Ratu Kini Backpackers & Dive Resort

I'll start with the good: The staff: The staff at the resort are incredible. And that's a major understatement. They go out of their way to learn your name and say hello. In all staff are incredible. The dive team: I came as an inexperienced diver (10 dives) and left with 12 more dives and felt like I was a much better diver afterwards. Fletch, Krysta, and Lexi are very kind, very knowledgable, and extremely genuine people. I could not have asked for a better group to learn from. I would recommend this hostel solely based on those 3. The bad: I stayed in a 5 bed dormitory and I didn't expect much considering I'd be on an island for 7 days. The room was actually quite decent, with a/c. However, the bathrooms were not maintained. The bathroom door didn't close properly, the shower heads had hardly any pressure or really much water coming out at all, making it difficult to shower after diving. The cleanliness was the other issue. Nearly everyday we had to ask for toilet paper rolls. And I was unfortunate enough to have left with bed bug bites all over my body. This easily could have been from another traveler bringing them into the room as I had not gotten bitten until the last 2 nights of my stay there, but it was quite annoying and I had 2 sleepless nights. Other than the rooms, the rest of the hostel was clean and nice to stay in though. And I had only heard of one other person having bed bug issues. Overall: I have to recommend this place simply for the hospitality.

I'll start with the good: The staff: The staff at the resort are incredible. And that's a major understatement. They go out of their way to learn your name and say hello. In all staff are incredible. The dive team: I came as an inexperienced diver (10 dives) and left with 12 more dives and felt like I was a much better diver afterwards. Fletch, Krysta, and Lexi are very kind, very knowledgable, and extremely genuine people. I could not have asked for a better group to learn from. I would recommend this hostel solely based on those 3. The bad: I stayed in a 5 bed dormitory and I didn't expect much considering I'd be on an island for 7 days. The room was actually quite decent, with a/c. However, the bathrooms were not maintained. The bathroom door didn't close properly, the shower heads had hardly any pressure or really much water coming out at all, making it difficult to shower after diving. The cleanliness was the other issue. Nearly everyday we had to ask for toilet paper rolls. And I was unfortunate enough to have left with bed bug bites all over my body. This easily could have been from another traveler bringing them into the room as I had not gotten bitten until the last 2 nights of my stay there, but it was quite annoying and I had 2 sleepless nights. Other than the rooms, the rest of the hostel was clean and nice to stay in though. And I had only heard of one other person having bed bug issues. Overall: I have to recommend this place simply for the hospitality.

Our family of two adults and three kids (7, 5, 3) had such a great time at Ratu Kini. Our kids played with the local kids at the school next door to our bure every day when school was out at 3pm. Such a memorable holiday. Its not your typical over priced resort. Its also not for everyone. But if you like getting back to basics and getting to know some fabulous Fijian people, then I reccomend Ratu Kini. Everyone at Ratu Kini treated us as friends right from the first moment. Our kids were a major focus of their attention, which obviously the kids loved. Its a very relaxed atmosphere, more so than other resorts teeming with people. Will we go back. Absolutely. Cant wait.

This was by far the best part of my trip, staying here. The food was great, the hostel rooms were clean and comfortable. The 5 bedroom door had great air con to keep it cool at night. Lots of local trips close by. Would go back :)