Vanuatu Resort Recommendations?

[yohy?!]

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope all your gadgets are working and your chocolates eaten!

Once again thanks to a mate I have managed to grab some super cheap Pacific Blue staff fares - this time to Vanuatu for my birthday in February

Please let me know your experience/recommendation with staying in resorts there, the emphasis is on 'affordable luxury', quality food and lazing by the beach

Thanks!

yohy?!

 

[docjames]

A while ago now, but we loved Iririki Resort. Short boat ride into middle of harbour/back to town, free non-powered water equipment so you can Kayak around (jetskis for $$ hire). Nice views over water or cheaper rooms without the views.

Website looks like it's either had extra rooms or an upgrade done since we were there (2003) but it was nice when we were there anyway.

South Pacific Luxury Accommodation - Iririki Island Resort & Spa Vanuatu

 

[Grooba]

+1 for Iririki Resort. Nice rooms and plenty of water sports / activities. They also do great kava in-house.

Back on the mainland there's a Sebel which is quite modern, complete refurb about 4 years ago. Not really the resort style you are after but still a nice place to relax.
Kava is best bought externally about 300 meters down the road as you head back into town on the same side of the road as the hotel (water side).

 

[Moopere]

Never been to the Iririki myself, photos look nice but mixed recent reviews:

Iririki Island Resort (Port Vila, Vanuatu) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

They may have got their act together as very recent reviews seem better than ones from 6-9 months ago. Not cheap either, almost Maldives pricing.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Went in September. I highly recommend Lagoon Beach Resort Apartments. Very reasonable prices, fantastic apartments, quiet abd cost, great staff. I did a large review in late September on TA.

 

[nonpop]

Also consider Tanna Island & White Grass Resort and ensure you see the volcano (amazing). Whitegrass Resort, Tanna, Vanuatu
Personally I think even though Tanna island is a bit more 'basic' we enjoyed it much more.

On the mainland also consider Sunset Bundalows.
Sunset Bungalows Resort Vanuatu - Resort rooms and Facilities

Happy holiday

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Was actually in Vanuatu last week - stayed at La Lagon. Loved the grounds and pool complex - rooms way dated - service non-existant. Also pricey for everything in-house.

Service in Port Vila at ALL restaurants / bars we went to ranged from disgraceful to non-existant - personally I would not go to Vanuatu again - but obviously everybody will have different views.

 

[Moopere]

Was actually in Vanuatu last week - stayed at La Lagon. Loved the grounds and pool complex - rooms way dated - service non-existant. Also pricey for everything in-house.

Service in Port Vila at ALL restaurants / bars we went to ranged from disgraceful to non-existant - personally I would not go to Vanuatu again - but obviously everybody will have different views.

Strange isn't it? I've never been myself, but after the OP I spent some time on TravelAdvisor because the idea of Vanuatu is awfully exotic. Having read by now at least a hundred reports by travellers across various resorts and hotels I can see why you have formed the opinion you have.

Looks like they are using the Australian Tourism model. Top shelf pricing coupled with extremely poor service = perception of poor value by unlucky customers.

 

[yohy?!]

Well my trip was last weekend gone and I thought I'd share my observations:

-Vanuatu is never going to be a 5 star destination in anyone's book
-Iririki Resort had decent accommodation (harbor views) at knock down prices on Hotel Club due to low occupancy (cyclone the week before)
-Prices were reasonable overall for shopping (provided you pay in Vatu) with a limited number of shops in Vila
-Credit card surcharging is the norm (3% ..all cards typically)
-Service is typically very laid back but no horror 1 hour waits for drinks as seen on Tripadvisor
-Decent restaurants are rare, try Harbourview Chinese and Mangoes these were good
-Locals are extremely friendly and welcoming, even people on the minibuses would ask where we from and if we were enjoying ourselves.

And finally...

-The relaxed atmosphere is contagious so for me this was an excellent spot to holiday for a break from work