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4 Stars - 5 Reviews and 499 Opinions
Super friendly, helpful & efficient staff - great food at Watermark restaurant (amazing super tender, tasty beef ribs), great value cocktails at Bali Hai pool bar happy hour (5-6) Would happily return again.
Unique Quality: Upon arrival we were offered a low cost upgrade to the new deluxe sunset suite. Wonderful room, self contained, big quiet air con unit, plasma, in house movies on demand (cricket on channel 9!), lovely bathroom and spa on the balcony overlooking the bay at sunset. Very nice room and well worth the money.
Directions: Iririki island, overlooking Port Vila - easy access by free 24 hr ferry
Iririki Island Resort is a private island just offshore from Vila, so it's really quiet and offers great views of the natural harbor surrounding the city. The resort caters to vacationing couples of all ages. They say you do need to be 21 to check in.
Take advantage of their activities on or around the island like parasailing, sindsurfing, kayaking, sunset cruises, and beach activities. There is also great snorkeling in the area, and if you like scuba diving, there are plenty of groups in the area that will take you out.
To get to the mainland, just hop on the free ferry that operates 24 hours a day. It only takes minutes (2-3) to get across to "downtown" Vila so you can check out the markets, shops, restaurants, etc.
Amenities in the rooms include high-speed Internet access, satellite television and music, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, minibars, coffeemakers, private alcove dining and room service.
Unique Quality: You can't get a bad view here! All the bungalows are separated from each other and are built on the slopes overlooking the water. There are about 70 right now, but there's a lot of construction to develop the far side of the island that will probably double the current occupancy, but things aren't cramped. Each bungalow is nicely decorated and overlooks the ocean and/or harbour. :)
On Tuesday evenings, there's a feast at Michener's Restaurant complete with tribal dancing. During the day, you can eat at the poolside café and bar that serves appetizers and cocktails. There are always waiters walking around the pool asking if you need a drink or anyting else.
Check out Spa Frangipani at the resort that offers everything from aromatherapy massages and spa treatments to pedicures and manicures.
Directions: Look for the private island in the center of town
As with Erakor Island Resort, I didn't stay here myself, but I did have a look around one afternoon and can positively say that it would be an incredible place to stay, particularly for a honeymoon or other romantic getaway. After coming over on the free ferry from town, I went straight up to an outside bar overlooking the harbour and enjoyed a Vanuatu Tusker beer (an excellent one at that). Following that, I went for a walk on the path which circles the island. For those visiting Port Vila looking for a pleasant way to get some light exercise, strolling around Iririki Island is a great choice.
Unique Quality: This is truly prime real estate. A great location on a private island across from downtown Port Vila makes this arguably the nicest place to stay in town. Of course, there are other contenders, but visit this place and you'll see what I mean. Last time I checked, visitors under 12 were not allowed. The resort seems to cater primarily to those looking for a romantic getaway or to businesspeople on very generous expense accounts. In fact, the resort's own website advertises their own wedding coordinator and goes to great lengths to reveal their romantic ambience. Definitely a couples resort. As a dust-caked backpacker in worn-out clothes, I felt a little out-of-place, but it you're looking for a place like what I've described above, give this island resort a serious look. You won't regret it.
Directions: Located in the harbour right across from downtown Port Vila. A free ferry operates from the wharf and will transport even non-resort guests to the island, but once evening comes around, it's strictly guests only.
A small island only a short ferry ride across from Villa, Iririki Island Resort was a former British Commissioners home until converted into the Resort. With Bungalows set over the water or hidden amongst the lush rainforrest, it is an island resort worth considering. Beaches arn't that great besides for a swim, but the resort still is great.
Unique Quality: pool is delightful and proximity to Villa is the tops.
Probably the best accomodation in Port Vila (we visited others and found Iririki had the best style of accomodation and a great view).
You get a ery comfortable bungalow with your own private balcony which overlooks Port Vila harbour.
The service like everywhere in Vanuatu is friendly with water facilities and a great restaurant.
A barge which operates 24 hours takes you to and from the main island which is only a 3 minute trip.
Directions: 3 minute barge ride from Port Vila
Iririiki Island resort is right in the middle of Port Villa. It is my favourite resort in Vanuatu, it has a free ferry that runs 24hrs from the island to Port Villa. The main pool is only new and is very peaceful and excellent staff.
Iririki Resort is situated on it's own 69 acre island literally 3 minutes from the centre of Port Vila. A ferry operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week to ferry guests to and from the main land. I would say that Iririki is the most centrally located resort, but at the same time is secluded because you have a short boat ride to get to it! The resort has 70 bungalows and it is an adults only resort. No children under the age of 12 are permitted on the island which makes it the perfect 'romantic getaway!' Iririki has everything you could need while staying at a resort. If you didn't want to , you wouldn't have to leave the island......and towards the end I think we spent 3 days on the island without leaving!
There is a pool overlooking the harbour which is situated right next to the bar, Bali Hai where you can also order your lunch from. The resort also has it's own health spa where you can treat yourself to a bit of pampering. Named Spa Frangipani, it is the only spa in Port Vila......and the massages are great! From the moment you arrive at the resort with welcome drinks and smiles from all the staff, and the beautiful views you won't want to leave.
We just got back from Vanuatu and stayed at Iririki Island Resort for 6 nights and loved everything about it.
LOCATION:
The resort is only a 3-minute ferry ride away from Port Vila town. The ferry runs 24 hours and is a complimentary service provided by the resort.
ROOMS:
We stayed in one of the Harbor view bungalow/fare and it was the best because we had very close water views of port vila harbor. We also had a spacious balcony to relax and enjoy the view. The room also had a ceiling fan and a good aircon - 2 essential options when staying in a tropical place!
SERVICE:
All the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. From the reception manager who gave us a very good accomodation package, to the porters who helped us with all our transportation and other tour queries everyday, to the fun guys in the watersport place who went with us in the snorkelling.
FOOD:
Plenty of options for the continental breakfast. About 4 diff types of cereals, mix of fresh and processed fruits, various muffins and pastries, bread, fruit juices, etc.
There is also a choice of 3 very good restaurants.
ACTIVITIES:
Free use of kayaks, snorkelling gears, small sailing boats. Jet-ski, fishing/power boats you have to rent.
Daily scheduled activities by resort such as snorkel tour, round island kayak, coconut lessons, etc.
EXTRAS:
The beach infront of the resort is great for swimming & snorkelling (it's not as colorful as Hideaway but there are plenty of fishes to see).
The staff go out of their way in making the guests happy. I ordered a small slice of cake with candle to be delivered to our room as a small surprise for my husband's birthday. To my surprise, 2 staff turned up to our room with the cake on a big plate with chocoate handwriting of 'Happy Birthday' and a candle and the staff also sang to my husband.
We'll definitely come back to this resort and would highly recommend it to friends and family.
We stayed at Iririki for seven nights, and it was amazing. The views, the island, the resort, I could not fault it in any way...and I've seen a lot of, dodgy and average places around Europe and Australia!
It is a stunning, kids free (!! excellent for couples!) resort- no children under 12 can stay there. Located on Iririki Island just off Port Vila. There's a free ferry accross and it takes three minutes.
We were in a harbourview bungalow, which are right next to the gardenview ones, and it was immaculate. The bungalows have everything you need, comfy bed, huge bathroom, air con, ceiling fans, TV, phone, desk, table and chairs and a lovely balcony. The staff are amazing and soo friendly. There's 130 staff! You will never be ignored. They're extremely helpful from the moment you check in (welcomed by a fruit cocktail) to the moment you check out and they load your bags on the complimentary ferry accross to Port Vila.
We spoke to other couples who were staying in the resort and they all loved it. Also found lots of other tourists who were not staying there hanging around!
The food is great at Michener's and the cocktails are the best in Port Vila that I"ve heard of.
A must for anyone going to Vanuatu! It really is as pretty as the pictures. The resort is immaculate- with wooden floors on the receptions opening up to Michener's restaurant right on the water with incredible views accross Vila, and being surrounded by blue green water! it really is fascinating. Most packages come with breakfast which is highly recommend it. We had a very delicious buffet breakfast every morning. And it was lovely and also a great way to mingle with other guests and staff- or stay on your own table and admire the view if you wish.
The pool area and Cafe/ Bar are great. Again, great views all around. There's entertainment there every nite so you will never be bored, and the cocktails in coconut shells are a must for only $12AU.
The Good:
Iririki is every bit as lovely as you might imagine it to be. We stayed at the child-free section (Iririki Resort proper) in a Harbourview Fare.
The Harbourview Fare was a good choice for us, but if you're the type to sit on the balcony for a few hours, a waterfront fare would be better. Even at low tide, there was still water beneath the balcony, and I didn't see any mudflats!
The Fare was gorgeous and looked exactly like the photo on the website. The bed was quite comfortable and quite high off the ground, so there was actually a little wooden step-ladder provided to help you climb in (great for shorties like me!)
The toiletries were Gilbert & Soames, quite nice. Soap, shampoo and conditioner were provided, as well as shower cap and some cotton buds. The champagne upon arrival was Grandin, which was OK. We got Hardy's with our private balcony dinner (see separate tip).
The Bad:
Service in general was probably a bit slow, though. Most things had to be done via the tour desk, reception was concerned only with arrivals and departures. We had a bit of a problem with our water. One morning we had low pressure, but that fixed itself within an hour. One morning we had no water at all, but it was fixed by the time we got back from breakfast. The sliding screen door to the balcony was a bit sticky (but really, who cares, just deal).
The Ugly:
There was no ugly! OK, if you don't like children, then avoid the pool at the other end of the resort. Also, they allow non-guests into the Bali Hai pool. The non-guests tended to be young backpacker types who hung out in groups and just drank all day and sunbaked until they turned into lobsters, which conflicted with the romantic couples who were actually staying at the resort for peace and quiet. They scared away at least one guest from the pool area. It's not that they were particularly rowdy, but they definitely stood out and they were somewhat annoying. The grounds were lovely and lush, and we spent most of our time at the Bali Hai. Bali Hai would have to be the highlight. Child-free infinity pool with poolside service and what is probably the best view in Port Vila. The pool and cafe faces north and overlooks the harbour onto Port Vila. It's such a pretty view, beautiful blue water, harbour buildings dotted along the waterfront, and the sunset just to the left. Happy hour was practically euphoria-inducing.
Other facilities were also great. We took advantage of the free kayaks, and strolled around the island, and went to the top to look at the view from the manager's residence. Staff were always friendly and as helpful as they could be. The tour desk was great, although it had moved to Mitchener's restaurant and they hadn't updated the signage so I got lost looking for it.
The ferry service to the mainland operates 24 hours. It takes about 2 minutes for the actual boat trip, but probably about 10 minutes all up if you factor in waiting times. There are resort representatives at both the jetty on Iririki and the wharf on the mainland. They help out with making sure you get on the right tour bus and they call the ferry for you at night. They would probably even provide you with directions if asked. Taxis are often parked at the mainland wharf too.
View of Iririki Island Resort
Waterfront Bungalows , Iririki Island resort
Iririki Island
Iririki Island
Is there anyone in Port Vila who takes out tourists on reef fishing trips. I am not interested in game fishing but my son and I would like to spend upto four hours on a small boat doing some fishing which didn't cost the earth.
Try Ben Johnson he was a Brilliant gamfishing skipper locally born he may be able to point you in the right direction Benjamin Johnson [deepseafishingcharters@gmail.com]
PS my son and i fished with him(game fish) and my son now holds 3 junior reords in Vanuatu
good luck Barry
If its not to late, just come over and ask one of the local men in there banana boats, probably cost you $30-$50 for a couple of hours and guarenteed you'll catch some good fish. If you need help in finding someone, ask any of my staff. Neptune Tours, we are beside Iririki Landing on the sea wall, central Port Vila. If they cant help, tell them to call me.
Regards Brian
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Address: Iririki Island, Port Vila, Vanuatu
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