Ratings based on 22 Verified Reviews
4.3 Room cleanliness
4.6 Service & staff
4.3 Room comfort
4.1 Hotel condition
Expedia Verified Reviews
by A verified traveler from Munich & San Francisco
Posted 16 Jan 2020
Matava really feels like Fiji untouched: A nature jewel in midst of the jungle, no streets, no shops, only yourself, good company with similar guests staying in max. 10 huts, the sun and the sea - a dream for scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Take a breath and unwind.
Please note Matava is NOT suitable for the common main stream tourist looking for the usual entertainment provided by big resorts.
by A verified traveler
Posted 15 Aug 2018
Comment from Hotel Management
17 Sep 2018 by Matava Eco Resort, Hotel Management
Hi Anonymous!!
Thankyou for taking the time to rate Matava Eco Resort. We hope to see you again some day :)
by A verified traveler from Hong Kong
Posted 29 Jul 2018
A beautiful setting on the water far away from almost everything. Comfortable but not fancy. Food is tasty but not gourmet. Didn't stay long enough
Comment from Hotel Management
17 Sep 2018 by Matava Eco Resort, Hotel Management
Hi Bob,
Thanks so much for taking time out to write a wonderful review! We hope you can stay with us longer next time :)
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler from Los Angeles
Truly nice place to stay!
Posted 21 Nov 2017
Pros: True "getaway" atmosphere. Great staff, great food, the whole setting of the property. Everything!
Cons: False information regarding snorkel with Manta on their website. Internet connection was hardly working.
Location: Awesome snorkel spot right infant of the property. Jungle walk in true fijian nature. Walk to the waterfall and soak in the cold fresh water.
We stayed there for two weeks. It was amazing.
We had not relaxed that much in a long time. Away from noise. Away from people. Away from civilization. Away from craziness. Away from internet world. Away from busy world. True meaning of "Getaway" here.
Facility was nicely done. It was like a small village. Having our own bure with ocean view patio was very very nice. We felt much of privacy, safe and comfortable. All the amenity was functioning well and we did had any problem whole time we stayed there. Staff was very very friendly but caring and professional. Food was excellent! Snorkel and diving was super. Walking in the jungle was very special.
This place is not for the party people. But for the people who loves nature and truly deserve to relax, and enjoy Fiji.
A truly special place. I would definitely love to go back there.
Comment from Hotel Management
28 Nov 2017 by Adrian, Hotel Management
Hi Nojo,
Thank you for taking the time to write a Review of your stay with us. It was a pleasure to have you both as our guests and we hope to welcome you back one day. In the mean time, we wish you both safe and happy travels.
Best regards,
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler from Los Angeles, CA
Matava
Posted 16 Jan 2017
Location: This is a very remote location, with very little nearby. Outside of the water activities, there is a hike to the local village with a waterfall.
My brother and I decided to stay here because we wanted to snorkel the Great Astrolabe Reef. Overall, this place was comfortable, clean, in a great location, with very friendly staff. The journey here is a 45 minute boat ride, the only way to get to the resort, through beautiful coral reef clusters. Make sure to wear your sunscreen, tie down your hat, and long sleeves before you take off, as the boat is not covered.
At the resort, you will do all of the activities together with the other residents, such as diving, eating meals, etc ... Electricity in the room worked during the hours they told us it would be available. However, down at the main burre, there is a 24 hour charging station where you charge any device at any time.
The resort has a beautiful coral reef in front of it, that you can snorkel at any time. They also offer kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and a local map to hike to the local village with a waterfall.
My recommendation for this resort is to stay here for as long as you can here, because if you have a long list of activities you would like to do, you most likely wont be able to complete them all. The staff needs some time to prepare for the activities that are separate from the usual daily morning dives, such as snorkeling at night. I dont think this is unusual for any resort in Fiji in general, but its best to go in knowing you wont be able to do everything. The culture is just slow and therefore you need time.
by A verified traveler from Scotland
Absolutely dreadful experience - avoid this place
Posted 29 Oct 2015
Pros: Location - Fiji is a beautiful country and Matava occupies a great location on Kadavu island - what a waste of what should be a great experience.
Cons: Everything. New management should be installed whose first action is to demolish and rebuild from scratch.
Location: Reputably there is great diving on the Astrolobe Reef. However diving offered by Matava was very poor.
This is the worst hotel I have ever stayed in - avoid it like the plague. The roof in my room leaked resulting in a pool of water on the floor whenever it rained. The windows did not fit properly and did not close, which together with the gaps between the tops of the walls and the roof resulted in constant wind noise and drafts. I have never seen such a shoddily built room. There is nothing authentic about it. I stayed in four other hotels during this trip to Fiji, all of which were considerably cheaper than Matava and infinitely better quality, so this is in no way typical of Fiji.
The transfer from the airport was in a small open boat which I nicknamed "Spinebuster". I was sat on a hard wooden bench, and whilst the sea was relatively calm, was bumped and bounced the whole journey. There was also considerable spray from the sea, although full so'westers were provided to deal with this.
The purpose of my holiday to Kadavu was to dive the Astrolobe Reef. Whilst several of the staff at Matava wear shirts encouraging you to dive the Astrolobe Reef I was unable to do so even once in my week's stay. Whilst Matava has two custom dive boats, one was out of action with electrical problems the whole of my stay and the second was often unavailable. "Spinebuster" was offered as an alternative, but after one dive on it where I came back almost hypothermic due to the windchill and sea spray I refused to dive from it again (and I dive in Scotland in winter). Poor dive sites were offered.
Comment from Hotel Management
3 Dec 2015 by Adrian, Hotel Management
Hi Terry,
Unfortunately the winter weather in Fiji has been challenging this year and your stay coincided with some particularly cold, rainy and windy bad weather. For safety reasons we were not able to take you diving outside the Barrier Reef.
We apologize for the inconvenience of our main large dive boat being temporarily out of service. We were able to take you diving every day on our second large covered dive boat except on 2 days when the boat was booked out on other activities. Unfortunately we need a minimum of 2 divers to run the large dive boat for extra afternoon dives.
We were however able to take you diving every day other than the one day you chose not to dive because you were the only diver and the scheduled dive boat was therefore a 23ft inshore dive skiff.
Our Resort Managers did attempt to speak with you every evening to ensure you were enjoying you stay and had no issues. At no time did you advise them that you had any issues what so ever. Had you advised us of a problem with your bure, we would have made every attempt to fix that immediately or offered you alternative superior accommodation.
We are disappointed that your visit coincided with particularly bad weather and you were unable to dive outside the barrier reef but unfortunately the weather is beyond our control.
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler from New Zealand
Poor ownership
Posted 10 Aug 2015The resort lived up to expectations though expensive. Staff excellent and helpful. Owner only seemed interested in certain visitors not speaking to our group- even when a member of the group was very sick.
Recommended
for Everyoneby Annie from Australia
Matava experience
Posted 11 Jun 2014
Pros: Spa available, snorkelling & dive gear available for hire at very reasonable rates.
Cons: Only the weather, windy most times and some rain, didn't deter snorkelling though.
Location: Snorkelling, Diving, Visit to local nearby village and waterfall. Available boat trips on request. Picnic barbecue lunch prepared at location by staff
Enjoyed every minute, sad to leave. Staff were friendly and very helpful. Would definitely return.
Comment from Hotel Management
27 Mar 2015 by Adrian, Hotel Management
Hi Annie,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your stay with us.
We are delighted to see you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to welcoming you back one day !
In the mean time we wish you safe and happy travels :-)
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler
Posted 9 Dec 2013
Great place to stay, amazing staff and very involved owners. The rooms are basic, but comfortable. The location is amazing. The food was great and there was ample to go around! If you want an inclusive place to stay this is it. You all dine together and the staff drink Kava and play cards with you in the evenings. The activities are well organised too. I would definitely recommend this place.
Comment from Hotel Management
27 Mar 2015 by Adrian, Hotel Management
Thank you for writing a review and sharing your experience with other travelers. We are delighted you enjoyed our food, our Fijian staff, fun activities and amazing views !
Thank you for recommending us to other readers :-)
Recommended
for Everyoneby Orla from Ireland
Real getaway
Posted 10 Aug 2013
Cons: Mosquitoes.
Loved the getaway factor. The fijian people looking after you were so kind and pleasant. You have to be able to and want to socialise as all meals are together. Might not suit everyone. Fantastic place to learn to scuba dive.
Comment from Hotel Management
27 Mar 2015 by Adrian, Hotel Management
Hi Oria,
Thank you for reviewing your stay with us.
I am pleased to see you enjoyed your getaway and appreciated our wonderful Fijian staff which we feel are one of our greatest assets :-)
Guests do generally all dine together however if guests request a private dinner table we are more than happy to oblige !
Thanks again for your review and we wish you safe an happy travels.
