Fiji Holiday Reviews

Cousteau Resort far exceeded our expectations across the board. In particular, the food and staff were incredible. Every meal was consistently among the top meals we've EVER had in San Francisco, New York, Paris, Italy or anywhere. This feat was especially impressive considering how mediocre the food was at the other five star resort we visited. And, the staff was so friendly and fabulous. They always remembered our names and made us feel incredibly special.
-- Andy & Sara K.

I just want to thank everyone at the Jean-Michel Fiji Islands Resort. I can not tell you how much we loved our trip. We had a group of 9 adults and 2 children from Texas and Tennessee and we had THE BEST vacation we have ever had. The resort was superb; the activities including scuba diving, nature walks, nightly presentations and Bula Camp for the kids were amazing. Everyone at the dive shop did a great job and was so friendly and helpful. They took care of all of our diving needs from the time we arrived to when we left. The food was out of this world! I am not joking. We never had the same thing on the menu twice, it was amazing! Everything, and I mean everything we ate was incredible! (I still want to get the recipe for the banana pancakes!) Most places rotate a menu every couple of days or every week or so. Your chefs are to be congratulated on a job well done!

But the absolute best part about the trip was the people: Vani, Wanga (Wana?), Senga (Sena?), Leon, Pate, Pete, Martha, Lo, Christian and so many others made our trip the best our family has ever taken. All of the people there, without exception, were excellent. The managers were great and made us feel so welcome. I remember someone who was setting up for the morning telling me happy birthday at 6:30am before anyone else had woken up and wondered how in the world he knew it was my birthday! I don’t think I ever met him before that! The manager who played the guitar and sang happy birthday or congratulations just had this big welcoming, friendly smile on his face all the time and you could really tell that he loved his job. Your staff knew us all by name from day 1 and it felt as though they welcomed us into their home! I can not express to you how much that meant to us and how impressed we were with everyone. It wasn’t just the big things either, it was all the small things that everyone did that are too numerous and seemingly insignificant to mention that made the resort so special. I’m sure I left a few names off, but everyone is to be thanked. Especially the group that sang each night and drank Cava with us! The old man that lead us to the village and lead the Cava ceremonies as the wedding was so great. We appreciated Christian who was so friendly and helpful and so willing to show us the wildlife and his presentations, that Wanga always was willing to play a board game or cards and made us Cava bowls out of the coconuts he helped me clean, playing volleyball and ping pong with Pate and the staff, Martha & Lo putting our children to bed for us while we were able to enjoy dinner (I’d like to thank you twice for that!), the congratulations songs and cake after completing our certifications or a birthday. I could go on and on, but I really just want to say thank you. It is well deserved, and please let everyone know that their kindness, friendliness, and warmth will bring us back to your resort!

We look forward to seeing everyone again as soon as possible!
-- Brian, Megan, Hailey & Matthew F.

Our stay at Jean Michel Cousteau's was beyond our expectations. The staff was the friendliest we have experienced anywhere. The food was outstanding. Quite gourmet, yet nice and light for a tropical setting.

The resort itself is just beautiful--far nicer than shown on the web or in the brochure. We were staying in an ocean point bure and just loved it. Very spacious with a huge deck and of course an oceanfront view. They have just remodeled the pool area and it is stunning. They are landscaping the grounds with lots of tropical flowers, fish ponds and even a frog pond. In addition, there is the best kids club we have found. This kept our son quite busy. It also allows for quiet kid-free meals and a quiet pool area, as the kids have their own brand new pool and slide.

The diving was amazing. We did 12 dives during the week and saw the most beautiful coral anywhere, plus tons of fish. The reefs are very healthy and the dive team very helpful.

Like it's sister resort, the Post Ranch Inn, this resort is in a league of its own. It is perfect for both active families or romantic couples.
-- Cindy S.

I have been meaning to write to tell you how wonderful our experience was at the Cousteau Resort. From the moment we arrived at the resort, jet lagged to the max, to the day we departed, your welcome and your staff was superb. I might know a thing about this, as I head up the guest relations department of the winery. We have traveled many places and stayed in many hotels etc. and I normally check them off my list, as in nice place to visit but no real need to go back. However, you and the staff at Cousteau changed all that. We will see you again.
-- Colleen & Paul D.

Vinaka vakalevu for your generosity & hospitality during our stay. It was my first visit back in many years and my first-ever stay and it went way beyond my expectations. It was a great opportunity to spend enough time at the property to get what I call the "rhythm" of the resort. Greg and Karen are top-notch managers who insure that all guests are recognized by management and the resort was spotless. I have heard several different voices speak of the resort, its dive program, its virtues as a honey-moon destination and of course the well regarded kid's program. What never sank in was the quality of food and its presentation -- simply superb and I would put it up against anyone else (I haven't been to every resort in Fiji-but a majority) as being the best. On the subject of "best" the staff fills that bill as well, interactive with the guests, responsive and timely without the robot look you get at some properties. They truly make the property one that my wife and I will never forget our time/experience there.
-- Don and Donna C.

The trip to Fiji was fabulous! The staff at the Cousteau Resort was absolutely first class. Highlights of the trip include the friendliness of the staff and the Bula Club. The counselors anticipated almost our every need and had an uncanny ability of being there at just the right time. They did such a wonderful job with the kids that it was almost like having a private nanny. This was probably the only vacation that we have ever taken with the kids that we felt as relaxed as if we were vacationing by ourselves! Another high point to emphasize with people is the food. There were terrific meals and lots of healthy choices and just the right proportions. Not having to continually travel to restaurants, pay with a credit card, get the kids ready on time, etc. was a huge plus and a definite surprise. We have definitely recommended this trip to our friends and would not hesitate to return again. This was a tremendous value for the money and had a very unique flair and difference from Hawaii. I agree that this is probably what Hawaii was like 30 years ago before the tourism and all the crazy development took place.
-- The G. Family

Fiji can change one's life. It did mine. It gave me a fresh view of the simple pleasures of life in a non consumer oriented society. It gave me a new respect for another large ecosystem the coral reef, and finally, the leisurely time spent in long conversation with interesting people - conversations that rarely occur in our busy everyday lives in modern society - it gave me a new view of myself.
-- Leonard S.

I wanted you to know how much we three really enjoyed the resort. Your staff is absolutely fantastic! Not just friendly, but sincere about their friendliness. I really hesitate to mention names because they were all outstanding. The foods were outstanding, the table settings were outstanding, the bures were outstanding. The grounds were immaculate and beautiful. We enjoyed the trips (market, rain forest, village. I can't say enough positive comments about the Cousteau resort and have already begun to inform colleagues. Thank you for having such a wonderful respite.
-- Dr. Mitchell P.