This place could be fantastic... the setting is first rate, it's easy to get to, the people are friendly, the food pleasing, they have internet (of a sort!)... there was plenty to like about this place
So why was I disappointed? Perhaps the fact that we clearly advised that there would be four of us only to arrive and have no pillows on the single beds and only two towels. It could be argued, however, that was a housekeeping slipup and that this establishment wouldn't be the first to experience poor communication between bookings and housekeeping.
Then perhaps my disappointment stemmed from having been woken constantly through the night with no bed covers. Eventually I became aware that even the bottom sheet had come off and I was sleeping directly on the mattress (ewww)... the bottom sheet, while once a fitted sheet, had no elastic. It had no chance of surviving the night. The top sheet was at least a size too small; it was merely a token gesture laid over the bottom sheet with no chance ever of tucking in! Maybe there is an explanation for that, what it is I am not going to speculate.
And then there was the fact that to walk from our lodge to anywhere else on the site, we had to pass the smelly Skip Bin sized rubbish container. We weren't the only ones either, this thing is planted in the middle of everywhere.
There were other mild niggles too, but I don't want this to turn into a rant. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad and I certainly didn't like what I saw of other accommodation on offer in and around Suva either. I was pleased to leave though.

Off the beaten track. Tom the guy who owns it is a laugh, made us feel very welcome. F$10 will get you a taxi into Suva. Big roomy bungalow style accomadation surrounded by lush gardens. Four poster bed and lounge chairs felt very homey. Its not chic and elegent but neither is Tom ! Its a bit quirkey so we liked it a lot. Great food !!

We stayed 2 nights at The Raintree Lodge. When we arrived they did not have our booking and we had to find the email confirmation to show them. The rooms were a little tired and need to be refurbished. We ordered breakfast at 07.30 and it arrived at 08.30 even though we were the only ones there. It could be a great Lodge but the owner(s) need to spend some money on the place and have some staff training. I have recommended this place but only just.

In the hills behind Suva, the climate is cooler and fresh air a revelation after the hectic city laden with diesel fumes. Designed to showcase the environment, with sustainability in mind Raintree Lodge is something special.

My Eco bure felt more like a private treehouse, and I slept in a four-poster bed for the first time in my life. The hardwood floors, walls of timber louvers and high windows melded together to create a cosy hideaway surrounded by rainforest. The bathroom was clean and like the rest of the bure, functional.

I made use of the tea and coffee-making facilities, and the bar fridge, but I ignored the TV and DVD player. I fell in love with my balcony, which overlooked looked the lake. The lake was originally an abandoned government quarry, and now it is the focal point of the complex.

Architecturally the main building echoes the design of a traditional Chiefs Bure, and houses the reception, gift shop, bar and dining area. The menu’s promote local food, and I can highly recommend the Chicken Balabala from the Raintree Restaurant. The Veranda Bar & Cafe is perfect for breakfast. A two bedroom family bure, and three dormitories are also available on site. There is also a conference room by the main lake, a swimming pool with a covered deck area, and they are all surrounded by...wait for it...rainforest.

Raintree Lodge is across the road from the Department of Forestry Colo I Suva Station, and the Police Post. An $8 taxi ride will take you to Suva, with its Museum of Fiji, shopping precinct and markets, but, that is only if you actually want to leave!