saw Uprising and moved to it so that they could have Bures right on a beach.  We were in the newer bures and some folks preferred the older ones since more traditional but either way they are both nice.

The service was great and people were very nice.  The food was good and well priced.  It is low key since not a lot of bures but the boys still had fun especially since the “Experience Fiji” for 18-23 age folks goes through there every couple of days so interesting crowd from different places (Chicago, London, Ireland etc).  Also walking distance to different places.   We did the Kayak all day trip and the boat excursion to one of the islands and it was very nice.  We especially enjoyed the kayaking since included a village visit, waterfalls hike, water boat.  The village we went to at the time was hosting the monthly province meeting of chiefs so very interesting and lots of Chiefs/Kava all around.

The staff during the day tries to have entertainment like a big barbeque, another time coconut and historical uses of it presentation, live bands, bon fires, free catamaran trips so overall they make it interesting. 

We definitely would go back.  You were right the Fijians are very very nice people. 

Thank you for all your help in setting everything up.  Will be posting pictures soon.

-Nancy

At Totem Travel, we specialize in various destinations and we have two Fiji Matai Specialists in the office to help you find the best spot in Fiji for either the perfect family vacation or special occasion such as a honeymoon or anniversary vacation.  We travel to the islands every year and know them well.  Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 and ask for either Patty or Linda.

Click for a Mana Island slide show

Almost every day I plan a honeymoon in Bora Bora or extravagant Fiji vacation but some couples are looking for adventure more than luxury, and not everyone wants to pay five star resort prices for a fun in the sun vacation.  Happily I can report there are affordable vacation options in the South Pacific islands that feature gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, great snorkeling and exciting activities. Some of the best vacation values are in Fiji where our dollar is worth almost two and some favorite budget friendly resorts include Uprising Beach, Mana Island Resort and Nanuya. All are on lovely white sand beaches and offer comfortable clean accommodations and attractive entry level rooms.

Here’s what a recent client had to say

We had a wonderful vacation and Mana Island Resort is the best. Its a little world within a small resort. You have so many activities to keep one busy all day long and into the night. We really enjoyed the bure which was steps away from the beach. Since we do not know swimming we were hesitant to try snorkelling but Jim (he is our best friend now…)  helped us a lot. He took us deep into the ocean and made us comfortable snorkelling. The next day I was snorkeling for close to 5 hours and still wanted to do more!  -  Preetham and Fnu

Another recent client raved about Uprising Beach so check out their comments too!  These two resorts also make a great two island combination with ziplining, river rafting, shark dives and horseboarding (not a typo… this is a new sport invented in Fiji) on the main island of Viti Levu and wonderful water sports and trips to nearby islands from Mana.  So if a fun filled Fiji vacation is an adventure on your list, please contact Linda or Patty, Totem Travel’s Fiji Specialists. We guarantee the lowest prices available and provide our expert planning services at no additional cost.

Click for Slide Show

Update: For current packages and specials across Tahiti, check out our new Tahiti packages and specials page under ‘Tahiti’ in the sidebar.

I’ve had the good fortune to visit the beautiful islands of Tahiti numerous times and as a travel agent specializing in the South Pacific I am frequently asked to choose the best hotels and resorts on Bora Bora.  So which is the best resort, the five star St Regis Bora Bora or equally luxurious Four Seasons Bora Bora?  How does the Hilton Bora Bora Nui or Intercontinental Thalasso compare for a romantic Tahiti honeymoon?  And why might I select the newly remodeled Le Meridien Bora Bora resort or suggest a beach bungalow rather than overwater bungalow at the Bora Bora Pearl for a luxury Tahiti vacation?

When we talk about Bora Bora we are talking about one of the most beautiful places in the world and Tahiti is a once in a lifetime “bucket list” vacation for most visitors.  This often translates to the ultimate splurge and the hotels and resorts in Bora Bora have knocked themselves out trying to provide the best of everything.   So how do you choose the best resort in Bora Bora for your honeymoon vacation?  We start with location.

Location, location, location.

It’s no coincidence that the most expensive and extravagant resorts in Bora Bora are on low lying outer islands called motus.  Nor that the most affordable vacation packages are for hotels and resorts on the main volcanic island of Bora Bora.  That’s because everyone’s dream of Bora Bora begins with an image of a shimmering turquoise lagoon surrounding an emerald green island with a mystical jagged mountaintop in its midst.

You’ll see the beginning of this vision as you arrive by plane, but if you choose the wrong hotel or resort, that may be your last peak until you’re back at the airport heading home.  So by most standards, the best honeymoon resort in Bora Bora will be on a motu with an unobstructed view of Mt Otemanu, that mysterious volcanic peak.  A number of four and five star luxury resorts enjoy this fabulous, dreamlike view and they include

• Four Seasons Bora Bora
• St Regis Bora Bora
• Intercontinental Thalasso
• Le Meridien Bora Bora
• Bora Bora Pearl

So these resorts make my first cut for “best resort in Bora Bora”.  Now on to the elimination rounds!

What is the next most important feature for a fabulous and memorable Bora Bora honeymoon?  Is it an overwater bungalow, gourmet dining, luxurious spa, enough privacy to skinny dip, snorkeling, overall WOW factor or (heaven forbid) is cost or budget a factor?  Here’s where it gets interesting and very personal.

All five resorts listed above would have my vote for “best resort in Bora Bora” based on certain criteria.  Having seen the resorts, stayed in numerous overwater bungalows, enjoyed gourmet dining with no thought to cost, drunk champagne in a private pool overlooking Mt Otemanu, snorkeled with the sharks and rays, indulged myself in the luxurious spas, dined with table and chairs in the turquoise lagoon and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, I am admittedly spoiled.  I am also in the unique position to help you choose the best resort in Bora Bora for your dream vacation or honeymoon.

So take advantage!  I guarantee the lowest price on all Tahiti and Fiji Island vacation packages and add no fees for my service.  So call or email and get personalized service from a Tahiti expert and check in again for blog posts on individual hotels and resorts.  I’ll be writing about Four Seasons Bora Bora, St Regis, Intercontinental Thalasso, Le Meridien, the Bora Bora Pearl and more!

I’ll also be updating my ratings and reviews of the best Sandals Resorts including the latest on overwater bungalows at Sandals Grande St Lucian, the new golf course at Sandals Whitehouse, developments at Sandals Emerald Bay and the latest on Sandals Royal Plantation.  Check back soon if an all inclusive vacation is right for you!