RATING:

A = Excellent  (Highly Recommended)

B = Satisfactory

C = Unsatisfactoy

DATE OF STAY:  Friday 17th - Saturday 18th April 2009 (1 night)

COST: $115 TOP (standard room), $230-$280 TOP (Superior and Deluxe rooms)

NB: Early Check in between 6am-12.00pm or Late Check out 12.00pm - 6.00pm is 50% of full rate

EQUIVALENT TO ($NZD):  $115.00 TOP is $132.04(NZD) at 1.1508 (reasonable rate- NZ Bank sells)

Higher rate: $280 TOP at 1.1508 is $322.22 (NZD) Rate as at 19th April 2009

the above is Excluding NZ Bank Commision Charges ($5-$10 NZD)

VALUE FOR MONEY: (B) Please note that we only stayed in the standard room therefore we are only rating and commenting on the Standard room, not the deluxe or superior rooms.

FACILITIES: (A) Nice Modern rooms: Ensuite - Shower, Big Plasma TV with Sky pacific cable, mini-bar fridge - snacks and drink cans ranging from $3-$8 TOP, beautiful furniture

LOCATION: (A) A great location in the city, 1 min walk to Westpac and ANZ ATM's, 5-7 min walk to Markets, 5-8 min walk to Royal palace, 15+ min walk to Wharf and right on the main road with easy access to cafes and restaurants

SUITABLE:  Singles, couples and adult & young families. Great stay for those who are on business trips (City, Town, Busy and noise location may affect sleep especially for families with young children)

SERVICE:  (A) Wonderful, very efficent, lovely and friendly Staff!!  Thank you

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE:(A)  Yes - Transport from Airport to this accommodation ($25 TOP) per person one way, They have a van to transport you to where you would like to go if needed.  Their timing of transportation and pick up are scheduled promptly.  Excellent.

LIKE:  The location was excellent - central to everything and definately the Service was excellent.  Love the balcony and rattan furniture to relax in and overlooking the main road and businesses.  I would have to say once again, Owner Freda and her husband are very pleasnt, friendly and helpful couple.

RECOMMENDATIONS: (NB: all recommendations are constructive critisism in support businesses to grow and succeed)

1) More Lights and power points in the standard room. The Save powering light in the standard room was the only lighting, very dim.  Could do away with some more power points in the room but not very essential.

OVERALL COMMENT: (A) Overall, I found the owners and staff very helpful, excellent communication and great security having said it is 1 building away from the Steak and Rock bar and on the main street.  Tali'eva Inn has only been established for a month now and is still in progress with little renovations.  Great spot and will definately stay here again on our next visit to Tongatapu.  It was very comfortable and relaxing.  Highly recommended especially for those who would like a little bit of luxury and easy access to shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.  Affordable in the in the mid range to high end accommodation.

CONTACT: Tali'eva Inn

Office Ph: (676) 21833

Fax: (676) 24393

PO Box 22 Nuku'alofa, Taufa'ahau Road, Kingdom of Tonga

Email: talievainn@gmail.com or fotofix@kalianet.to

WEBSITE: http://matangitonga.to/home/ads/talieva/index.html

OTHER SEARCH ENGINES:

http://www.tongaholiday.com/index.php?page_id=708

http://www.hotelscombined.com/City/NukuAlofa.htm

 Photos taken by Manilz

RATING:

A = Excellent  (Highly Recommended)

B = Satisfactory

C = Unsatisfactoy

DATE OF STAY: Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th April 2009 (3 nights)

COST: $60 TOP per dble room per night

EQUIVALENT TO ($NZD):  $69.05 (NZD) at 1.1508 (reasonable rate- NZ Bank sells) Rate as at 19th April 2009 - Excluding NZ Bank Commision Charges ($5-$10 NZD)

VALUE FOR MONEY: (B) for budget/economy

FACILITIES: (B) Onsite eating place, 4 Tours - activities ($70 TOP) per person, ROOMS: Ensuite - Shower

LOCATION: (B) 10 min walk into the little town

SUITABLE:  Singles, couples and family

SERVICE:  (A) Warm, welcoming and friendly staff,  efficient response in contact emails

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE:(B)  Yes - Free Pick up and drop off to wharf and ferry

If coming over from Tongatapu island to 'Eua, the best advise to give is to take a flight there instead of the Ferry!! The ferry ride was extremeley rough especially during the afternoon schedule (12.30pm) departure.  But I have been told that if you still prefer to take a ferry ($28 TOP) per person one way to oppose to a flight flying Chathmans Pacific at ($144-$180TOP) per person one way, the early ferry at 5.30am departure is alot smoother ferry ride.

LIKE:  The location is 5-8 mins by car from Wharf and 10mins from airport, adventurous trekking, Excellent tour guide and wonderful hospitality.  Nice setting to more suitable for those who are looking for 1-2 night stay, backpackers style living, relaxing!!

RECOMMENDATIONS: (NB: all recommendations are constructive critisism in support businesses to grow and succeed)

1) More variety of lunch and dinner menus (Main meal $15-$25 TOP), (Cooked breakfast and lunch ($5-$15 TOP).  NB: alittle bit pricey

2) Tour lunch: Fangatave Beach and Cave Tour (value: $70 TOP) per person.  Reasonable price for the tour when including lunch but lunch would need alittle more effort and attention, Serving only Toasted sandwiches with tomatoes, cheese and onions.  As this is a 5-6 hour hike and rock climbing, a sufficent solid lunch meal is required and maybe a morning tea break.

OVERALL COMMENT: (B) Overall, Thoroughly Enjoyed our stay with the lovely and friendly staff.  This accommodation is more of a Budget/ecomony to Fale style of living.  There is great potential for this accommodation to be upgraded at present or within the next year or so.  Owner Taki was very effective in communication and a big thumbs up to the tour guide, Mr knowledgeable "Joe" as he did a extremeley good job in guiding and supporting us throughout the entire trek.  Job well done!!

As 'Eua island is the "forgotten island", its meaning speaks for itself.  If you are looking for a place with historic values with a slow and relaxing pace, quiet location, then this is one island to stay at for a few days.  Whale Watching at the Hideaway would be the most exciting observation to see!

Videos: www.youtube.com/manilz2007 or on this website: www.manilz.magnify.net

CONTACT: The Hideway

Office Ph: (676) 50 255 Mob: (676) 77 55753

'Eua Island - The Forgotten Island", Kingdom of Tonga

Email: hideaway@kalianet.to

WEBSITE:  www.kalianet.to/hideawayeua

OTHER SEARCH ENGINES:

http://www.jasons.com/Tonga/Tongatapu-Group/Eua-Island/The-Hideaway

http://www.spto.org/spto/cms/destinations/tonga/guide/hideaway_tonga.shtml

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/The-Hideaway/Ohonua/33942

http://www.hideawayholidays.com.au/tbu_eua_hideaway.html

http://www.eua-island-tonga.com/accommodationeua.html

OTHER REVIEWS:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g678737-d660422-Reviews-The_Hideaway-Eua_Island_Tongatapu.html

 Photos and videos are taken by Manilz

RATING:

A = Excellent  (Highly Recommended)

B = Satisfactory

C = Unsatisfactoy

DATE OF STAY:  Sat 11th April 2009 - Mon 13th April 2009 (3 nights)

COST: $100 (48 hour contact special) for 2 nights - Normal rate: $120 (TOP) per double room per night (NB: may be alittle to pricey for a budget-Medium accommodation for double standard room)

EQUIVALENT TO ($NZD):  $115.80 (NZD) at 1.1508 (reasonable rate- NZ Bank sells) Normal rate $120 TOP at 1.1508 is $138.10 (NZD) Rate as at 19th April 2009 - Excluding NZ Bank Commision Charges ($5-$10 NZD)

VALUE FOR MONEY: (B)

FACILITIES: (B) has a handicraft shop, ROOMS: Bath and Shower, Small TV, and fridge; shared kitchen facility

LOCATION: (A) A great location in the city, 1 min walk to Westpac and ANZ ATM's, 5 min walk to Markets, 2 min walk to Royal palace, 10+ min walk to Wharf and right on the main road with easy access to cafes and restaurants

SUITABLE:  Singles, couples and adult family (City, Town, Busy and noise Location)

SERVICE:  (A) Wonderful and Friendly Staff!!  Thank you

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE:(B)  Yes - Transport from Airport to this accommodation ($30 TOP) per person one way, Motel to the Whalf ($5 TOP) per person one way.  They have a van to transport you to where you would like to go

LIKE:  The location was marvellous - central to everything and definately the Service was excellent.  Very Warm, friendly and helpful staff.

RECOMMENDATIONS: (NB: all recommendations are constructive critisism in support businesses to grow and succeed)

1) No windows - would be good to have windows as the rooms were very dark and closed in 

2) Kitchen - at present; As they offer to the guests to use the kitchen facility to cook their food, would be good to have this cleaned daily; while the renovations for the restaurant and bar are taking place.

OVERALL COMMENT: (B) Overall, we had a good stay there.  Thank you to the wonderful and friendly Staff.

CONTACT: Sandyboyz Motel

Office Ph: (676) 28398, 28698, 28698

Fax: (676) 28397

PO Box 88 Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Email: sandyboyzmotel.yahoo.com

WEBSITE:  www.sandyboyzmotel.com

OTHER SEARCH ENGINES:

http://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotos-g294142-d1065283-SandyBoyz_Motel-Nuku_alofa_Tongatapu.htm

http://www.tongaholiday.com/index.php?page_id=129

http://www.beautifultonga.com/sandy-boyz-motel/index.html

http://www.southtravels.com/pacific/tonga/sandyboyzmoteltonga/

OTHER REVIEWS:

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g294142-d1065283-r22532522-SandyBoyz_Motel-Nuku_alofa_Tongatapu.html

 Photos and videos are taken by Manilz