Iririki Island Resort & Spa

Fantastic Family Stay – Even Better Than We Remembered! We spent 5 wonderful nights at Iririki Island Resort and absolutely loved our time there. Although we went into town for lunch and dinner a few times, we mostly stayed on the island and soaked in the beautiful surroundings. The kayaking and snorkeling were a highlight, especially thanks to Etella and Teraa—these two went above and beyond to look after our family and made the experience memorable. The ocean view villa was spacious, airy, and perfect for watching the fish swim right by our deck. The breakfast buffet was excellent and included halal chicken options, which we really appreciated. The staff catered to our dietary needs and made sure alcohol was left out, which meant we could enjoy every meal without worry. Only downside: they didn’t accept Amex and charged a 3% surcharge on Visa/MasterCard, which, combined with international bank fees, added up. Although we had a discount from Trip.com, we couldn’t really take advantage of it due to these charges. Next time, we’ll prepay online instead of using the “pay at hotel” option. This was our second visit to Port Vila after 13 years, and both the city and Iririki were just as magical as we remembered. A special shoutout to Taste of India in town—absolutely fantastic food! Highly recommended for families, couples, and anyone looking to unwind in paradise.

Excellent food. Quick service and good manner. Room is clean and good quality. Water is clean. People are nice.

Do Not Be Fooled – This Place Is Smoke and Mirrors I always leave reviews — good or bad — to help other travellers make informed choices. Sadly, this resort was a major disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone. What looks like a tropical island escape online turns out to be a rundown, unhygienic, and overpriced resort that’s been left to deteriorate under careless management. The huts are in awful condition. Mine had missing tiles, mouldy and dirty bathrooms, a loose toilet seat, blackened grout, and corners that clearly hadn’t been cleaned in years. The floors were badly scratched and worn. It felt unhygienic and neglected — completely unacceptable for what they charge. Noise is another big issue. The huts offer no sound insulation at all. Music from the mainland carries across the water, and you can hear everything your neighbours say. If you're hoping for peace and quiet, this is not the place. The food was also disappointing. One of my salads tasted oddly sweet — almost as if the lettuce had been soaked in sugar water — and the croutons were stale. Dinner was average, but breakfast was the only meal that felt somewhat decent. Yes, the ferry runs well, the island has nice landscaping, and the pool looks inviting — but these don’t make up for the clear lack of care where it matters most. And worst of all, the resort appears to be exploiting the lovely local staff, who are friendly and genuinely trying to help, but clearly undertrained and left to deal with complaints they have no power to fix. It’s uncomfortable watching hardworking people left to carry the weight of a mismanaged business. Pros: Friendly and kind local staff Reliable ferry service Beautiful pool and gardens Good breakfast Cons: Unhygienic and run-down huts Terrible maintenance and cleanliness Overpriced for the poor quality No soundproofing — noisy all day and night Low food quality Owners appear disinterested and exploitative Bottom line: This is a place coasting on its location while delivering none of the quality it promises. The owners do not deserve your business. 1 out of 5 stars. I would never return.