VANUATU – Holiday Inn Resort Port Vila; a luxury hotel with private lagoon beach

Vanuatu is the 71th country I visited and when I saw that there was a Holiday Inn Resort Port Vila I simply had to try it out. If you have been following me, you know I always choose an (upscale) IHG Hotel if there is one. Vanuatu is also called the Island of Smiles and that’s what the staff does: smile! I had an amazingly comfortable stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu and I’m sure you’ll want to stay there too after reading this hotel review.

The hotel

The Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu is located a 5-minute ride out of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. A ride costs just 150 VATU which is just over a euro and won’t affect your travel budget. At least for me it was a no brainer as I prefer to stay in tranquility rather a busy city street. The hotel spans several acres just next to the Erakor Lagoon and includes a 9-course golf course too.

The first 3 nights of my Vanuatu itinerary I stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort Port Vila. When I arrived at the resort, I was checked in very quick. The staff greeted me with a smile in the lobby and I was given a shell necklace. I directly felt in paradise in the lobby as it’s built in traditional Vanuatu style. My room was located on the 3rd floor in the wing overlooking the pool and lagoon. The resort is setup as a true paradise but looks are one thing, now let’s look at the rooms, restaurant, and facilities.

The rooms at Holiday Inn Resort Port Vila

The rooms at the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu are in two wings. I highly recommend staying in the wing overlooking the pool and lagoon. I enjoyed the view a lot while sipping a cold beer. The hotel has also several beach side villas’, but these are more for couples and families. I was just travelling alone after a business trip in Singapore.

The rooms are spacious with a good place (table) to work from and a nice relax couch. I slept like a rose each of the 3 nights. Ok, the last night it was too short as I had a day trip to Tanna planned on my Vanuatu itinerary for the next day. I had to leave the hotel at 6 AM which is a terrible time for me. The bathroom has a bath that doubles as shower which is no problem for me. Amenities are from the Pacific Soap Company and are coconut based; I love that smell. The rooms are typical resort style: bright & fresh with a good air-conditioning. I’m a person that loves 18 degrees Celsius rooms to sleep in and that’s why I slept so well at the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu.

Facilities at Holiday Inn Resort Port Vila

The Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu has a gym, spa, kids service, golf course and various other facilities I haven’t used myself. I did spend quite some afternoon time at the pool from where I’m also writing this review the evening before my checkout. The beach with access to the Erakor Lagoon is idyllic. At the beach the hotel offers, free of charge, small sailboats, and kayaks for rent. The pool is a great choice to relax in the afternoon before going for dinner in downtown Port Vila.

In the lobby there is a small shop where you can buy first need items. I had to get more sunblock as the sun is so strong in Vanuatu and I burn easily. I don’t want to repeat my 2nd degree burns which I got several years back in Brazil. The friendly staff can also arrange any tour you want to include on your Vanuatu itinerary. They work with the best operators on the island. I highly recommend making tours as Vanuatu is a beautiful island to explore!

Dining & Drinking at Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu

At the Holiday Inn Vanuatu there are three places to have a drink or eat something. The lobby bar and the pool bar are a great place to have a drink and a small snack. They do serve a full meal too. At the Verandah restaurant breakfast, lunch and dinner is served. The pool bar serves delicious pizza from their wood fired oven; go try them! I only used the Verandah restaurant for breakfast while enjoying the magnificent view over the Erakor Lagoon.

Breakfast choices include the usual continental choices of cold cuts, cheese, fruit, and various pastries. As you might know if you read some of my previous hotel reviews I kind of have the same breakfast each day. I love smoked salmon, a croissant, some cold cuts & cheeses with a toast and eggs. Smoked salmon wasn’t available which I don’t blame anyone on a remote island as Vanuatu. Eggs I could choose from the a la carte menu and I highly recommend the omelet and make sure to include the local spinach. Delicious!

Conclusion

If you make it all the way to Vanuatu from the Americas or Europe (Australia and Asia is much easier) I recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu. If you want to know how to get to Vanuatu make sure to read my Vanuatu itinerary. It’s a tropical paradise and located just next to Erakor Lagoon. The short ride to the center of town doesn’t matter as its just a few minutes and costs 1 euro. The food, especially the pizza’s, are great and they even serve local craft beer. With spacious rooms, lots of facilities I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I had a great time!

If you would like to know what you can do in and around Port Vila then see one of these options: 7-days Vanuatu itinerary; everything you must know about the country. I will add more destination information over time.

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Gallery of Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu

** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight or experience. I’m not affiliated with the hotel, airline or tour operator but I might be (partially) sponsored – or paid. **