Navutu Stars Resort Yasawa Islands

This was an exceptional stay. The stuff was like a soul family. If you want to experience traditional Fijian hospitality then this is the place. Professionals always steps ahead. Very wise and happy people. They remember your name after first introduction, small things like closing your Buré blinds and lighting mosquito coils while you are away dinning, always changing foot-soak water tub, every day complimentary Fiji water. You feel like a king and a queen in a castle Buré- we stayed in a garden view which was on a small hill with some ocean view and private beach. There is lots of small beaches around, no people only crystal clear water as in Fiji Postcards. Huge rooms with lots of windows and huge double bathroom, no A/C but its built the traditional style and never felt hot. This is great for adults only or with older teenage kids. So no young kids running around. Sometimes even you feel you are the only guest. Snorkelling can be arranged any time. Free Kayaks offer you unlimited exploring opportunities around the area. Food - it is a boutique resort so choices are very selective and good for every taste. Breakfast Muffins where the best ever tasted - locally baked. Traditional Fijian Lovo evening was like a big family gathering all sitting in a long table - lots of singing, dancing and lovely food- so far the best Lovo from all the places we stayed - fish, chicken and pork cooked to perfection. The bar has some fancy cocktails to offer as well. Kava ceremony was one of a kind - felt like I am sitting with the chief. Village and local school visit is a must do - as all the employees live there and their kids visit the schools. If you go - make sure you have some gifts or candy for them - you cant buy the emotions with any money. And of course the 3 local street dogs who jump on your kayak or go for a hike with you. Avoid the crowds and treat your self with relaxing days. Stay at least 3 nights or more.

I visited Navutu Stars in July of 2023 and stayed there for a week with my best friend. It's hard to put in words the amazing experience we had so I will do my best. We were welcomed to the resort by the beautiful staff who came to be like family for the duration of our stay. We stayed in one of the larger Bures that had its own private beach. The resort itself had great amenities, all sorts of equipment that was free to hire (i.e kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling gear etc). My friend and I always looked forward to the food - lunch and dinner was always amazing, especially the Yasawan Fish and Chips. All the activities the resort organised were awesome. I myself am not a good swimmer and one of the guides helped me overcome my fear of deep water so that I could snorkel. It was things like this that really exceeded our expectations. The scenery and the resort were beautiful but what really made our experience so great was the beautiful staff. We had so many memorable days and nights with them. We were so sad to leave because they really did make us feel so at home. My friend and I still talk about this trip and rate it as one of the best!
If you're going to Fiji, this place is heaven on Earth and worth a stay!

Would not return and wish we never came.

One star for the few staff members who were cordial and kind and for the free-running island dogs that were better hosts than anyone working at the resort.

Navutu Stars is a rundown resort in bad need of updating in both its facility and staff - both of which may have been hospitible at a time, but have lost their lustre and ability to support guests paying alot of money to stay ($800CAD/night).

Because the huts are not air conditined, open windows will leave the room hot, damp and even wet. All our clothes were beyond wearing and musty. Beds were damp and uncomfortable. Our fridge leaked all over the floor, to add to the moisture.

The food is low grade and insanely priced. For $150 ($90CAD) per person, per day, breakfast and dinner are offered. Lunch is a seperate charge. Keep in mind, they advertise breakfast as included, though you come to find out that is only a continental one, once you arrive. Paid breakfast is a basic bacon, eggs, pastries and fruit. Dinner is low quality meats, fish or a poorly made pasta choice. For an added charge ($25 FJD), you can have salad or veg with dinner. Lunch offers a seperate pay menu where, for example, you can pay $55 FJD ($33CAD) for a sandwich with two slices of plain white bread, a few grams of low quality meat and eight french fries (I counted because I could). Lunch resembles something made in a highschool cafeteria, or worse.

Alcoholic drinks are insanely priced, poorly made and made by bartenders who are annoyed with any order placed.

The staff, for the most part is friendly to say hello to, but once a request is made for a towel, water, a drink from the bar, etc, their demeanor changes and you become annoying to them. But they'd be happy to sell you excursion after excursion at inflated, unfair prices.

The resort owner sits in view of all guests and refuses to greet, smile or even acknowledge your presence. It sets a foul mood for the entire visit. At $800 CAD per night (not including food or drink) a simple smile or "hello" goes far. You can see where the staff get their training.

The beach is very small and the hut access to the water is limited and rocky making it near impossible to access the water from your room. It may be a water front hut, but not water front access unless you enjoy destroying your feet on the inhospitable rocks.

Wifi is shoddy and unreliable.

Overall, our two day stay was two days too long. If not for the island dogs, this would have been a one star review.

With the many choices available in the Yasewa islands, some of which we stayed at, at similar and sometimes cheaper costs, there is no reason to stay at or return to the Navu-two Stars resort.

There are 5 star resorts to choose from at comparable prices.

The warm Fijian hospitality made us feel like family. It was a deeply personalized experience. The location and surroundings were more stunning than the actual photos of the place. A truly unforgettable stay.

Best place we stayed at in Fiji. Wonderful service, people, location, excursions, and food. Def the place we would book if we return. It is the ideal spot for couples and honeymooners like us. So peaceful and isolated. I can’t recommend this place enough!

Wonderful resort. Everything was as we hoped. Incredible scenery, great food and stunning scenery!

Currently in Fiji staying in another location but reflecting on my visit to Navutu Stars in late 2019, which almost poisoned my view of Fiji. I found Navutu acceptable for a 2 star property but charging 5 star prices. The staff were disingenuous and the manager at the time was positively unfriendly. I felt they were offended by our reluctance to pay all the little extras, for literally everything. At times the attitude of the staff was intrusive and unhelpful. Agree with other reviews here on access to the sea during low tides, which is most of the daytime, and the heavy infestation of mosquitoes.

We went to Navutu in April 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff was wonderful and the accommodation was beautiful (we stayed in the villa). We loved the fish and chips for lunch and dinners were lovely. Would recommend if you want a beautiful stay in Fiji while also getting to experience some of the culture.

Navutu stars was a pleasant experience, very comfortable rooms, beautiful scenery and the staff were accomodating (especially sei and Varani)

However, we were very disappointed with the food which was extremely overpriced and poor quality especially when compared to other resorts we visited (Coconut Beach
Resort, Navotua Homestay). Very little semblance to “Fijian” dishes (basic pasta options) etc. Drinks were great but again, way too expensive for very simple options.

Beautiful place to stay. Amazing, welcoming staff. Delicious food and cocktails. Plenty of water activities available. Spacious rooms with beautiful views.

For people looking for a review since Fiji opened in Dec 2021.

We stayed here for 5 nights over New Year’s Eve and can’t fault the location of the hotel, it was quiet, tranquil and very peaceful. The beaches opposite and around the hotel are just a kayak away, and you’ll be the only ones there for the day.

For the hospitality itself, we found the hotel extremely overpriced for what was offered. The food was more than triple of what you’d find on the mainland, and you also have to pay for bottles of water while you’re there. Food was very delicious, and major props to the chef! The portions are large so we always went for the starter option to conserve cash. The staff were all very friendly and warm, but reception always looked slammed, and we found that customer service was either forgotten or laxed. It all felt like management told them to tick things off a guest experience check list, to which they did, but nothing more beyond that.

The island is more or less infested with mosquitos, they have a huge mosquito problem, but provided no easy access sprays, you have to buy them at reception. So bring bug spray, a lot of it. Bring snacks and water too.

For what the options were available, this was the one we took, and we don’t regret it. But I’m not sure if we would come back. We felt we paid a lot for a very mediocre hotel experience.

My partner and I had an Amazing 7 days, stunning place, warm friendly service and Soooo relaxing.

I stayed here in 2018 and I miss it every day! I truly loved it. It is expensive, but we are so glad we spent the money on it. I hope that this lovely place survived the pandemic travel restrictions and will be around in 10 years when I finally am able to go back!

Came for a medical mission and was astounded by the beauty of the islands, the inclusiveness of the people, and the fantastic seafood. We saw sharks come a raise, and sea turtles well snorkeling as well. Definitely try some kava while you're here!

Dislikes:

1. Heavy machinery/excavator stuck on the beach next to our beach villa for more than half of our 2-nights-3-days stay, submerged in the high tide with a strong smell of diesel. We were lucky it was broken. When they fixed, it was extremely loud operating on the beach until lunchtime on Christmas Day. It felt a bit like tank wars or the D-Day on the beach of Normandy.

2. One set of towels for our stay.

3. No evening turndown service. I expected this to be a standard for the price you pay, as in many Pacific Islands resorts, including Fiji.

4. Champagne breakfast delivered to our villa on the first morning was lovely. Dirty dishes collected only 26 (twenty-six) hours later. We had to leave it on the porch, and many resort staff walked past it without any consideration.  

5. Limited activities availability. Management chooses only one for the morning for all guests. For the three mornings, we were there: paid caves tour paid village tour, paid turtle island snorkelling (no turtles). Afternoon boats are available to take you for the extra payment to numerous snorkelling locations.

6. Available snorkelling locations rank way below the average. We did not see many, but the one spot off the resort beach was 1/10. Next two locations, 20-mins boat ride and FJD 80 fee for a couple, just to the other side of the island with 3/10 and 2/10. Navutu is not a place to snorkel if you tried it before anywhere else in the world. There is almost no live coral. Visibility in the water was also poor (late December).

7. The boats that will take you snorkelling are very basic. There are no steps or easy way to get off or back on the boat from the water. There is also no shade. I would not recommend going too far on a sunny day if you want to avoid a heat stroke.

8. The staff doesn't seem to be interested in creating enjoyable experiences for the guests. When asked about good snorkelling spots, they just showed us the map with 22 locations. Also, recommended the furthest and most expensive place (we snorkelled there earlier, and it wasn't great).

Likes:

1. Villas are very tall and spacious. The bed is big and comfortable. There is no air conditioning, but the fans in the room are quite sufficient to cool it down. Windows/glass doors open up the whole front of the villa.

2. Beautiful Fiji location with no screaming kids running around.

3. Food is expensive but quite ok. I normally eat salads + veggies and got food poisoning after second day (lasted 3 days). My wife doesn't eat raw vegetables and she was fine.  

4. Saltwater pool is nice.

5. Navutu is not a busy place. Not many tourists stay on the island.

6. When we realised there is not much to do, we had quite a relaxing stay.

The perfect place to enjoy the REAL Fiji. We spent 5 nights at Navutu and although it was completely relaxing, it was never boring. Above all, it is the staff that makes this resort special. They are amazing!

This is an absolutely amazing place to visit. The staff are extremely friendly, rooms are spacious and private and the water is pristine.

I strongly recommend staying at this resort.

We used a seaplane to transfer from Nadi to the resort and back but for a cheaper option there is also a boat.

I will be back!

OMG. THE best resort i've ever been. Polite discreet staff that was there to cover every need we had. Light blue waters. Tasteful food. They even tryied to show us their traditions-customs. A paradise of relaxation and isolation. We had a wonderful time. Definitely 100% recommend it.

Incredible. Friendliest staff I’ve ever met who really take a personal interest in their guests. Would love to return one day!

We were blown away by how beautiful navutu stars was!  
From arrival until we left we were made to feel like family in their lovely little island paradise.  
The room was spacious with big bathroom and varandah. No aircon however not needed with the 2 ceiling fans and opening doors.  
The staff were absolutely incredible, and to be honest they all are what makes this place so special! The food was great and the cocktails were even better. We were celebrating a my partner's birthday whilst away everyone went above and beyond to make his day super special from a birthday cake and song, to decorating our room and organising a private dinner out on the beach.  
It is such a private place with only a few bures you rarely see anyone else throughout the day except for at happy hour and meal times.  
There were different activities every day to choose from if you wanted to, or you could do your own thing relaxing by the pool or beach. Every bure has its own hammock and 2 lounges on the sand, there is also deck chairs set up around the pool if the beach isn't your thing.  
If you're looking for a romantic or relaxing place to spend your time definitely go to navutu stars. It's a place I will never forget and we will definitely be returning in the near future! Thank you so much guys for the most amazing holiday experience we have both ever had!