Even though there are no official youth hostels in Fiji, the New Zealand Youth Hostel Association tries to steer budget travelers toward suitable facilities by searching out appropriate places and recommending them as “associate hostels.” There are six locations they have chosen for 1997, and five are being featured on a new Web site on the Internet.
Fiji’s 322 islands are scattered over 800,000 square miles of ocean, about 1,984 miles southwest of Hawaii and 1,240 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia. It’s not usually a budget traveler’s key destination. Backpackers are most likely to wind up there because they are offered a stopover opportunity during a journey to the South Pacific.
It’s a land of blue lagoons and beautiful beaches, and as much as the people once had a reputation for fierceness (when Capt. Bligh traveled through during the Bounty mutiny in 1789, they were known as the Cannibal Islands) today the Fiji people are known for their easygoing friendliness and exotic traditions, which have ranged from fire dancing to “calling” turtles and sharks.
International flights land near Nadi on Viti Levu, the largest island. All the recommended associate hostels are on this island.
Club Fiji Resort, which is located on a quarter mile of beach on the shore of Nadi Bay, is an associate hostel, but it’s not just for budget travelers. Most of the lodging is in bures (traditional thatched huts with ensuite bathrooms, fridges and double beds) for 54 to 70 francs (about $39 to $69 U.S.) per night. For budget travelers they have added a dormitory bure with two six-bedded rooms, where you can stay for 10 francs ($7.20) per night.
The resort offers a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and free windsurfing and paddle boards. Water-skiing, sailing, snorkeling, PADI diving, golf and horseback riding can also be arranged.
If you prebook a bed through an affiliated hosteling association you can have a free ride from the airport. You can contact the resort at P.O. Box 9619, Nadi Airport. Telephone 011-679-700-622 or 011-679-701-189; fax 011-679-720-350.
The following five “associate hostels” are being featured on the Web site http://www.Fiji4Less.com.fj. At the site you can see photographs and details on rates, facilities, plus links for making a reservations. You can also e-mail any of the following hostels at cathay@is.com.fj.
The Cathay Hostel is near the heart of Lautoka, the second largest city in the country and a transit point for those traveling to Beachcomber and Treasure Islands, or the Yasawa Islands. For budget travelers the hotel offers dormitory rooms with up to eight beds for 8 francs ($5.75), per person, per night. Double/twin rooms with air-conditioning and private washrooms are 41 francs ($29.50). There is a swimming pool, lounge, bar and inexpensive meals are available. You can contact the hotel at P.O. Box 239, Lautoka. Telephone 011-679-660-566, or fax 011-679-660-136.
The Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel is on a white sand beach in the Nadi/Lautoka area, less than two miles from the main highway. There are no organized activities but there is a swimming pool, a swimming lagoon and a barbecue area. In addition to the 12 regular one-bedroom apartments, budget travelers have the option of staying in the annex. It has four two-bedded rooms, and there is a shared kitchen. Beds are available for 7 francs ($5) and you can set up you own tent and camp for 4.50 francs ($4.40). You can contact them by calling 011-679-661-777 or faxing 011-679-660-136. The address is P.O. Box 239, Lautoka.
The Tubakula Beach Bungalows and Beach Club is on the Coral Coast neat the seaside community of Korotogo. The resort includes eight three-bedded dormitory rooms where you can stay for 11 francs ($8) per night. There is a swimming pool, lounge, a travelers’ information board and you can book local tours. You can contact the hotel at P.O. Box 2, Sigatoka. Call 011-679-500-097 or fax 011-679-500-201.
The South Seas Private Hotel is at 6 Williamson Rd. in Suva, the capital of Fiji. It’s a historic wooden building, with solar water heating, in a quiet residential area. Dormitory rooms have up to five beds, which are available for 8 francs ($5.75) a night. Double/twin rooms are 18.50 francs ($13.30) per night. You can contact the hotel at P.O. Box 2086, Government Buildings, Suva. Call 011-679-312-296 or fax 011-679-340-236.
The Travel Inn is at 19 Gorrie St. in Suva. It offers self-contained budget apartments with three beds for 36 francs ($26), or a single room with a shared bathroom for 15 francs ($10.80). Write P.O. Box 2086, Government Buildings, Suva. Call 011-679-304-254 or fax 011-679-340-236.
Travelers planning more than a quick stopover would be wise to invest in a detailed guidebook before leaving home. The most comprehensive and current guide available is the fourth edition of “Fiji Islands Handbook” by David Stanley ($13.95; Moon Travel Handbooks), which was published in February 1996. The book has reviews of lodging facilities and in-depth information on island culture, history and sporting activities.
General information on Fiji is available from the Fiji Visitors Bureau, Suite 220, 5777 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles. Calif. 90045. Call 800-932-3454.
