Pacific

The

THE day when Fiji’s tourist in dustry was bottlenecked by a hotel shortage is now past tense and although it is still wise to book in advance and although there are rush periods—such as to Korolevu at week-ends—most tourists seem to be suited according to their in dividual requirements.

Most American tourists follow a well-worn trail and have every last detail tee-ed up and paid for before they leave home. They simply enter the mill at one end, are passed along from person to person across the world like a well-addressed parcel, and probably are right back home before most of what they have done and seen begins to register.

The following notes about the sort of accommodation Fiji can offer visitors will therefore be of more use to those who travel under their own steam.

Fiji has 27 hotels and guest houses and they range from the simple country pub to first-class in ternational hotels. Their prices are graded accordingly. And with this ‘‘double occupancy” business it is, as we said in respect of Tahiti last month, much cheaper to travel with a husband or wife, even if you have to borrow one for the occasion.

All prices are in Fiji currency. £FI is equal to approximately 17/6 New Zealand and Stg., 22/6 Aus tralian, and US $2.53.

In Suva: The Grand PaciAc Hotel, built in a beautiful garden on the harbour side is the South Paciffc’s only “famous name” hotel and belongs in the same historical niche as Singapore’s Raffles and Colombo’s Galle Face. Fortunately for tourists, the GPH has not remained merely historical. It has been renovated completely in the last few years and has

added a new, air-conditioned garden wing. The new wing, although it offends the aesthetic tastes of some Suvaites by its outside appearance is actually architecturally excellent for a hot country climate and the bedroom accommodation it contains is Arst class. Tariff (bed and breakfast) from £3/10/- ($8.92) single; ($12.1) to £6/5/- ($15.05) double in old building. (Some rooms have air conditioning, some private bathrooms and prices vary accordingly). In new wing, twin bedroom, air-conditioned, private bath, etc., is £7/7/- ($18.73) double occupancy; £4/15/- ($12.10) single occupancy.

Club Hotel is a modern hotel in the business centre of Suva. All rooms are air-conditioned, with private bath, etc.

There is a roof garden and a special banquet room which may be hired for private functions. Tariff (bed and breakfast): single from £2/10/- ($6.37) to £3 ($7.64) per night; twin rooms £3 ($7.64) per person per night; suite, £5 ($12.74) per person per night.

Hotel Suva is newly built, in the busiest part of Suva. Tariff (bed and breakfast): single, £2/5/- ($5.73) or if air-conditioned, with shower, etc., £2/15/- ($7); double: £4 ($10.19) or if air-conditioned, shower, etc., £5 ($12.74).

Other hotels in Suva are the Garrick, tariff, including all meals, from £2/5/- ($5.73) to £2/10/- ($6.37) per person per day; Metropole, tariff, including all meals, £2/10/- ($5.73) per person per day; and Melbourne, tariff, including all meals, £2 ($4.99) per day.

In Lautoka: (17 miles from Nadi Airport) The Lautoka Hotel is long established, and daily tariff, including meals is from £2/10/- ($6.37) to £6/10/- ($16.57) single, according to facilities: and from £5 ($12.74) to £8 ($20.39) double.

South PaciAc Hotel is newly built. All bedrooms are air-conditioned with shower and toilet. Tariff (bed and breakfast): £4 ($10.19) single: £6/10/- ($16.57) double. Suites higher.

Adjacent Nadi Airport Nadi Hotel, four miles from airport, in Nadi township. Tariff, including meals, in rooms with shower and toilet, from £3/10/- ($7.86) to £6 ($15.29) single; from £6/10/- ($16.57) to £7/10/- ($19.11) double.

Macambo, in airport area. This used to be US Officers’ Club during the war and when new Macambo, outside the

airport, is built, will be demolishet Tariff, including meals, from £2 ($4.99 to £3 ($7.64) single, and from £3 ($7.64 to £5 ($12.74) double Sky Lodge, also In airport ground!

Motel type accommodation. Tariff, wit meals, £5 ($12.74) per person per daj room only, £3.10/- ($8.92) per person.

Resort Hotels: Beach Comber Hotel, Deuba. Thi hotel is situated right on the bead 35 miles along Queen’s Road from Suvs Swimming, Ashing excursions availabh Tariff, including meals, is from £2/15/ ($7) in a single room without bathrooi to £6 ($15.29) per day, with double rate from £5/10/- (($l4) to £8 ($20.39).

Korolevu Beach Hotel. This is th resort to which all real tourists go—an love it. Here you can live in a luxur bure (or Fijian type house, but with a!

American plumbing and Axings) for £1 ($28.03) double, or £lO ($25.49) singb per day.

The older type bures, without the plus Axings, cost £8 double or £6 singl ($20.39 and $15.29) per day. And room in the new main building of the hote range from £8 ($20.39) single and £1 double occupancy up to suites at £ 1 ($30.52) double occupancy or £lO per da if you want a suite all on your owr All meals included in above prices.

Country Hotels (Viti Levu): There are very good to adequate countr hotels in other parts of Viti Levu, Fiji' main island. Meals are included i tariff, and we quote only single occupancy Double occupancy is less.

Sigatoka Hotel Sigatoka, 90 mile from Suva, along Queen’s Rd. Tari: from £2/5/- to £4/10/- per day.

Ba Hotel, Ba, 181 miles from Suvs King’s Rd. £2/5/- to £4.

Tavua Hotel. Tavua, 198 miles fror Suva, King’s Rd. £3/10/- to £4/10/- Rakiraki Hotel, Rakiraki, 102 miles frot Suva, King’s Rd. £2/5/- to £5/10/-.

Tailevu Hotel, 35 miles from Suva King’s Rd. £2/1/- per day.

Rewa Hotel, Nausori, 12 miles fror Suva. £2 per day.

Hotels on Other Islands: Grand Eastern Hotel, Labasa, Vanu Levu. On bank of river with privat swimming pool. Tariff from £2 to £ per day, per person, meals included.

Hot Springs Hotel, Savusavu, Vanu Levu. Overlooks Savusavu harboui Tariff £l/15/- per day including meals Royal Hotel, Levuka, on Ovalau Island Tariff £2/7/6 per person, includin meals.

Private Hotels, in Suva: Oceanic, casual and permanent guest taken. Casual, including meals, £2 pe day.

Southern Cross. Tariff, £l/17/6 pe day, with breakfast and dinner only.

St. Laurence House. Tariff 30/- to 35/ per day. (A small self-contained privat Aat in this hotel is also available; wil accommodate three).

Fairview House. Room and breakfas only, £2/10/- double and 25/- to 30/ for single. Long term guests taken.

Something Different: Muanicula Estate. This is for peopl who want to live something approximat ing a real Island life. It is situated 9Vi miles from Savusavu township (Vanui Levu) and is part of a coconut estate Two bures, with own shower, etc., an available and meals are provided. Tarif £2/10/- per person per day.

Hibiscus Festival

For those who like to see a country len it is en fete, a date you might ;ep is Fiji’s annual Hibiscus stival which will be held this year tween September 16 and 23.

A. M]isS Hibiscus competition is held connection with this week of iety which is culminated with a rade of colourful floats through b streets of Suva.

Next Month

Dne of the best ways to get to ow a country is to become a nporary resident—that is, rent a use and settle down for a few eks. One of the easiest ways to this is to hire a cottage from Mr. d Mrs. W. W. Baxter, of Sandy int, near Sigatoka. They have a mber of very modern units. We’ll blish more about them next »nth.