Where to Stay in Espiritu Santo: The Best Accommodations

Luganville serves as the bustling main town of Espiritu Santo and you'll likely find yourself arriving here first. We've found that whilst the town itself might appeal more to business travellers, it's actually a brilliant base for exploring everything the island has to offer.

You'll love how easy it is to get around from here; car rentals, taxis and local tour guides are all readily available. Just across the Segond Channel, you can hop on day tours to Aore Island.

From what we've experienced, pretty much everything you'll want to do in Santo is accessible from Luganville. The only trade-off? You won't wake up to the most idyllic beach views – but that's a small price to pay for the convenience.

More About Staying at Downtown Luganville

What's Downtown Luganville good for? Shopping, museum, island day trips, dining, and transport to outer islands.

What to do there? South Pacific WWII Museum, Pui Lodge and Tours, Leweton Cultural Experience, Million Dollar Point, SS President Coolidge dive site, Aore Island and Malo Island day trips.

Where to eat? The Sandbar, Attar Bakery & Cafe, The Tu Restaurant & Bar, Smugglers Seafood Restaurant & Bar, Deco Stop Restaurant, Bombua Beach House & Restaurant and more! See The Food Guide to Santo LINK#D053 for more details.

The Best Resorts in Luganville

• Beachfront Resort - Three-star bungalows set in expansive lawns with a pool and restaurant
• Bombua Beach House - Upmarket villas with private pools
• Santo Seaside Villas - Affordable self-contained beach houses

See the 50 Best Resorts & Hotels in Vanuatu for more information on these properties.

The Best Hotels in Luganville

• The Espiritu - Upmarket hotel with a restaurant and pool
• Hotel Santo - Affordable hotel with a retro design
• Luganvilla Business Hotel & Restaurant - Modern hotel rooms and an on-site lap pool

The Best Guesthouses in Luganville

• Deco Stop Lodge - Upmarket guesthouse with a restaurant and pool
• Tropicana Motel & Backpacker - Budget guesthouse with a variety of room configurations
• Kathy B Guesthouse - A variety of double and twin rooms with access to self-catering facilities
• Pui Lodge & Tours - Basic accommodation near the airport known for its cultural experiences

Just off the coast of Luganville, Aore Island has become something of a developer's paradise, judging by the impressive number of holiday accommodations scattered across its shores. It's the perfect place to stay if you want that authentic island getaway feeling without straying too far from the airport.

Getting around is refreshingly simple here. The dirt road that circles the island is ideal for cycling, and several resorts rent out bikes to guests (which we highly recommend for exploring at your own pace).

What we love most is how connected you'll feel to Luganville despite being on a separate island. A couple of resorts offer complimentary boat transfers to the mainland, whilst local boats shuttle back and forth throughout the day for a very reasonable fee.

It's that sweet spot between island isolation and mainland convenience; you'll get your tropical escape without any of the hassle.

More About Staying on Aore Island

What's Aore Island good for? Proximity to Luganville while experiencing peacefulness and superior beaches.

What to do there? Aore Adventure Sports, cycling, snorkelling, cultural shows and dining at different resorts.

Where to eat? Freshwater Plantation Restaurant, Aore Island Resort and more! See The Food Guide to Santo LINK#D053 for more details.

The Best Resorts on Aore Island

• Aore Island Resort - Comprehensive resort with regular ferries and a range of activities
• Freshwater Plantation Farmstay - Affordable units with an on-site restaurant and regular ferry
• Aore Breeze - Modern beach bungalows with access to good snorkelling
• Ratua Private Island Resort - Rustic bungalows in a luxury resort setting

The Best Holiday Homes on Aore Island

• Sails Beach House - Stylish three-bedroom home with kayaks and snorkelling gear
• Aoredise - Two-bedroom home with kayaks, SUPs and bikes
• Aore Paradise - Design-driven two-bedroom villa with a sunset deck and cabana. Bikes included.

The upper east coast of Espiritu Santo is home to Hog Harbour and Port Olry, and you'll love what this stretch of coastline has to offer.

While it's famous for Champagne Beach, don't miss the other magnificent stretches of sand like Lonnoc Beach and Port Olry Beach. Each has its own charm and crystal-clear waters that'll have you questioning whether you're still on Earth.

Speaking of Port Olry, the road trip alone is well worth the journey. If the pristine beaches don't win you over, perhaps a drink at Chez Louis Restaurant will do the trick, or maybe some horseback riding through the coastal scenery.

We'd strongly recommend having a car if you're staying up this way. The drive from the airport takes about 1 hr 20 mins, but trust us, every minute of that scenic route is worth it.

More About Staying in Hog Harbour and Port Olry

What's Hog Harbour and Port Olry good for? Swimming, snorkelling, horse riding and relaxing!

What to do there? Loru Conservation Area, Champagne Beach, Lonnoc Beach, Port Olry Beach, Billion Horse Riding and more.

Where to eat? Chez Louis Restaurant and more! See The Food Guide to Santo LINK#D053 for more details.

The Best Budget Bungalows in Hog Harbour and Port Olry

• Serenity Treehouse & Bungalows - Rustic accommodation with the option to stay in a treehouse
• Port Olry Beach Bungalows - Simple units on the Port Olry Beach
• Port Olry Beach Resort - Treehouse and beach bungalows on the sands of Port Olry
• Hideaway Paradise Beach Bungalow - Off-the-grid treehouse with access to excellent snorkelling
• Little Bay Bungalows - Locally run beach bungalows with breakfast
• Lonnoc Ocean View Bungalows - Local bungalows with kayaks and beach access
• Lonnoc Beach Lodge - Local bungalows with kayaks and beach access

Stretching along the lower east coast of Espiritu Santo, Surunda and Turtle Bay offer stunning beachfront accommodations without being ridiculously far from the airport. You're in the perfect spot to explore the famous blue holes of Santo, and your accommodation can easily connect you with local tour operators for canyoning and scuba diving adventures.

What's more, the resort restaurants here serve up delicious meals, making it easy to fuel up between Santo adventures.

More About Staying in Surunda and Turtle Bay

What's Surunda and Turtle Bay good for? Swimming, snorkelling, blue holes, scuba diving and relaxing!

What to do there? Nanda Blue Hole, Matevulu Blue Hole, Riki Blue Hole, Turtle Lodge Dive Centre, Dany Island Day Trip and more.

Where to eat? Salty Dog Restaurant and more! See The Food Guide to Santo LINK#D053 for more details.

The Best Resorts in Surunda and Turtle Bay

• Turtle Bay Lodge - Comprehensive resort with dive shop, restaurant and more
• Exclusive Sunrise Resort - Adults-only resort right on the beach
• Barrier Beach Resort - Couple-centric resort known for its weddings, spa and breakfast
• Turtle Bay Beach House - Affordable units right by the lagoon
• Dany Island - Private island resort with good beaches and surf.

The Best Boutique Bungalows in Surunda and Turtle Bay

• Lope Lope Beach Bungalows - Two family-friendly villas with pool access
• Hidden Cove Eco Retreat - Glamping tent accommodation in an attractive rock pool setting
• Garden Reef Bungalows - Budget bungalows ideally located in Turtle Bay