The Best Hotels to Book in Vanuatu

Flanked by a lush tropical rainforest and sapphire lagoon, Aquana Beach Resort is an award-winning family-friendly resort, complete with a team of nannies who are on-hand at no extra cost between 7:30am and 9pm daily. They’ll take your kids off to collect hermit crabs or weave coconut leaves while you explore the beach, book into the spa or enjoy a candlelit meal in the privacy of your bungalow. If it’s hotels in Vanuatu for families you’re after, this is a great option.

Just 20 minutes from Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, Eratap Beach Resort sits on a peninsula and feels like a remote, hidden hideaway. Each villa is beautifully appointed, all with beachfront settings primed for watching the sunset. The two honeymoon villas are ideal for loved-up pairs – think private plunge pools, sun-soaked day beds and direct access to the Etlau Lagoon (with its purple-tipped staghorn coral).

If you don’t want to spend your beach holiday fighting for a prime patch of sand, Nasama Resort’s private beach will ensure you get as much space as you please. When you’re not sunning yourself by the sea or snorkelling to see the tropical fish just offshore, opt for a massage in the beach spa cabana followed by a wood-fired lobster dinner at the Café Vila Restaurant and Bar.

If you need a base for exploring Espiritu Santo, book the Barrier Beach Resort. Vanuatu’s largest island is known for its blue holes, white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Make use of the paddleboards, snorkelling gear and kayaks on offer to discover the pristine waters right on your doorstep. Afterwards, retreat to your garden or beachfront villa for an afternoon snooze.

For a truly local experience that’s not found at all hotels in Vanuatu, stay at Volcano Island Paradise in Imayo Village on Tanna Island. Owner Morris Poita and his family will cook up some traditional dishes in the on-site restaurant, with views of Mount Yasur, the island’s active volcano. Hike up with a guide to see inside its red glowing crater. At night, let the rumble of the volcano lull you to sleep in your handbuilt rustic bungalow.

An adventure lover’s haven, Rockwater Resort places you on the northern coast of Tanna Island, where snorkelling with turtles and whales is not uncommon. Rooms at this eco-friendly, adults-only resort were designed to blend with nature, but you’ll likely spend most of your time exploring. Climb inside one of the world’s largest trees, the banyan, or visit the nearby Yakel Tribe Village to learn about the island’s ancient culture.

As Vanuatu sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, there’s a slew of active volcanoes here, best seen from White Grass Ocean Resort and Spa’s thatched bures. The team here can arrange a volcano safari to Tanna Island’s Mount Yasur, or if you’re more at home in the sea, the resort offers some of the best diving in Vanuatu. Expect to see green turtles and friendly dugongs.

In the heart of Port Vila, the Grand Hotel and Casino makes for an imposing waterfront figure – it’s the tallest building in Vanuatu. The fly-and-flop brigade will love the Cabana Pool Bar, offering glorious vistas of the sunset. For money-minded travellers, the on-site casino brings a touch of Monte Carlo to the Pacific, complete with learn-to-play tables for novices.

If you’ve ever wanted to send a postcard from under the sea, Hideaway Island Resort is the place to do it. As it’s home to the world’s first – and only – underwater post office, a stay here warrants a dive down to send the waterproof postcard to your loved one. If you’re after an extra dose of privacy during your holiday, the one-bedroom villa set in a secluded part of the island should do the trick. It even has a private pool.