The Melanesian Port Vila Hotel

We stayed as a family for our final two nights in Vanuatu. The location worked well, with a supermarket within walking distance and town not far away. Our room was adequate and the air conditioning got cold. If you’re on level one, you can step straight out to the very large pool and bar. The hotel is connected to the Italian restaurant downstairs, so all the food comes from there.

One of the restaurant staff was a real star. She deserves a pay rise. If she worked at Port Vila Airport, I’m sure every passenger could get through Immigration in under 20 minutes. The restaurant had great food, and I could deal with the staff being impatient and grumpy at times, while still somewhat friendly. The woman at the poolside bar, though, acted like you owed her something. If the work is too hard to enjoy, maybe leave and stay home, my friend. The rest of the stay was frustrating. The internet was shocking. It’s 2025, not 1995, so what can you do with a connection slower than 2 Mbps? The shower controls were backwards from the usual setup, right for hot and left for cold, while the basin tap worked the standard way. That was confusing. The basin pressure was ridiculously strong, and the shower felt like being sprayed by a 60-year-old man. There was only a single sheet on the bed, no quilt. They didn’t provide free bottled water, even though the tap water isn’t fully safe to drink. The air conditioning only cools. At breakfast, the main choices were sausages and fried eggs, the most limited selection I’ve ever seen at a place I’ve stayed. The room was very dated, and there’s no lift, so you have to carry your luggage upstairs and down yourself or ask for help. If I hadn’t been here for work, I’d have been out of my mind to stay.

The room was okay and breakfast was ordinary, scrambled eggs, bread, some fruit and coffee. I stayed here for four nights with a friend, and most things were fine, nothing special. The laundry service was a different story. I paid about 1350 vatu and got my clothes back stained all over. When I went to reception, they called housekeeping to ask what had happened, but nothing was resolved. They still charged the full laundry price and offered no solution, suggestions or other action. I’m really disappointed. Please think twice before staying here. I can’t recommend it.

The staff were respectful and very friendly, and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I’d definitely come back, and I highly recommend staying here.