Tongatapu, Liku'alofa Beach Resort, Nuku'alofa

We have just returned from a short stay at the Liku'alofa Beach Resort. We had a wonderful time and the resort was lovely. Everyone was very friendly and helpful but I especially want to mention Angelina the Office Manager. She was great: efficient, organised and knowledgeable she is a real asset to the resort and to Tongan tourism generally - look after her!

Tonga is Tonga...it is not a 5 star island...even the 'expensive' places don't sound 'top notch'. But, we only had enough airpoints to get us a far as Tonga (from New Zealand) and once we booked our tickets, we started to research the island. From all we read, we decided to not expect too much...except for a relaxing & quiet time. We enjoyed it...all!!! I think if you go with an open mind, ready to experience a TOTALLY different culture & lifestyle, you'll have a good time. If you expect the quality of food & service to be like it would be in New Zealand, or in the USA (where I'm originally from), then you'll be disappointed...and not only in where you stay, but in many things about the country. It is very poor...and, the people are very "Island"... we bought a picnic luch one day at a 'supermarket' and the selection was VERY small...many items past their 'use by' date...so you just have to 'roll with the flow'...

Now, about Liku'alofa...we went with an open mind...we had read some of the bad reviews, but no place we read about seemed 'perfect' and they offered the best package. We had 8 nights for the price of 6, with breakfast included, airport transfers included, and transport into town included. "Town" is about 25-30 minutes away (you have to drive at 40-65 kms/hr). The main thing to mention is that this is a NEW venture...the Polynesian dance shows & buffets (Wed & Fri nights) have been going for a couple of years (& they were GREAT!!! Comparable to shows I've seen in Hawaii), but the accommodation & restaurant part is NEW!!! This has its pro's & con's. There are MANY places in Tonga that are run down...some of the 'nicer' places have let themselves go...so it is nice to have new fales, etc.

We stayed in a single fale & it was clean, roomy and comfortable. Building standards are not the same so some things were just funny...like the soap dish that kept falling off its hook on the shower wall...but it's Tonga! Just smile :-) Anyway, we were very happy with our room. The TV's haven't been hooked up yet, but it's 'in the plans'... we did borrow the DVD player & some DVD's for a couple of nights...but honestly, we were there to have some peace & quiet so the lack of a TV was just fine. The housecleaning was good...and if anything was missed, you just have to ask.

We bought duty free alcohol in NZ & kept them in our little fridge...we borrowed glasses from the kitchen & made our own drinks. Saved on cost quite a lot (good tip there!!!!)

The food does let them down a bit...but they have just hired a professional Canadian resort manager to 'shake things up' (they are trying) & she is concentrating a lot on the restaurant side... in saying that, our eggs were never cold...they were yummy & served with toast & fresh fruit, we always had a good start to the day (for all 8 mornings...and we were the only ones there for 7 of them). The sashimi, ota'ika, and fish & chips were our standard meals & they were all VERY yummy! As was the buffet (very 'Tongan' in style, but very good) . Meals EVERYWHERE in Tonga were high in cost compared to NZ, but one visit to the store & you could see why. Food is VERY expensive there. So, I think that with the help of the new manager, the food part of the resort is on the improve!! We did buy a few things we could make/eat in our room so that we didn't eat 3 meals a day, every day, at the resort...to save a bit of money (just remember to check the expiry dates!!!)

The pool is a saltwater pool, but even at low tide, you can wade out and paddle around. The beachfront is protected from the waves by a reef so I found it safe & fun to swim & snorkel in. Just take your neoprene beach shoes or your flippers & you won't have to worry about a bit of bumpy coral.

We rented the resorts Toyota Rav for TOP$50/day...twice....no hassles, paperwork or worries. It was nice to have it be 'stress free'.

We were shuttled into town 3 times...twice to 'shop' while they did their town errands, and one day they dropped us off in the morning & picked us up in the afternoon...so we could do the AWESOME snorkelling tour with Captain Sam of "Deep Blue" (VERY recommended!!!!!! we did the inner reef snorkle tour, but you can go diving, deep sea fishing, etc). Anyway, it was great to be able to get rides into town & not be charged for it.

The staff was all GREAT!!! Friendly & helpful (and though Tonga is the 'friendly' island, there are different levels of 'friendly'). We left feeling as though we had made some really good friends.

We will definitely go back.... any of the "negatives" are being addressed...its hard to start up something new...and the owner is a self funded guy....no American millionaires have come in & given him everything up front so he is doing what he can, as he can. Remember, you are in a foreign country...things will be different...Tonga runs on Tongan time & Tongan culture & expectations are different to the Western culture...so, relax...smile....you'll be back to the demanding rat race soon enough!