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5 nights at Yasawa. It needed to be 7. The 5 star reviews below share a lot of my sentiments, so I will try to highlight a few different points on my memorable impressions, the food and the grounds.Impressions:First, the beautiful beach in front of your made often felt completely secluded - there were only one to two tracks in the sand by the end of the night. We would have spent more time laying right there, but the hammock and beach hut that comes with each bure was just too comfortable - great lounge chairs and break from the sun. This was the softest sand I have ever felt. I have seen a finer white sand in N. Tasmania that squeaked as you walk on it, squishy golden gingerbread sand in islands off Lamu, generic gritty grand cayman groomed beaches, but Yasawa was the softest, most inviting beach to walk along that I can remember. There are great swim spots by the spa and excellent snorkelling directly in front of the activities centre.The daily trips and activities ranged from good to amazing; the beach we were taken to for our beach picnic beach was a bit of funny choice b/c of recent rains/storms that made for somewhat cloudy water / seaweed. Make sure to ask for 'champagne' beach or 'paradise' 1 2 or 3. The picnic itself is an amazing idea, and executed very well. The service is friendly, Fijian, AND professional. Reviews below focus on exceptional individuals / family feel etc., so I will add to this only by saying as well as great people, the staff is trained to know what they are doing! All the right cutlery etc. is whisked away or added to you table when it should be, the managers are attentive but not intrusive, and any requests that were made were answered above and beyond. Ritz-Carlton service, with a flavour of Fijian hospitality (and sometimes Fijian tempo!).Food. Many beautiful beaches in Fiji, so we chose YIR in the hopes of great food and service. For context, I think we might have become rather snobby foodies of late (couple years in Melbourne). If you live anywhere in N. America (where I call home) think of the food at Yasawa as "excellent". If however, you can place "simple dish of potato cooked in the earth it was grown", and that kind of gastronomy excites you, you'll still find the menus of Yasawa 'very good'. Portions are just right, and allow you to fill up through all courses. Except the Seafood feast - bring a wheelbarrow.I found dinner menus to be the best (will upload a shot): 'reef fish' based dishes were always cooked to perfection, the lamb I had was great, chicken flavours were interesting enough if not overly original - tasted like chicken! Naturally flavourful homemade soup & imaginative salad courses that relied on some island based produce were great. Only miss was slightly over-salted lobster/prawn risotto, and a slightly undercooked lobster tail. We didn¿¿¿t encounter generic 'pizza' etc. on any menu as was mentioned in another review, but there was a accesible mix of simple and more exotic. Always fresh baked bread was a nice touch.The Weekly Lovo feast was incredible; great assortment of dishes, great introduction to Fijian cuisine that ranged from basic to very complex cooking, flavouring and integration of local ingredients.Lunch menu had less variety per day, but still excellent 2-3 choices (brie, ham and pineapple sandwich, or veggie taco in homemade taco shell, another day had fish nachos, basil/beef salad). There was a all day generic sandwiches, spring-rolls, samosas etc. menu as well.Breakfast has 'continental' buffet, special of the day, and a full menu of poached eggs/full brekkies/pancakes etc. Deserts didn't disappoint. Great presentation on all dishes. Very good wine on selection, and the selection itself was expansive ($50-900 FJD I think)Grounds & Bure.I would say overall, the resort feels a tiny bit more on the 'natural' side than 'luxury', but just barely. The bures are spotless, beautiful, and very well appointed. outside shower etc. are fun. The grounds are very well

We have just gotten back from the most wonderful holiday at Yasawa Island Resort. We took our 3 1/2 year old daughter as it was kids week and I can truly say the holiday was like a second honeymoon. I organised a babysitter for the afternoons and evenings and my daughter bonded so closely with her babysitter I was totally relaxed, as the Fijians are truely loving people. The resort was simply stunning, the food is to die for, be prepared to put on some weight! The Blue Lagoon Cave excursion is certainly worth a trip and a private picnic at Champhange beach should not be missed. The staff are amazing and incredibly attentive, nothing is too much to ask for. Bridget and Aaron were terrific hosts. Hoping to go back again one day.

We travelled to Yasawa Island Resort as a family of 5 (3 teenagers) and were all blown away by the beauty, tranquilly and intimacy of this high quality resort. This resort has sandy beaches with an abundance of coral off the beach. The restaurant and pool area are first class and nothing was too big an ask, with our 15 year old son often asking for an additional serving at mealtimes, which was always met with a smile. Most of the staff hail from the neighbouring village and are some of the most friendly, attentive and professional staff we have encountered in over five trips to Fiji. The activities staff were friendly and always willing to help, taking us fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving - one even going down 6 metres to retrieve my husband's fishing rod which he dropped when fishing on a kayak. We love snorkelling and the boys made every effort to take us to the best spots. Wonderland was my favourite. Whilst there were no motorised sports to intrude on the tranquility, the kids learnt to paddle board, and took the boards out most days.We had two picnics, one to Yawini Island and the other to a beach known as Paradise 2. While Paradise 1 looked magical with warm turquoise water and white sandy beach, for us beach-loving Aussies, Paradise 2 had the amazing coral garden. The picnic lunch was plentiful and this is a special way to spend intimate family time in a secluded environment.The food was the best we have experienced in Fiji. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were always sensational. The highlight was the chef's beautiful Fijian fish and prawn coconut milk dish he prepared after we had landed a 60cm Trevally while sport fishing with Li and Rusi in the morning.My elder daughter and I had a relaxing massage on the Spa porch listening to the gentle waves lap over the rocks on the beach in front of the spa. Simply mesmerising.My son and husband did six dives with Bridget and were blown away by the soft corals and the variety of fish at great dive spots like Paradise, Riders on the Storm and The Caves.Our one regret was to spend a night on the mainland after 7 nights on Yasawa - it simply can't compare. We definitely recommend getting the connecting flight home after experiencing paradise.Venandu reki to Wonga, Li, Rusi, Samy & Sami, Joe, Kiri, Manasa, Bridget & Aaron, and everyone else who made our holiday so special. We will definitely be back.

I spent 4 days in this beautiful Island Resort. Even though it was a working trip but the staff, the services provided and the food made it an unforgettable experience. Getting to the Island was an experience in itself, as we boarded a 6 seater plane. The view from the air on the smaller outer lying islands is so beautiful and breathtaking. We were welcomed by the Resort Duty Manager Joe as we landed on the airstrip. He's ready smile and pleasant personality surely makes your day a good one. The welcome song and big bula from the staff at the front desk is so lovely. The main foyer is the place where you could get access for free internets and mobile phone connectivity is perfect. Receiving and making outside calls is not a problem. The juice of day at the arrival lounge is so refreshing and lovely...a never to miss. The rooms i tell you is so lovely with all things that you require for a vacation. The Pure Fiji products used in the roomsm tops it all. So refreshing and has this Pacific sweet aroma. The bedroom is so spacious and has a marvellous seaview of waves breaking into the shores. There's no TV in the rooms which provides a good relaxation environment to be really so close to nature. The sound of waves in the night makes the whole body so relaxing after day of work. I spend four days visiting the 6 villages on the island. The landscape and seashore scenery is just so breathtaking. The staff at Resort is so wonderful. A big vinaka vakalevu to Sammy, Joe, Lusi, Manasa the barman and the awesome chef of the Resort. The food i tell you is so awesome. I have visited lots of Resorts and Hotels in Fiji, but i tell you, this one tops them all. I love the morning swim i had during the four days. The sea is so clear and clean. Makes one go for a hearty breakie after a swim in the sea early morning. I had the wonderful opprotunity to visit the Sawailau Caves. So fantastic and beautiful. This is a never to miss sight when in this resort. Trips to the cave are usually organized by the staff. Vinaka vakalevu to all the staff at the Resort. Akini Qauqau

We returned from our vacation a week ago and had a great time on Yasawa. The island is remote and perfect if you are seeking peace, relaxation or a romantic getaway. We were seeking all of the above....and Yasawa delivered.The staff were excellent. It's the only resort on the island, and draws most of its staff from the surrounding villages. This may relate to the sense of ownership you feel from the staff in ensuring that you have a great vacation. Always friendly and attentive, with a smile and a Bula. The food was good. The breakfast was excellent......and it became our major meal of the day. The a la carte menu was great for breakfast meals (smoked salmon eggs Benedict, lobster omelets, etc) and the buffet was great for pastries, fruits, breads and cereals. Lunch was also great. Smaller portions, but always very flavorful. Dinner was generally good, but eclipsed by breakfast and lunch. All-in, I would rate the food as very good, weighted favorably by lunch and breakfast. The beach was fantastic. We strolled it every morning before breakfast and in a week, never saw another guest. The sand is natural and clean. We never saw anyone cleaning the beach (if they did, they were stealthy about it), yet the beach remained clean for our entire stay, The water is warm and the surf fun to body surf on, especially later in the afternoon. Bathing is best in the morning and mid-late afternoon, as the tide retreats out midday. There are areas where swimming access is available day long. the snorkeling was also very good, right of the "front porch". There are coral formations right in front of the bar and activity center with an abundance or marine life (schools of reef fish, sting rays, puffer fish all on display). Again....later in the day or early morning preferred to provide clearance over the shallower reef heads. Other guests who did the snorkel and private beach excursions were positive about their experiences. The Blue Lagoon caves were interesting........and as you are there......why not see them, but not very expansive. The boat ride out gives you a good view of the south end of the island. For divers......I managed to only get in 4 dives. Note....there was no diving on Sunday (villagers are devoutly Methodist) and we missed 2 days, one for the Blue Lagoon excursion and the other for weather. The visibility was not as good as hoped. While we only had half a day of rain during daylight hours, we had some pretty good thunderstorms and rain at night, which did not lend itself towards great vis in the morning. Still.....there were 2 great swim through dives and I highly recommend the Swim Through Paradise which lives up to its name. I did not bring my gear given the weight restrictions (which they are serious about should you wonder). I brought my computer and mask only. Thankfully, the BCs and regs were in good shape, but I did miss my fins. I was the only diver......so my dives felt exclusive......though I was somewhat disappointed to be signaled up twice with surplus air (??). We went looking for a romantic, stress free vacation, with great beaches and seclusion. If this is up your alley, then Yasawa is the place for you. The staff was amazingly friendly and will leave you with a lasting positive feeling towards Fiji and the Fijian people.Highly recommended!