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Bryce,Ron,and the entire Qamea Family,
We've been blessed to have traveled quite extensively and stayed at some of the finest places throughout many parts of the world.First,I must say that Meg and my trip to your resort was unquestionably the best overall vacation we have ever had!
The resort is truly spectacular. Our accommodations were perfect and we were treated like royalty every minute of our 10 day stay. Thank you Dot & Darren for the extra T.L.C. and our Bure was always kept perfect.
We did many of the activities and had a blast. Honeymoon Beach,snorkeling, waterfalls,Church, village tours,hikes,etc, We experienced a lot of the Fijian culture and were touched by their friendliness and warmth.
Thank you Pa & Percy for going the extra mile with and for us !
The care, effort, and energy the staff put into the renewing of our wedding vows ceremony will always be remembered . A picture perfect postcard with the white sand,blue water, exceptional weather, and all the extraordinary decor and flowers made a special event even that more special. Thank you Sia for making this fun, easy, and stress-free !
It was a ton of fun playing volleyball with the Qamea staff and other guests. We met some really nice people. Everyone has a smile on their face on Qamea. Thank you "Mayor" Ryan, Hunky-Pa Hike Legs, John, Dan, Matt and everyone for taking it easy on me on the court because you all know that "white men can't jump."
Not only is Qamea a world class resort it is also a first class Spa. We have been to many fine spa's. Hands down , Qamea is the finest. The setting on the beach, the sounds of the birds and the waves can not be beat . (Other than by the quality and strength of the staff : ) Thank you Filio and your team. You are all awesome !!! Bryce,good luck with your spa expansion. Like the entire resort,We are sure it will turn out splendid.
The menu was diverse and the food was great. We ate much more than we usually do daily and we both actually lost a little weight during our festive stay. Compliments to the Chef !!! The restaurant and bar staff were tremendous and they were always very friendly and attentive. Thank you Lui, William, Mariah, Sarah, Ema, Ana and everyone. You always made us feel very welcomed.
Bryce & Ron, You should be very proud of what you have assembled at Qamea. Many staff complimented the both of you as good and caring owners. I had the opportunity to go to the village where you just recently donated a Boat. They were having a celebration in honoring your very nice gesture and they were very grateful for your generous gift. This was really neat to see .
To each and every one of you at Qamea,Vinaka for sharing your little piece of your paradise with us. All your genuine kindness and spirit was contagious and will carry over into our daily lives.
To our many friends at Qamea, we greatly appreciate the wonderful experience and we eagerly await our return. You WILL see us again.
The Island and the Resort of Qamea are gorgeous . It's ALL of YOU that make it even more beautiful !!!
Resort and our Premium accommodations were 5-STAR.
Ownership, Mgmt, and the wonderful Staff were also 5-STAR.
You get a solid 10-STAR Rating in our book ! * * * * * * * * * *
You have made a lasting impression on us. We miss you .
Vinaka, Meg and John Talley
Meg & John Talley (November 2008),
17 November, 2007
We and our friends had the time of our lives during our recent trip to Qamea. This was our second trip to Qamea in three years. We visited Fiji for our first anniversary, and the reason we chose Qamea is because several travel agents all recommended it. We were so amazed by our experience and have talked about it with reverence so many times, that many of our friends told us they wanted to go. So, to celebrate our third anniversary, and the anniversaries of our friends, 8 of us came back to Qamea!
The hospitality at Qamea is absolutely over-the-top. The staff is so warm and wonderful -- they call you by name and make you feel like royalty. This time it was delightful seeing so many faces that we knew -- and they remembered us!
The food is first-class; the grounds are so peaceful and lovely; the bures are so private and a delightful haven to return to in the evenings. Each one is beautiful with unexpected luxuries and minute attention to detail in the design. The outdoor showers, alone, are like a private retreat to your own spa! And speaking of spa . . . the massages are the best anywhere! We dove almost every day while we were there, and the diving is astonishingly spectacular.
Well, this time I cried even harder when we had to leave. I can't explain the profound depth of my feelings for Fiji and Qamea. I actually feel privileged and honored that Qamea shares their home with us. They totally spoil us when we are there. We intend to come back evey two or three years, and stay at least two weeks every time! Qamea is the closest place to Heaven we have ever been.
Tony & Dawn Abrantes ,
Sherman, Texas - 28 February, 2007
My partner and I had the pleasure of staying at Qamea Resort & Spa for the third time in as many years in December 2006. I am happy to report that the resort keeps getting better with each visit, something I find quite surprising, because we thought it was perfect on our first visit just over three years ago, so much so I also sent my parents there for a week to celebrate their 45th Wedding Anniversary.
I am a senior marketing and sales manager of a prominent Australian
international marketing company, and my position requires that I spend
approximately 40% of my time on business travel, and as such I feel I am in a fairly good position to critique a resort or hotel since I basically live in hotels throughout the Asia Pacific region. Also, residing in Australia which is only a 4 hour flight to Fiji, I have visited Fiji countless times and over the years, have stayed in most of the finer resorts in the country, and growing up took family holidays to Fiji with my parents. Obviously I am very impressed with Qamea Resort & Spa or else I would not have chosen the resort for our holiday retreat on three occassions. So I am going to share with you what I truly like about Qamea and why I amcertain we will return next year:
The accomodation is comfortable, elegant, private, with an attention to detail that is competetive with the Ritz Carlton and Shangri-La hotel
chains, which by the way are my hotels of first choice when travelling on business in Asia. We stayed this year in a standard beachfront bure for the first time as the premium bures were booked, and we have no complaintsat all. We were very happy to see and experience first hand the all new furnishings throughout the resort, the best being the four poster beds with curtains. A very nice touch. The management did offer to ugrade us for free to a premium bure when it became available, but we were so comfortable in our beachfront bure we did not want to move.
The food is on par with the best restaraunts that we frequent in Sydney. We were happy to also find that the resort is now offering three main courses for lunch and dinner (last year two main courses offered). Food presentation very professional, freshness of seafood and overall quality of meat was excellent, and most important to my partner who is a vegetarian, there were always clever and tasty vegetarian options on offer. On one occasion my mahimahi tuna was overcooked, and the dining room staff (Luisa) noticed that I was only picking at the fish, she asked me if everything was alright ? so I told her it was overcooked to my taste. Without skipping a beat, I was presented with a replacement dish that was cooked exactly to my liking. There are a number of comments on this site about the expense of alcohol on the resort. I find this hard to believe because by my calculations, the amount charged was less than what we pay in Australia, and certainly less than what we have paid at other resorts in
Fiji. As Aussies, we do like our wine though, and I can say we thought the charges were both fair and reasonable.
Overall value for money in my view is excellent. Having stayed in several of the finest resorts in Fiji, Qamea is significantly less expensive. Before finding Qamea, we stayed at resorts in Fiji that included alcohol, and the cost was $3-400 a night more than Qamea, (Qamea does not include drinks). I am looking at my checkout bill now for 7 days at Qamea, and our bar charge for two persons was Fiji Dollar 687.50 which I think is about USA Dollar 380.00. I would consider ourselves moderate drinkers while on holiday, usually with a glass of wine at lunch, and a cocktail or two before dinner followed by a bottle of wine with our meal, and I think the bar charge for the week if anything was cheap!
Our idea of a holiday is to relax, read a book which usually turns into a
nap, an early afternoon snorkel off the beach, and a private massage on the deck of our bure before sunset. This is what Qamea provided to us on each of our visits. Perfect. But what perhaps makes Qamea Resort even more special, is the friendliness of the staff. All Fijians are friendly and great hosts, but the staff at Qamea seem to go the extra mile, with something that is hard to describe.
Cameron & Jona,
Sydney, Australia - 3 February, 2007
My wife and I recently returned from our eight night honeymoon at Qamea. Before selecting this resort as our destination, we exhaustively researched all of the boutique properties in Fiji. While Qamea is not the most expensive, it is not the cheapest option either. We had originally booked to stay at Namale, but while reading a direct comparison between the two resorts that stated Qamea was the more romantic, secluded and less touristy property (in addition to having superior food), we changed our itinerary at the last minute to stay at Qamea. We do not regret this in any way whatsoever.
Re: Staff and Service. We cannot say enough good things about the Fijian people. Our only other pacific island experience being Hawaii, we perhaps had expectations along those lines. It could not be more different. The coup had no effect whatsoever (aside from causing the layoff of thousands of Fijians in the leisure industry) and was completely blown out of proportion by the international media (as usual). The staff at Qamea were unbelievably attentive and went out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home. You will learn two Fijian words very quickly: Bula and Vinaka. You can tell that their warm feelings towards you are genuine and not just for show. The property is operated by a young, wonderful Aussie couple, Dot and Darren. Over many cocktail hours shared with them, they made us their friends. They run a top notch operation and helped make our stay free of disappointments and distractions.
Re: Food. The cuisine was creative, tasty and composed of quality ingredients. Special attention was given to the plating of the dishes and they were always served piping hot. The cooks were happy to make us something off menu if the daily choices did not appeal. If anything, sometimes the menu tried to be too fancy for lunch when all you wanted was a burger and fries.
Re: Beverages. You are charged for all beverages including non-alcoholic drinks (such as soda and bottled water – which you can get around by filling your own water bottles at the cooled filter). Several reviewers have commented that the alcoholic drink prices are excessive. Perhaps if you look at them in Fijian dollars, but paying $9 USD for a mai-tai, $4 USD for a beer at a very nice resort does not seem unreasonable to us (I certainly have paid more). To give things a little perspective, we stayed in Qamea’s premier villa, had a massage, a paid excursion and drank alcohol every day (including cocktails and wine) and paid about $750 USD over eight days for these extras. Namale, which includes alcohol in their prices, would have cost us $3000 USD more than Qamea did. Knowing that we would never spend three grand in booze over a week, we switched to Qamea and pocketed $2250 USD.
Re: Accomodations. As mentioned above, we stayed in a premium villa. Worth every penny. The private pool on the balcony was particularly pleasurable. The interior was very nicely finished with a great bed and bathroom. There was also a bose iPod stereo for our use. One other note, the air con worked fabulously (an amenity not available in Namale’s bures).
Re: Activities. We never felt like we lacked things to do. Of course, we were honeymooners and avid cribbage players (passing the time with many a cold drink). We highly recommend the waterfall tour (at an extra cost). We went on a weekday and had the entire park to ourselves (including our Qamea guides). Another great activity that Dot and Darren were trying out on us was the sunset cruise. Very wonderful and we hope that it becomes a regular offer. We also took the memorable village tour, participated in a kava ceremony and watched the meke dance. The only disappointing activity was honeymoon beach. Most reviews about the tides and size of the beach were accurate. We just wanted to be back at our villa and own beach (of course there were usually only 2 or 4 other guests at the resort with us, so we felt as if we did not have to escape any crowds anyway). The snorkeling right in front of our villa was some of the best we have ever had. We also recommend hanging out with the band and drinking kava with them every chance you get (watch that it does not upset your stomach as it did my wife, but I never gave up on it).
Re: Weather. Although it was quite hot and humid, any worries (of which we shared) of the wet season are unfounded. While timing played a big part, we had many beautiful, sunny days. When it did rain or was overcast, it was usually brief or at night. The rain was actually sometimes welcome to take some of the heat out of the air.
Re: Insects. Qamea is adjacent to a jungle. It is in the tropics. There are bugs. We were bitten by mosquitoes fairly regularly, but if you are liberal with your application of repellent (especially after 4) you can avoid a great majority of them.
I know I have forgotten some things in this review as there were so many wonderful and new experiences for us. We could not have imagined a better honeymoon if we tried. We already have plans to renew our vows there in five years. The only bad thing about Qamea was leaving it.
Josh & Emma,
Los Angeles, USA - 28 January, 2007
Bule Renee!!! I, and everyone who went with me, just wanted to say thank you for recommending Qamea Resort & Spa. It couldn't have been the more perfect place for our wedding/honeymoon/vacation. The beauty of the place was immediately seen as the watertaxi approached the island but it was during the week as we got to know the staff and people of Qamea that you see the true beauty of Qamea. Besides it being beautiful, the wonderful staff truly added to the vacation in that they were always wanting to make sure your vacation or wedding or honeymoon was just perfect. Nothing was too much of a task for them to do just to make sure everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. We had a wonderful time and are in talks of returning for our 5-year anniversary (this time it will be just my husband & I)!!!
And, thanks for calling to check in on us. We couldn't have been more thankful for that, especially since a lot of the guests there seemed to have had not so sufficient travel agents or had agents that didn't book things correctly. Thanks for doing that...that is above and beyond what you needed to do and we are grateful!!!
Again, I can't say enough of Qamea and the people there. It was truly a perfect and "unforgettable honeymoon" and wedding and vacation.
Love, Sandra Suh & family
(As reported to booking agent Unforgettablehoneymoons.com)
The Suh Family,
USA - 4 July, 2006
Nothing that I could say would possibly suffice to evoke the feelings we had about this spot; nor, could I really share sufficiently well to help anyone understand why grown men and their wives would all shed tears as we pulled away from shore to the farewell songs being sung by the staff members who have extraordinarily beautiful voices producing haunting harmonies.
We've been traveling extensively during our 39 years of marriage while our traveling companions have been married 25 years and travel constantly. None of us could think of anywhere we'd stayed, including other tropical isles with resorts ranked 5 stars, which pleased us more. As others have written, the staff members are fantastic, the snorkeling is terrific, the food quality and variety are both quite positive with some of the local fish catches being excellent, the pool, naturalistic with rounded river-type rock surface, is pleasant and the setting just fantastic.
Additionally, the entertainment provided by the village children and adults one evening in the dining room was superb. The band and the kava experience added to the nightly pleasures and the fellow guests were a happy group with which to associate. Who could be unhappy at this place? I can't imagine.
We started talking about a return on the boat leaving, on the flight back to California, on the day after and today (two days later). We rate it 6 stars.
I almost forgot to say that the bures are very comfortable, very pleasant and during this time of the year the silent air-conditioners were greatly appreciated. Not all island resorts in the South Pacific list air conditioning and sleeping would be somewhat difficult during the warm, humid time of year without it. Check out some other postings for pictures of the bures. Two new ones are under construction now and should be a bit more spacious, but the regular ones are perfectly nice, each with its own porch including chairs, hammock and table.
We say, "Try it, you'll love it."
(As reported in TripAdvisor.Com),
San Diego, CA USA - 5 April, 2006
This was by far the best vacation we have ever had. We were on Qamea for 8 days. The island is beautiful, the most tropical island in Fiji, but it was the staff that set this resort apart from any other. They are all amazing. The Fijian people are the kindest people we have ever met. If you want your every need catered to & want to be treated like family, you should definitly go here.The resort is spectacular, situate on a beautiful white sand beach. The grounds are very lush & tropical. The rooms are modern (a/c) & very comfortable. If you enjoy seclusion & relaxation, then you will like it here. If you want to be social, make a lot of new friends, & have many adventures with all the activities offered- kayaking, diving, snorkeling, hiking, sightseeing, boating, fishing, then you will truely enjoy this resort. Just ask- they will accomodate anything you would like to do. We can't wait to return! Check out their website, they have the best pictures of their resort. ("Bula!" to all the staff- Bryce, Ron, Sake, Sia, Louisa- Thank you!) We miss you all!
(As reported in TripAdvisor.Com),
Biloxi, MI, USA - 2 February, 2006
(As reported in TripAdvisor.Com) We have visited many tropical locales in Hawaii, Tahiti, Seychelles, Australia, and the Caribbean and never have I felt as part of "the family" as I did at Qamea.
Qamea Island is just a 10 minute boat ride from Taveuni Island, the Garden Island of Fiji, which is bursting with greenery from every angle. Colorful villages dot the unpaved roads and life has remained relatively unchanged on this island with no large resorts. Qamea Island, the 12th largest in Fiji, has no roads and you can only get around it by boat or walking, so it is unspoiled. Qamea Resort, the only resort on the island, is nestled into many fabulously landscaped acres along a gorgeous, tranquil beach. With only 14 bures (bungalows) and no traffic around, you feel you have the whole island to yourself most of the day.
Although everything about the resort is fabulous, what stands out the most is the staff. They all come from nearby villages and make you feel like a part of the Qamea family. Everyone knows you by name and you know them by name. They ask how your day was, how you slept, they join you for cocktails, and they take you to see their village if you like. Qamea is very social - although you feel you have the entire island to yourself all day - at night there is cocktail hour and most guests hang out together and dine together. Of course you can choose to have a romantic dinner alone, even on the beach or in your bure - but we never did - it was too much fun to meet all the other guests. They were mostly Americans and mostly honeymooners, but guests from other countries and of all ages hung out together and had a great time.
The bures are gorgeously decorated, much more so than at the other Fijian resort we stayed at that was almost twice the price. They have outdoor showers and air-conditioning (another item missing at the more expensive resort) and beautiful porches with beach views and a hammock. The food was very good – for example: a Stilton & champagne soup (!) and there was always a selection (again, the food here was better than at the resort that was twice the price...) A band played Fijian music each night and you were welcome to try their kava.
At Qamea, you can do as much or as little as you want. Choose a book from the lending library and sit on your hammock or beach chairs all day, or keep very busy with 3 diving trips/day, snorkel trip, Taveuni and Qamea island tours, massages and spa treatments, guided hikes, village visits, church visits, kayaks, and more. The snorkeling just off the resort beach is some of the best we have ever seen, and we have visited many tropical snorkeling spots. We did the waterfall hike in Bouma Park on Taveuni and loved it - there was a flash flood and the river overflowed and our guides CARRIED US ON THEIR BACKS to get us across. Never have I experienced such camaraderie.
Qamea is a very special place, and should you be lucky enough to have a chance to experience it, don't pass it up. It is filled with a warmth I will be challenged to find elsewhere, so I guess we'll just have to come back!
Qamea Guests from San Francisco,
USA - 4 January, 2006
The most enjoyable moments about our stay on Qamea were the warm, friendly, and helpful staff that always made us feel so welcome. Everybody made us feel at home. We had a wonderful time!
Hammer & Sashi,
Vietnam - 24 August, 2005
The total Fijian experience - warm warm people; spectacular diving, delicious food, welcoming atmosphere & beautiful bures. Even though we dove most days, we did indulge in the spa - where we received the best treatments of our lives. We cannot thank you enough for inviting us to stay with you, well beyond what we had planned for. We will glow with the memory of our stay and your generosity for a long, long time. Our love and thanks to all!
Kristen Wolf,
USA - 3 August, 2005
What we enjoyed most about the resort was the amazing spirit of the Fijian people and the kindness of the staff. This is such a warm and well run resort. The spa was exceptional. Julie and her staff were friendly, professional and very kind. Richard in the diving department was also very helpful with setting up snorkeling and other requests that we had. I would recommend this resort to any of my friends.
Jeffery & Maria,
USA - 1 August, 2005
RE: COMMENDATION OF STAFF
I felt compelled to write and highly commend the staff at Qamea Resort and Spa. Despite the lack of printing material available to me at this time, I hope you can accept this letter as a formal expression of gratitude for the most friendly and efficient service received during my week's stay at the resort.
Thank you to the groundsmen/gardeners & porters who were always there to lend a helping hand. Their laughter while they worked always brought a smile to my face, and they maintain the grounds so beautifully & lush. Thank you to the ladies who kept our room so clean and well stocked and were so timely to prepare the beds before bedtime. I was particularly impressed with how they returned my laundry so clean, fresh and folded in less than 6 hours! Thank you to Sake who brought humour to our visit, and guided us on fun & interesting trips. The bar & restaraunt staff were always so pleasant in their greetings and friendly in their manner. The chefs filled our tummies with delicious as well as nutritional food. It was so lovely to meet you the managers, and Bryce (owner) - thank you for the effort you take in making all the guests feel so welcomed.
I would like to make a special commendation to Filo and Salome who work so diligently at the Spa. Our bure was located directly next to the Spa and we were amazed at their unrelenting service to the guests. We received massages, facials and all forms of body and beauty treatments from Filo and Salome - each session they obviously placed significant time and effort in. As I myself work in the health and therapy area, their work and dedication to their job can really be said to be outstanding. I hope they are well acknowledged and remunerted.
I am sure to have forgotten to mention many others who deserve a recommendation, buy my holiday brain has failed me. Please extend my heartfelt thanks to ALL the staff. Vinaka Vakalevu!!! I will be sure to reommend your wonderful resort to my friends and travel agency in Australia.
J. Azuria,
Australia - 25 June, 2005
I can not tell you how much we both miss Qamea and all he people we met. You have an incredible island and it is you, who make it so wonderful. Chad and I have not stopped talking about you guys since we got home, and I will continue to tell everyone how to get to Fantasy Island. You made our wedding perfect and we can not wait to return. We wanted to share some of our pictures with you. Please tell everyone we said hello. We will be seeing you sooooon!
Chad & Marie,
Texas - 15 June, 2005
My husband and I recently spent a glorious month on Qamea Resort and Spa. We had many celebrations there; our wedding, honeymoon, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and my birthday. On each instance the Qamea team surprised and delighted us.
We originally booked a Bure for a week and then decided to stay an extra two days before going to a private house we rented on another Fijian Island. Within a day of arriving at the house, I phoned one of Qamea’s co-owners, Ron, and asked if there was space for us to return! We were so spoiled by the Qamea experience that we were back within 24 hours. We knew we were not alone in our love for Qamea as we met a lot of guests during our month stay and some had visited other Fijian resorts prior to visiting Qamea and all their feedback was the same; Qamea provided a preferential level of service, accommodation and surroundings compared to other properties.
We stayed in both the Beachfront Bure and Premium Villa (only two months old). Both were superbly decorated, modern and romantic. On our arrival we received a lovely Pure Fiji gift pack filled with luxurious lotions and body scrubs, along with a Fijian sulu (sarong) and bottle of champagne to welcome us. There was no huge foyer with a Reception where you had to stand in line to ‘check-in’, we were simply escorted to our Beachfront Bure which was adorned with fresh hibiscus and orchids. The beds were incredibly comfortable and the outdoor shower was stunning and although it was ‘outdoors’ the thatched roof and high walls ensured privacy. At the Premium Villa there was both an in and outdoor shower, although we preferred the beauty of the former. The Villa also offered a plunge pool to cool off after sunbathing in the hammock or an intimate midnight swim.
Our first celebration was our wedding ceremony. We would strongly recommend Qamea for anyone interested in an island wedding. All we basically had to do was ‘show up’. We sat with Sia over breakfast, the wedding planner, decided on our cake, where on the island we would like the ceremony situated and whether or not we’d like Fijian warriors and a flower girl to escort me out, it took less than 15 minutes. A photographer was organized on our request prior to our arrival. The day was romantic and stress free!
Qamea is excellent at delighting their guests offering Fijian mekes, kava ceremonies, a Fijian choir on Xmas Eve and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Nothing was a problem for them. For my birthday Robert requested my favorite foods which they set up on our deck and at the end of the meal some of the team brought down a beautiful chocolate cake and the Qamea band serenaded us with beautiful Fijian songs and Happy Birthday. I would have to say it was the BEST birthday I’ve ever had. This was after being taken to a secluded beach for a picnic lunch. Other resorts often charge for these ‘extra’ activities. But not Qamea.
Qamea also offered a range of island delights which included; fantastic snorkeling on the reef surrounded by hundreds of colorful tropical fish – all just meters from our front door. We kayaked to nearby beaches, were taken by boat to romantic picnic lunches on secluded beaches, participated in mekes (Fijian celebrations), Kava ceremonies, wine tastings and village tours. All these were part of the Qamea experience.
In addition, there were paid activities such as diving, Robert experienced an amazing night dive just minutes from the Resort. I had relaxing massages and invigorating facials at the spa as well as doing one of the many reasonably priced tours on offer to the International Date line, visit to Fiji’s oldest church, natural water slide and waterfalls.
The food was also magnificent. For breakfast we could choose whatever we desired, from fruit, cereal, freshly baked muffins to a cooked breakfast of eggs, sausage and bacon or my favorite, French toast and paw paw or banana pancakes. Lunch and dinner options were presented to us the evening before and we placed our preferences at breakfast. Lunch usually started with a salad and then a selection of two mains, topped off by ice cream or fresh fruit. Dinner offered a choice from two starters and two mains and a delicious dessert. I have to say, the food was incredibly fresh and the meat and seafood was up there with the finest restaurants. It was also never a problem when we occasionally strayed from the menu and requested a seafood stir-fry or pizza.
When seeking a resort for our marriage and honeymoon we contacted many luxury properties, Qamea was the only one who responded quickly and proactively and it was one of the reasons we chose them. Qamea is exactly what my husband and I were seeking to make an amazing and memorable start to our married life. It was a secluded, romantic island that provided an intimate experience for couples (children under 12 are not permitted unless the entire resort is booked). Apart from the idealic setting, romantic air-conditioned accommodation, range of activities and sumptuous meals it was the people that made Qamea the jewel it is. Thank you to (co-owners) Ron and Bryce and the rest of the Qamea team who we greatly enjoyed spending time with.
We witnessed many couples leave its shores with tears in their eyes as the Fijians gathered to sing their beautiful farewell song. I was definitely one of them and we look forward to a return visit.
Belinda,
Sydney, Australia - 1 January, 2005
Bula from Houston! We just returned from a honeymoon in Fiji. The first half of our trip was spent at Qamea and the second half was spent back on the main island of Fiji off of the Coral Coast. Staying at Qamea definitely made our trip unforgettable. We loved the personal touches that the resort had to offer and these were all because of the wonderful Fijian staff members. The meals were superb and the beachside massages, scrubs and facials were the best we ever had. (Our next massage will not be the same only being able to listen to a CD of the ocean because at Qamea we had the real thing!) We absolutely loved the excursions that were available while staying at Qamea. Because of the size of the resort we were not ushered onto a bus with a hundred other people and made to stay on a strict schedule. We truly enjoyed being given a personal tour guide who could explain the Fijian culture and allowed us to set the pace of our day! I do not think we truly realized how much we enjoyed staying on Qamea Island until the day before we were to leave the island and move onto our next destination. We enjoyed a private dinner at our bure and skipped breakfast knowing that I would not be able to say goodbye to the wonderful guests we met. We enjoyed sharing many meals and great conversations with many of them. The staff did an exceptional job embracing us into their Fijian family. They did so much with an effortless sincerity that made our trip to Qamea truly unforgettable. Since I had planned a very quiet departure relatiely early in the morning, the Isa Lei [Fijian good-bye song] departure that was waiting for us was an experience we were not expecting and will never forget. I cried for the next two hours and every time I share the details of our treasured honeymoon. This was a trip of a lifetime that we will definitely take again. Vinaka
Gina & Michael,
Texas - 25 December, 2004
Bula Everyone, Jim and I made it back home safely. Thank everyone for a wonderful stay and a very special wedding. The incredibly friendly staff made Qamea the most difficult place we have ever had to leave. I felt as if I was leaving friends. Thank you so much for everything.
Tina & Jim,
North Carolina - 1 December, 2004
(From a guest check out questionnaire) What did you enjoy most about your stay with us: Outdoor shower! No Shoes! The fact that we didn't have to check in, but were immediately escorted to our bure. No time schedules. It seems we could do everything we wanted to do, whenever we wanted to do it. If we did a 2-tank dive, Ben always brought us back to the resort to give us a break inbetween tanks (perfect). Everyone is so happy and accommodating. Everyone respected our privacy. The Qamea musicians. The bures were wonderful. I could go on and on. Most relaxed we have ever been. Sea Salt & Raw Sugar Rub! Filo gives absolutely the most incredible massages we have ever had! Food was wonderful. What would you like to see improved: It would be nice if the the [Premium Villa] pool could be heated (as an option). Absolutely nothing else! Other comments: Best vacation we have ever had! Wonderful touches, like sending musicians to play at our bure while we had dinner by the beach. Taking us to our own private beach. Its touches like that that turned our life long dream into reality. Fiji and Qamea are like no place we have ever been, and we travel a lot. We knew on the first day that we will be back. Tony and I are both crying as I have been writing this.
Tony & Dawn,
Booked through ATS Tours/Islands in the Sun - 1 December, 2004
[Email sent by former guests to Nancy Nicholson, Travel Wizard agent in Canada] Bula Nancy, You were absolutely right about Qamea! It was a trip of a lifetime. We can't thank you enough for your recommendation! Qamea was incredible. The staff so nice, the bures are wonderful, the food is delicious, the spa is fantastic and the activities are unlike anything we've ever experienced. We made several friends while we were there and enjoyed all that Qamea had to offer. Please feel free to use me as a reference. Vinaka and Mo'they
Reston ,
- 1 November, 2004
Bula Qamea Staff, Words cannot express how amazing our 8 day honeymoon retreat at Qamea Resort & Spa was. Aside from teh exquisite cuisine, remote location, beautiful beaches, amazing dive sites, and cozy bures, the island was filled with joy and love, making our stay truly memorable. We especially enjoyed the meke and kava ceremonies as well as our guided tours through Taveuni with Sake, and spa treatments with Julie. The staff were just wonderful to be around and always eager to make our stay more enjoyable. Fiji is the perfect honeymoon getaway, and our stay at Qamea was nothing short of amazing. We thank you again for creating and maintaining paradise. We are counting the days until our next return. Until then, Vinaka and God Bless - Warm Regards
Sophia & Joseph A,
- 1 November, 2004
Bula Qamea, thanks for emailing us the recipes, we will try to incorporate a slice of Qamea into life here in Matarangi. The sun is shining here today, so it is making the return to 'normal' easier. Thanks for the fantastic holiday, it will be one to remember, a great spot and great people. Now to find a job and start saving...! Hope this finds you well
Susan and Ross,
New Zealand - 1 October, 2004
Dear Ron and Bryce, We are now in Australia with our daughter and grandsons. Now its work babysitting etc.! We are writing to let you know how much we enjoyed Qamea this time. Obviously the bures are much improved but it was the staff and your own input that made it such a pleasure to be there. For Barney in particular it was such a delight to dive with Ben. All the staff were so friendly and anxious to please but only he could have led the most informative and fun dive that Barney has ever had. Next year we will be staying in Europe because many friends will be coming for Barney's eightieth birthday party. However, if we are still capable, we will be back in 2006 circumstances permitting. With all best wishes
Barney & Eliz,
England - 1 September, 2004
Bula Friends on Staying at Qamea Resort & Spa is like a pure slice of heaven. Qamea resort is one of a kind, & we feel so fortunate to have found it. The staff is so warm and welcoming. As we headed to Qamea from Taveuni by boat, it felt like we were coming home when we returned this year. The bures are nestled between beautiful gardens and the bright blue sea and beach. We have taken some terrific day trips to walk along the coast line and mountainsides. It's almost too difficult to describe the beauty. You really have to experience it first hand. The Fijians are truly the happiest friendliest people we have ever met. We cherish our friendships that we have made. Qamea just totally offers you a feeling of peace and serenity and never ending happiness that you bring back home with you. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, spectacular diving and snorkeling, & like we said the staff are so warm and friendly. They make you feel so special. Massages outside by the water softly rolling in is something no one should miss. We have travelled many places in the world, but Qamea will always be like home to us. Qamea is a place that gives you a chance to re-center yourself and experience true luxury the Fijian way. So even when we have to leave Qamea, it is an annual trip that I know I just count the days for our return. Bula & Vinaka
Susie & Harold Parker,
- 1 June, 2004
[Email forwarded to us by the booking travel agent, Mark Cardoza]. Bula Mark, This e-mail is way over due but you have not been forgotten! Molly and I want to thank you SO much for the wonderful and perfect details that you took care of for us regarding our trip to Qamea in February. Qamea could not have been friendlier and nicer. The 2 owners made us and everyone there feel very welcomed and appreciated on a daily basis. All the workers knew our names and made a point to speak to us as much as possible. The rooms were beautifully furnished. The shower was part of our individual bungalow but was outside and a delight to be in. The food was that of a 5 star restaurant. They offered anything we wanted for breakfast and then we ordered our lunch and dinner at breakfast from a choice of 3 entrees for each. There were always lots of fruits and salads offered. Qamea Island Resort is very important to the villagers that live on the island and on Taveuni Island. We were given several opportunities to learn their culture and traditions from interacting with the adult and children living on the islands. Molly and I ended up scuba diving every day. There were only 5 of us that went scuba diving each day. Ben, the head diving master, had us go on great dives and was always very involved and concerned about our safety and education of the sea life. Upon our departure all the staff gathered while we boarding a boat to go back to Taveuni Island. EVERY connection that you made for us was right there waiting for us without an exception. Our transportation from Taveuni to Qamea was very special. It was just Molly and I. The owner picked us up at this small airport in Taveuni, drove about 20 minutes to the coast where we met a small motorboat. We met the boat at a very remote piece of beach that was next to some pineapple field and we had to step into the water to get to the boat. Coming back we met at a different spot but just as remote and in the wild. Well, it was the best vacation ever!! Molly is finishing up her semester at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Before leaving her we toured Sydney and did scuba diving at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Our best diving was in Qamea Island. As a tour planner, I think you should go to Qamea. The 2 owners- I forget their names- said that you have sent several guests there and they have had only great things to say about you. The owners work extremely hard to make this a first class resort. You will love it!!!! Thank you again, Mark!! Write if you have any questions!! Best regards
Polly O'Meara,
- 1 February, 2004
Bula to Everone at Qamea, Jason and I are back in New York where the days are getting shorter and colder! We miss Fiji so incredibly much. We want you all to know how much we loved our honeymoon in Fiji, especially the time we spent at the Qamea Resort and Spa. The pleasure of your staff, the planned day trips and delicious food could not be compared to the other Islands we have visited in the South Pacific. We also met a few other wonderful couples who we are keeping in touch with and we all hope to plan a reunion to your island. We wish you all much happiness and we look forward to our next visit. With Love
Tammy & Jason Haarmon,
- 5 October, 2003
Bula Ron, May, Sake & the rest of the staff! Randee and i just wanted to thank you all for an amazing vacation/wedding/honeymoon. We had an incredible time and our wedding was everything we dreamed of. Every vacation (and wedding) has some glitches and everyone at Qamea handled them with care and respect. We loved the way the staff and guests rallied for us when the photographer could not make it. I'll be emailing a website with some of the pictures of the wedding that you helped provide. The trip was a great experience. First, we had a stress free (mostly!) time in a gorgeous tropical paradise. Second, we learned much about the islands an how genuine, kind, friendly and helpful the people are. Third, we made some wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. We wouldn't hesitate for a second to come back or recommend Qamea to our friends. As a matter of fact, we wish we were still there! Thank you for making our trip so special! Vinaka! With Love
Randee and Tony,
- 1 October, 2003
Bula Ron, Joan, Julie, Michelle, Sia, Sake, Amelia, Dan, Sarah, Una, Ben, Loro, Mary, Matui, Fred . . . and everyone else . . . Everyone was so thoughtful and concerned with every little detail to make our [wedding] day special. I especially want to thank Sia [wedding coordinator] for doing such a great job on her first big wedding. She was great to work with and understood everything I asked about. Ron, I appreciate your following up on all my inquiries and I'm really sorry we didn't get to meet. You are doing a wonderful job with the resort and I look forward to coming back in the future to see all the changes you have in store. If anyone ever wants to talk to me about having a wedding on Qamea we would be happy to talk to them. We loved everything - the food (made us fat!!), the spa, the villages, the snorkeling and kayaking, the meke and kave ceremony, the frogs and above all the people. We are planning on sending some photos of the wedding. There are some beautiful ones of Ursula wo was absolutely adorable. I'm attaching some that Julie took with our digital camera. If Qamea will have a special place in our hearts and we can't wait to return. Vinaka
Dianne and Tim Freeze,
- 1 January, 2003
Bula Everybody! First of all we are sending you the biggest thank you for the most amaing holiday - we could not have dreamed of a better place to spend our honeymoon and you certainly don't make it easy to leave! You are all very special and we miss you like crazy!....we will be back!! I have attached some of the sunset photos as promised (if you want to use them for anything I can send them over on CD) Please pass on a big hello to everybody and tell michelle we are equally hopeless in the rugby stakes - we will be in touch about that at a later date!!! Take care everybody and we will keep in touch. Cheers
Amanda and Tim,
- 1 January, 2003
Bula! The trip to Qamea Resort was all I had hoped for and more! The only take-away was that the stay was too short! I fully intend to return for a much longer stay. Five nights was clearly not long enough. Grace and I had the test times. Thank you for your help. Do hyou have an email address for Bryce? I would like to send him a personal thank you. He was a great host and a good friend. The memories I have will last a lifetime, or until I return, which will likely be sooner than later! Thank you again for your help and patience.
Steve Forage,
- 1 January, 2003
Bula Paul, We had such an great time at Qamea and are still longing to be there. The food was incredible, the staff were amazingly friendly and wonderful. The most relaxing vacation either of us have ever had. Overall, an amazing place - we are sure to return and tell many friends about it. Vinaka
Marti K. Grace,
- 1 January, 2003
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