Please keep the menus! I usually watch these videos with my family and we love imagining that we’re at the restaurant and choosing what we would eat. And even when I’m watching alone at least personally looking at the menu is really fun and it gives a good idea of the hotel has to offer.
I like having the menus presented. I find they help in rough planning how much I’d need per day to feed the family and to make sure everyone will get their favs on holidays.
I remember going to the Sofitel Fiji when I was younger I went with my family and friends, really loved it there and so many great memories that I will cherish forever and I miss being there
Yes, hotel restaurants and food reviews are VERY IMPORTANT to viewers. In fact, greater attention should be given to amplifying and prolonging the showings of menus, as well as food items. I enjoy your channel immensely, and I think you’re doing a great service for fellow travellers like myself. Keep up the excellent work you do and I look forward to all your future reviews. I am from Vancouver BC, and have been to Fiji many times, it being one of my two favourite countries, and it’s people among the 2 best “hosts” I have come to know from around the world.
Restaurant reviews are 💯 necessary, especially for island resorts where you’re probably going to eat there on a daily basis, unless it’s close enough to the nearest city/town. And the rooms definitely need more Fiji for that price point 😅
Hey Kevin. I'm usually not a hotel review viewer, however, your hotel reviews are also really good, and you're totally drawing me into them. On top of that, giving me so many ideas on where I want to go for our next high-end family trip!
The dream of category is a must👏👏 Brillante!! Room and pool reminded me Al Alqah Resort in UAE… with a tad of El Palatino in Rome, No curtains in the bathroom, a major sin in my book. Pls keep the menu’s on. Great Video as always..
Yeah I just don’t get the no curtain thing lol. And menus aren’t going anywhere. Genuinely shocked how many people commented “keep them!” Lol. Thanks as always for the support 🙏🏻
Great video as usual , I enjoy seeing what the menus have to offer and have even thought twice about staying at a hotel/resort when reading them - this was especially true when we visited Thailand as they were coming out of COVID- hotels were essentially CLOSED I’ve stayed at this hotel twice and whilst I like it,it’s quite expensive but so is Fiji generally, and it’s always been a family destination and sold as an all inclusive package, a bit blah… but the people are always friendly being on “island time” 😊
I've briefly mentioned once before, but I do think the menus are necessary. Or maybe that's not the right word. I think they are a useful and much appreciated extra level of attention to detail that other reviews often lack, just like the location map. I always take at least a brief look at every menu if not read the whole thing to see what I'd order. Another reason is that I am also always curious about what food prices look like in different hotels/resorts in different parts of the world.
Your review was spot on. We stayed in high season for 4 nights in the Club area, only had breakfast at the adults only cafe. I felt the rooms were ok not wow also. I would definitely return as it was so peaceful and relaxing.
My last night here and am rewatching this. I’ve previously only stayed at the Radisson whilst in Fiji. Rooms there are much much bigger for the price but I would say Sofitel is nicer / has a better vibe.
The resort is beautiful, you could easily be in any number of tropical resort locations, nothing screamed uniquely Fijian at this resort but gorgeous it is. Can we talk about the "Best Western" vibe of the rooms. I would be thoroughly peed off if l turned up at a Sofitel, and the rooms reminded me of a Motel l stayed in just off the M1!! Like you l do care about the room and l do actually spend time in it on vacation. Thanks for this review. 👍
Good review. Liked that jungle-island in the middle of the pool. Is Fiji now so well developed that it is losing its charm? And do the Seychelles have the edge? Menus: useful, if they show prices.
I enjoy Fiji, it’s still far less developed than most SE Asian sun destinations… but comparing Fiji to the Seychelles feels a bit like comparing Florida to the Maldives lol.
@@tfftthat can be read either way depending on whether one likes florida or maldives better, based on all sorts of reasons. So if you be so kind to elaborate a lil further. Thank you
You just kinda proved my point lol. One doesn’t need to be better or worse than the other. Point being they’re both beach destinations but beyond having a beach, they couldn’t be more different and likely aren’t appealing to the same customer for the same category of trip.
Thanks for sharing . Can't wait to watch your review of Cordis Hotel Auckland where I have the pleasure ( or should I say displeasure) staying there for 1 night ( Christmas day) where the hotel wants to charge NZ$300 per person for a standard buffet dinner . The hotel computer system was down so we have to wait 2 hours to get the key to our rooms despite check in time was published at 300pm and we arrived from Australia after 500pm
Mandatory Gala fees on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve are quite common across the industry. All 3rd party booking platforms will have them listed specifically under the additional fees. 300NZ is expensive but it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve seen up to $250USD.
@@tfft It seems that Asian Hotels especially those in Vietnam & Thailand charged much less than those in the "developed world" . We paid around $100 to $150 USD at the Sheraton Saigon .I will let you how much we pay at our next Christmas dinner at Banyan Tree Langco in our next trip to Vietnam
When i am casually watching the videos i dont really care about the menus. But if am planning a trip to that region then i would surely be interested in menus to see what sort of food is on offer which would be a criteria on which i choose which resort to book.
@tfft : Naa-dee is what l got from Google pronunciation, same as your Nah-di. Perhaps it depends on whether you're using your Aussie or Kiwi accent 😉 Let's not get started on Ibiza 🙃
I mention this in some (but not all) resort tours- I purposely don’t film inside kids facilities as it can come off as quite creepy. Thanks for watching 🩴
Hi, I love these films. Thank you so much. One suggestion I have is while you score against the price paid, which is I think the right thing to do, I’d lie to see or for you to reference an absolute score. How does this Sofitel compare to a Four Seasons / Six Senses / Oberoi. It’ll help me find bargains without being disappointed. For example the last two hotels I’ve visited for holidays. 1) Four Seasons Seychelles at Desroches Island. Aiming for Uber Lux 10 out of 10 hotel. They nailed what they were aiming for. 2) TRS Coral Cancun. Aiming for a mass market 5* hotel, say an 8 out of 10 hotel. Missed, due to terrible food.
I understand what you’re saying but I simply don’t think there are any absolutes in the hotel industry. Too much of the ‘equation’ relies on location and ownership structure to have any sort of consistency like that. Thanks for watching 🩴
Activities become a black hole pretty quickly. Adults vs kids vs family vs free vs paid… it’s a lot of info to flash on the screen. Thanks for watching 🩴
Not at all surprised that the food was good - it is indeed a Sofitel strong point. Even the one at Heathrow has good food. With the ridiculous proliferation of hotel brands in each group these days it is hard to say exactly where Sofitel fits in the pecking order but it used to be at or near the top of Accor's food chain and is certainly still superior to the likes of R-C and JWM who are as faux-luxe as a 4cyl Audi with vinyl seats.
Sofitel, like Pullman is such a wildly inconsistent brand... I never have any idea whether it's meant to be luxury, select-service, or budget, or whether there's going to be a lounge...
Pullman I agree with you but I think has a much wider swing than Sofitel. Sofitel to me is similar (inconsistency wise) to any other big box brand. Thanks for watching 🩴
A great hotel review as always. I've said it before, but your hotel reviews are what set you apart, along with not making the review (flight or hotel) about you. Some of the other flight reviewers seem like lovely people, like Dennis Bunnik and Jeb Brooks, but it's nice when the review isn't about the person making the review, rather it's about the product being reviewed. I dislike the staged footage, or pretending to walk into a hotel room for the first time when clearly they've been in to put the camera inside. Cringe. There are many people reviewing airlines, however nobody is close to your hotel reviews. I've stayed at two Bangkok properties based on your reviews. Keep it up.
Appreciate that very much! As I said to one of my Patreons yesterday, I can’t guarantee my face will never ever be in a video (bc who knows what the future will bring…) but I can guarantee the videos will never be about me lol.
Please keep the menus! I usually watch these videos with my family and we love imagining that we’re at the restaurant and choosing what we would eat. And even when I’m watching alone at least personally looking at the menu is really fun and it gives a good idea of the hotel has to offer.
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
I like having the menus presented. I find they help in rough planning how much I’d need per day to feed the family and to make sure everyone will get their favs on holidays.
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
I remember going to the Sofitel Fiji when I was younger I went with my family and friends, really loved it there and so many great memories that I will cherish forever and I miss being there
Thanks for watching 🩴
Yes, hotel restaurants and food reviews are VERY IMPORTANT to viewers. In fact, greater attention should be given to amplifying and prolonging the showings of menus, as well as food items. I enjoy your channel immensely, and I think you’re doing a great service for fellow travellers like myself.
Keep up the excellent work you do and I look forward to all your future reviews.
I am from Vancouver BC, and have been to Fiji many times, it being one of my two favourite countries, and it’s people among the 2 best “hosts” I have come to know from around the world.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Restaurant reviews are 💯 necessary, especially for island resorts where you’re probably going to eat there on a daily basis, unless it’s close enough to the nearest city/town.
And the rooms definitely need more Fiji for that price point 😅
Sure, the restaurants will always be in the reviews, I was just curious how many wanted to see the menus 😊 Thanks for watching 🩴
Hey Kevin. I'm usually not a hotel review viewer, however, your hotel reviews are also really good, and you're totally drawing me into them. On top of that, giving me so many ideas on where I want to go for our next high-end family trip!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Menus always switch but I would include them. Some people are vegetarians or have dietary restrictions and just want to see if they have options.
Good point! Thanks for watching 🩴
You are very lucky to visit this beautiful Sofitel with the cooperation of the weather. The outdoor area looks lush and well-manicured ❤
I ordered the good weather! 😉 Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfft Haha! If only there was such an option! I would definitely pay a premium for good weather every time I visit Island resorts! ❤
The food is very important! If not the most (for me), it's all part of the hotel experience so very necessary!
Yes. Keep the menu part. Showing the beach is very important too. Thank you for this video.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks for the menus and videos of the buffet. Im going there next month and this video really helped me. Appreciate it!
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Thanks
I'm going here for my last week in Fiji and I like it! Defo my 2nd fav hotel on Fiji islands ❤
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Oh and thanks for making this video!
Took me a minute hahaha.
The dream of category is a must👏👏 Brillante!!
Room and pool reminded me Al Alqah Resort in UAE… with a tad of El Palatino in Rome, No curtains in the bathroom, a major sin in my book.
Pls keep the menu’s on. Great Video as always..
Yeah I just don’t get the no curtain thing lol. And menus aren’t going anywhere. Genuinely shocked how many people commented “keep them!” Lol. Thanks as always for the support 🙏🏻
Great video as usual , I enjoy seeing what the menus have to offer and have even thought twice about staying at a hotel/resort when reading them - this was especially true when we visited Thailand as they were coming out of COVID- hotels were essentially CLOSED
I’ve stayed at this hotel twice and whilst I like it,it’s quite expensive but so is Fiji generally, and it’s always been a family destination and sold as an all inclusive package, a bit blah… but the people are always friendly being on “island time” 😊
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks again for a good review! Definitely, food review is necessary.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Yes to the menus…it’s quick but useful! 👍🏽👍🏽
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Super helpful - thank you! I was going to book Radisson Blu because fellow aussies rave about it, but this looks more peaceful.
Especially in the adults only area! Thanks for watching 🩴
I feel like the menus are helpful to have a clearer idea of the offering in the restaurants
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Great video as always. Thank you! Are you going to review Emirates anytime soon?
Literally have five Emirates videos coming in the beginning of next year haha.
Menu's are extremely necessary, please keep them up in your reviews
Thanks for watching 🩴
Can't wait until you review the Outrigger Fiji. Love your videos.
Nice and even more relaxing!
Hard to be stressed in Fiji ☺️ Thanks for watching 🩴
I've briefly mentioned once before, but I do think the menus are necessary. Or maybe that's not the right word. I think they are a useful and much appreciated extra level of attention to detail that other reviews often lack, just like the location map. I always take at least a brief look at every menu if not read the whole thing to see what I'd order. Another reason is that I am also always curious about what food prices look like in different hotels/resorts in different parts of the world.
Thanks for watching 🩴
thanks for showing the menus! :)
Thanks for watching 🩴
You made me rethink about pools🤔
Umm, ok lol. Thanks for watching 🩴
Great review keep the menus former Executive Housekeeper for Hilton.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Nice one，no flies at all！Just stayed at Sheraton。。。。。。flies are everywhere！
Well, they do fly :)
Menu are so necessary, please please always include.... It also makes your travel content unique
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Your review was spot on. We stayed in high season for 4 nights in the Club area, only had breakfast at the adults only cafe. I felt the rooms were ok not wow also. I would definitely return as it was so peaceful and relaxing.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
My last night here and am rewatching this. I’ve previously only stayed at the Radisson whilst in Fiji. Rooms there are much much bigger for the price but I would say Sofitel is nicer / has a better vibe.
Hope you enjoyed your trip!
Very good honest review.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
The resort is beautiful, you could easily be in any number of tropical resort locations, nothing screamed uniquely Fijian at this resort but gorgeous it is. Can we talk about the "Best Western" vibe of the rooms. I would be thoroughly peed off if l turned up at a Sofitel, and the rooms reminded me of a Motel l stayed in just off the M1!! Like you l do care about the room and l do actually spend time in it on vacation. Thanks for this review. 👍
Thanks for watching 🩴
Good review. Liked that jungle-island in the middle of the pool. Is Fiji now so well developed that it is losing its charm? And do the Seychelles have the edge?
Menus: useful, if they show prices.
I enjoy Fiji, it’s still far less developed than most SE Asian sun destinations… but comparing Fiji to the Seychelles feels a bit like comparing Florida to the Maldives lol.
@@tfftthat can be read either way depending on whether one likes florida or maldives better, based on all sorts of reasons. So if you be so kind to elaborate a lil further. Thank you
You just kinda proved my point lol. One doesn’t need to be better or worse than the other. Point being they’re both beach destinations but beyond having a beach, they couldn’t be more different and likely aren’t appealing to the same customer for the same category of trip.
@@tfft o ok gotcha ! Thanks !
Thanks for sharing . Can't wait to watch your review of Cordis Hotel Auckland where I have the pleasure ( or should I say displeasure) staying there for 1 night ( Christmas day) where the hotel wants to charge NZ$300 per person for a standard buffet dinner . The hotel computer system was down so we have to wait 2 hours to get the key to our rooms despite check in time was published at 300pm and we arrived from Australia after 500pm
Mandatory Gala fees on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve are quite common across the industry. All 3rd party booking platforms will have them listed specifically under the additional fees. 300NZ is expensive but it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve seen up to $250USD.
@@tfft It seems that Asian Hotels especially those in Vietnam & Thailand charged much less than those in the "developed world" . We paid around $100 to $150 USD at the Sheraton Saigon .I will let you how much we pay at our next Christmas dinner at Banyan Tree Langco in our next trip to Vietnam
When i am casually watching the videos i dont really care about the menus.
But if am planning a trip to that region then i would surely be interested in menus to see what sort of food is on offer which would be a criteria on which i choose which resort to book.
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Another great review thanks! FYI - I believe "Nadi" is actually pronounced more like "Nandi".
I thought his pronunciation of Sofitel was interesting.
Every Australian source is telling me "Nan-di" and every Fijian source is telling me "Nah-di"... I'll go with the Fijians lol.
@tfft : Naa-dee is what l got from Google pronunciation, same as your Nah-di. Perhaps it depends on whether you're using your Aussie or Kiwi accent 😉 Let's not get started on Ibiza 🙃
Kevin would be great if you could do some reviews of kids club and detail activity for families as well! Thanks
I mention this in some (but not all) resort tours- I purposely don’t film inside kids facilities as it can come off as quite creepy. Thanks for watching 🩴
Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur - that's going to be fascinating.
Sure will be! Thanks for watching 🩴
Yes, menus are very nice to see
Thanks for watching 🩴
Hi, I love these films. Thank you so much. One suggestion I have is while you score against the price paid, which is I think the right thing to do, I’d lie to see or for you to reference an absolute score. How does this Sofitel compare to a Four Seasons / Six Senses / Oberoi. It’ll help me find bargains without being disappointed. For example the last two hotels I’ve visited for holidays.
1) Four Seasons Seychelles at Desroches Island. Aiming for Uber Lux 10 out of 10 hotel. They nailed what they were aiming for.
2) TRS Coral Cancun. Aiming for a mass market 5* hotel, say an 8 out of 10 hotel. Missed, due to terrible food.
I understand what you’re saying but I simply don’t think there are any absolutes in the hotel industry. Too much of the ‘equation’ relies on location and ownership structure to have any sort of consistency like that. Thanks for watching 🩴
Besides menus, I would also welcome information about available activities.
Activities become a black hole pretty quickly. Adults vs kids vs family vs free vs paid… it’s a lot of info to flash on the screen. Thanks for watching 🩴
Great vid as always! Just booked my honeymoon, you mentioned more affordable places, any recommendations?
More affordable... resorts? Sure, there are a range of prices, but every place I've stayed at are on my channel. Thanks for watching 🩴
Hi Menu plays a major part in selecting a hotel, being a Vegan always Indian Vegan menu is preferred.
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Thank You ✈️
Thanks for watching 🩴
Like Caesar’s Bay Bazaar? 😊
Thought we were talking about Vegas for a second again lol.
Menu reviews are necessary! Food is as important as the aesthetics and the service of a resort.
Appreciate that!
I can’t find where you posted how much it is?
It is certainly in the description.
hi , l think having a menu is helpful
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Stick with the menus. If I'm interested I just pause and look closer. For the few seconds it's fine.
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
Menus in trip reports? Yes if, as is sometimes the case, the website is lacking menus / menus with prices
Thanks for watching 🩴
I'd stick to the hotel amenities. The beach is just ok compared to other beaches offered in the region.
Thanks for watching 🩴
About your question: personally I’ve never ever paid any close attention to a menu in any hotel or airline review. But…they don’t bother me either.
Fair enough! Thanks for watching 🩴
this hotel needs serious updating
You should see the Shangri La haha
Nice
Thanks for watching 🩴
Denarau in my opinion, is always second best to the Islands - like our Fav, Castaway... it's a stop befire the Islands ... inmho.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Not at all surprised that the food was good - it is indeed a Sofitel strong point. Even the one at Heathrow has good food. With the ridiculous proliferation of hotel brands in each group these days it is hard to say exactly where Sofitel fits in the pecking order but it used to be at or near the top of Accor's food chain and is certainly still superior to the likes of R-C and JWM who are as faux-luxe as a 4cyl Audi with vinyl seats.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Sofitel, like Pullman is such a wildly inconsistent brand... I never have any idea whether it's meant to be luxury, select-service, or budget, or whether there's going to be a lounge...
Pullman I agree with you but I think has a much wider swing than Sofitel. Sofitel to me is similar (inconsistency wise) to any other big box brand. Thanks for watching 🩴
A great hotel review as always. I've said it before, but your hotel reviews are what set you apart, along with not making the review (flight or hotel) about you. Some of the other flight reviewers seem like lovely people, like Dennis Bunnik and Jeb Brooks, but it's nice when the review isn't about the person making the review, rather it's about the product being reviewed. I dislike the staged footage, or pretending to walk into a hotel room for the first time when clearly they've been in to put the camera inside. Cringe. There are many people reviewing airlines, however nobody is close to your hotel reviews. I've stayed at two Bangkok properties based on your reviews. Keep it up.
Appreciate that very much! As I said to one of my Patreons yesterday, I can’t guarantee my face will never ever be in a video (bc who knows what the future will bring…) but I can guarantee the videos will never be about me lol.
Just looked it up, 800.00 Ausi dollars a night 😮
Oh that's a hard pass lol
Please keep the menus!
Noted! Thanks for watching 🩴
$300/night with no walls?!
I think it's the most boring hotel room I see on your channel! Your right Kevin!
Oh, you just wait until The Regent Taipei comes out haha. Thanks for watching 🩴
i dont think you had the family room