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Palms Resort and Casino Vanuatu
Hotel Class 
Tassiriki Park, PO Box 215, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Spa and Resort
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Bokissa Island,Po Box 261, Espiritu Santo, VU
Good for: Eco-Tourism, Birdwatching, Jungle and Rain Forest
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Hotel Class
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Beaches, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
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2nd Lagoon, PO Box 400, Port Vila, Vanuatu
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Hotel Class
Iririki Island, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Beaches, Family Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
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Hotel Class
Rue de Wales, Erakor Lagoon, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Spa and Resort, Luxury Travel
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Hotel Class
rue de Pagon, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Business Travel
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Hotel Class
Port Vila, Vanuatu
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14.
Cornwall Street, PO Box 1515, (formerly The Wild Pig Hotel), Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Seniors, Budget Travel
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Hotel Class
PO Box 152, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Good for: Budget Travel
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Rue Bougainville, PO Box 3232, Cnr Lini Highway, Port Vila, 0001, Vanuatu
Good for: Budget Travel, Business Travel, Backpacking
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25.
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Wonderful location, clean and tidy, great swimming pool and outside bar. Staff extremely friendly and kind. Breakfast is free and superb! Nightly activities by the pool. Hotel has its own beautician/masseuse who is wonderful. Great value for money.
Casino next door. Tourism office inside hotel to organise all your trips and adventures. I went on the best day dive trip ever!
If you are on a tight budget, but want a holiday suitable for a mature couple who need their comforts, or a family - consider this quiet, friendly patch of self-contained villas.
You need to have your own kitchen to keep the costs down on eating out - Vanuatu is a terrific place, but food is expensive from restaurant eating to supermarket.
Vanuatu's capital Port Villa is a five minute bus ride, which you hail down outside the door. The staff will tell you how to get around efficiently. There are public phones to arrange taxi's or day trips etc.
This was our first adventure as empty-nester couple in 2006, so it was terrific to find that our accommodation was at the mouth of the Erakor Lagoon, opposite the Erakor Island Resort.
They are very generous providing non-residents free use of their five minute ferry ride over to their sandy beach, where you can get a cold drink from the bar, or go over for a meal.
The best was being able to use their kayak/canoes (which I had never done before).
Wongras is indeed the easiest option in Gaua: it is on the Internet, with several liks from Vanuatu Tourism site, positiveearth website, and many others. It has a phone working, so it is easy to contact them. It is close to the airstrip, making it easier to get your flight in case it's earlier, or to take a rest while waiting because of a delay (second option is the most common one).
Wongras provides no electricity (you will be given kerosene lamps), very poor toilet service (especially the shower: a few drops per minute and that's it), and the hatch is very dark, even during the day and quite old (the plastic cover on the roof will keep you awake because of the wind at night). Never mind the concrete rooms: they are an oven during the day, hot as hell!!
Food, provided by Mrs Angela, wife of Charles Bice, the owner, is great!
They will also organize your excursions with John Atchkins, the guide (1000 Vt per person to rech Lake Lete, plus 1500 access fee).
This is the situation. Price: 2500 Vt per person per night full board.
The fact is, that THERE are generators on the island. Only, you will not have power at Wongras.
As an alternative:
We met Colette, owner of 'Seaside view bungalows'. Apparently, they provide electricity with their generator; they have a fridge with fresh drinks; the bungalows are recently built. They are down the coast and they are going to pick you up at the airstrip and drive you down to the bungalow with a boat (15 minutes). The bungalows - says Colette - are close to Siri Waterfall, so it's easier and shorter to reach it from there, compared to Wongras.
These are the pros WHICH I DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK.
The fact is that, so far, Colette is not on the internet, and it is not easy to contact them.
I guess one might try to phone to airport public phone (+678-38514) and ask to whoever is answering to contact them for an airport pickup.
There are two accomodation sites at the moment in Torres: one is Josedith Bailey Memorial bungalow (the one we stayed at), the other being 'Kamilisa memorial Guesthouse'.
Kamilisa is on Linua Island, 3 minutes walk from the airstrip: it has concrete floor bungalows, and they do serve food, which they receive from the weekly flight freight. It is then far more expensive than Josedith: 2900 VT per person per night. If you've been anywhere in the tropics, you know that concrete is not that clean and wonderful thing, anyway (it isn't anywhere, but it gets quickly dark and rotten at these latitudes, because of the humidity).
We optioned Josedith: Joseph, the owner, will catch you at the airstrip, lead you through the path in the bush (it is a jungle, for our standards) and paddle you and your stuff on the other side of the reef lagoon, where a beautiful white beach is waiting for you.
Your accomodation for a week will be a palm-leaves shack on the beach: the sand is your floor. You will be allowed to use the kitchen (a campfire and some pots) and the water (not drinkable: drinkable rainwater comes from the water tank in the village).
Joseph will be happy of NOT serving you food since the cargo boat comes there once a year (maybe once every two years) and they survive on the fish they catch and their garden vegetables (which he will give you anyway, under request). You are expected to bring your food: you can buy anything in Santo, on your way there.
this is why you will be paying only 1500 Vt per person per night.
The place is astounding, and you will be on your own for great part of the day; you will be busy in cooking, eating coconuts and pawpaw (papaya) that Joseph will occasionally bring to you. You will probably be gifted at leas once with a coconut crab and some fish if they get any.
On Sunday you will be expected to attend the service (Anglican, in Bislama, with sensational choirs).
The rest of the time you will be absolutely lazy: swimming, laying on the white beach (all for you), and maybe reading.
Bring books, crosswords or sudoku, playing cards.
Also bring candles, torches and spare batteries, teabags, sugar, coffee, medicines and pills...anything.
No need to say, there is NO electricity, never, because they have no fuel for generators.
6 pm: it gets dark. You have to organise your dinner.
Joseph and his family will be grateful for any help: spare batteries for their diving torches (and maybe you will have MORE fish the day after), phonecards (there is a public phone in the village, almost always working), sugar, rice, clothes, etc. Remember that there is shortage of almost everything in Torres.
Tara Beach resort is a new resort opened in Vanuatu in the last month - it is situated about 25mins from Port Vila and about 15mins from the Airport. Situated on 14 acres of beach front land in beautiful Mele Bay. The owners Lei and Sala Vatoko certainly make you welcome but before you meet them I'm sure you will be greeted by Carl who will put you instantly at ease and tell you everything you need to know about beautiful Tara. This property is absolute beach front you can view the ocean from your bed and its a few metres walk to the ocean. Tara has great snorkeling either off the beach or off the end of the jetty. The bungalows are spacious with two bedrooms, a modern bathroom and small kitchenette for making tea and coffee. You can purchase a lovely meal from thier beach Nakamal or when booking choose and all inclusive package with meals included. Sala will be glad to talk about his paradise and if you are really lucky you may get to hear him sing. I would recomend this resort to anyone who is looking to unwind relax and have some serious beach time.
Ni-Vanuatu owned and operated this unique resort is close to Mele Village, Vanuatu's largest village. It is also close to the beautiful Mele Cascade Waterfalls and secret gardens. Tours with Sala give you a locals perspective on village life and he is only to happy to share his local knowledge with you. The resort is a family affair with wife Lei and sons Eric and Thomas you will enjoy your time as part of thier extended Vanuatu family. You are welcome for day visits as well.
Very recommended for the more adventurous travelers- those who like to get to know the locals and have an authentic cultural experience. The staff are simply lovely- extremely attentive and friendly. For example, on arrival we were presented with flower necklaces and coconut drinks, and dinner was accompanied by the local boys' string band!! The bungalows are in beautiful spot where there is a fantastic view of the volcano- at night the lava is lit up! And i defiantly recommend you give the volcano a visit- it was fantastic.
accommodation is basic but very clean and new, consisting of locally made bungalows with no flush toilets and the shower is from a bucket, but i think it makes the experience more genuine. There is also a restaurant, and the locals can catch lobster for your dinner!!
the website is: http://www.vanuatutourism.com/vanuatu/export/sites/VTO/en/operators/paradiseview.html
however, the phone number on the website was recently disconnected, it should be back soon, but call the village Lounasunan on (678) 68075
ask for Jeremiah, the manager, in regards to the bungalows, and the villages will know what you mean.
just be sure to arrange your stay at least a few days prior to arriving so airport pick up can be arranged.
This bungalow is owned and run entirely by local people, rather than ex-pats so the money directly benefits the villages.
Also, most of the Islands attractions are located on the eastern side of Tanna, where 'Paradise View' is, and petrol is extremely expensive, so it is in a good spot.
The bungalows are located right next to owner's village- people are so friendly and happy to show you their traditional way of life.
many tours can be arranged including a walk to the nearby hot springs! they are very reasonably priced and cheaper than many other places that charge extra for the guide.
also there is a special offer: stay 3 nights, 4th night free!!
I stayed at Lagoon Beach for over 12mths due to work commitments in Vanuatu the accomodation is a 16 appartment 1st class resort - upstairs (one king bed and either two single king or a king bed in second bedroom (+sofa bed in living room downstairs)- laundry and bathroom - downstairs fully contained kitchen and living area with sat TV and DVD - each appartment has house keeping either daily short term or weekly long term - covered private outdoor patio with table and chairs. Located on Erakor Lagoon with a white sand beach enables you to swim or paddle a canoe (provided at no charge) amongst the many fish species and multitude of starfish that inhabit the lagoon. Laze by the resort salt water pool and get refreshments from the pool bar cafe/restraunt. This is a perfect logation for a quiet romantic getaway or vacation with children (during peak season a 'kids club' runs with activities and outings). Not recomended for people with ambulation difficulties due to stairs
Beautiful lagoon views - staff only too happy to help with anything you require - childrens play ground and vast grassed areas for running or games and beautiful tropical gardens - easy access to transport or tours booked through tour desk - 5mins from central town - Ni-Vanuatu manager and staff - airport transfers - walk to other resorts or casino within 5mins - Melanesian Feast nights with the Banks Island Snake dancers and local Erakor string band to dance the night away or you are welcome to try your hand at playing thier musical instruments - market trips to the busy market place where you can sample and buy beautiful tropical fruits - the fully self contained kitchen is ideal for families that are budget watching or have special dietry needs or just wish to cook thier own meals
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.
Had the chance to stay here through my work at cost it is a realy great resort all the things you expect from a luxury resort.
Luxury helpfullness and staff willing to go the extra mile.
They took me out to the nakamal to go drinking with them after hours.
Organised my PADI openwater dive course at a discount.
Sorted me a doctor when I became ill. (dont eat more than two fresh coconuts at a sitting untill you have the correct digestive enzymes)
taught me to climb coconut trees and open coconuts with a machete.
guided me to all the great things to see on the island.
Stayed on a small island that is about 200 metres from the mainland, there is a ferry back and forth a few times an hour. You stay in small huts on the island, very cool.
Q: flouresent plankton "was just wondering if any divers know when the flouresent plankton is at its most brightest in vanuatu"
A: "According to this study http://www.locean-ipsl.upmc.fr/gepco/yd_swfs.pdf the concentration is higher in the austral winter, with maxima in August. But obviously..."
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