I have just returned from a week at the Shangri La in Fiji (got back to Australia 26/1/12). I'd done a fair bit of searching, including reading other reviews on tripadvisor before booking. I travelled with my wife and 3 children and we had a fantastic time. One thing I'll clarify from the other entries and advice I got from others before I left - The meal package involves an allowance of $35 for lunch and $80 for dinner (and the allowance includes alcohol - something we didn't realise until day 3 after asking). The staff were extremely friendly and couldn't do enough for us. I will be going back! While the resort caters for couples, it is so pro children that it really is flooded with kids 2-12.

We first went to the Fijian 40 years ago when it was new. It is still a lovely resort and a great place for children. However, we were disappointed with the clientele and their appalling lack of manners and their complaints. We would prefer a few more child-free areas. The Takali Pool is adults only but that didn't stop people allowing their children to play very loudly and run all around the pool area, which spoilt the experience for us. The Fijian people are delightful and frankly I found it embarrassing to witness the way they were treated by the guests. They are not our servants. The food was OK but a change of menu in the different restaurants, especially at lunch time, would be great. As we are geting older, the distance of some of the rooms from the restaurants, pool and beach, was just a little too far. Regrettably we would not go again as a couple. The Fijian culture that used to be evident in the Resort has also disappeared and apart from the coconut trees and the reef you could be anywhere in the world. What happened to the nightly torch lighting? What happened to the music serenaders that used to go from restaurant to pool etc?

I am totally SHOCKED, what happened to this Hotel? The prices are so high! The staff are so "down", the rooms need renovations, I was there when the floods hit- and this RESORT DID NOT ASSIST US IN ANYWAY. Its all money now...and definately NOT a 4 star resort. Please be carefull- this Hotel DOES not care for its clients,

I have to reface our review by saying that I am disappointed by the actions of my countrymen and feel that certainly impacted on our stay; the "Aussie Yobbo" is alive and well. No person is better than any other and the way that some people treated the staff at this resort was appalling. It is not acceptable that when you are on holiday your manners and those of your children are also on holiday - there is no consideration by these people for others and there primary interest seems to be dropping their children into the care of others and drinking. Our children are our responsibility and we have taught them to treat others with respect. The way some of these parents and children approached open buffets (particularly at breakfast) you would think they had never eaten before. Due to this behaviour, we spent extra money (although being on a meal deal) and ate anywhere other than the Lagoon restaurant.

Our room was OK - yes there was some moisture from the air-conditioner, but people, we are in the tropics! I think many of the complaints on here are from people who aren't experienced in living in tropical conditions. Due to water contamination whilst we were there, they requested that you only change your linen and towels on request.

My husband and I had an amazing couples massage at the Chi Spa and it truely rates as one of the best we have ever had. The cost was comparable to what we pay here in the ACT.

The resort recognised our wedding anniversary through complimentary drinks and all the staff were wishing us a happy anniversary on the day.

The food was of a good standard - let me say if you are looking for a gastronomical experience, than you will be disappointed. The reality is we were well fed, with a lot of food making it into the bin as we couldn't eat it all. I would order a club sandwich and share it with my 9 yr old; it came with a large bowl of chips, a salad, coleslaw and the sandwich!

The staff are lovely and I cannot believe people on here complain about the amount of "Bullas' they have to say - since when is saying hello to another human being a chore?! If the staff ignored them then they would complain about that too!

Yes, it is was the first major resort to be built in Fiji and is showing it's age but the people are lovely and they try hard.

I know people say check your bill BUT check your bill!!!! We had 3 attempts at ours and it was still wrong so we gave up (it was in our favour). However, this is a common problem at Shangri-La as we had the same problems in Penang.

I agree that you are a little "trapped" and we did a day trip to Robinson Crusoe Island (I will do a separate review on that) just to have a break from the crowded, unsupervised children in the pool. There is not enough shade or loungers by the pools. The tennis court needs some shade as it is in full sun all day, therefore despite lugging our tennis gear over there, we couldn't play as it was just too hot. We took our own snorkeling gear and don't regret that for a moment.

Overall we made sure we enjoyed ourselves and tried not to let others actions affect our holiday. We enjoyed our time there and I think in part because of the mixed reviews on here, we went with zero expectations and it worked for us!