We just finished up our week long stay at the Novotel Hotel in Lami Bay, Fiji. We hadn’t planned to go there, thinking that we would once again be at JJs on the Park as we were last time. Once I got over my initial disappointment at having to stay a 15 minute cab ride out of the city, I started planning what I would do with the week.

I figured that this is Fiji. I could hang out by the pool and read in the sunshine. Also, the hotel travel info talked about the Tonique Gin Bar with gins from around the world. Okay, I can be happy with a good gin and tonic any day. So I was settled.

Unfortunately, it was a long week with none of my plans materializing. Here are the top three reasons I disliked the Novotel and the top three things I liked.

Dislike Number 1 – SMOKING SMOKING SMOKING
This is the smokiest non-smoking hotel I have ever seen. The lobby is open air but when 20 people are smoking in it on a still, humid night, it’s worse than being in a nightclub. I couldn’t believe that the hotel had received some kind of a green award for keeping pollution down amongst other things. We didn’t eat at the hotel for dinner because the smoke wafting into the dining area while we were having breakfast and lunch was just awful. And speaking of breakfast and lunch…

Dislike Number 2 – French buns for breakfast
And lunch. Now you might think this would be a tasty treat. Au contraire, mon ami. I am not talking about bread here but buttocks. The pool was adjacent to the dining area and we were treated to these buns at both meals. Dude, put some clothes on!

Dislike Number 3 – The peeping tom landscapers
Okay, so I couldn’t sit by the pool due to either smoke, rain or ridiculous displays of public affection so I stayed in my room. We had a nice view to the water but if I had the curtains open, the landscapers couldn’t quit looking in. So basically, I spent my week like a hermit crab in my dark, closed up hotel room tweeting and reading.

This doesn’t even touch the plumbing issues that had us changing rooms or some of the business issues that David had while trying to run his training course. Nor did I mention the endless playing of Simon and Garfunkle until I wanted to jump off of a bridge over troubled water. Yikes.

Still, I am not a negative person and there were some things I really liked at the hotel.

Like Number 1 – The hairdryer
The first time I washed my hair, I just let it dry curly. Most hotels have hair dryers but they just aren’t up to the task of drying my hair so I don’t even bother trying. I’m not sure why I decided to try it the second time. It was a Vidal Sassoon Tourmaline Speed Styler. It made my hair skinny, just like I had had it professionally blown out. Imagine if I had brought a round brush with me. Ooooh!

Like Number 2 – Serefina
Our main housekeeper, Serefina, was a doll. She made sure we were well taken care of the whole time we were there. Love her! Also, the beautiful Aliti of the expressive face who was David’s conference coordinator and Jeremiah who worked at the front desk were also wonderful. In fact the staff as a whole was very friendly.

Like Number 3 – The food at lunch
I joined David and his class for the lunch every day. Om nom nom. Not only was it tasty, but it was so pretty! I never would have thought of putting a fried egg on lettuce in a bowl with bacon and dressing but it was good. Only one day did they not impress me but I’m just not a lamb eater. Their chef is wonderful.

So now we are at JJ’s where I had hoped we would be all along. I’m SO happy to be here. David is done working. I can’t even remember the last time we actually had a real vacation together. Let the fun begin!