Takalana was one of five stops in Fiji during our visit for a friend's wedding in Suva; it was the highlight. We were a family of five travelling with a "friend family" of seven and kids ranging from near sixteen to three years of age. We arrived in the evening having been collected by boat from Naigani island by Gebbye. We travelled via Moon reef where we snorkelled and watched the spinning dolphins which were both magical experiences. From the moment we stepped into the simple two-roomed wooden bure with paraffin lamps and neatly made beds topped with mosquito nets I felt totally at home.
Sovo produced meals three times daily in different settings according to the weather and I can't tell you how delicious the plain, simple, local produce tasted. How she managed to produce it in a small and very basic kitchen I don't know.
Daytime activites consisted of a walk to a beautiful waterfall up the hillside, horse rides up the beach and kayaking up the local river to get a look at the mangroves.
Ratu was the most serene and centred guide I have experienced and he came into his own coaching ours and his children in the game of rugby with animated games on the lawn in the evening including his two year old Jojo.
The last night was magical with Pai and Ratu producing a Fijian feast (lovo) of chicken, fish, taro, spinach and coconut cooked in palm leaves in a pit over heated rocks served under the moonlight next to a bonfire. Jay and friend provided the music with guitar and gentle melodious singing........I felt connected to the earth and universe and much more.
The special ingredient of this amazing place is the simple serenity, connectivity and beauty of the place and the people.
If sophistication and five star amenities are your bag you may not get on with Takalana, but if you want to connect with a very special place and people who live in harmony with themselves, the earth and others then this is for you.

Forget about the fancy 5 star resorts....come and experience a genuine non commercial Fijian retreat ! I have stayed at a couple of holiday beach resorts in Fiji during my stay however I have to admit I had the most fun at this retreat !

We were there for 2 nights.....we had nothing but friendly smiles from the staff.
Got to snorkel for the first time at the Moon Reef and Dolphin watch, absolute MAGIC !

We had panoramic views of the islands Ovalau, Wakaya and Naigani.
A def a hidden gem..
Thanks to the staff at Takalana ...cant wait to come back !

We really enjoyed this place. It was recommended by friends in Suva and it's already a very popular expat getaway. Book early to make sure you get in, they only sleep about 12 people. The rooms are basic, but charming and fun.

It's in a great location up overlooking the bay with an excellent view of the offshore islands and the mountains in the hinterland. There's a rural feel here quite unlike the resorts. The place is owned by groovy locals, not grasping expats, and the service feels a lot more like actual Melanesian hospitality than some of the stuff we experienced in the Mamanucas.

There's snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and dolphin watching. The spinner dolphins showed up both times we went out to Moon Reef, and on the second day they jumped for us, right on cue. Brilliant. The guys on the boat were fun, too.

My only suggestion to the owner would be have the dinner earlier so we could see what we were eating. Otherwise, don't change a thing, folks.

Tip: you should allow a full 3 hours to get here from Suva. The road is pretty rough in places.

My partner and I found out about Takalana from a friend of mine who works and lives in Suva. Takalana seems to be a bit of a hidden gem with a lot of the ex-pats in Suva- and for good reason!

Location- Takalana is only two and a half hours by car from Suva in an area of Viti Levu that hasn't become very touristy yet. We hired a car from 'Sharmas' (located in Nadi and Suva) for US $130 for four days to get there and back. The guesthouse is on a small property that runs right down to the ocean. On either side of Takalana are villages. There is also an eco-lodge, owned by the same people, a kilometre down the beach. Takalana is also very close to Levuka, which is the former Fijian capital.

Accommodation: The two guesthouses are located on the top of a hill with uninterrupted views of the sea. The guesthouses are charming in a rustic way and were very clean. When we stayed there, the retreat was still running on a generator which meant limited lighting at night but as of May 2010 they will have electricity.

Activities: The staff are really flexible with the activities on offer. One morning we woke up and asked if horse riding was a possibility and they had two horses brought up from the village for us to ride along the beach. Dolphin watching out at Moon Reef was another highlight with out boat being surrounded by at least 60 dolphins. I was told by the staff that the dolphins are such a phenomenon that two marine biologists stayed at Takalana for three months to study them. Hiking to a waterfall and a nearby mountain vista were also fantastic- particularly as it is likely that you'll have the places to yourself.

Food: We were served three meals a day by a chef who has trained in Australia. The portion sizes were huge and offered a great range of Fijian and international cuisines. On our final night we were served a Fijian lovo which the staff try to do for every guest during their stay.

A stay at Takalana is more like being welcomed into a Fijian family rather than staying at a guesthouse. The staff are so friendly and seem to really love living at Takalana and welcoming travellers from all around the world. This was by far the best place we stayed in Fiji and my friend who has lived in Fiji for a year and has travelled to more than 30 resorts and hotels firmly agrees.