ACCOMMODATION There are 18 villas (bures) of equal standard. Some are further away from the central bure (located between 3 & 4) than others. Please let us know your distance preference when you are booking and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Sometimes guests (particularly past ones) request specific bures. On all occasions we do our best to accommodate these requests, but you should know that we NEVER guarantee a special will be available at the time. GUEST PROFILE Vatulele visits are often “special occasion” vacations - honeymoons, birthdays or anniversaries. Vatulele particularly suits those who want to escape from the pressures of the Western world, yet still be able to enjoy five star standards. As the bures are set in jungle, Vatulele will not suit travelers who feel more comfortable in a “bug free”, sterile environment. Rather, it suits the more adventurous traveler who wants “to get the sand between their toes”. The resort particularly suits outgoing people who are able to enjoy the company of others, in addition to privacy. More than half our guests are North American, the balance is split evenly between Australia/New Zealand and Europe (mostly English, German speaking and Italian). We strongly recommended that guests be able to speak some English to get full value out of the experience we offer. We are normally able to accommodate requests for singles - depending on space. As most guests mix together guests traveling alone are unlikely to feel excluded. We do not recommend less than 5 nights. Our average stay is 7 nights. Children under the age of twelve are not permitted unless their stay coincides with one of our two annual designated “family weeks”. During these periods children of any age are accepted on the understanding that their meal hours are at an earlier time and they do not join the adult dining table. Baby sitters are readily available. WHAT YOU WILL NEED Dress on the island is informal. Evening is smart casual, and footwear is optional at all times. Definitely no jackets or ties. We supply hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, beach towels, snorkeling, tennis and scuba diving equipment. Our shop stocks a limited variety of suntan creams, film and cigarettes. A pair of rubber soled shoes plus some reef walkers or waterproof sandals are recommended. Although the year-round temperature is warm, you may experience some cool evenings in our winter months (June, July, August). Pack some warmer clothes if your stay falls in this period, as we dine outside year round. ARRIVAL INFORMATION You will need a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of arrival. No visas are required for most countries. There is a 24 hour bank on the left immediately outside Customs. A small amount of Fijian currency would be appropriate for Vatulele if you intend making purchases in the village. Fiji $50 should be ample but make sure to ask for small denominations ($2 & $5 notes). You will also need $20 in Fijian currency for your departure tax. As most international flights arrive early morning, we recommend that guests who are transferring same day, reserve a day room at a hotel near the airport. Guests overnighting should make themselves known to the appropriate hotel representative or make their own way to their accommodation. The best mainland hotels are adjacent to each other and 25 minutes drive from the airport - The Sheraton Fiji and the Sheraton Royal. (The Royal has more of a “Fijian” quality). There are plenty of taxis available but many are in poor condition. The best taxi service is IMAAMS, who run (older) Mercedes Benz cars. These would normally have to be prebooked. Telephone (679) 700 559 Fax (679) 702 076. Our Nadi airport office is located on the floor above the concourse after you exit Customs. Unless alternative arrangements are made our staff are on duty from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Tel (679) 720 300 Fax (679) 720 062 email vatulele@is.com.fj). ISLAND COMMUNICATIONS Guest villas are not equipped with telephones. In urgent circumstances you may have access to our office telephone and fax. (Telephone: Country code (679) 550 300 Fax (679) 550 262). Incoming callers should not expect the island telephone to be answered after 5pm. The local telephone system is sometimes less than adequate and callers should be warned that they may encounter some difficulty with transmission. Fortunately mobile phones do not work on Vatulele. TRANSFERS TO VATULELE Air is the only option. We have a daily charter flight departing Nadi at 11.30am and the flight takes 25 minutes. (Check-in 11am). Unless advised to the contrary this is a SOUTH PACIFIC SEAPLANES aircraft which departs from Nadi airport. (Check-in in the domestic terminal). Your luggage allowance on all domestic flights in Fiji is 15kg (33lb. per person) If you are travelling on an extensive trip, to avoid inconvenience, we suggest you pack a separate case for the island and store your excess in our Nadi airport office. (a Vatulele staff member will be at the check-in desk at 11am to assist you with this). SPECIAL CHARTER FLIGHTS If you need to connect to a morning departure flight from Nadi or if you arrive in Nadi too late to travel on the regular flight, a special charter aircraft can be arranged*. All charter flights must be arranged through the resort. No private charters will be accepted. These transfers are limited to daylight hours. An international departure prior to 9am probably dictates an overnight stay on the mainland. Passengers arriving after 4pm may also find a same day transfer impossible. CHECK-IN AND CHECKOUT TIMES Check-out 11am Check-in 1pm. *Unless a bure is reserved from the night before, guests may not arrive on the island before NOON. Guests who extend their stay beyond the departure time of the standard transfer flight will still be required to vacate their bure by 11am and will incur a late departure charge equal to 25% of the daily rate. MEDICAL The resort maintains a comprehensively equipped medical room including oxygen and an asthma nebuliser. Telephone consultations with a mainland medical practitioner can be easily convened. Fiji is free of most tropical diseases including Malaria. No vaccinations are required. ELECTRICITY The resort generates its own power and is standard Fiji voltage - 240 volts. Bathrooms on Vatulele have a power outlet suitable for most 110 volt appliances. WEDDINGS Please note the minimum stay for a wedding couple is six nights. This allows time for the celebrants to establish a relationship with the locals, as well as fellow guests, thus ensuring a moving ceremony. For this reason we schedule the marriage ceremony towards the end of the stay.(See WEDDINGS pages for more information). SPECIAL OCCASIONS Be sure to let us know in advance if you are celebrating a special occasion, so we can make your stay especially memorable for you. TIPPING POLICY Before you arrive we would like you to know that Vatulele staff are not, under any circumstances, permitted to accept individual tips and we ask your assistance in preserving this policy. However many guests have shown their appreciation by contributing to a staff annual bonus fund. (Guideline U$15 per couple per day). This consideration may be offered at the end of your stay, and is entirely at your own discretion. The Resort has set up a Trust fund to assist with community education and health needs. This has enabled us to establish a kindergarten in the main village, and re-cycled children’s books, games or clothes are always welcome.