Where to Stay in Port Vila & Efate: The Best Accommodations

When you think of a tropical holiday, you probably wouldn't think of Downtown Port Vila but it still offers one of the most popular tourist hubs in Vanuatu. It's bustling with cafés and restaurants, tour operators and plenty of accommodations that make the capital a good launching pad for exploring around Efate.

It is also often seen as the most convenient area to stay in due to its central location and stunning harbour views, although it can get quite mad on one of its frequent cruise ship days.

Accommodations capture the views from the waterfront or on the surrounding hillsides.

More About Staying at Downtown Port Vila

What's Downtown Port Vila good for? Shopping, museums, harbour views, island day trips and dining.

What to do there? Vanuatu Cultural Centre, Port Vila Watersports, Volcanic Earth Spa,

Where to eat? Waterfront Bar & Grill, Le Bistro, The Melanesian, Port Vila Market, Nambawan Café, Tilly's Restaurant and all of the resort restaurants! See The Food Guide to Port Vila LINK#D026 for more details.

The Best Resorts in Downtown Port Vila

• Iririki Island Resort - Private island resort, a 5-minute ferry ride from downtown Port Vila - $$$$
• Mangoes Resort - Adults-only resort featuring private plunge pools - $$$
• Poppy's on the Lagoon - Popular resort with a swimming pool overlooking Erakor Lagoon - $$$
• Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu by IGH - Family-friendly resort with overwater bungalows - $$$
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila - Apartments hotel with resort-style amenities - $$$$

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

The Best Hotels and Motels in Downtown Port Vila

• Grand Hotel & Casino - Tallest building in Port Vila with a pool and on-site casino - $$$
• Kaiviti Motel - Fresh rooms with a choice of A/C or fan, with a central swimming pool - $$
• The Melanesian Port Vila - Affordable hotel with central pool and bar
• Crown Royale Hotel & Lounge - Budget hotel with on-site restaurant and bar - $$

The Best Apartments in Downtown Port Vila

• Mariner Apartments - Three-star apartments with kids' and adults' pool - $$$
• Ocean View Apartments - Apartments with a view, swimming pool and popular restaurant - $$$
• Quest Apartments - Quirky complex with a heart-shaped pool
• The Terraces - Luxury apartments with swimming pool and tennis court - $$$$
• The Hub Vanuatu - Apartment-style villas with a central swimming pool - $$$

The Best Budget Accommodations in Downtown Port Vila

• Vila Backpackers - Friendly hostel with a range of private and dorm rooms - $
• Seachange Lodge - Self-contained waterfront accommodation - $$
• Kerith Lodge - Guesthouse accommodation with a friendly vibe - $$
• Lagoon Gardens - Waterfront villas with gorgeous breakfast area on the lagoon - $
• Room with a View Hotel - Guesthouse-style accommodation with cosy but comfortable rooms - $

Located south of Downtown Port Vila, the Pango area offers a good dose of beaches while being a convenient and central location for exploring Vanuatu's capital. Pango Road is lined with a few convenience stores, while the resorts lining the beaches tend to have restaurants that welcome outside visitors if you're looking for a bite to eat.

Some of Vanuatu's most accessible surf beaches are here as Breakas Point, while dive resorts overlooking Mele Bay offer plenty of underwater adventures.

More About Staying in Pango

What's Pango good for? Convenience and central location while being on the beach.

What to do there? Gone Diving, Vanuatu Kite & Surf, Breakas Beach, Honeymoon Beach,

Where to eat? Breakas Beach Resort, Pango Pizza, Paradise Cove Resort, Three Pigs and Cafe Vila! See The Food Guide to Port Vila LINK#D026 for more details.

The Best Resorts in Pango

• Breakas Beach Resort - Adults-only resort with an infinity pool on Breakas Beach - $$$
• Waves at Surfside - Villas on Breakas Beach with private pools - $$$
• Paradise Cove Resort - Long-running favourite with restaurant on the beach - $$$
• South Pacific Memories - Boutique resort with dive shop, Gone Diving - $$$$
• Coco Beach Resort & Restaurant - Modern bungalows with direct beach access - $$$
• Erakor Island Resort - Private island resort with something for everyone - $$$

The Best Holiday Homes in Pango

• The Cove Vanuatu - Modern beachfront unit for solo travellers and couples - $$$$
• Sindiso Vanuatu Villa - Five-bedroom, four-bathroom beach house with a pool
• Solwota Sands - Three-bedroom retreat with contemporary furnishings

The Best Budget Accommodations in Pango

• Bluepango Guest House - Backpacker-style guesthouse right on the waterfront - $

Mele Bay is increasingly becoming one of the best places to stay in Vanuatu due to its excellent swimming beaches with calm, protected waters, on which many Vanuatu accommodations are located.

The proximity to Port Vila means that those who stay here are not too far away from the action. There are also a couple of cafés and the Hideaway Island Marine Reserve and Mele Cascades that are among some of Mele Bay's own attractions.

More About Staying in Mele Bay

What's Mele Bay good for? Swimming, snorkelling, waterfalls, golf and exploring the underwater post office!

What to do there? Hideaway Island Marine Reserve, Mele Cascades Waterfalls, Port Vila Golf Club, Tanna Coffee, Vanuatu Zipline & Skybridge, .

Where to eat? The Beach Bar, Mali Beach Club, Birdies Bar & Kitchen, Tanna Coffee and more! See The Food Guide to Vanuatu for more details.

The Best Resorts in Mele Bay

• Nakatumble - Luxury resort with five-star services and facilities - $$$$
• Hideaway Island & Marine Sanctuary Resort - Budget resort with excellent snorkelling - $$
• Island Magic Resort - Budget resort with a pool - $$
• Blue Bay Resort & Restaurant - Low-key resort with good snorkelling
• Vila Del Mare - Collection of holiday villas among extensive gardens - $$$$

The Best B&Bs in Mele Bay

• Mele Magic - Private upper floor of the house with access to extensive gardens and waterfront - $$$