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

When you think of a tropical holiday, you probably wouldn't think of 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 Port Vila

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

What to do there? Vanuatu Cultural Centre, Vanuatu Watersports, Volcanic Earth Spa, Big Blue, U-Power Sea Adventures, Port Vila Central Market, Haos Blong Handicraft Market and much more - see the 50 Best Things to Do in Port Vila & Efate.

Where to eat? Waterfront Bar & Grill, Port Vila Central Market, Nambawan Café, LaLaLa Restaurant, Amoremio and all of the resort restaurants! See The Food Guide to Port Vila LINK#D026 for more details.

The Best Resorts in 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 - $$$
• Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu by IGH - Family-friendly resort with a fun pool area - $$$
• 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 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 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 Hub Vanuatu - Apartment-style villas with a central swimming pool - $$$

The Best Budget Accommodations in Port Vila

• Retreat Seaside - Social space with a pool, sports bar and mix 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 - $

Check out the 50 Best Budget Accommodations in Vanuatu for more details.

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.

Although notorious for deep potholes, Pango Road is lined with a few conveniences, 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 at 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 (Progressurf), Breakas Beach, Honeymoon Beach and more.

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 - $$$
• South Pacific Memories - Boutique resort with dive shop, Gone Diving - $$$$
• Erakor Island Resort - Private island resort with something for everyone - $$$

The Best Holiday Homes & Villas in Pango

• Villa 25 - Three luxury villas with an infinity pool - $$$$
• The Namele Villas - Two self-contained villas and a poolhouse with bay views - $$$$
• The Cove Vanuatu - Modern beachfront unit for solo travellers and couples - $$$$

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, waterfalls, golf, ziplining, coffee and kava tours, and exploring the underwater post office!

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

Where to eat? The Beach Bar, Mali Beach Club, Birdies Bar & Kitchen, Tanna Coffee and more! See The Food Guide to Vanuatu LINK#TTD040 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 - $$
• Vila Del Mare - Collection of holiday villas among extensive gardens - $$$$

The Best B&Bs & Holiday Homes in Mele Bay

• Mele Magic - Private upper floor of the house with access to two rockpool swimming pools - $$$
• Seahorse Lodge - Holiday home with private chef and resort services - $$$

If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Port Vila, Efate's southeast coast is where you'll want to head.

The moment you venture down this coast, you'll discover why locals rave about it. The stunning turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon are absolutely mesmerising, while the Rentapao River offers a treasure trove of experiences, from the Rarru Cascades to Vanuatu's Eco Tours' exclusive kayaking adventure.

When you need a break from all the adventure, we personally love stopping by Banana Bay Beach Club for a refreshing swim or a bite to eat. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, join one of the cooking classes at Papaya Loco Cooking School.

The best part? All of this paradise is just 20 minutes from Port Vila, thanks to the best road conditions the Efate Ring Road can offer.

More About Staying in Erakor, Teouma and the Southeast Coast

What's Erakor and Teouma good for? Cultural tours, beaches, waterfalls, blue holes, resorts and more!

What to do there? Rarru Cascades, Pepeyo Culture Village, Ekasup Cultural Village, Jiarofa Agriculture Village, Eden on the River, Adventure Quad Tours, Club Hippique, Off-Road Adventures, Papaya Loco Cooking School, Blue Lagoon, Cavalry Beach, Eton Beach and much more as listed in the 50 Best Things to Do in Port Vila & Efate.

Where to eat? Banana Bay Beach Club, Eratap Beach Resort, E Nauwi Beach Resort, Tamanu on the Beach and more! See The Food Guide to Port Vila & Efate: Places to Eat & Food Tours LINK#D008 for more details.

The Best Resorts in Erakor, Teouma and the Southeast Coast

• Erakor Island Resort - Private island resort with something for everyone - $$$
• Eratap Beach Resort - Upscale resort known for its wealth of marine activities - $$$$
• Tamanu on the Beach - Luxury resort with private plunge pools and a spa - $$$$
• E Nauwi Beach Resort - Lagoon-based resort ideal for families with good kayaking - $$$
• Nawesa Resort - Collection of glamping tents and container units on expansive grounds - $$

The Best B&Bs & Boutique Stays in Erakor, Teouma and the Southeast Coast

• Papaya Villa - Intimate waterfront getaway with an on-site cooking school - $$$
• Eden on the River - Farmstay self-contained units on the grounds of the Rentapao River - $$$
• Banana Bay Beach Club - A selection of units on the rockpool shores - $$$

Havannah, located in the northeast of Efate, offers you the best of both worlds when it comes to accommodation. You'll find a delightful mix of expat-run resorts on the mainland and charming local bungalows scattered across the offshore islands of Pele, Nguna, Moso and Lelepa.

The sheltered waters are renowned for their tranquil conditions, making them ideal for paddleboarding, fishing and snorkelling without any concern about rough seas.

If you're after a touch of luxury with the flexibility to explore the surrounding islands on day trips, the mainland resorts in Havannah are your best bet. But if you're drawn to a more authentic, back-to-basics experience, we'd recommend staying directly on one of the islands themselves in local bungalows.

Havannah stretches along the northwest coast of Efate, and it's hard not to be smitten with this slice of paradise. You'll discover pristine white sand beaches and sheltered waters that create a butter-flat channel between the mainland and the gorgeous offshore islands of Eretoka (Artok/Hat), Lelepa and Moso Islands.

The snorkelling here is nothing short of spectacular, and we highly recommend joining one of the local snorkelling tours to experience it firsthand.

Whether you're into fishing, sightseeing, scuba diving, hiking or simply fancy some good old-fashioned relaxation, Havannah delivers on all fronts.

More About Staying in Havannah

What's Havannah good for? Snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, resorts and more!

What to do there? Sailing Vanuatu, Reel Cast, Roawia Turtle & Snorkeling Tours, Moso Island Day Tours, Lelepa Island Tours, Lelepa Fishing Charters, Eretoka Fishing & Tour Adventure, Chief Roi Mata's Domain and much more as listed in the 50 Best Things to Do in Port Vila & Efate.

Where to eat? Wahoo Seafood & Grill, Second Home Havannah, M Resort, Mangaliliu Restaurant and more! See The Food Guide to Port Vila & Efate: Places to Eat & Food Tours LINK#D008 for more details.

The Best Resorts in Havannah and the Islands

• The Havannah - All-inclusive adults-only resort with five-star service - $$$$
• Trees and Fishes Retreat - Upscale fishing lodge with glamping accommodation - $$$$
• Reflections Retreat - Self-contained villas surrounding a common lounge and pool - $$$
• Watermark on Moso - Two self-contained villas right on the water's edge of Moso Island - $$$
• Tranquility Island Resort - Long-established dive resort on Moso Island - $$
• M Resort & Spa - Three-bedroom self-contained units with a stylish restaurant and pool - $$$

The Best Local Bungalows in Havannah

• Havannah Eco Lodge - Concrete bungalows with generous patios and on-site restaurant - $$

If you're craving a slice of tranquillity, you'll love that accommodation options in northern Efate are delightfully scarce. This peaceful corner of the island puts you within easy reach of world-class snorkelling spots like Top Rock, and you're perfectly positioned for day trips to the stunning islands of Pele and Nguna.

We're particularly drawn to the authentic charm of staying on Pele and Nguna themselves. These islands boast some of the most spectacular beaches in all of Efate, as well as incredible island hikes to volcanic craters.

What we personally love about North Efate is the fascinating contrast it offers. On the mainland shores, you'll find polished expat-run resorts, whilst the offshore islands are home to charming locally-run bungalows that deliver a genuinely authentic island experience.

It's the perfect base if you want the best of both worlds: indulgent luxury when you fancy it, and genuine local charm when your soul needs it.

More About Staying in North Efate and Pele and Nguna Islands

What's North Efate good for? Culture, beaches, hiking, island day trips and more!

What to do there? Nguna Island Adventures, Mt Marou Adventure Tours, Pele Island Beach & Snorkeling Tours and much more, as listed in the 50 Best Things to Do in Port Vila & Efate.

Where to eat? Turtle Cove Villas, Top Rock Restaurant and your bungalow accommodation! See The Food Guide to Port Vila & Efate: Places to Eat & Food Tours LINK#D008 for more details.

The Best Resorts in North Efate

• Le Life Resort - Expansive coastal playground with basic lodging and a restaurant - $$
• Whispering Palms - Boutique villa accommodation, each unique and on the beach - $$$
• Turtle Cove Villas - Studio and two-bedroom units with access to incredible snorkelling - $$$

The Best Local Bungalows in Pele and Nguna Islands

• JJ's Bungalows - Two-bedroom bungalow right on the sands of Pele Island - $
• Enoch's Sunset Bungalows - Two bungalows on the white sands of Pele Island with tours available - $
• Kemo Bungalows - Two-bedroom bungalow on Pele with a local chief - $$
• Island Breeze Bungalow - Comfortable accommodation on Nguna Island - $
• Mangamus Bungalow - Local-style bungalow with fantastic snorkelling - $
• Turtle Beach Bungalows - Unbeatable white sand location with basic bungalow lodgings - $