Namale Resort & Spa spares nothing in providing the ideal tropical holiday.

Again this year, Namale Resort & Spa has been the winner of the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Award and has earned a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years in the categories of accommodation, romance and luxury.

One of the two pools available for all guests. Some of the villas have private pools.

Whether a guest desires an adventure hike through a rainforest to a hidden waterfall, a horseback ride along the beach or a heart-pounding scuba dive into the Koro Sea, it is all available at Namale Resort & Spa.

Frog statue at one of the pools.

For more low-key activities, a private, secluded meal can be arranged anywhere on the grounds, inside the guest’s bure, villa, or a quiet picnic on the beach or at the deck overlooking the blow hole.

There was a pumpkin carving event scheduled in this recreational area in the afternoon, based on our tour day as Halloween in many countries.  It would be an adult-only event when Namale is an adult-only (16 and over) environment.

For the sports inclined, there’s a nine-hole golf course, fitness centre, volleyball and tennis courts and an indoor basketball court. At the Kava Bowl indoor entertainment center, there’s a golf simulator, two bowling lanes, billiard tables, ping pong, and darts and of course, wifi available in the cool, comfortable surroundings.

Bana, the scuba dive master/instructor and host.  We enjoyed our chat with him as with several other staff members.

As we wandered through the property reveling in one artfully built building after another, it was easy to imagine oneself in this inviting and relaxing environment. Celebrities from all over the world come to Namale Resort & Spa for a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of life in the public eye.

Filo is the perfect tour guide and hostess for our extensive tour of the property.

Then again, those who select Namale for their wedding, anniversary or much deserved respite from everyday life can easily float amid its lush and inviting surroundings to escape the rigors of everyday life.

Guests are encouraged to write their names and date of their visit on these individual stones to remain on-site for years to come. When enough accumulate, they are made into a walking path. How enjoyable it would be to return years later to find one’s stone remaining!  What a unique personal touch while overall signifies the message at Namale.

Let’s face it, we’ve visited numerous resorts throughout our travels, many in the five star category, even one designated as seven-star (go figure) in Abu Dhabi, UAE that we visited in 2013, the Emirates Palace Hotel (click here for our post and photos). 

Tennis courts available for day or night use with equipment on-site, easy to access.

No other resorts appealed to our tastes more than Namale Resort & Spa, not for its opulence but for the manner in which it embraces nature, and the manner in which every staff member strives to fulfill the needs, desires and interests of each guest for their recurring holiday/vacation or a once-in-a-lifetime visit to this perfect getaway.

This beach scene with comfortable chaise lounges in the sand reminded us of resorts we visited on the Indian Ocean in Kenya.

Our lunch was far beyond our expectations. Having perused many restaurant menus in Savusavu, we decided dining out here (as was the case in Trinity Beach, Australia) would be difficult with my highly restrictive diet.  With good health paramount to our travels, straying from my way of eating is never an option, even in doing so by accident. 

The fitness centre with the latest and greatest equipment.

We must admit that dining at Namale Resort & Spa was our first meal in a restaurant since our last cruise ended on June 11th when we dined aboard ship on the final night in a specialty restaurant with our newly made friends, Renee and Geoff. 

The Kava Bowl (no kava served here, although cocktails are available) is the full service recreational building including two bowling lanes, game tables and golf simulator.

We’ve had tremendous good fortune with meals on our past 11 cruises with chefs readily accommodating my diet although I must carefully monitor the process at each meal to ensure accuracy. In a single visit to a local restaurant such diligence is not to be expected or likely.  

The second shared swimming pool.

We’ve missed dining out, not so much to give me a break from cooking which I don’t require but, more so for the enjoyment of sitting together in a new setting, enjoying the surroundings and hopefully good service and food.

Namale’s name is derived from the name of this tree, located outside the basketball courts and sports building.

Then again, there’s Tom, who eat whatever he wants on cruise ships and when dining in restaurants with no complaint or evil eye from me.  n fact, I go as far as encouraging him to take advantage of the opportunity and to eat and drink to his heart’s content when he only partakes of my diet when we dine at “home.”

Shivani, the spa director was delightful as she toured us through the exquisite spa.

That’s exactly what he did at Namale Resort & Spa. The bread basket was his first foray into his perception of the ultimate dining experience, replenished once by our lovely and attentive, server Topou, who couldn’t have provided more perfect service. 

An extensive menu of services is offered by the spa including “couples” massages and services.

He didn’t stop eating the soft “squishy” buns until after the fifth and still had room for a frosty banana Pina Colada, his delicious three-course meal, including the addition of my dessert to his dessert plate.

The view beyond the massage tables in the couple’s massage room.

The chef easily accommodated my food restrictions with a perfectly cooked plate of steak fajitas, minus the usual tortillas, and the starter of a grilled shrimp salad, all well within the range of my restrictions.

Villi, our friendly driver, who ensured we had a bit of riding time during the tour of the expansive property which encompasses 525 acres.

The flavor, presentation and service for each of the three courses of our meal couldn’t have been more to our liking as shown in these photos. The timing, an important element in fine dining and multiple course service, was extraordinary, leaving us never feeling rushed or in want of a plate being cleared.  Even my unsweetened iced tea was flavorful with lots of ice, as I prefer.

Tom was thrilled with his first cocktail, since June 10th on our last cruise. He was working on the first of his delicious warm buns slathered with butter.

Whether it was the spa, where we met and were toured by the spa director Shivani through one of the most amazing spas we’ve seen, to the drive in the golf cart by Villi or the walks among the many pathways with Filo to hidden treasures at every turn, we were continually impressed by the staff. 

We both had this refreshing shrimp salad as our first course, all of which worked for my diet.

One of our most enjoyable conversations was with Bana, the scuba dive master who’s warmth and personality kept us longing for more idle chatter with him. Nowdla, the co-general manager, in her obvious love for Namale Resort & Spa and Fiji, couldn’t have been more delightful and thoughtful in providing us with an ideal visit to this special place.

Tom’s beer-battered fish, chips and red cabbage which he thoroughly enjoyed stating he hadn’t had fried fish this good in years.

At the end of our day, we wandered back to the reception area where we again thanked the staff. While Tom sat in the cooling breeze in the outdoor lobby, I wandered through the gift shop wondering, if I was a “usual” tourist, what would I bring “home.” The offerings were many, all of high quality as expected, with many especially intriguing options.

My fajita meal was three good-sized chunks of tenderloin cooked to perfection on a bed of grilled vegetables and salsa. It couldn’t have been more wonderful.

Soon, Ratnesh arrived to return us to our temporary home in Savusavu. The almost four hours from door to door experience had flown by, leaving us with smiles on our faces for an experience and anniversary celebration we’ll always remember.

We’ll continue to post more Namale photos over the next few days. However, we have new stories awaiting upcoming posts that we’re excited to share as we continue on.

Tom’s double  portion of lemon merengue pie with blueberry coulis included my portion which I had to decline.

At the moment, as I prepare this post, Tom is in the chair next to mine as we overlook the sea, while he’s watching the Minnesota Vikings game on his laptop that aired on US TV at noon on Sunday, Minnesota time, which was 7 am here in Fiji this morning, Monday (after yesterday’s time change).  You can take the boy out of Minnesota but you can’t take the Minnesota out of the boy, including eating the five delicious rolls at Namale Resort & Spa.

Photo from one year ago today, November 2, 2014:

This must have been pretty before it began to fade away. For more details from the post one year ago, please click here.

Inside the reception building, we asked a staff member to take our photo at Namale Resort & Spa as we celebrated our three year anniversary of traveling the world with a tour and lunch at the world renowned resort.

Where do we begin?  It’s nearly impossible to describe the wonderful day we had yesterday on our third anniversary of traveling the world at the world renowned Tony Robbins Namale Resort & Spa, only a 30 minute drive from our current home in Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji.

The drive on a private road into Namale Resort & Spa, situated in a dense rainforest, gave us only a glimpse of the 525 acres of paradise which lie ahead.

Here are a few accolades regarding this upscale resort:

“#1 Most Romantic Resort in the South Pacific”
TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards

“One of the top 50 most romantic places on earth.”
Luxury Magazine

“All time winner of the resorts and great hotels of the world connoisseur choice award.”
Architectural Digest cover

The list of awards and recognition for this outstanding resort are as expected as the memorable experiences made for travelers who visit from all over the world, unsurpassed in many ways in its exquisite beauty, situated on 525 acres of rainforests, ocean cliffs and pristine beaches.

Throughout the grounds, there is minimal structured landscaping as often found in five star resorts, instead taking advantage of the natural beauty and vegetation which provides a backdrop to the many aspects of the resort.

Recently in June, Namale Resort & Spa celebrated its 25th anniversary while it continues to be heralded as one of the finest in the world in its service, amenities and unique design, more than any other resorts one may have visited in the past.

Sure, we could spend this entire post espousing the attributes of this upscale resort but, as our worldwide readers are well aware, we tend to share our personal experiences included into a review of any type of property.

As we neared Namale Resort & Spa, a sense of excitement washed over us both, having heard many positive comment about this property over these past few months we’ve spent living in Vanua Levu.

Over the next few days, we’ll excitedly share many photos and experiences we enjoyed at Namale over an almost four hour period we spent onsite, observing as much as possible of its endless offerings, its exemplary staff and its abundance of natural beauty so thoughtfully incorporated into its unique surroundings.

Its not easy to grasp the magnitude of 525 acres as we rode on a six passenger golf cart with our tour guide and hostess, Filo and friendly driver, Villi.  On occasion, Villi was radioed to attend to other guests and we continued joyfully on foot with Filo. 

Filo was gracious and thorough in her tour of the vast property.  With full occupancy, we weren’t able to see the interior of any of the villas although more detailed photos may be found online at Namale Resort & Spa.

It was a hot and humid day but with nary a complaint we wandered about the vast property on foot able to easily gain access to the many ocean scenes that mesmerized guests who’ve found this astounding resort for their honeymoon, an anniversary, or a quiet therapeutic get away, most certainly at a premium cost.

Many travelers from throughout the world choose to visit Namale Resort & Spa for its seminars held a few times each year, held in its onsite seminar facilities.

The views are varied in their breathtaking beauty.

With rates beginning at approximately USD $1,400, FJD $3017 per night and up, depending on choice of accommodations, this resort isn’t for many travelers. Unfortunately, an overnight stay at Namale Resort & Spa didn’t fit into our world travel budget, although we were appreciative to have had the opportunity for our visit. 

The all inclusive resort is closed to outside dining guests but, accommodations were made for our visit, tour and lunch, all of which far surpassed our expectations.

A few weeks ago, we shared a glimpse of this swimming raft available exclusively for Namale’s guests when we visited the Blue Lagoon from the opposite side of the bay.

As explained by our host, Nowdla Keefe, co-general manager, who’d arranged our visit and stopped by our table during our meal,  80% of guests are from the US, many of whom may have been familiar with its owner and creator, the highly regarded personal and business motivational speaker and finance strategist, Tony Robbins.

Having personally attended several of his US seminars over my business career, many of his philosophies still remain embedded into my brain yet today as is the case for many who followed his wisdom and career over the decades. 

With accommodations for 44 guests, the marina is small but situated in a quiet cove.  Many tourists visit for snorkeling and scuba diving in the coral reef surrounding the property.

However, we visited Namale Resort and Spa with a scrutinous eye, not blinded by past experience, intended to examine its many offerings with our three year’s of non-stop world travel experience, no longer enthralled with opulence as a definitive medium of excellence and integrity.

Each narrow pebbled path leads to yet another pleasing view.

We were never disappointed as Filo wowed us, time after time, over the care and consideration exercised throughout the design, development and the maintenance of this fine property, which in its 25 years, never appeared dated or tired as many five star resorts many may succumb to over time.

Technology was at its most current, as was each of its many recreational areas, utilizing the most up-to-date equipment and amenities. Nothing was spared in presenting an appearance and sense of what would expect to find in an upscale resort built today, even in this remote island paradise.

There is one inviting seating area after another near restaurants and activity areas.  The palm laying on the deck are being used to make a variety of decorative items used in the resort.

Above all, we were most impressed by the gentle, calming nature of the extraordinary conscientious staff, eager to please at every point. 

In tomorrow’s post, we’ll share photos of a few of the fine staff members we had the opportunity to meet and engage in conversation, truly one of the highlights of our special day.  Plus, we’ll be including photos of the many recreational and amenities buildings located on this fine property and of course, our memorable lunch.

See you soon with much more!

Photo from one year ago today, November 1, 2014:

Last year’s two year travel anniversary was relatively uneventful with a disappointing dinner in a local restaurant in Maui, although we were happy and grateful to celebrate another year.  For details, please click here.