The development of a perfect tropical escape was the vision of Emmy-award
winning Australian television producer Henry Crawford, and his creative partner,
Martin Livingston, a fifth generation European Fijian.
The result is Vatulele (pronounced ‘Vah-too-lay-lay’), on one of the
southern islands of the Fijian group. It took two years to find the ideal South
Seas location, and three more to enhance the natural beauty of the site with
man-made luxury where stressed-out guests could escape the pressures of Western
society.
The villas or bures (pronounced ‘boo-rays’) are spacious and identical,
enjoying easy access to the water, each with its stretch of white sand.
Twelve doors open to an expansive terrace, and from the living room you
walk up three steps to the bedroom, with a king size bed and a dressing area.
The bures are around 50 metres apart and are set in natural jungle,
allowing privacy.
Vatulele is well recognised for its food, ranging from Californian to Thai,
Japanese, Austral/Asian and Indian - in fact, any style that suits our
glorious tropical climate and laid back lifestyle.
Fresh ingredients are flown in daily from Australia and New Zealand.
Naturally there is an emphasis on seafood. Because of our all inclusive
tariff, there are ample opportunities to sample the contents of our first
class cellar, including unlimited French champagne!
In the welcoming warm weather, meals are taken on a terrace outside our
large central pavilion overlooking the lagoon. By night, tables are set under
the stars and lit by lanterns and candlelight. At full moon, the ‘dining
room’ is usually set by the water’s edge. Dining is usually communal, and
hosted by the management - in the style of the Captain’s table on a ship.
However, don’t imagine that we ignore that special occasion or the chance to
have a romantic dinner for two. There are many options for private dinners,
our wine cellar, in ‘The Folly’, on an exclusive island in the lagoon, or
on the beach with moon and lantern light.
The quality of the scuba diving sites at Vatulele has been one of the South
Pacific’s well-kept secrets for many years, and only recently has it been
revealed as one of the premier dive destinations in the region.
Vatulele is the only five star island resort in Fiji with a PADI (“Golden
Palm” status) dive facility and resident instructors. We offer a variety of
courses: ‘Resort’ courses, full ‘Open Water’ certification courses,
and various specialty courses. We can offer a cross-section of diving
possibilities: soft coral, hard coral and pelagics. Underwater visibility
ranges from above average to excellent and there are few currents. The island
is surrounded by deep water with large ‘drop-offs’, offering twenty-two
dive sites within fifteen minutes’ travel.
There are no better circumstances to take your first steps into the
exhilarating world beneath the sea.
ACCOMMODATION
There are 18 villas (bures) of equal standard. Some are further
away from the central bure (located between 3 & 4) than others.
Please let us know your distance preference when you are booking
and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Sometimes guests (particularly past ones) request specific
bures. On all occasions we do our best to accommodate these requests, but you should know that we NEVER guarantee a special will be available at the time.
GUEST PROFILE
Vatulele visits are often “special occasion” vacations - honeymoons,
birthdays or anniversaries. Vatulele particularly suits those
who want to escape from the pressures of the Western world, yet
still be able to enjoy five star standards. As the bures are set
in jungle, Vatulele will not suit travellers who feel more comfortable
in a “bug free”, sterile environment. Rather, it suits the more
adventurous traveller who wants “to get the sand between their
toes”. The resort particularly suits outgoing people who are able
to enjoy the company of others, in addition to privacy.
More than half our guests are North American, the balance is split
evenly between Australia/New Zealand and Europe (mostly English,
German speaking and Italian).
We strongly recommended that guests be able to speak some English
to get full value out of the experience we offer.
We are normally able to accommodate requests for singles - depending
on space. As most guests mix together guests travelling alone
are unlikely to feel excluded.
We do not recommend less than 5 nights. Our average stay is 7
nights.
Children under the age of twelve are not permitted unless their
stay coincides with one of our two annual designated “family weeks”.
During these periods children of any age are accepted on the understanding
that their meal hours are at an earlier time and they do not join
the adult dining table. Baby sitters are readily available.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Dress on the island is informal. Evening is smart casual, and
footwear is optional at all times. Definitely no jackets or ties.
We supply hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, beach towels, snorkeling,
tennis and scuba diving equipment. Our shop stocks a limited variety
of suntan creams, film and cigarettes. A pair of rubber soled
shoes plus some reef walkers or waterproof sandals are recommended.
Although the year-round temperature is warm, you may experience
some cool evenings in our winter months (June, July, August).
Pack some warmer clothes if your stay falls in this period, as
we dine outside year round.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
You will need a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your
date of arrival.
No visas are required for most countries.
There is a 24 hour bank on the left immediately outside Customs.
A small amount of Fijian currency would be appropriate for Vatulele
if you intend making purchases in the village. Fiji $50 should
be ample but make sure to ask for small denominations ($2 & $5
notes).
You will also need $20 in Fijian currency for your departure tax.
As most international flights arrive early morning, we recommend
that guests who are transferring same day, reserve a day room
at a hotel near the airport. Guests overnighting should make themselves
known to the appropriate hotel representative or make their own
way to their accommodation. The best mainland hotels are adjacent
to each other and 25 minutes drive from the airport - The Sheraton
Fiji and the Sheraton Royal. (The Royal has more of a “Fijian”
quality). There are plenty of taxis available but many are in
poor condition. The best taxi service is IMAAMS, who run (older)
Mercedes Benz cars. These would normally have to be
prebooked.
Telephone (679) 700 559 Fax (679) 702 076.
Our Nadi airport office is located on the floor above the concourse
after you exit Customs. Unless alternative arrangements are made
our staff are on duty from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Tel (679) 720 300 Fax (679) 720 062 email vatulele@is.com.fj).
ISLAND COMMUNICATIONS
Guest villas are not equipped with telephones. In urgent circumstances
you may have access to our office telephone and fax. (Telephone:
Country code (679) 550 300 Fax (679) 550 262). Incoming callers
should not expect the island telephone to be answered after 5pm.
The local telephone system is sometimes less than adequate and
callers should be warned that they may encounter some difficulty
with transmission. Fortunately mobile phones do not work on Vatulele.
TRANSFERS TO VATULELE
Air is the only option. We have a daily charter flight departing
Nadi at 11.30am and the flight takes 25 minutes. (Check-in 11am).
Unless advised to the contrary this is a SOUTH PACIFIC SEAPLANES aircraft which departs from Nadi airport. (Check-in in the domestic terminal). Your luggage
allowance on all domestic flights in Fiji is 15kg (33lb. per person)
If you are travelling on an extensive trip, to avoid inconvenience,
we suggest you pack a separate case for the island and store your
excess in our Nadi airport office. (a Vatulele staff member will
be at the check-in desk at 11am to assist you with this).
SPECIAL CHARTER FLIGHTS
If you need to connect to a morning departure flight from Nadi
or if you arrive in Nadi too late to travel on the regular flight,
a special charter aircraft can be arranged*. All charter flights
must be arranged through the resort. No private charters will
be accepted. These transfers are limited to daylight hours. An
international departure prior to 9am probably dictates an overnight
stay on the mainland. Passengers arriving after 4pm may also find
a same day transfer impossible.
CHECK-IN AND CHECKOUT TIMES
Check-out 11am Check-in 1pm.
*Unless a bure is reserved from the night before, guests may not
arrive on the island before NOON. Guests who extend their stay
beyond the departure time of the standard transfer flight will
still be required to vacate their bure by 11am and will incur
a late departure charge equal to 25% of the daily rate.
MEDICAL
The resort maintains a comprehensively equipped medical room including
oxygen and an asthma nebuliser. Telephone consultations with a
mainland medical practitioner can be easily convened. Fiji is
free of most tropical diseases including Malaria. No vaccinations
are required.
ELECTRICITY
The resort generates its own power and is standard Fiji voltage
- 240 volts. Bathrooms on Vatulele have a power outlet suitable
for most 110 volt appliances.
Property Information
-Beach -Boutique -Gift Shop -Hiking -Heli-Pad -Leis -Library -Massage-In
Room-Charge -Sundry Shop -Sports Facilities -Swimming -Tennis Court -Swimming
-Tennis Court -Airport Shuttle -Breakfast -Dinner -Entertainment -Foregin
Exchange -Laundry-Valet -Lunch -Massage-Charge -Porters -Tour Guide -Turn Down
Service
The following credit cards are accepted: AX,DC,CA,VI. -Vatulele Is An
Accredited..gold Palm..padi 5 Starfacilities hotel rating.
Room Types
-Room Description- -V1k - Bure Villa With King Bed -Room Amenities- -120ac
-220dc -Bathrobe -Ceiling Fans -Coffee Maker -Dressing Room -Dual Voltage
-Electrical Adaptors -Fresh Flowers -Fresh Fruit -Full Size Mirror -Hairdryer
-Hand And Face Towels -In-Room Safe -Minibar -Make Up Mirror -Mosquito Netting
-Patio -Razor Socket -Refrigerator -Shower -Terrace -Toiletries -Verandah -Wet
Bar
