Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu

Sydney, Australia
1 post
1 review
15 helpful votes
Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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This was our experience on 16 August 2010 at this resort:

We were talked into paying a deposit of AU$450 to the owners of this resort, Alioune and Kelera (Lela) Fall, that is on Ono Island and part of the Kadavu Island group. However it seems that the resort is operating illegally. According to the Police in Vunisea, the owners of the surrounding resorts and a family member of Lela's that we subsequently met, their oprating licence has been revoked and they have had visits from the police with orders to stop operating.

When we arrived at the resort on 16 August 2010, we found that only one cabin (or bure) was still in operation, with another semi habitibal. It seems that after many years of neglect, the final demise of this resort was dealt by the huricane 6 months earlier in March 2010. However, in the ensuing 6 month almost no attempt has been made to repair the resort. All but this one bure was in tatters, with no attempt to restore any facilities or fix the other bures.

Our bure was substandard and not really what one would expect from a "resort". There was no enclosed dining room left, and no other facilities to speak of.

No drinks but well water were available, the Fijian style meals never varied, but was ok. We were served food in what looked like the families' personal crockery, mismatched, chipped etc. Certainly not, quote, "the same as some blackpoole hotels" as the website claims.

In my opinion the standard would be just below classic backpacker style - but the price is not, at Fijian $280 per night, food included.

We were forced to stay 2 of the planned 10 days, until we could get place at other surrounding resorts. No refund was forthcoming - I am still trying to do this but it has resulted in protracted emailing and ever moving refund dates.

It seems the method Alioune (or Aliun) employs is to negotiate a deposit to be paid, have the tourists arrive, and then not return the deposit when they have to leave to find an operating resort. elsewhere. He is never at the resort, but is based on the main island, leaving his wife Lela to deal with angry customers as best she can.

We were informed by a family member of Lela Fall, and others, that the police have shut the operation down on several occasions before. According to them the money that Alioune gets from unsuspecting tourist are being used by him on the main land. What is certain is that none of the money makes its way back to the resort for repairs, stock or equipment.

Some of the false claims made by the reresort's website includes: "Activities include, kayaking, Kite surfing, trekking, snorkeling and diving!" - there are no equipment and no such activities available, "Presently, we have three new bures with four old ones, and others under consideration for future developments." - none of which is true (please se photos of blown out bures). The resort's site is: http://www.keniafijiresort.com

On the way out of Kadavu, I laid a complaint with the Vunisea Police, and while I was with the officer, they pointed out a Japanese traveller walking the street in the port, who was stuck in the local boardinghouse, and who did not get his transport to the resort. He apparently was stuck in Vunisea port for three days, before returning that afternoon to Suva and back to Japan - another victim of this operation.

We would not have minded staying and thereby helping to fund the rebuild the resort after the typhoon's severe damage, but there has been no attempt do repairs or rehabilitate the resort, even 6 months after the event. We just felt ripped off, but an uncaring owner that is operating illegally and clandestinely. We saved for 4 years to afford our trip to Fiji, and felt we were not treated fairly.

Please feel free to contact me for details or even give me a call.

Kind regards

Arne and Nelda

Papageno Resort
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#1 of 3 hotels in Kadavu Island
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Pacific Coast...
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for Fiji, Mamanuca Islands, Navini Island
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1. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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What a sorry story. Not at all good for tourism in Fiji. Think you might have seen the last of your deposit unfortunately. I have never heard of the place where did you find it? Hopefully there are no more operators like these.

Your warning is much appreciated. We become too trusting . Hope it hasn't turned you off Fiji.

Edited: 10 years ago
New Zealand
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2. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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A very nasty experience!

Did you, by any chance, pay your deposit by credit card? If so, it's just possible that the bank may be able to help or indemnify your loss. Worth a try anyway.

Moreton Island...
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3. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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I hope you have some recourse as nzlilibet mentioned.

I would also add this as a review on the reviews section, as then it may assist others.

4. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu

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Removed on: 2:24 pm, September 30, 2010
Edited: 10 years ago
5. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu

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New Zealand
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6. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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A big thankyou for posting this Sept 29 2010 info. I'm a longtime eastern Kadavu Islands traveller and have been trying to get this place's relevant contact details for next time. Kenia used to be fine - a few years ago now - and the management great/ facilities basic but OK. Now, obviously not the case! Sooo glad I've been unable to find its contact details and now, to read your words, I realise the real reason! Can't recall if the managment names you've mentioned are the same people as those I've previously met. Fijian travel, especially to the end of the earth, can be fraught! It's not fair on the locals for potential income earners such as yourself to be treated fraudulently like this.

Vancouver-by-the-Sea
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7. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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Sad to hear that one of the greatest locations in Fiji is on the skids.

Also sorry to hear of your terrible experience however Thanks for posting and giving us all a Heads Up.

Hopefully in future some responsible person will buy the place and fix it up.

Melbourne
10 posts
8. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu
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All I can say is don't tar the entire Kadavu Island with the brush of one resort and there are also factors such as mentioned in the original posters post about the cyclone that are nobodies fault except the weather and it was just lucky that only a few people died and it actually struck Kenia full-force since they were facing the direction of the cyclone.

That same cyclone demolished two of our bures completely which had to all be rebuilt within the space of a week so guests could still arrive and still receive the "royal treatment".

There were trees down everywhere, it also demolished a few villages as well and although I didn't feel very good about it, I had to ask the Fijians who had lost everything in their own villages to forego rebuilding their houses just to rebuild the resort or not only would they have been without homes but also jobs.

It wasn't a very good situation and certainly not one I'd like to repeat any time soon.

Anyway, sometimes its pretty hard to get back on your feet after such an event and as I'm sure you're aware, resorts can be pretty expensive to run and rebuild, especially after such an event.

Anyway, not defending actions, just stating some facts that some of you may not have been aware of.

I know Ali and met him last time I was in Fiji and he seemed like a nice enough guy.

9. Re: Beware fellow travellers - Kenia resort, Ono Island, Kadavu

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