The Best Hotels to Book in Port Vila, Vanuatu

In case you were wondering, not all hotels in Port Vila are exclusive. An eight-minute stroll from Port Vila’s vibrant centre, the Traveller’s Budget Motel does exactly what it says on the tin. Rooms are well-appointed, with small kitchenettes, and there’s a pool on site for when you want to cool off from the tropical heat. Breakfast can be cooked in the morning at an additional cost and the friendly staff here are always on hand to help you arrange activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Nestled in Mele Bay, a short drive from Port Vila, Island Magic Resort offers a quiet escape from the busy capital. Each of the two bedroom bungalows can sleep up to five guests – ideal for larger groups – and all open directly on to the gold sand beach. Borrow the complimentary snorkelling gear to explore the reef, just off the hotel’s jetty.

Just minutes from Port Vila by ferry, Erakor Island Resort & Spa is set on its very own island surrounded by white sand beaches and crystalline waters. The resort can be rented out exclusively during the low season (for those who prefer ultimate seclusion). Alternatively, choose between a garden room, lagoon villa, honeymoon villa with a private pool and a four-bedroom house. Be sure to carve out some time for basket weaving and coconut tree climbing, too.

Fatumaru Lodge is set on the shores of tranquil Fatumaru Bay, a leisurely 10 minutes from downtown Port Vila. Each of the 11 self-catered apartments offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding teal waters. Choose between the seafront studios, the sea view two-bedroom villas and the penthouse. While the staff are on hand to offer recommendations, they also give you plenty of privacy to use the pool, paddleboards and barbecue as you please.

Nasama Resort is a serene beachfront escape in the leafy Pango Village area. Its private white sand beach is best seen from the spa beach cabana – or just offshore where the tropical coral reef makes for prime snorkelling territory. Rooms are modern and spacious – opt for the larger suite for a full kitchen. Don’t fancy cooking? Grab a seat at Café Vila, where they serve lobster grilled over a wood fire – making this one of the tastiest hotels in Port Vila.

With its lagoon-side location, Sunset Bungalows makes a case for one of the most luxe offerings near Port Vila. An adults-only boutique hotel, the overwater bungalows feature native timber interiors, four-poster beds and cathedral-style ceilings. Be sure to book a lagoon-facing table at Bungalow: Ate for an alfresco dinner made with local, organic ingredients.

Tucked away in a private cove on the Pango peninsula, Breakas Beach Resort is primed for a deeply romantic escape. Rooms are garden or beachfront, with open air coral bathrooms and traditional ceilings. Take a dip in the hotel’s infinity pool or indulge in a traditional Ni-Vanuatu massage. Dinner is served on the beach with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop.

Sitting pretty on its own private island, the aptly named Hideaway Island Resort is home to the world’s only underwater post office. When you’re not snorkelling off to send a waterproof postcard, there’s a lengthy white sand beach to laze on and a pool to soak in. Keen scuba divers can take advantage of the onsite PADI centre for training courses. If you’re after extra privacy, opt for the one bedroom villa with its own private pool on a secluded part of the island.

On the banks of the Erakor Lagoon, and within walking distance to all of Port Vila’s main sights, Holiday Inn’s Vanuatu outpost is a smart option for your next trip to the Pacific. There are 148 rooms to choose from and our pick is one of the luxe overwater villas with direct access to the lagoon. When you can pull yourself away from your room, there are two pools to enjoy and lunch at the poolside bar with its wood-fired pizza oven is a must.

Mangoes Resort boasts 29 boutique bungalows, perched on a Port Vila clifftop – most with private plunge pools. The adults-only resort offers both garden view and lagoon view rooms (we’d recommend the latter), all stylishly appointed with kitchenettes and spacious balconies. Mangoes Restaurant will appeal to the discerning foodie too, with seasonal menus inspired by traditional Vanuatu recipes.

Warwick Le Lagon flanks the shores of the sapphire Erakor Lagoon. It’s a truly lavish option with modern, spacious rooms. Upgrade to the overwater villa if you can with direct lagoon access and deep-soak tubs; some come with large private pools. The Oasis Day Spa is one of the best in Port Vila, using only locally sourced, Volcanic Earth products. Breakfast at the Lagoon Terrace is a real highlight – including a fresh omelette station.