If ever there was a heaven on earth it is in Rainbow Reef, Fiji. I think we wore everyone out with our incessant exclamations: Wow! This is amazing! Incredible! Gorgeous! Etc. etc. The island is alive--from the clear turquoise oceans with their bustling reefs and the jungle pulsing with energy--there is so much beautiful life in Fiji. Rainbow Reef Resort blew our minds! We arrived to the deserted cove--with us the only guests and the staff our only companions--to a chorus of singing and ukuleles, and fresh coconut juice straight from the coconut recently chopped by Moupa and his machete. Our bungalow (a word that had conjured up images of a homely shack in my mind) was absolute luxury, with wood floors and a king canopy bed. The outdoor shower was awesome given that the weather is perpetually 80 degrees, with a nice breeze and lovely humidity.

So our days consisted of lazing around, eating incredible meals, and embarking on endless explorations. Let's start with the food. The chef, Toto, is a master of the kitchen. Three meals a day--complete with three courses: ginger papaya soups, fresh salads, lobster tails, the best grilled snapper I've ever had, prawns (the seafood is fresh and wonderful), desserts with the best ice cream made from passionfruit that grows all over the island. And the breakfast! It begins with a platter of voluptuous fruit that grows everywhere---banana, passionfruit, papaya, pineapple, watermelon--and freshly baked banana or passionfruit muffins. Then eggs and bacon and toast your way.

And then there was the exploring... we hiked all over the place, up to the ridge where you can see a 360 degree view of other surrounding islands; we learned how to climb a coconut tree; we went snorkeling around the reefs right out front that are KILLER; we kayaked; we rope swinged; we hiked up to the waterfalls on Taveuni and jumped off the highest part we could find; we played volleyball with the locals; and all the while, we looked on with faces of wonder at the splendor of the place.

But I've saved the best for last because by far, the best part about Fiji is the people. We fell in love with the staff, following them around like little kids with a million questions: What kind of plant is that? How fast does a raintree grow? How do you chop up a coconut? How do you shuck a brown coconut? How do you spear fish? What kind of fish can you eat? What kind of fruit is this? They take customer service to a whole new level at Rainbow Reef! Every time we'd return to our room we'd find fresh flowers, room cleaned, laundry washed and folded, umbrellas when there was rain...and we were offered glorious massages whenever we wanted one, which was amazing.

So needless to say, we had a blast. Probably the coolest place I've ever been in my life.

My family, sister and her husband, and a close friend and her son spent a magical 24 hours at this resort. Arriving by boat, a moon shaped, white sand beach beckons you to enter this exceptional private paradise. Several of us decided to swim from the boat with flippers, skimming over the colorful reef brimming with brightly colored fish and an even more astounding array of sea urchins and coral. I almost certainly saw the sand shift when a large fish moved below me and revealed a magnificent blue and purple family of starfish. Once we all arrived on shore, the staff met us with friendly smiles and fresh coconut water and a hibiscus flower next to the straw, a perfect welcome. The indoor/outdoor eating area blends in with the landscaped grounds of this beautiful resort. In the evening as you walk along a torchlit pathway to and fro your private burre and the main dining area, you find yourself, mostly thinking about just how relaxing the idea of being “away from the world” and next to the most gorgeous beach you’ve ever enjoyed can be….your entire body melts into this private abode and relishes its’ peace and beauty. After paddling kayaks or body boarding or swimming or just walking the beach filled with shells and coral, you find yourself surrounded by bamboo and enjoying the most tantalizingly warm shower you’ve ever experienced, outdoors. The burres are five star quality and exceptionally private, each offering different amenities and are family friendly. Our family liked the warm water stone bowls you dip your feet into prior to entering the burre . The manager of Rainbow Reef is exceptionally friendly, as is his staff. The chef produces fresh food and meals that you’ll remember forever! We discovered fresh coconut massages…no need to say more! I know Rainbow Reef is a bit of heaven on earth and plan to return with family and friends many more vacations. If you are considering a trip to Fiji and desire a location with utmost privacy, excellent cuisine and comfort, and will treasure always, then RRR is your destination!

The food was amazing!!! felt like we were in a 3 star Michelin place!!!

I can't write enough about the Rainbow Reef Resort. We stayed for 10 days in November of 2010. It is managed by the owners of Dolphin Bay Resort located in the next cove over. They do a wonderful job. The Bure(room) we stayed in was right on the water, we could see the sunrise over the water from our bed each morning if we wanted. There are four Bures along the beach of the resort all very private from each other. They are beautifully appointed inside with large beds, sitting areas, and an inside/outside bathroom. The showers are outside surrounded by bamboo wall, rock floors and lovely plants and ferns. It was great to walk right in from the beach or diving and shower off before going in the bure.
The resort itself has beautiful grounds, grassy green with colourful bushes, palm trees and flowers. The beach is swept and raked each day.
The food was delicious and induced in the price, the dining room was open air right beside the water, there is an inside option in case of rain.
Lots to do, the resort has kayaks, lots of hiking trails, snorkeling in front of the resort is great. Nice sandy beach right into the water. You can also book day trips to other islands, horseback riding etc. Staff is very helpful and accommodating.
The diving is out of this world!!!! They would pick us up each morning from the Dolphin Bay Divers. The dive master was excellent, and all of the dive sites were incredible. we have never seen so many soft corals and fish. The great white wall is something to be experienced. The groups are very small and if you have new divers they will split you up so you get the best experience possible.
For part of our stay we had the whole resort to ourselves, never had that before, and the manage Roland would come over every evening at dinner to make sure everything was fine.
There is no TV, no phones, and basically no computer which is the kind of place my husband and I like as our lives our very busy, so take that into consideration before deciding to stay.
They meet you at the airport and take you by car to the dock and it's a 15 min boat ride over to the resort. All the staff we met are very friendly!!
All in all one of the best vacation spots we have ever stayed in especially since we are divers.
Would go back in a minute!!
If you are into a busy resort with nightlife, gambling, shopping etc, I would not recommend staying here but for a relaxing, unwinding time it's the best place I've been to. Also very romantic for honeymooners or couples celebrating something special.