Editor Pick
Great Service and the Local Feel...
- July 14, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Fiji as a whole is somewhat a law unto itself. From the moment you step off the plane you feel the world slide into what they casually call 'Fiji Time' - and if it's a place you've never been before, then you will have to learn your way around what you hear, what you are told - and what is actually the case.
These are not always bad things, but everything does move at it's own pace - and is just a little bit different in Fiji - as you would come to expect from a different country.
And nowhere do you best find this than in the Sabeto Mountains on Viti Levu.
It is very, very likely that when asking around about your trip to Fiji, you have had the advice time and again, "Don't stay on the main island - go straight out to the islands."
It was advice we chose to ignore, hoping for a little more local culture, and it was probably the best decision we made on our trip to Fiji. And with that - the Stoney Creek Resort.
With an idea location, literally 11 easy minutes from the Nadi airport - this is an excellent, excellent starting point to your Fijian experience.
It is true that there is no beach here - and yes, most of us go to Fiji for the Amazing beaches. But Stoney Creek has much to offer - and though you wouldn't likely want to spend your entire time in Fiji without a beach - this is a perfect spot to stop off for a few days at least when you first arrive. This is especially true for honeymooners, or those coming from very long distances who would like the luxury of a few days absolute relaxation before the hustle of getting out to the islands.
I have to admit - getting off the plane in less than luxuriant Nadi - and having booked a resort that no one had ever been to, in the mountains (not on a beach) and taking an old cab down the bounding, pot-holed road to Stoney Creek, I was a little bit worried about what we might have gotten ourselves into. Like everywhere in Fiji - you should book as far in advance as you can. (another bit of advice to ignore from others and travel guides - don't wait until you are there to plan where you will stay.)
But I was quickly put to ease when we rounded a corner in the cane fields and came across the beautiful little resort of Stoney Creek - perched on a hill at the base of the Sabeto Mountains, with full views of the vistas of cane fields and local villages.
Greeted by the wonderfully chilled yet helpful staff - we were given a complementary drink (which we were desperate for after the cab ride in Fijian heat)
I was extremely pleased with Stoney Creek in almost every regard. The price is very good for Fiji - much better than you will get at any resort. The 'loveshack' room - a very basic room off the dorms, but nicely put together and with an excellent mosquito net, is $33(Fijian) pppn. This only includes a free breakfast - but even so this is much cheaper than you will find at any island resorts, no matter how small.
And the hostess, manager and owner Michelle really knows how to take care of her guests. After two days (the time we originally booked) in Sabeto, we knew we wanted to stay longer. And when we asked if we could book more days we were upgraded to the King sized deluxe room (normally $70 pppn) We ended up staying a total of 6 days, and another night just before we flew out at the end of our trip.
There is an incredibly relaxed atmosphere at Stoney Creek. Everything moves slowly and easily - and you spend most of your days enjoying the Fijian sun. The locals can be heard singing their way home from work in the evenings, or down the road from church on Sundays. And you can even hear a call to prayer ringing from across the hills.
The loveshack is adequate - and better than a dorm, though it is very basic, Fijian accommodation. The deluxe king, however, has a double en suite bathroom, hot water (sometimes) and a giant fan to help keep the room cool. You also have a eating area outside your room and a balcony looking out across the hills.
(there are also private bures at the base of the hill which come in between the price of the Loveshack or the deluxe)
The pools are excellent, and perfectly kept - so the lack of a beach isn't too missed in the lazy Sabeto days.
But probably the best thing at Stoney Creek is the food. The best food that I had in all of Fiji was cooked at Stoney Creek, and every single meal I had was amazing. None of the food in Fiji is cheap, it must be noted, and at least at Stoney Creek you have an menu to choose from each night, rather than a mandatory food surcharge added to your room. And the food here is reasonable in comparison and very, very good. I couldn't wait for the dinner menu to come out each night.
Sitting amongst the lights and sounds of the Fijian mountains, in candle light with cheesy honeymooners music playing on the speakers, and excellent Fiji gold beer - these were some of my favourite bits of Fiji.
The only real downside is that it is pretty secluded. With out a car, you are dependent on taxis (about $10 to the airport) or the local bus - which is very cheap, and somewhat of an adventure, but not the most reliable. There's also not much to do in the area, so relaxing is the order of the day at Stoney Creek.
I also Highly recommend you sort out your next port of call before you arrive, as this will be very difficult to do once you have arrived, and I would recommend not accepting the help of the staff in making arrangements.
That aside, an excellent starting (or stopping) point to your time in the Fijian islands.
From journal Enjoy the More Local Taste of Fiji on Viti Levu...