Intimacy, Elegance, and Island Calm: Inside The Haven Resort ⭐️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Realism & Scale) | Adult Resort | L$600/day or L$1500/week | ✅ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
📍 Visit The Haven Resort, Manihi – thehavenretreat.com
Quick Facts
Adult-rated: Yes
Best for: Couples, romantic breaks, and guests seeking calm, immersive realism
Booking: Rental terminals onsite (600L/day or 1500L/week)
Atmosphere: Boutique tropical luxury, think Bali or the Maldives
Dining: Coral & Stone restaurant and Terrazza pool bar
Spa: Ho‘ōla Sanctuary, with private treatment rooms and water features
Owner/Designer: Frederick Lancaster (creator of Pacific Bay)
Status: Open and fully functional, with RP dining available on request
Overview
Following the closure of Pacific Bay, The Haven marks a shift in approach for creator Frederick Lancaster. Rather than building another large resort, he has focused on something smaller, more resource-efficient, and easier to navigate. The result is a destination that prioritises ambience, usability, and live use over visual spectacle.
The design draws clear inspiration from real-world boutique resorts. Everything feels placed with purpose, from the central courtyard to the terraces and pool, and every area fits within a coherent environment. Early guest reactions have praised its intimacy and more human scale.
Design and Layout
The main building houses the reception, Coral & Stone restaurant, and a small lounge area. The aesthetic is modern tropical: pale wood, soft gold accents, and clean architectural lines. A connected terrace, framed by palms and cliffs, serves as the outdoor dining space.
During our visit, manager Alimah organised an RP dinner, handled with realism and attention to detail. The pacing, dialogue, and setting made it feel authentic. It’s encouraging to see the resort already able to offer such experiences, and Frederick has said he plans to expand the range of RP services over time. I got a preview of a restaurant menu that will be unveiled soon, where the design matches what you would see in high-end RL restaurants.
For now, however, the property remains largely self-service.
Outside, the pool deck doubles as an event area. Frederick demonstrated how the pool can be covered for dances or functions, a clever way to maximise the use of space. He noted that at Pacific Bay, some guests teleported directly into the skybox nightclubs without ever realising there was a wider resort beneath. The Haven avoids that by keeping all its features visible and integrated at ground level.
Facilities
The Ho‘ōla Sanctuary Spa is compact yet well-executed, combining stone and wood textures with restrained lighting. The nearby Terrazza Bar offers drinks and seating while maintaining the resort’s overall flow and tone.
Performance is noticeably improved from Pacific Bay. Textures rez quickly, and the environment runs smoothly even with advanced lighting and shadows enabled. The sim feels well optimised rather than overbuilt.
Villas and Pricing
The six beachfront villas each face the ocean, with private terraces and sliding doors. Interiors follow a consistent palette of warm neutrals, woven textures, and modern furnishings. The standard of design and furniture easily matches the high-end, tropical aesthetic that was aimed for.
Our villa included a bedroom, living room, and large bathroom, along with the sea-facing terrace. Each villa bed offers a choice of adult bed engines (Darkfold, Ruckus, and Catalyst), a now-common feature in premium SL resorts.
Pricing is L$600 per day or L$1500 per week. The weekly rate represents particularly good value, in fact Maya & I ended up extending for a second week. These are introductory prices, so they may change over time.
Other Factors
Lag: Minimal for me on a 3-year-old Mac
Adult-rated: Yes, villas include adult animations
Pricing: 600L/day or 1500L/week
Summary
The Haven stands out as one of the most complete and coherent boutique resorts in Second Life. Every area feels purposeful and connected, from reception and dining spaces to the villas and spa. It’s a build that manages to feel both designed and lived in. The high standard of finish, combined with its affordability, makes it appealing for both short breaks and extended stays.
There’s no gimmick or excess here; just a well-made, believable coastal retreat that rewards repeat visits. The Haven shows how Second Life hospitality can excel when realism, design, and usability come together.
Highly recommended
📍 Visit The Haven Resort – thehavenretreat.com
🌴 SLURL: Manihi/117/82/24
