Outback Retreat/Hotel, Ba Fiji

Location: 2 Riverside Road, Qerelevu, Tonge, fj

Star Rating: 8.5 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Nightclub
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Terrace
• Family rooms
• Pets allowed
• BBQ facilities
• Luggage storage
• Fax/photocopying
• Tour desk
• Ironing service
• Car hire
• Packed lunches
• Non-smoking throughout
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Board games/puzzles
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Kid meals
• Shared kitchen
• Public transport tickets
• Evening entertainment
• Entertainment staff
• Outdoor furniture
• Coffee Shop on site
• Fruits
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Smoke alarms
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Food delivered to guest room
• CCTV outside property
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Access to health care professionals
• Face masks for guests available
• 24-hour security
• Delivered food - securely covered
• Broadcast Live sport events
• Happy hour
• Cooking class
• Shopping on site
• Television in common areas
• Nightclub
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Billiards or pool table
• Free wired internet
• Snack bar/deli
• Playground on site
• Scuba diving on site
• Snorkeling on site
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Private picnics
• Wine release events
• Reception hall
• Japanese garden
• Fishing nearby
• Horse riding nearby
• Water sports equipment
• Hosted evening meal (reserve)
• Charcoal grill
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Vegetarian menu options available
• Paddle boating nearby
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle
• Accessible train station shuttle
• No accessible train station shuttle

Rooms Available

• Villa

  This villa consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Featuring a terrace with garden views, this villa also provides air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap

• Villa

  This air-conditioned villa features 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. The villa has a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap

• Villa

  This villa is consisted of of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The villa offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap

• Double Room with Mountain View

  This air-conditioned double room has a desk, a terrace, garden views and a private bathroom. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap

• Standard Villa

  This villa consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The villa features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap

• Villa

  This villa comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The villa features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap

• 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  This dormitory room features a desk, a balcony, garden views and a private bathroom. The unit offers 8 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 10 (8 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dining area
  • Mosquito net
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Toilet paper
  • Cots

Guest Reviews

• Guest (9/5): My stay was lovely ! Lai warmly welcomed me and was a great host all the time ! I was lucky to be the only guest at that - The calmness, the host, the view The road. It is indeed accessible without SUV but you gotta be careful if you have a rental car and wanna be sure you’re getting the deposit back. Although if you’re an adventurer, it is possible to come with the public bus as well !
• Anna (9/5): - Delicious food for 15Fjd/meal, free kayaks for the river (beautiful views from down there), and lots of activities. Pool table, kitchen (15-20fjd per day used), and a great host who knows the best card games.
• Guest (4/5): Difficult drive to the retreat and very basic facilities - The owners/managers were nice people The property description in booking.com needs to be clearer. It is a 20+ km drive on a very rough unsealed road and the facilities at the retreat are very basic. No hot water, cell like rooms and a piece of toast for breakfast (egg costs more) as does everything including using their kitchen to prepare your own food.
• Trish (7/5): It’s a fun place to stay and hopefully will always retain its character - The location is superb and our host Lai was extremely helpful and accomodating. Our arrival was unexpected as he’d not got any booking through from booking . Com. The river is beautiful and a great place for swimming . Our arrival was unexpected. Even though we had a booking confirmation the hotel had no idea that we were coming. Sadly the facilities have become very run down and need upgrading. We expected it to be back packer standard but it didn’t quite meet this
• Mike (10/5): - Especially liked kayaking on the river It was all good
• CAROLE (5/5): Un accueil bien décevant - Pas grand-chose. Nous avons été très déçu par rapport aux commentaires élogieux sur cet hébergement. Nous sommes habitués au homestay car nous en avons fait quelques uns pendant notre séjour au Fidji. Nous espérions faire de la randonnée et vivre une expérience fidjienne. Rien de tout ça. Quand nous sommes arrivés tout le monde était à la sieste. Finalement le propriétaire nous a entendu, nous a fait visité le site et notre logement. Le site manque d’entretien ce qui est fort dommage. Les serviettes sont odorantes. Le soir nous avons prévu de manger sur place vu la difficulté de la route. Nous nous sommes retrouvés tout seuls face à nos assiettes pour un repas sans grande saveur. Le lendemain au petit déjeuner, pas de café ou du moins même pas de quoi en faire un. Toujours pas d’échange avec les propriétaires : l’expérience fidjienne n’est malheureusement pas là. Bref nous ne sommes pas restés car nous n’avons même pas pu faire une randonnée.
• Simon (6/5): Unique - Lovely staff. Unique location by the Ba River. Lovely ambience The road in is definitely a challenge in a small car but doable in daylight. The operators are quite new and it is obvious that facilities are improving
• Atelaite Gasagasa (10/5): Considering we had work the next day, Our stay made it so worthwhile! Man the 2 hosts were amazing and Lai is THE MAN! a - A quiet luxury!
• Charlie (10/5): Mountain Paradise - Everything!l was amazing! Access to the river, long walks, the views, quietness. The staff were real gems. Was just a treat.
• Maciej (10/5): What an amazing experience. - Lai and Neta where amazing hosts. It’s hard to describe this place . There are simple no frills rooms with cold showers , but the river, the food and Lai’s singing more than make up for it. We only stayed two nights but would gladly come back and stay more . The food is well priced and super tasty traditional Fijian . Love the relaxed slow days we had here.
• Lg978989 (10/5): Exceptional - The staff is amazing and the location is a must, food is taste. Love the experience. See you my friend lai The road for reach the Hotel it's not easy, but worth after all
• Wells (10/5): Exceptional - A lovely time had with super friendly staff, and you receive a fijian experience, fijian foods, tubing down river, horse riding, guitar music, and carva drinking all in a natural setting. Bonfire night Was fun! cabins are plain, with cold showers in bures noted at the time when we stayed however slept, felt safe and enjoyed a very local experience.
• Daniela (8/5): A peaceful and heartfelt escape that felt like staying with family in the Fijian countryside - From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the peaceful setting—lush greenery, rolling hills, and a calming atmosphere that instantly put us at ease. The place is rustic but has everything you need to unwind. What truly sets Outback Retreat apart is the incredible hospitality. The owners and staff are genuinely welcoming and full of local knowledge, sharing stories and ensuring every need is met. Lai and Neta went above and beyond to make us feel at home. The meals were a highlight—freshly prepared with local ingredients, full of flavor, and served with care. We enjoyed hiking by the river and gazing at the stars.
• Jenny (3/5): RED ALERT - HOSTING IS NOT BY AJ & FAMILY ANYMORE - The Breakfast was good Location is super Its a RED ALERT GUYS RED ALERT !!!! RED ALERT !!! The property and business is NOT hosted by AJ and Family Reviews for AJ and Family is nice and we have heard they were perfect host. Sadly we missed our chance to be hosted by them.
• Yuchi (9/5): It’s a beautiful place! There are many birds, a cute cat, lovely jungle! - AJ, the host, is wonderful and friendly!
• Chris (10/5): One of a kind - Booking.com said the property takes American Express. Ajay, the owner, explicitly stated that he doesn't take Amex. Bookong.com should change that to avoid creating very difficult situations for Ajay and guests
• Vivien (6/5): A taste of country life, but accommodation still pretty basic. - Owner was very friendly and helpful. He is restoring rundown hotel in rural area. The food was good and wifi connection in reception area was good. River is just a short walk away. Rooms still need work, since there was no hot water (not enough sun for solar?) and no furniture in room other than bed. Fan was also not working in our room but AC did work. Lots of mosquitos (maybe because rainy season).
• Jope (9/5): Short stay but worth it. - Remoteness and staff. Rained most of the time.
• Simon (9/5): Superb - We really enjoyed our stay at the Outback retreat. Very peaceful and quiet place, AJ explained us everything about this place he started from nothing 2 years ago. Very nice stay at his family, especially the dinner with his whole family. Food was so delicious. And the breakfast also ! The place was clean, but we found a cockroach crawling on the bed at night.
• Jessica (10/5): Exceptional - Love, love, love. This place is fantastic. From the get-go I felt like arriving home. AJ and his family are super inclusive. We shared a traditional meal straight from the hot stones. We had few drinks, played pool and just had a great time hanging out. The rooms are spacious, comfy and mosquito proof. Bathrooms were clean. The perfect spot to wind down in the Fiji highlands. I'd only recommend arriving during day time, as the road ain't the greatest, but even my small corolla made it without any issues. Just drive slow. I'll be coming back for sure ;)
• Walter (7/5): Good -
• Isabell (8/5): Unique Fiji experience in the highland - It was great to spend a few days with AJ and his family & the boys that are working there. The food was AMAZING, we loved it a lot! Our room was ok. Bed and sheets were comfy and overall the room was clean. We also liked the river and the waterfall nearby. The view into nature and the mountains are very beautiful from the hotel! In some areas in and around the hotel there was a bit of trash (plastic bottles, washing machine etc). It didn't bother us a lot but just doesn't look so nice. The dining area (in- and outside) doesn't look so comfy and inviting yet (furniture, lighting), but AJ has a lot of great ideas in his mind, so this might change in the future.
• Wietske (9/5): Lovely local experience! - AJ and his family took this place over in januari 2024 so please only read recent ratings! We had a really nice time, such a lovely family. We drove inland al the way from Sigatoka and the views were amazing. There are 6 simple bungalows on his farm. Lots of mango trees and 1 minute walk to the river where you can easily swim. He offers a lot more activities but we weren't able to do them because of our 1 and 3 year old boys. AJ is so welcoming, his daughter Jess is the nicest little host and the food was lovely. They made sure our boys had some nice meals as well. AJ is putting in the work to renovate the property but as of now everything is functional and for us it was perfect! If I have to say something it will be that they run on 'Fiji time', which is normally not a big deal but if you have young hungry or tired baby boys like us, timing is everything ;)
• Lotti (8/5): Such a relaxing and enjoyable experience - Such an authentic experience! AJ and his family are so welcoming and instantly make you feel at home. Travelling on my own as a young female I was slightly nervous but AJ and his family made me feel very comfortable, I had my own space which was very cosy. The activities are did including, horse riding, watching a circus, hiking to waterfall and lunch in a village were all amazing!!
• Mytake (10/5): Relax in a rich natural environment - The staff is very friendly and offers useful suggestions. The rooms are individual villas, clean and comfortable. The meals is very good and can get breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices.($10-15 per meal) The surrounding natural environment is wonderful and activities such as river swimming, climbing and horse riding are available. The road from BA Town to the Outback is off-road, so need to drive carefully, but it's no need 4WD car. But it can be difficult to drive on rain. Since the area is rich in nature, it's need mosquito spray. Also, beware of bees.
• Tomas (10/5): Rustic and authentic taste of rural Fiji - This was just what I wanted. Personal and peaceful. The host Ajay couldn't do enough for me. It's a lovely place if you want to relax, ride a horse or bath in a river. There were cats, dogs and children. I really felt like a guest of the family and community. As the name implies, Its a simple place. If you want a resort or a hotel with lots of facilities near shops and restaurants then Fiji has those places. This is different and (for me) far more interesting and memorable. I'm sure plenty of places say they offer the 'Real Fiji ' but this really is just that. The only problem for me was the mosquitos! Worse or better at different times of year.
• Polly (10/5): An ideal peaceful stay in the mountains of fiji with the most welcoming family! - This was a last minute booking for us but turned out to be our favourite part of our whole trip. AJ and his family are so lovely and welcoming and we had a great time getting to know them. The hotel is right in the mountains so the views are stunning and it’s so peaceful. Going to the lake and horse riding were so much fun. We only stayed 2 nights but wished we stayed longer, Thanks AJ we will be back!!!
• Martin (10/5): Just what I was looking for - An amazing opportunity to see the real Fiji, tobacco farms, old sugarcane tracks snake their way through wild hillsides, friendly helpful people. Loved the meals prepared by AJ’s wife..
• Danilo (10/5): Exceptional - AJ and his family are the loveliest hosts. They really take care of you. Beautiful place to stay and relax. Excellent food, too. I recommend a walk up the mountain with AJ. Would definitely stay there again.

Photos