Keleti Beach Resort

We spent 5 nights at Keleti in October 2017. We had spent a few nights there 5 years prior. Vini still owns it and is still such a gentleman who will do anything for you. Anna is still there and gorgeous and helpful as ever and is a great cook. Some new faces who are also lovely people. This review might end up long but I want to explain that Keleti might not be everyone's cup of tea but for us it is perfect. Keleti is about 15-20 minutes drive from town where you can hire a car for $30AUD/day (not flash but has working air con). It is out of the way, quiet and uncrowded. I can sit and watch the water all day as it pounds away at the reef and then inside that is a nice little beach. The fales are very clean with a bar fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. Hot water systems are new and working ie. much of the pacific has the same, small, in room hot water things but they run hot and cold and hot and cold. These don't. The restaurant is large and overlooks the water, you can sit inside or out. The beach is sandy and has snorkeling although not a huge amount. Whales swim right in front if you are there at the right time (we were a bit late but still got to see some a long way off). The staff are so great. Vini, again, took us to town to get us a car and stayed to make sure we got good value and got one. He also picked us up when we returned it. Vini's great for a chat but doesn't intrude and will assist you with anything. Anna knew we were keen to see the whales again and ran out of the kitchen to come get us upon our return from a jaunt so we didn't miss out. Her cooking is amazing, the food is well priced as is the beer. Anna also drove us to meet other transport to go to a feast night on her way home from work! Despite a 5 year gap it almost felt like coming home to be back at Keleti. We met some more like minded travelers which adds to the holiday. Sunday is Tonga's day of rest so we were asked if we would like breakfast or the alternative was to pick bananas off the tree outside the kitchen. We chose the latter which really made us feel even more at home, coffee and very fresh bananas for breakfast. This is no 5 star resort. If you are after a night life and lots of luxury this is not the place for you. If you are after peace and quiet, feeling the culture, making friends or staying alone, Keleti is where you want to be. Oh, and wifi is much cheaper and more reliable (in the restaurant area only). Vini - if you are reading this I hope you are all ok after the cyclone and that the damage was minimal.