馬塔維觀景度假村(Scenic Matavai Resort Niue)

This is a really awesome place to stay! The best views from all rooms and grounds are great. We even were one of the few to try out the brand new car park! (It has the only pedestrian crossing on the island) All staff are really friendly and has an awesome pool bar.

We stayed in the 3bedroom Villa 2km down the road from the resort. We were able to use the resort facilities. The villa is very big and has a full kitchen which is the reason we stayed there so as to reduce eating out all the time. A few things were missing like cooking trays (but they did go down to the shop to purchase them after we hounded them for some, otherwise they suggested we go get them). There is aircon newly installed larger unit in the lounge which is to cool the whole house as they took away the existing ones in the bedrooms and smaller one in the lounge. But i feel it doesn't quite get into the smaller rooms down the hall enough and we asked for a pedestal fan, which helped a bit. Enough utensils and cutlery but mismatched. Huge deck to dry things over the rail and a clothesline but brings pegs. Laundy inside house and dryer but may have to purchase own powder $2.00 a wash but they sometimes supply hand cleaning powder. Heaps of towels are supplied in the laundry room. Outside furniture we took inside to have more seating options. Towels and linin supplied as well as coffee, tea, sugar and mini milks,( one per person on a daily basis but you do need to keep asking, it's a bit hit and miss and some days nothing.) Large new TV in lounge with usb ports. We were there for two weeks, and they did come change the sheets maybe twice otherwise beds were just made up in between. Would have liked to have a once over clean in the bathrooms e.g. did not see any cleaning products used. Kitchen dishwasher was supplied with dish tablets which was good. Access to the pool for the villa and adjoining apartments was a life saver. Pretty much we had it to ourselves and never busy. The pathway to it from the 3bedroom is a bit rocky and the gardens really can be made spectacular if they put some effort into it. Daybeds and tables at the pool side one umbrella that was useful if fixed up better for shade. A shade sail would be great over the pool so it can be used in midday time. There is a bbq available by the pool to use under a shade sail. Close by is a "reception" unit you can store food in their freezers, if need be, washing machines for the apartments and a phone to call the resort. I think a phone in the Villa/apartments would suit better. A daily newsletter is also here to pickup to see what's on which is quit useful, sometimes its not there. The Actual resort up the road we used a couple of times in the lovely pools and a cocktail. Beautiful location we ate once there on the first day as we had not done any shopping and we were all hungry. A few pizzas and a fish and chip dish. Pizzas were pretty crunchy and basic small pieces of fish for $30.00. The power did cut out due to a lightning strike back in December on the generator and we were told parts were on its way, but the backup generation failed. Lost aircon for couple of days which was hard to deal with kids. We weren't informed on what was going on which was frustrating. Maybe q

Absolutely lovely. From the moment we landed, to the time we flew out, the resort staff looked after us. We stayed in a cliff-top room with a stunning view. The sound of waves crashing below was so good and the restaurant & pool were a 1 minute walk. The staff were all friendly and it was nice to meet Aaron the manager. Housekeeping did such a great friendly job, I felt spoiled. Breakfast is great unless you like the heavier stuff, which you can easily order and pay for. Coffee too. I won’t mention that, bc I’m a coffee snob. All other meals can be served restaurant or poolside and the drinks selection was fine. The resort cats were so cute and the roosters at 6am didn’t bother us; just roll over and go back to sleep, you’re on holidays. Mike was so friendly and the airport transfers fast. Thanks guys, had a great time.

We had dinner at the restaurant, it was a $70 buffet on Thursday. $10 corkage fee. The food was nice however they had no provision to keep the flies away. The restaurant needs fans inside and out and the staff could do much better to welcome guests and demonstrate hospitality. There was a fan used by staff in the bar however there were none around the restaurant which made it difficult to enjoy the dinner and entertainment. The staff ignored us as we entered the restaurant and walked away as we tried to speak to them. 1 of them was helpful. We asked how much the drinks were at happy hour and they didnt know. There are no baby changing facilities and I was told to change baby in the toilet, on floor.

The worst experience I’ve ever had the staff was so lazy and rude the rooms were not cleaned properly and breakfast was the same rehashed meal every morning to the point that the fruit went slimy. we had a blocked sink in our room from the first day that was never fixed even though we asked to the point that we tried to unblock ourselves and then had black slimy stuff in the sink for the rest of the week no one cared. My mum got a terrible injury on the coral and tried to sit in a chair that was apparently for the dinner time they insist that she moved. they quoted us wrong for a rental car and then tried to charge us for extra days that we didn’t have and for more than what they quoted they argued themselves in front of us and even when told to move into a room and not to argue in front of customers they continued. They seem to genuinely dislike their job. The room was never cleaned properly the floors were never done we had our bed changed once and even then they left their dirty cleaning cloth in the room. It definitely was not the standard of a four star resort. I will never return to Niue because of the experience and I would not advise. Besides the resort the Niuen people were beautiful caring and lovely people that couldn’t do enough for us. It’s such a shame that the staff of the resort were not as they represent Niue for thousands of holiday makers that the country desperately needs for their economy. The doctors and staff at the hospital were in complete contrast to the resort and were fantastic beautiful and caring people with such warm hospitality and did a fantastic job regarding my mums care. Getting a house or self catering motel would be my recommendation.

This is the only resort on the island at the moment. (the other 1 (or 2) were lost due to a cyclone. There is not a lot of choice, its either the Matavai or a b&b, or self catered accomodation. Unfortunately I didnt have a lot of time to explore that side of things! We went for the cheaper option of the rooms (Ocean View) - which were absolutely perfectly fine. These are the older rooms of the resort so were all a tad tired, some exterior parts even a bit tatty. However, the rooms were clean and tidy and we had a lovely view straight out to the ocean. Perfect for whale watching! New friends were in the newer rooms on the other side of the central reception and dining - very similar to ours but longer (more space between bed and balcony). (They also had a coffee plunger, teapot and drying frame!) Linen was clean and towels changed when required. Housekeeping staff were reasonably efficient and friendly. A continental breakfast was included, cereal, toast, pastries, pancakes, muffins and fruit. Tea and instant coffee, and juices. Nice but nothing special. I did not order a cooked breakfast there so can't comment on that. Had a couple of lunches and dinners there which were all OK. Think they could do a lot better on that sides of things. We had a few small issues (minor matters) but they were all taken care of quickly and quietly. Reception and management were always very helpful and pleasant to deal with. I really can't praise them enough! 2 things to note - the pools are very cold! Lovely to sit by the pool but hesitant to jump in! And you may want to BYO pillow! Never found a good one there!

In a nutshell, not a four star resort. But perhaps in time, it will be as there is a lot of maintenance ongoing as a new manager onboard. The positives: - Great location with wonderful views. - Rooms have everything you need, are comfortable, with roomy bathrooms and lovely balcony. - Incredibly helpful touches like the daily newspaper with the tides, places to go and other useful information. - As there is one flight per week, the setup of the shuttle to check in at the airport in the morning, then the use of the resort facilities until the flight leaves is very helpful and well organised. - The pool is small but nice, but be aware it's not heated and is breathtakingly cold - nice and refreshing on a hot day! The not-so positives: - The staff by and large desperately need more training. We ate at the restaurant three times and all three times there was something incorrect with the meals. Some of the staff are excellent, but the wait staff seem unsure of the menu and very shy. The bartender was not aware of the cocktails on the menu. - The meals in the restaurant are delicious but breakfast is not worth it. Barista made coffee (whilst excellent) is extra, which is now rather unusual in resorts I've been to, and the actual buffet food is limited and unfortunately not refreshed. Should you go to breakfast after 8.30am, there are 1-2 danishes and a couple of muffins left. It's an early ride island! - The resort is fairly old and tired, though as mentioned there is a lot of maintenance going on so I imagine soon it'll look great. - It's not very clean - understanding that mould is hard to fight in such a humid environment, but the restaurant bathrooms aren't clean, the rooms were pretty bad until Saturday when we must have had a new crew through who wiped what must have been months of black grime off the fan. Shower glass etc not cleaned. Niue is a wonderfully adventurous place, and the Matavai is a fine place to stay at, but just bear in mind it's not your standard 4-star resort (would call it 3-star personally as it stands today).

The location is quite breathtaking. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. Beautiful food....more so the seafood platter.....absolutely wonderful.... We were there for my wife's 60th birthday and it was awesome....live entertainment and good food .... Would definitely come back.

The Matavai is well-run, clean and comfortable. The bed was comfortable. the ceiling fan is great, and the air-con is even better after a long day's work! The room had a little fridge that was ideal for water etc. The shower though took a long time to get hot water to it. The menu was sufficient for 1 week's stay, but you would soon want something else if you were staying longer.