The Welcome foot rubs are fantastic!

aveuni’s newest Boutique Resort is Paradise Taveuni, is the creation of Allan and Terri Gortan.  Originally named Susie’s Plantation Resort, Allan and Terri acquired Susie’s 5 ocean front acres in 2006 with a vision toward transforming the property into the spectacular resort it is today.  With backgrounds perfectly suited for owning and managing a resort (Allan is a professional Chef and Terri a hospitality industry professional), they have been able to establish Paradise Taveuni as one of Fiji’s premier boutique resorts.  Assisted by Duty Managers Kini and Luke, they head up a wonderful staff of locals who really go out of their way to make their guest’s stays memorable.

he resort has a total of 10 bures, all with exceptional views over the ocean, but with the 4 Tropical Bures set back a bit and enjoying garden views as well.  All bures feature king beds in a bedroom that opens to a spacious deck with daybed, a lounge area that also opens to the deck and a large bathroom to the rear with access to a private garden highlighted by a luxurious outdoor shower (there is also an indoor tub/shower).  The 6 Oceanfront Bures also offer a Jacuzzi in the private garden area – a favorite for honeymooners!  Constructed from coconut and rain tree woods and other local materials, the architecture seamlessly blends modern design with traditional Fijian style.  Amenities include 24 hour power (240v.), ceiling fans, mini-bar and fridge with tea & coffee, Pure Fiji bath products, complimentary sulus (Fijian wrap), hair dryers and laundry service.  Also included in your stay is a totally relaxing welcome foot rub, a welcome Salusalu (floral lei), all meals, and daily bure service with a nightly turn down.

 uisine in Paradise is not taken lightly.  It is exquisite, made with organic Fijian produce and served in presentations you would expect to find in European 5-star restaurants.  The resort offers a continental breakfast, 1 course lunch and 2 course dinner included in their nightly tariff, and an optional full meal package that includes a full cooked breakfast, 2 course lunch and 4 course dinner.  There are also 3 different beverage packages available that include beer, wine and spirits.  

 omantic escapes here are effortless – a perfect destination to exchange or renew vows, rediscover each other or just enjoy Paradise together.  Indulge in a range of over 60 Paradise Spa treatments from the incredibly relaxing ‘Four Hands Massage’ to a half- or full-day spa package. 

dventure seekers won’t be disappointed either.  Of course the diving is spectacular, but even non-divers won’t get bored.  Whether you prefer guided adventures or would rather explore on your own, there is a wide range of land and water activities available, many complimentary.  Snorkeling safaris, kayaking adventures, Jet Ski expeditions, and sport fishing / boating excursions are available, as well as 4WD tours, birding in the rainforest, horseback riding, and even wild boar hunting beckon the hard-core adventurers.   Softer adventure abounds too, with  culture walks, village tours, lovo and meke demonstrations and a tour of the South Pacific’s largest working plantation.  Throw in some impromptu coconut demonstrations, sulu tying and frond weaving classes, and there is always plenty to do for children or adults.

What made Paradise Taveuni very special were the people. Whilst it is an extraordinary beautiful place, one rarely meets people anywhere in the world as magnificent as fabulous extended family of Archie, Kini, Pini, Suli, Mere & all. Thomasi created a theatrical dining experience each time he looked after us. The highlight among many amazing experiences was the lovo feast. The skill of the family was astonishing- the dancing, singing & playing! The food was great, too. Thank you Zoe, Terri, Muriel, Allan, Carl for making the experience possible for treating each guest in a special way! No thanks at all for me having to work out for weeks to shed the extra kilos put on so easily at the sumptuous, all too frequent meals. We’ll be spreading the world – weary westerners there is a place to remind us of the value of relaxation, family & valuing people first. - Peter & Robyn, Australia  July, 2008  

We couldn’t have had a longer journey to get here; London is a long way away. We can’t begin to explain just how worthwhile it was. Each and every staff member here deserves a gold award for not only being the nicest people, but for the outstanding service and the way they make you feel at home.  Though we had some rain, here still looks and feel like Paradise every minute of the day.  No married couple is meant to forget their Honeymoon and we truly never will, thanks to every single one of the true beauties in the world, environment and people alike. You are all so wonderful. Don’t ever change. A thousand times, Thank you for everything. - Anna & Kyle, UK  June 2008

Dear people of Paradise, thank you so much for having me here at this little piece of Paradise. Loved the new bures, loved the food & most importantly loved the people. I found there friendliness pure & sincere the location is superb! My stay was too short but that leaves room to visit you guys again.  Vinaka Vakalevu, - Inge, The Netherlands June 2008

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to come experience Paradise! The staff and surroundings couldn’t have been a better fit and we felt at ease right away. We were honored to be part of Jess’s birthday party and will never to be the same after trying “fairy bread”. Let us know if you ever need a computer consultant, but we’ll have to negotiate your payment options. We hope that you will look us up when you come through Colorado. Hope to be in touch soon and are already looking forward to a chance to return! - Kraig and Debbie, USA  May 2008

   aveuni put Fiji on the map as a World Class dive destination.  Tidal currents in the area deliver a nutrient rich environment that fosters dense and diverse marine life.  Pelagic activity includes bottlenose Dolphins, Southern Right and Pilot Whales as well as sharks and game fish.  Soft and hard coral abound, and provide homes for countless reef dwellers like nudibranchs, clams, lionfish, eels and many colorful species of reef fish.  Nearby are the world famous Rainbow Reef and Great White Wall, often counted among the Top 10 dive locations in the world!  Shore dives and snorkels right off the resort reveal Blue Ribbon Eels, Morays, clams, sea snakes and even Flashlight Fish.  The primary dive sites are around the fringing reef around Vuna Point on the southern end of Taveuni, but excursions can also be made to the more advanced areas of the Somosomo Strait. Pro Dive Taveuni is the resort’s PADI dive operation offering a wide range of dive courses.  Local conditions in front of the shop are calm and shallow, providing the perfect environment for training or novice divers.

aradise and Pro Dive Taveuni have been joined by 2 new faces - Carl and Muriel Fox.  Carl and Muriel have been living on Taveuni and running a dive operation on the island for several years. They have recently joined forces with Paradise - bringing with them a wealth of experience and passion for Taveuni's reefs.  Carl's specialty is the Rainbow Reef dive sites while Muriel directs operations with the boys at the Dive Shop.  We welcome them both to Paradise and look forward to many enjoyable dives with them

"Adi Vuki" has made a graceful retirement from service but Carl has brought with him 3 boats to make up the new Paradise Fleet.  All 3 are custom-made dive boats - "Divers Reef" is a 28ft fiberglass boat, "Unplugged" is a 25ft aluminum boat and "Underwater Connection" is a 25ft fiberglass boat. The boats all have large canopies and accommodate 6-8 divers - keeping our dive trips small and personal. And perfect for making the most of our fabulous dive sites and marine life!