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Waterfront bungalows at Iririki Island Resort in Port Vila harbour

Where to Stay in Port Vila

Harbour, lagoon or the far side of the island — the area you choose shapes the whole holiday.

There are three kinds of base on Efate. Town and the harbour put you within walking distance of the market, restaurants and tour pickups. The Erakor lagoons and Pango, five to fifteen minutes away, hold the big resorts with pools, kayaks and kids’ clubs. And the Mele Bay and Havannah coast is for people who want quiet water, snorkelling and sunsets, and do not mind a drive.

Every property below links to its page on Trip.com where we could verify one; the two that are not listed there link to a Trip.com search instead. We do not print guest scores or prices because they change daily — the live page shows both.

After the December 2024 earthquake: the resorts recovered quickly and are operating, but some town-centre buildings were damaged and individual hotels have had closures or renovations. Confirm that a property — and the facilities you care about — is open for your dates before you book.
Where to stay

Town and the harbour

Walk to the market, the seafront and restaurants, with buses passing constantly. Best for short stays and for people who like to be in the middle of things.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa

Iririki Island ★★★★

A whole resort island in the middle of the harbour, three minutes by ferry from the seafront — a resort stay with town on the doorstep.

  • Private island facing the town
  • Several pools and a snorkelling cove
  • Free ferry at all hours

Grand Hotel & Casino

Port Vila seafront ★★★★

A tower hotel right on the seafront in the centre of town, with harbour-view rooms, a pool on the water’s edge and a casino.

  • Central seafront location
  • Harbour views from most rooms
  • Walk to the market and restaurants

Mangoes Resort

Port Vila ★★★★

A small adults-only resort in tropical gardens on the hill between town and the lagoon, known for its restaurant and quiet pools.

  • Adults only
  • Garden bungalows, some with plunge pools
  • A few minutes from the centre

The Melanesian Port Vila

Port Vila ★★★

A long-established mid-range hotel a short walk above the town centre, with a pool and practical rooms.

  • Walk to the town centre
  • Pool and gardens
  • Good-value base

Coconut Palms Resort

Port Vila ★★★

A friendly budget-to-mid-range resort in a residential street close to town, with a pool and a mix of rooms and self-catering units.

  • Budget-friendly
  • Pool and bar
  • Some rooms with kitchenettes

Erakor Lagoon and Pango

Calm water, big gardens and resort facilities a short bus ride from the centre. The natural choice for families.

Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa

Erakor Lagoon ★★★★

One of Port Vila’s classic big resorts, spread through gardens on Erakor Lagoon with overwater-style bungalows, a golf course and plenty for families.

  • Lagoon-front gardens
  • Golf, kayaks and kids’ club
  • About 10 minutes from town

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu

Erakor Lagoon ★★★★

A large, reliable family resort on its own stretch of Erakor Lagoon, with a big pool, overwater villas and water sports on the doorstep.

  • Strong choice for families
  • Lagoon pool and water sports
  • International-chain standards

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila

Erakor Lagoon ★★★★

A modern apartment-style resort on a hillside above Erakor Lagoon, with self-contained rooms, a pool deck and wide water views.

  • Modern rooms and apartments
  • Kitchens in many units
  • Lagoon views

Erakor Island Resort & Spa

Erakor Island ★★★★

A low-key resort on a small island at the mouth of Erakor Lagoon, reached by a free ferry, with one of the better beaches near town.

  • Its own little island
  • White-sand beach and snorkelling
  • Free 24-hour ferry

Poppy’s on the Lagoon

Erakor Lagoon ★★★

Self-catering bungalows and apartments in lagoon-side gardens — a relaxed favourite with families and longer stays.

  • Self-catering kitchens
  • Lagoon swimming and kayaks
  • Quiet, family-friendly

Nasama Resort

Pango Road ★★★★

Contemporary beachfront apartments on the Pango road, facing the open sea, with a pool and a restaurant on site.

  • Spacious apartments
  • On the waterfront
  • Short drive to town

Mele Bay, Havannah Harbour and the coast

Small, quiet properties on the water, 15 to 40 minutes from town. Best for couples, snorkellers and anyone who wants to switch off.

The Havannah, Vanuatu

Havannah Harbour ★★★★★

An adults-only boutique resort on Havannah Harbour, about 30–40 minutes from Port Vila: waterfront villas, calm water and famous sunsets.

  • Adults only
  • Villas facing the harbour
  • Peaceful, far from town

Hideaway Island Resort

Mele Bay ★★★

Simple rooms and bungalows on the marine-sanctuary island in Mele Bay — snorkelling and diving start at the door.

  • On a coral island
  • Dive shop on site
  • Underwater post office

Eratap Beach Resort

Eratap ★★★★

A secluded boutique resort of beachfront villas on a peninsula south-east of town, with its own lagoon and island to explore.

  • Beachfront villas
  • Very private setting
  • About 20–25 minutes from town

Which area should you choose?

Base Good for Less good for Price level
Town & harbour Short stays, eating out, tour pickups, no car needed Beaches; some noise and building work Budget to upscale
Erakor Lagoon & Pango Families, pools, kayaking, resort facilities Walking to town in the evening Mid-range to upscale
Mele Bay & Havannah coast Couples, snorkelling, sunsets, peace Nightlife and quick trips to town Simple to luxury

How to choose

  • Two or three nights? Stay in town or on Iririki and walk everywhere.
  • A family week? A lagoon resort with a pool and free kayaks will keep everyone happy.
  • Honeymoon or anniversary? An adults-only property on Havannah Harbour or at Eratap.
  • Here to snorkel and dive? Mele Bay, near Hideaway Island.
  • Early flight? Everything in and around town is within about 20 minutes of the airport.

Booking tips

  • Book July, August and the Christmas holidays months ahead.
  • Check whether rates include Vanuatu’s VAT and whether breakfast is included.
  • Ask about airport transfers — many resorts provide or arrange them.
  • From November to April, choose a rate you can change or cancel.

Once your bed is sorted, pick your days out: our ranked tour comparison covers the best of them.

Accommodation links go to Trip.com. Properties were checked against Trip.com’s Port Vila listing in October 2026; availability and prices are shown live on Trip.com. We do not accept payment for inclusion in this list.
Plan your island days

Lagoons, cascades and a very warm welcome

Swim in the Blue Lagoon, climb Mele Cascades, post a card under water and drink kava at sunset. Compare guided tours and cruise-friendly day trips and book in a couple of taps.

Good to know

Where to stay: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Port Vila?

For a short stay, the town centre or Iririki. For a family holiday, Erakor Lagoon. For peace and quiet, Havannah Harbour or the south-east coast.

Are there beaches in Port Vila itself?

Not many. The town faces a harbour and lagoons. Resorts have small beaches or swimming jetties; the best sand is on Erakor Island, at Pango and on the east coast at Eton.

Are there all-inclusive resorts?

A few resorts sell meal packages, but true all-inclusive stays are uncommon. Most rates are room-only or include breakfast.

Do I need a car?

Not in town or on the lagoons, where buses are constant. For Havannah Harbour and the outer coast, a car or resort transfers make life easier.