Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort

World's Best Hotels & Resorts

This award-winning, luxury resort with 25 bungalows in the Fiji Islands is one of the World's Best Hotels & Resorts recommended by Luxury Travel Magazine. Experience: Family vacations, Fishing, Honeymoons, Scuba, Tennis.

The award-winning, five-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is one of the most renowned vacation destinations in the South Pacific. Located on the island of Vanua Levu on 17 acres of a coconut plantation, the accommodations overlook the peaceful waters of Savusavu Bay.

The acclaimed resort is an international favorite for romance, honeymoons and weddings; scuba diving; and families, who want to combine heavenly surroundings and exceptional dining with an unsurpassed range of eco-friendly activities. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is the only resort that employs a full-time marine biologist to help visitors appreciate the underwater world of Fiji.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, recognized as one of the top resorts in Fiji, is managed by Passport Resorts, renowned in the hospitality industry for its collection of internationally acclaimed, small, luxury destinations that are operated in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The resort has received several major honors: it was featured in the book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die," ranked first on TripAdvisor's 2007 "Top 10 Environmentally-Friendly Destinations” list worldwide, and it was first in Fiji on the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List. It received two World Travel Awards in 2007, for "Fiji's Leading Boutique Resort" and "Fiji's Leading Suite." The resort was also chosen by Condé Nast Johansens as the "Most Excellent Resort" in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands in 2006 and received the #1 ranking in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2005 Green List. Sister resorts include Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Calif., the Hotel Hâna-Maui, Maui, Hawaii, and the new Cavallo Point – the Lodge at the Golden Gate, Sausalito, California.

The resort is located on the island of Vanua Levu on a former 17-acre coconut plantation overlooking Savusavu Bay. Accommodations are 25 Fijian-style, thatched-roof bures set amongst elegant palm trees. The resort’s bures are designed with an environmentally sensitive eye; the structure and furnishings feature local non-endangered thatch, bamboo reeds and hardwood timbers. The bures are comfortably spaced apart with dense vegetation between them to ensure privacy. The Villa, designated as “Fiji’s Leading Suite” in the 2007 World Travel Awards, encompasses 2,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including a master bedroom and sunken Jacuzzi, stone waterfall, private horizon-edge pool and garden, daybed pavilion, upper and lower deck made of recycled materials, living room and kitchenette.

The resort earned the title of “Leading Green Hotel” for its environmental philosophy centered on renewal, conservation and efficiency. Begun over 12 years ago, the resort’s organic garden now spans more than two acres. Produce varies from year to year but includes diverse vegetables, herbs and tropical fruits. The resort features Fiji’s first and only water reclamation plant using reclaimed materials (plastic water bottles that are cut up and act as a water filter). To guests, however, the water plant is seen as attractive lagoons, festooned with flowers, that further enhance the visual beauty of the resort. The resort and its staff have also established a successful Giant Clam restoration program and were instrumental in establishing the world-acclaimed Namena Reef as a protected area.

In addition to couples, families, water enthusiasts and ecotravelers alike are drawn to the casual luxury of Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort and its active adventures on the doorstep of a pristine ecological environment. Guests book a spa treatment in the beachfront spa bure, dine under the stars on the pier or go on a private island escape. The resort has one of the world's top dive operations, one dedicated to preserving the delicate reefs and their inhabitants. The resort boasts a resident marine biologist and a medicine man and offers an expansive array of complimentary activities, including the use of three freshwater swimming pools, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, hiking in the rainforest, daily yoga, tennis, glass bottom boat tours and visiting the local Fijian village. Fijian ecological activities are also complimentary and include reef walks, Coral City slide shows, mangrove tours, organic garden tours, star gazing, guided snorkeling trips with the marine biologist, various walks including the Medicine Walk, and a traditional Kava ceremony.

Built on the site of a former coconut plantation, the 17-acre resort features 25 spacious bures. Built of local timbers, these traditional thatched Fijian bungalows provide privacy, comfort and personalized service. Each bure features rattan furnishings, king-size bed with custom-made mattress, small sitting area with desk, wooden louvered windows, overhead fan, and private deck with garden or ocean views. Oversized bathrooms in warm Italian tile offer double sink basins, separate shower, and hair dryer. Other amenities include minibar with complimentary beverages and snacks, French press coffee maker, plush robes and tropical flowers. To ensure a serene environment, the bures have no telephones or televisions.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort has received several major honors and it was featured in the book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die":

Australasia's Leading Green Hotel - World Travel Awards, 2008
Fiji's Leading Resort - World Travel Awards, 2008
Global Sustainable Tourism Award - ISLANDS magazine, December 2007
Fiji's Leading Boutique Resort - World Travel Awards, 2007
Fiji's Leading Suite - World Travel Awards, 2007
#1 World's Top 10 Environmentally-Friendly Accommodation - Trip Advisor, 2007
#1 Resort in Fiji - Condé Nast Traveler, 2006
#1 - Resorts and Lodges - Worldwide - Condé Nast Traveler Green List, 2005

AMENITIES & SERVICES

High speed, wireless internet access is available for a small fee.

Fiji Weddings & Honeymoon Vacations:

Rates include:

All meals, non-alcoholic bottled beverages, and ground transfers to and from Savusavu Airport. Daily meals feature a full cooked or continental breakfast with fresh-baked pastries, tropical fruits, fresh seafood or eggs any style. For lunch and dinner, a daily table d'hote menu offers international cuisine selections and a healthy, vegetarian option.

Rates exclude:

• Mixed Beverages: There is a fee for alcoholic and specialty drinks (e.g. espresso, blended drinks).
• Child care: Our complimentary Bula Club provides a private nanny for children under 5 years, and a 1-to-4 ratio of caregivers for children over 5 years, from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Service at other times is available for U.S. $5 per hour (2 hour minimum.)
• Massage & Spa Services: The resort offers the most comprehensive massage and spa services in the South Pacific. Prices range from U.S. $65-$125.
• VAT Tax: All rates and charges are subject to a Fiji Government Tax (17.5% as of April 1, 2008), frequently referred to as "VAT" (Value Added Tax). This tax is not included in prices and will be added to all room rates and other charges.

Check-in time: 2:00pm
Check-out time: 11:00am

Child Policy: Children are welcome year-round in Oceanfront Suite, Oceanfront, Gardenview and 2-Bedroom Oceanfront bures. Children are not accommodated in Point Reef or Honeymoon Point Reef Spa bures except for April 1 – 27, 2008; June 7 – August 31, 2008; September 13 – October 19, 2008; and December 6, 2008 – January 31, 2009.

Point Reef bures do not have child-proof balconies for children under age 3. The Villa will accommodate children age 6 and older all year round. Children under 6 years are accommodated on a request basis only. Please contact our Reservations Office for authorization.

Please note there are no infant rates: Children's rates apply from 0-12 years inclusive.

Third Person charges:
The first two children age 12 and under in any bure are always FREE at the resort. The 3rd child 12 and under in any bure is US$90 per night.

Extra persons age 13 and above are an additional US$180 per night.

Length of Stay: The minimum stay at the resort is 3 nights, except for December 20, 2008 to January 4, 2009, when the minimum stay is 7 nights.

DINING

Dining Room and Bar - The resort's award-winning meals are served in an open-air dining room, which overlooks the sea and features a 60-foot high temple roof. Serving the "Best Food in Fiji" (Travel + Leisure, November 2002), the restaurant specializes in contemporary Fijian, South Pacific and International cuisine complemented by an extensive selection of fine wines. Overlooking the pool and ocean beyond, the bar serves non-alcoholic beverages, wine, beer and exotic drinks.

Each week, guests enjoy two special dining events: a Lovo, the traditional Fijian feast, and Mongolian barbecue/stir-fry.

During cocktail hour and dinner each night, our local Fijian "Beach Boys" will entertain you with local Fijian and American songs.

Dining by Starlight at Pier's End - Enjoy an intimate dinner at the end of our private pier. Surrounded by the gentle waters of the Koro Sea, experience award-winning dining, as the sunset pales into starlight and candlelight. Reservations are required and based upon availability.

Private Dine-Out Bures - We recently added another option for couples to have a private, romantic dinner. Our two thatched-roof Dine Out Bures are situated along the shoreline and provide an intimate, idyllic setting

Private Fiji Island Escape - Ever want to be alone on your own private island, just the two of you? Now's the time. Reserve our idyllic island for the day and escape to your own secluded paradise. After our Fijian chef prepares a gourmet picnic lunch and ices a bottle of Champagne, our boat will ferry you over to Naviavia Island to be alone together. But if you think getting there is half the fun, grab your snorkeling gear and kayak out to the island on your own.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

The resort has four swimming pools: (1) The oceanfront horizon-edge Serenity Pool is designated for adults only and teenagers 13 years and older, (2) the Family Pool with water slide is located alongside the Bula Club and caters to both adults and children, (3) the Bula Club Pool, located within the Bula Club area, is dedicated for children age 5 and younger, and (4) the Water Mushroom Toddlers Pool is for very young children.

Activities - Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort offers an exceptional range of cultural, educational, environmental and recreational experiences. Many activities are enjoyable for all guests, and some are of special interest to romantic couples, children or water enthusiasts.

On Land - Join us for local village excursions, rain forest hikes to waterfalls, mangrove adventures, reef flat walks, basket weaving and Fijian story telling narrated by our local Fijian Cultural Host, Niumaia. Don't miss Niumaia's Medicinal Plant Walk. We are also the only property in Fiji that has a full-time, resident marine biologist, who is on hand to explain our island's flora, fauna and sea life.

Sports enthusiasts can play tennis on our court set among the gardens, or join the staff in a game of volleyball (but be warned they rarely lose!).

In the Water - Refresh your mind and body with laps in our freshwater swimming pool just steps from the ocean. Explore the local clam project by snorkeling off our jetty, or take the glass bottom boat to snorkel on the outer reefs accompanied by our Marine Biologist to explain the area's extraordinary diversity. Or dive in to scuba -- the L'Aventure team offers a full range of dive opportunities and experiences, from beginner to expert level.

On the Water - Sail a Hobie Cat over crystal clear waters, skim the reef by kayak, or discover the astonishing sea life from the comfort of our glass bottom boat. Take a fishing trip around Savusavu, and bring your catch back to our Chef. He'll prepare it as you wish for dinner!

Local Culture - Experience Fijian music, kava ceremonies, traditional medicines and the neighboring village. Come learn about the gracious culture that is at the core of legendary Fijian hospitality.

Spa - Relax completely and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit at the South Pacific's most comprehensive spa facility. We feature Fijian massages and over 20 spa treatments.

Evening - Enjoy the music of our local band every night but Sunday, or join in around the Tanoa bowl and share Fiji's traditional drink, Kava.

Slide Presentations - Join the slide shows and videos that are presented by our on-site Naturalist/ Marine Biologist several times a week. These informative gatherings explain the importance of preserving Fiji's environment, especially its native sea life.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Explore Savusavu - The resort's nearby town has shops, small restaurants, banks, a post office and farmer's market selling a colorful array of fruits and vegetables. Our Saturday morning trip to the farmer's market takes a look at local produce and what goes into the preparation of the Lovo, or Fijian feast.

GETTING THERE

AIRPORT: Nadi (NAN) Book Flights

All international flights to Fiji from the USA leave from Los Angeles. The three carriers are: Air New Zealand, Air Pacific and Qantas. The direct flight from Los Angeles to Nadi, Fiji (where the international airport is located) is 10 ½ hours.

For American Airlines Advantage Members: Fly to Fiji on Air Pacific and you will earn miles on American or use your American miles to fly on Air Pacific!

LAX - NAN
75,000 miles in Coach Class
125,000 miles in Business Class
145,000 miles in First Class

TRANSPORTATION: Once in Nadi, the resort's greeter, Seini, will personally welcome guests and escort you to your connecting flight. Then you will take a one-hour inter-island flight on either Sun Air or Air Fiji to Savusavu airport, the airport closest to the resort. The resort has complimentary ground transportation to and from the Savusavu airport. Another option is to charter a seaplane from Nadi direct to the dock at the resort. The cost of the seaplane varies depending on the number of people flying to the resort. Pacific Islands Seaplanes in Fiji offers this option.

HOTEL ADDRESS:
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Vanua Levu Island
Savusavu, Fiji
Tel. res: (800) 246-3454 (toll free in USA & Canada) or (415) 788-5794
Fax: (415) 788-0150