Ratings based on 35 Verified Reviews
4.1 Room cleanliness
4.6 Service & staff
3.9 Room comfort
3.8 Hotel condition
Expedia Verified Reviews
by A verified traveler
Posted 21 Nov 2024
If you're looking for a true Fijian experience, picturesque scenery and you want to just relax and soak it all in, this is your spot. It's atmosphere is super calming and welcoming from the first minute. But it's not for everyone as it's not a resort. Think about it more like camping.
The accommodation is simple and spacious. Yes, the bathroom is "a bit scary" (that's how our 5 years old described it :-) but you don't need much there.
The meals are traditional Fijian. Very tasty and plenty for everyone. Tab water wasn't potable during our stay so we had to purchase bottled water. They also provided drinking water and fresh juices with meals. Staff are wonderful.
Great snorkelling right off the beach. We rented a kayak ($50 fjd) to go around the island. It was a good 3 hours paddle. Worth the effort as the scenery is beautiful and there are nice swim spots along the shore.
Cell coverage was available only on the beach. We didn't inquire about wifi but I believe they offer paid wifi by the main building.
Electricity isn't an issue. They have solar panels and generator.
We loved our 2 nights stay and wished we booked 3. We need to come back again :-)
by A verified traveler
Posted 26 Oct 2024
Beautiful island with great snorkeling directly in front of lodge. Whilst the area in front of the room was clean and well maintained there were piles of rubbish and disused materials spread across the grounds as well as rubbish on the beach. The room and bed were comfortable although the bathroom was in poor condition with cold water shower only which we didn’t mind. It felt quite awkward as the only guests at the lodge for 4 days especially at meals where the nice staff would all sit directly facing us singing and watching us eat including the cute hungry children all waiting for us to finish so they could eat only after we had finished I think it was a good option to stay here for a few days to support the local villagers and get to know some of the locals and its a great location with lots of activities and excellent snorkelling at your front door but it’s very basic, a bit dirty, and little awkward at times. Would recommend staying here for a few days but incorporating it with another resort option in the area.
by A verified traveler
Posted 13 Sep 2024
The family has created a very friendly and social environment which we loved! Food was great and the diving was phenomenal.
Comment from Hotel Management
26 Oct 2024 by Naqalia Team, Hotel Management
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the warm, welcoming atmosphere our team strives to create, as well as the delicious meals and incredible diving experiences. It was our pleasure to have you, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures soon!
by A verified traveler
Posted 12 Sep 2024
The stay at Naqalia Lodge was amazing. Great staff and best food we had in Fiji. The food is buffet style and also has veggie options. The staff were super friendly and shared a lot of stories after dinner and at kava sessions. There were a lot of different activities that could be booked.
Comment from Hotel Management
12 Sep 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Salome and thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family.
by A verified traveler
Posted 19 Aug 2024
We had an amazing experience at Naqalia Lodge, which is a family run lodge with a real feeling of Fiji, not only for the amazing place but for the people and food as well.
All the staff, Aku, Tūī, Sia, Oni and Manu did everything possible to make our staying very special and made us feel part of the family.
We did activities such as fishing, snorkelling, swimming, trekking and visiting the villa.
We will definitely be back and highly recommend it to anyone interested in knowing and learning from the real Fijian life.
Comment from Hotel Management
19 Aug 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Stefania and Fernando,Thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family. It was a pleasure and a privilege having to look after you and hope to see you again.
by A verified traveler
Posted 31 Jul 2024 on Orbitz
I had a lovely vacation at Naqalia Lodge. From the moment I arrived at the Lautoka boat dock, Bill, his brother, his wife welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like part of their Fijian family.
Sia was a wonderful host throughout my visit, and Oni's incredible cooking was a definite highlight. Her delicious and original vegetarian meals were so good that guests (including this one) ask for her secret recipes. And Stubby, their adorable dog, was also a joy to have around and added to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. He even welcomed me as I stepped out of the boat.
The experience is minimalist with cold showers and solar power, but when staying in Paradise - isn't that all you need? Oh, and don't miss the morning sunrise hike where you'll be greeted with breathtaking South Pacific views. If you're looking for an authentic, rustic stay with genuine hospitality and character, stay here.
Comment from Hotel Management
31 Jul 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Julian and thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family. It was a pleasure having to look after you and thank you also for planting those root crops and a coconut plant.
by A verified traveler
Posted 24 Jul 2024
The staff are so lovely and make you feel so welcomed, the food is delicious with a great variety and plenty of it. It was a truly wonderful Fijian experience, I am planning my next trip already!
Comment from Hotel Management
25 Jul 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Amanda and thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family. You are part of the Naqalia family and are always welcome to return
by A verified traveler
Posted 22 Jul 2024
Amazing staff, lovely people and authentic fiji experience with locals.
I definitely would recommend it.
Comment from Hotel Management
25 Jul 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Bruno and thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family.
by A verified traveler
Family of 6.
Posted 16 Jul 2024 on HotelsAbsolutely wonderful. This lodge is run by an amazing fiji family. We felt welcome from the moment we arrived. Nothing was too much. The cabins were very cute, and so much love put into them. A beautiful welcome message in the bed, and flowers we felt the fiji spirit here. Location was gorgeous. Snorkeling was beautiful. Hike up the mountain to watch the sunrise was lovely. Kids enjoyed volleyball with the Fijian family daily.
Snorkeling with the sharks was one of the best experiences ever, and in one of the most spectacular reefs I've seen. 10/10.
My son and husband went fishing and also had a great time.
We got taught how to do fijian dancing, and that was so much fun, had a bonfire on the beach that was magical, and even got to drink kava with the family.
If you are after a true fijian homestay type holiday, then this is the place to visit. Drink coconuts, sleep in hammocks, be in fiji time from the moment you arrive.
Will definitely stay here again. Really loved our 3 nights, 4 days here.
Comment from Hotel Management
21 Jul 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Verne and family.Thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family. It was honour and privilege to look after you during your 4 days stay with us.That is what we want our guests to experience - the way we live our life the Fijian way which you had a glimpse of.Hope to see you again.
by A verified traveler
Posted 29 May 2024
I went to this island to hike to the peak and go diving with the sharks. I was told I wasn’t ‘allowed’ to hike alone as it was too dangerous and if anything happened I would be responsible for them being shut down. I’m a skilled hiker and an adult and this felt like an invasion of my freedom to make my own decisions. I was watched constantly and felt like I had no privacy and they constantly tried to sell me on their tours. For someone who wanted this it may have been ok but I just wanted some privacy and independence to do what I wanted.
Further, I was the only guest and they sang to me and watched me eat at every meal. It was very awkward. The welcome was nice but it all felt very contrived and I told them I don’t want it or enjoy it. I asked them to leave me during meals or join me to talk, which may have been better, but they insisted on singing and sitting across the room watching while I ate alone.
When I left they set up a sales table outside my hut and tried to charge me extra for my dive tour which is always paid for. I was very glad to get out of there and will never be back. Unfortunate because the property was beautiful and their dog was really cute. There was a young couple that was quite nice but the all round vibe was icky, restrictive and pressure sales. Yuck.
I’ve heard that different families take turns running the facility so perhaps it will be different if you go. It probably wouldn’t have been so bad if all their energies hadn’t been focused on me.
Comment from Hotel Management
30 May 2024 by Aku, Hotel Management
Bula Renee and thank you for visiting the Naqalia Lodge family.We do apologise for the experience you had gone through. We do take care of our guests as a few guests went missing in the hills hiking alone and we had to get more than a dozen boys to comb the area. It would be best to take a guide than to send a dozen boys looking/searching for you. We will look into your other areas of concern and stop the singing if guests are not interested in our singing.
