Salt Lake Lodge

The best part about this lodge was the staff, they were kind people. The accommodations were not what was advertised though. There was no restaurant on sight or one even in walking distance from the lodge, the meal service was $75 FJD/day but the actual food for the meals had to be purchased as well. There were spiders and lizards in the room. I could not even prevent insects or lizards from coming in because the door was too warped to seal properly. I couldn't get insect repellent because there was none to be had or even purchased, the shower stall had no light so I had to shower during the day to be able to see to be sure that I did not get bit by any lurking spiders or lizards. Also, the shower stall needs shower shoes unless you enjoy standing on an uneven floor made of medium sized stones and cement. Also, the bed was made nicely but was a mattress and box spring on the floor, no bed frame.

Salt Lake Lodge is a true hidden gem nestled by a stunning tidal river, offering a peaceful and rejuvenating escape. The serene setting, surrounded by nature, creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. The food is absolutely delicious, with fresh and flavourful meals that make each dining experience a delight. We loved it! The lodge itself has a quaint and tranquil charm, with comfortable beds ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Friendly staff went above and beyond to us feel welcome and their adorable pets added sweet character. A perfect retreat for those seeking natural beauty and peace.

If you are looking for peace and quiet in a lovely setting, this place is for you. There are only 2 rooms (which are pleasant and adequate), but the best part is the lovely covered deck and deck chairs to enjoy the river & mangroves, & waking up to the sounds of the river & birds. The staff are lovely and accomodating. The lodge is on a tidal river and it is worth kayaking around to salt lake (ask the staff -Solo, Lili, Simon or Osea for details on best time to go). It’s located 30 mins outside of Savusavu, so it’s easiest if you have your own car to get around, but they can organise transfers for you otherwise. There is not much to do which is perfect for what we wanted; although there are activities listed that the staff can organise if you want. You can opt to pay for meals to be made for you, but we self catered (lunch & dinner) and we’re allowed to use the kitchen. We didn’t have mobile reception at the lodge (Digicel) but they have wifi. A lovely hidden spot in the hidden paradise- highly recommended for those wanting a unique peaceful experience.

We have just returned from 6 nights at this idyllic place, and wish we could have stayed longer. Very remote lush location, we had the place to ourselves. After some initial confusion over food arrangements we realised that for a reasonable daily fee we were provided our own private chef, Oscar! Visiting local markets, villages and road side stalls for ingredients with Oscar was a treat in itself with the end result magnificent meals provided each day. Even a birthday cake for our son. The fishing is extraordinary and the staff, Solo, Oscar, Li Li and Simon (the best boat captain) were extremely welcoming and accomodating to all of our needs. Some great excursions, especially to the waterfall were excellent. Local diving and snorkelling in Natewa Bay was stunning.

We can highly recommend the Salt Lake Lodge! My husband and two boys (15, 8) and I stayed here two nights. No one had booked the other accommodation, so we had the place to ourselves! It was so peaceful and quiet right there on the river. We had the kingfisher bure, which was spacious enough for the four of us. The beds were comfortable, AC kept us cool at night, and the screens over the windows kept the bugs out during the day. Even with the AC on, the bed in the loft was too warm, so my younger son just slept on extra pillows on the main level. Even though the safe wasn’t working, we were able to lock our room and felt like our things were safe enough that way, especially with how remote the place was and the minimal staff. We took advantage of and enjoyed kayaking, tubing, and hand line fishing. Use of the kayaks was free; tubing on the river and hand line fishing had a reasonable cost attached. Kayaking and tubing down the river to the Salt Lake and back was beautiful in the early morning and at sunset, when the tide was going the right direction. (Caution: the tube did leave black marks on my swim shirt, but they came out with stain remover.) Solo, the manager on location, also helped my husband and son arrange a snorkeling tour to Split Rock with someone from his village, which they loved and was less expensive than what our second resort charged. One of the best things about the lodge was the chef, Hosea. Breakfast was complimentary, and we asked him to also cook us lunch and dinner. We didn’t know what we were going to get, just knew we didn’t want to cook for ourselves. After a delicious pancake breakfast with sliced bananas and homemade coconut milk syrup that tasted like caramel (scrambled eggs and fruit for me, since I eat gluten free), he sat down with us to plan lunch and dinner. We decided from the yummy sounding options he came up with, and then he left to buy the ingredients. [Note: Having him cook was FJD100 (lunch and dinner for the four of us), plus the cost to buy the food (about FJD80) and a FJD30 transportation cost to town and back. Which was still relatively inexpensive and very well worth it.] Both lunch and dinner were beautifully presented and delicious! We could see he was a professional, which was confirmed as we talked to him about his love of cooking and his history cheffing at some famous resorts in the area. Overall, we loved our stay and wished we could stay longer!

Several locals recommended Salt Lake Lodge to us and not long after the Fijian borders reopened after COVID-19 we visited Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island, for Christmas. Our friends recommendations were fully vindicated. The location is about 25 minutes drive from Savusavu and 20 minutes from the airport. Along a short off-road track, easily accessible for standard cars, the accommodation is hidden away in its own tropical paradise. Lush greenery, palms, coconut trees and beautiful tropical plants and flowers are the first impressions. The SLL friendly team welcomed us warmly and showed us to our cosy lodge overlooking the river, pontoon and private sandy beach. The river is an estuary with the changing tides dictating the activities for the day, a trip by kayak or drift to the Salt Lake or the opposite way to the Koro Sea and the uninhabited island just off shore. The team are more than helpful, they provide the most delicious breakfasts and if you wish a chefs service for lunch and dinner. This time we self catered but we can confirm he truly is an exceptional chef from a previous visit to Savusavu. If you prefer to self cater there is a kitchen available for guests use or you can also dine out in Savusavu. We spent time talking about the local area with the team of Simon (Levardi), Lilly, Osea and Soro. Nothing was too much trouble in this idyllic part of Fiji and we would strongly recommend a visit. Outside of SLL you could walk down to the beautiful Natewa Bay, go snorkeling or diving to see some of the best corals in Fiji, walk along the seashore, go fishing and a trip to a waterfall was also available. This can be your base for either relaxing, exploring or for sports either sedentary or extreme. You should not miss out if you plan to visit Vanua Levu.