This resort is way ahead of it's time. It's located on the end of a small private trail road where the tropical jungle meets a private beach and lagoon. The main building and the bures are elegant, spacious with walls of glass. The owners take pride in servicing their guests in every way. The cuisine was flavorful, well presented, a combination of local mixed fare with a hint of exotic touches, and finely crafted with a chef's finish. The staff is extremely friendly, very patient, local, knowledgeable, fun and sincere. If you are a surfer, there is the added bonus of world class surf for all ranges of ability. However, you don't need to surf to appreciate this tropical paradise. It's a fantastic location for honeymooning, vacationing with a spouse, vacationing with a family or traveling among friends.
Matanivusi is very eco conscious, which means it places an importance on the enviroment and it's sustainability, yet in a way that only enhances this micro resort experience.
The natural surroundings were preserved perfectly to encompass the resort. The bures are situated within a jungle of aged old giant trees, pure flowing streams, large palms, budding floral plants and vibrant natural fauna. It's also situated on the edge of a massive coral lagoon with ocean passes that lure in the best of snorkeling the world offers.
With it's tropical color pallete of coral blues and turquoise greens, this classic Fijian location is also a photographer's dream. Every angle of this location is absolutely picture perfect and can be appreciated for a lifetime from a scrap book or digital library. Each sunset offers a completely new array of airbrushed colors, hues of fushia, violet, mandarine or rust. And like all islands situated in the midst of the seas, weather also becomes a unique personality with each and every day.
Fiji weather can be spectacular in sharing it's blue clear skies or billowing clouds. Rain can dance from the heavens at a moments notice and depart as quickly as a whispering wind. Yet when the sun is in it's full radiance, it's a searing weapon against the pale skin that only the highest SPF can combat against. These unexpected changes only remind us that we are all simply under the control of a much greater power. And these continuous patterns are all a part of the Fijian charm and way of living.
This resort reflected upon me the Fijian lifestyle, relaxed, simple and yet orderly. Everything in this little world has it's place and marches along with the peace and contentment of a small trail of soldiering ants. The morning may bring with it an occasional wave of mosquitos, the afternoon may lure out a scattering of flies, and nightfall may lead upon itself a small fury spider. Yet everything is as safe, peaceful and unthreatening in this jungle paradise as a smathering of natural repellent.
Have a guide take you on a nature walk through the exhillarating jungle. Take a snorkel along the coral passages with fish large and small. Paddleboard across the shallow coral blooms teaming with sealife. Kayak up the rivermouths. Tour the nearby islands, eco parks and local villages.
This mini eco resort, Matanivusi, has it all. Everyone at Matanivusi treated me like family. So much so that I will always miss them, and will be lured back again soon.
And most importantly the incredibly talented owners, Donna and Brian, well, they've successfully executed a dream paradise that can be truly enjoyed by all... yet for a reasonable price.
It was a pleasure to treat myself to this, for all the hard work I've succumbed to over the years. And for these memories... that they will last me a lifetime.
- Matanivusi Surf Hotel
