TESTIMONIALS and Reviews
Airbnb
Lomani - magical home on clifftop
Saskia is a Superhost · You’ve earned Superhost 6 times in a row!Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.
Great check-in experience · 95% of recent guests gave this home’s check-in process a 5-star rating.
Great location · 95% of recent guests gave this home’s location a 5-star rating.
TripAdvisor: World’s best vacation rentals with awesome infinity pools
Lomani Cottage, Matei, Fiji
At the other end of the price spectrum, travelers looking for a more modest, intimate seaside retreat may want to consider the Lomani Cottage that offers priceless views for a more reasonable $200 a night. The one-bedroom private rental includes a natural, outdoor stone shower, and is furnished with traditional, local Fijian furniture. The infinity pool overlooks the waters of Taveuni. US$200 a night -See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/travel/article/tripadvisor-worlds-best-vacation-rentals-with-awesome-infinity-pools
Kevin and Yens, Albania
January 2020
"Great house, great location, awesome pool. All the needed comfort for a perfect stay.
The company who rents out the house also provides activities but most of them you can do on your own with the help of locals, because get tend to get quite expensive but offer a personalized once in a lifetime experience.
If we had to give a comment on the house, is it that the water in the shower is either cold or very hot. But with the warm weather a cold shower was more than welcoming.
BTW Saskia, the owner of the house, is the most friendly host ever. She makes sure every guest feels at home, helps with all the questions or problems and follows up everything like a professional is supposed to do. Special thanks to her for the great care."
Yelena and Slava, USA
May 2019
"My husband and I just came back from a 10 night stay at Lomani. We decided to go to Fiji for our 10 year anniversary and we are so glad we did! The location is absolutely amazing. The view cannot be beat. The house is situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean, making it ideal for watching the spectacular Fijian sunsets. If you are an early riser, you can also see the sunrise over the mountains behind the house. Taveuni is a remote island and is not over-developed. There are no hoards of tourists and barely any noise. If you like to get away from it all, this is the place for you. If you like going out at night, then I would go to a more developed island. About the house: the property consists of two detached houses. One house is the living room, bedroom, bathroom and shower and the other house is the kitchen and dining area. This is a great set-up - having the kitchen separate keeps all the ants and small rodents out of the bedroom and living area. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need to make your own meals. The pantry was stocked with many sauces, spices, condiments, and even teas. There is a nice sized fridge and even a gas grill. My husband went fishing and caught a bunch of tuna that we ended up eating for several days. We even made sushi/sashimi out of it. The island has clean drinking water so we drank straight from the sink. I filled up bottles with tap water and put them in the fridge to keep it nice and cold. The house does not have air conditioning. We went in May and were never hot without the A/C. At night, the temperature is about 75 degrees and all the locals were actually cold in this weather. We slept with the blanket on, windows open, and the fan running and were never uncomfortable. It felt like we were sleeping outdoors. We did not have any problems with electricity. The solar panels and the back-up generator provided power 24 hours a day. The generator is brand new and is now located in an elevated shed behind the property. The outdoor space is phenomenal. Huge deck with hammocks, a table with chairs, pool chairs, pool umbrella, and an infinity pool. The pool is a very good size and depth. About the location: the house is located very close to the water. It is about a 5 minute walk down the hill. If you are expecting large sandy beaches, Taveuni does not have those. The island has small beaches during low tide. When it is high tide, the few beaches the island does have disappear. However, the island is surrounded by coral reef, making it ideal for snorkeling and fishing. The house comes with two glass bottom kayaks stored in a dive shop just down the hill. We kayaked and snorkeled off the kayak right in front of the house. We also did some line fishing off the kayak and got some fish for lunch. The water is super clear and warm. During low tide, you can walk on the beach and collect shells and lobsters. In addition to the beautiful ocean below the property, the house itself is situated on a huge plot of land. The entire area is like a large lush garden. Beautiful flowers everywhere and tons of fruit. Fruit is seasonal, so you will not have everything there at once. However, we had coconuts, papayas, tangerines, passion fruits and limes in May. If you want mangoes, you have to go in November/December. About the people: The property manager Rosie and her brother Dan (as well as our housekeeper Lucia) were the most amazing people we have ever met. They went above and beyond to make our stay a memorable one. They were very responsive, very thoughtful, and extremely helpful throughout our stay. They recommended places for us to see and made all the arrangements (waterfalls, island tours, etc.). They picked us up and drove us anywhere we needed to go. For my husband's birthday, Rosie and Dan surprised him with a homemade cake and a musician who played a Fijian birthday song for him. Dan took my husband fishing and taught him all the tricks to catching fish. My husband couldn't be happier when they caught a bunch of tuna! In the meantime, so I wouldn't be lonely, Lucia took me to her village and showed me around. The Fijian people are the friendliest people you will ever meet. They are so inviting and so happy. I had mentioned to Lucia that I love passion fruits, so the following day, and the days after, she would come to the house with a bunch of passion fruits! We were invited to a Kava ceremony at a local village where we got to meet the local people. It was truly an experience. For our anniversary, Rosie organized a traditional Lovo. The entire team helped with the preparation, they invited a musician who sang a special song for us on his guitar, and set up a romantic table for us. It was the best meal we have ever had and it was so romantic, so thoughtful, and made our anniversary so special. Perhaps the most memorable experience was when Rosie secured a boat for us and Dan and Lucia's husband took us on a tour of the islands. We went to several islands, got to snorkel the Rainbow Reef, got to see some of the most beautiful beaches, and even swan with the Manta Rays! We will never forget this trip and we will never forget the hospitality we received. We feel like we made a new family in Fiji and we hope to return someday soon. Vinaka!"
Michelle, New Zealand
July 2018
"The most beautiful house for a far more authentic experience than at a resort. Knox and the team are amazing and helpful and really make the experience easy. This stay is for those who are happy to be 'down to earth' and appreciate the Fijian way of life, not the western way of life. We absolutely loved our stay and would come back 1000 times over if we could"
Mackenzie, Utah
March 2018
"This is the place to stay. Knox watched over us the entire time and made our stay on the island amazing. We felt like family. I would highly recommend booking Lomani - you will be so pleased. It exceeded our expectations. Thanks lomani for hosting my boyfriend and I. It was a little slice of heaven all to our selves. Xx"
Joshua & heather, Pleasanton, California USA
October 2017
"EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT AND MORE! The Host: Saskia is everything you would want in a host and more. She is incredibly organized, quick to respond, and willing to share all the knowledge and support she can. We booked this AirBnB several months in advance for our Honeymoon and Saskia was with us every step of the way. She helped us find places to go, people to meet, things to do, and even adjusted her own stay at the Airbnb so we could have an extra day there! And if that wasn’t enough there is the caretaker / driver Nox who is an absolute delight. He was the highlight of our stay and was absolutely willing to give you as much time and interaction as you wanted (which for us was a lot!) He took us all over the island, told us about the country’s history as well as his own life story, and even invited us to celebrate Fiji Day (that is their independence day) with his family in the village. Beyond the beautiful waterfalls, the pristine beaches, and the delicious food of Fiji, is Saskia and Nox! The Location: Lomani sits on a beautiful private lot, up on hill, surrounded by amazing fruit (there were coconuts, pineapple, and limes, while we were there) and overlooking the beautiful ocean. It is an easy 5min walk to one of the local dive shops (where Lomani’s kayaks are stored), a 7min walk to a wonderful resort where you can call in advance for a special dinner, a 15min walk to Nox’s village (he is always just a 5min drive away if you need him) and 2 miles from town where you can buy groceries, go to the bank, and stock up on travel trinkets. If your interested in widening your circle a bit more there are 6 GREAT restaurants/resorts just a short drive away where you can have dinner and then a little further out there are INCREDIBLE waterfall hikes, beach walks, historical sites, and snorkel spots (we were in Fiji for just 10 days and were able to kayak, mountain bike, paddle board, snorkel a shipwreck, hike to 5 waterfalls, get a massage, celebrate Fiji Day, play volleyball with the locals, and much much more because of how perfectly located everything is). The Home: The home itself is WONDERFUL. When my fiance and I found this Airbnb online and looked at all the pictures, we immediately fell in love...then we got there...and the pictures couldnt even capture how AMAZING it was. The view was picturesque, the home was larger than the pictures convey, it has everything you’d want for a relaxing weekend or a packed out adventure. We enjoyed cooling off in the private pool, resting in the hammock chairs and looking out at the fantastic view of the blue ocean. You have the luxury of privacy while also knowing that the caretaker is just a phone call away for any questions or potential hiccups. Words are not sufficient to..."
Eric Walsh, Toronto, Canada
August 2017
"Visited Lomani for 1 week of a 2 week trip to Fiji and had the most amazing time. While the pictures are lovely, the view once you arrive is even more spectacular! The property itself has all the amenities you need - fabulous pool, kitchen, living quarters, deck, etc. It is also well located as both restaurants, markets and attractions (Dive shop, Coastal Walk, Bouma Falls) are close by. Similar to other guests, I can't speak more highly of Nox. He was waiting for us on our arrival and made the transition to Lomani incredible easy, showing us the popular spots along the way and taking us to the market to gather supplies. Nox was such a great host and acted as a "concierge" and local guide during our time there. If we needed anything - Nox was there! A phone was also provided during our stay which was highly appreciated and helped us communicate. If you are looking for a true Fiji experience, I would highly recommend Lomani. The simplicity of the property and the island itself were exactly what we were looking for and what made it such a special place!"
Nathaniel Salazar, San Diego USA
June 2017
"Lomani and Taveuni will hold a special place in me and my wife's heart. The place is absolutely gorgeous! It's hard to imagine any 5 star hotel topping the view at Lomani. The set up is perfect for a romantic gate away. And Nox the caretaker and personal tour guide topped off the experience making us feel safe and comfortable!"
Joey Mader, USA
April 2017
"My wife and I spent 6 nights and 7 days at Lomani and loved every minute of it. Upon arrival to Nadi, Nox was there to pick us up as described and took us to Lomani. The home was exactly as described and the landscape prettier than we imagined. The view from the porch was breathtaking and once we arrived, we were glad we choose Lomani for our Fiji vacation. Taveuni was a perfect place to spend our vacation. On that island, you can really feel like you have experienced Fiji. You get the pleasure of spending time with locals and taking part in traditions that go far back. Lomani offers you the ability to be close to the local activities and adventures, and offers a million dollar view. Nox and his wife take care of everything from the time you get in to the time you leave. He and his wife made a delicious traditional dinner for my life and I and then made Kava. This really was an experience we will never forget. If we come back to Fiji, we will be spending it in Lomani."
Lucas Cumberer, Germany
April 2017
"Thank you saskia and nox for making our stay at lomani so wonderful. we had the best time there and loved the house. also the bikes and kayaks add to a memorable time and of course having nox there is just amesome. he's helpfull with everything and such a great spirit. 4 days is the bare minimum to ejoy all that is on offer. the hous truely has an amazing vibe and we are so happy and relaxed after our stay there. thanks again and we will definitely be back...."
Claire Negallet, San Francisco USA
March 2017
"Beautiful relaxing home on the hill with beautiful views of the somosomo straights. 7 min walk to Taveuni Ocean Sports who were perfect guided for diving the rainbow reef. Outdoor double shower with hot water was awesome! Kitchen had everything we needed to make meals at home. When we didn't feel like cooking we could easily walk to Nakia (a family run eco resort) for amazing organic meals. We biked to town on the mountain bikes and snorkeled at beach right next to the dive shop in the afternoons. TV with DVDs and CDs was lovely to relax in the afternoons. The small downsides: the fans need upgrading and the love swing is gone, and there's no local TV. However basically every need is met in this amazing place. The best part about the place was Nox who picked us up, explained how things worked and was available for any questions or transit wherever we wanted. I highly recommend Lomani!"
Alex Koehne, Los Angeles
May 2016
Lomani was a special, magical place! My girlfriend and I were blown away with how beautiful it is. The whole island offers plenty to do, despite it being rather remote. The property itself is very well maintained, private and full of fruit trees with plenty of fruit for picking. The pool was a perfect size for two! The caretaker Nox was fantastic. So friendly and helpful. We couldn't recommend it enough!
Sally Bergh, Colorado USA
March 2016
We were some of the first guests after the Cyclone that struck the island, despite the damage throughout the island we had the most incredible time at Lomani, which had been meticulously cleaned and cared for prior to our arrival. Lomani's caretakers are beyond thoughtful ensuring our every need was taken care of, they even made a delicious earth oven meal for us! From the outdoors double shower head, pool with a PERFECT view, relaxing hammocks and an incredibly comfortable bed we would highly recommend this for any future stays! In addition to an incredible say, Saskia was incredible helpful with our stay and could not have asked for a more caring host! Already trying to figure out when we can go back!!
Dannii, Sydney Australia
January 2016
I sent my mother in law away to this lovely rustic home in Fiji. She wanted a quick getaway, somewhere were she could relax. She wanted to swim in her own private pool, and somewhere remote but not too remote. This beautiful place was everything she wanted! The house is breathtaking and Saskia stayed in contact with me the whole time! Making sure i knew that my mother in law was having a fantastic time away. And knox the caretaker was there for her when ever she needed him, he was so lovely and caring and helpful she only has the best things to say about him. Thank you for having her : )
Cathy Tozer, Australia
This is what Cathy had to say:
"OMG OMG - What an idyllic location and accommodation to match!!Thankyou Saskia for an absolutely divine holiday at Lomani. We loved every minute - the view, the cottage, the gardens and the fantastic service from your caretaker Nox. Highly recommended property!!!"
Peter Hauser, Germany
This is what Peter had to say:
"We spend our honeymoon in Lomani and it has been really amazing. This place truly is a piece of paradise! Lomani is perfect to relax! From an elevated, waterfront position, you may relax on the lounger or the hammock or just sit in the pool and soak up the amazing vista watching the ever changing colours of the reef as the tides ebb and flow, with the deep blue ocean beyond. Almost every morning we saw a pod of dolphins passing by and in the evening we had some breathtaking sunsets. If you want some action the locale Dive shop Taveuni Ocean Sport is just around the corner. They were very helpful organizing our diving and snorkeling trips. Nox our caretaker was extremely friendly and helpful! He drove us around the island, showed us all the amazing places and introduced us to a lot of wonderful people in his village. He really became close friends during our stay! On our last day he even cooked a divine lovo (fijian earth oven) dinner for us. We really fell in love with this island and the great people who live on it. We really would love to come back one day! Vinaka!"
Sonia and Damien, Tasmania, Australia
This is what Sonia and Damien had to say:
"Lomani was paradise after our immediately preceding airbnb experience at nearby Maqai Eco Resort (don't stay there). Saskia was easy to deal with in the lead up to our stay and the pre-arrival information she provided was very helpful. The property itself is in beautiful gardens full of edible plants (bananas, coconuts, limes, lemongrass, etc, etc) and the deck overlooking the oceans and islands and the plunge pool were heavenly. There is a HUGE separate kitchen and plenty of space and comfort in the bedroom/lounge. The outdoor shower is also wonderful. There are pushbikes for an easy ride into town to get groceries (or pay for a lift in if you prefer), snorkelling equipment and plenty of DVDs, etc. Next door is Nakia Resort run by the wonderful Robin Kelly, who served us huge and delicious meals and graciously allowed us to use their free WiFi on the deck whilst having a coffee or a glass of wine. If you can't be bothered cooking one night, I would highly recommend. Some aspects of the Lomani building are a little tired when compared with the photos (not sure when they were taken) and there are a few power problems (the solar electricity setup with backup generator needs expanding, as it cut out often when only using the fridge and a single light) but none of this even matters when you consider the overall experience. Inoke (Nox), our local Fijian "go-to" man was unbelievably friendly and helpful and totally made our trip. Although the place is nice a secluded for a romantic getaway, on arrival at the Matei airport on 'Taveuni he told us "I am here for you 24/7 if you need anything," and he meant every word. Not only did he drive us all over the island whenever we wanted to go anywhere, he was fun to be with (encouraged us to jump off the Blue Lagoon Bouma Falls (from the Blue Lagoon movie - a must do)) and so generous; showing us his own local village and making us the most amazing Fijian lovo (earth oven) feast for my 40th birthday. We were really sad to say goodbye to him when we left as well as his brother Tukana and his wife, Merema who even made me a birthday cake! The people we met on Taveuni have to be the best people in the world. When there's papayas and bananas for anyone to take hanging off every second tree, everyone's on "Fiji-time" and everywhere you go people are smiling and waving and saying "Bula" it's impossible not to be relaxed and happy here. Thanks so much Inoke, Kelera, Saskia, Tukana and Merema for a wonderful and memorable holiday. We've already told friends they must come to Taveuni and I'm sure we'll be back too."
"Paradise" - Jerry Morben, Utah, USA
This is what Jerry Morben had to say:
We had the good fortune of spending 28 nights at Lomani. We were scheduled to stay three more weeks, but a family emergency made it necessary to leave after one month. Lomani is exactly as pictured on the website. It is rustic, but that is what makes it so charming, If you are looking for a peaceful, private place to stay, Lomani is the perfect choice. Nox and Tukana (caretakers) will take excellent care of you. They were always available whenever we needed them. They were especially helpful when we needed to leave due to my father's medical emergency. They provided transportation to and from the airport. They also arranged for housekeeping services once a week for a nominal charge.
A phone for local calls was provided. This made it really easy to arrange for diving and to contact Nox or Tukana. If you purchase minutes, you can use the phone to call the US at a very reasonable rate.
There is a video on YouTube which accurately represents Lomani. Some of the conveniences we enjoyed included the infinity pool, washer, gas grill, two hammock type swings, TV, and a great supply of new movies on DVD. The outdoor shower was especially nice. At night the stars are so bright they look like Christmas lights in the sky. There is a large floor fan which keeps the bure comfortable during the day and for sleeping. There is mosquito netting for the king size bed, but we were never bothered by any bugs during our stay.
Saskia (owner) was incredible to work with when booking Lomani. She supplied the excellent selection of DVD movies for us. We had at least one new movie to watch each night. We even found popcorn at the market in the village.
During our stay the Prime Minister of Fiji was at the village to dedicate a new school. Nox made arrangements for us to attend. It was a highlight of our trip. We did our diving with Taveuni Ocean Sports which was a short five minute walk from Lomani. The diving was phenomenal to say the least. We were fortunate to dive every other day. We highly recommend them if you dive and plan to stay at Lomani. It is so convenient. Plus Taveuni Ocean Sports is simply the best dive operator we have ever encountered in our 20 years of diving.
If you want the opportunity to live a Fijian lifestyle with a million dollar view from your bure, Lomani is the place for you. You will never find nicer people than the Fijians on Taveuni. It was a trip of a lifetime for us, and Lomani was the perfect accommodation.
