Coconut Palms Resort in Vanuatu

SDVanuatu Hotels › Coconut Palms Resort Review
Updated: January 6, 2021
By Santorini Dave

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Review of Coconut Palms Resort in Vanuatu

Coconut Palms Resort – Affable and affordable, with a resort vibe in the suburbs.

Considerably more appealing than the austere grey design suggests, the Melanesian-style lounge and lobby at this petite midrange resort is instantly welcoming. There is a surprising variety of accommodations, ranging from no-frills but comfortable rooms to lovely spacious apartments with a shared patio. Featuring kitchenettes, plenty of space for an extra single bed or two, and connecting doors, these apartments are ideal for families. Except for five apartments facing the road, all accommodations overlook the gardens, but some would be noisy because of nightly events at the bar/restaurant. Appropriately lined with namesake trees, the pool is inviting, surrounded by grass and unlikely to get too crowded. It’s along a suburban street, but within walking distance of supermarkets, cafés, and bars, and a minibus stop from downtown Port Vila.

Coconut Palms Resort – The Basics

  • Location: In the suburbs of Port Villa on the main island of Efate. Along Rue Cornwall street, halfway between downtown and the east coast of the peninsula. About 1 km from the town center and 15 minutes from the airport.
  • Guests: Caters well for everyone, especially families seeking an affordable resort.
  • Beach: There is no public beach anywhere in or around Port Vila. The nearest beaches are along Pango Road, around the Breakas Beach Resort, about 5km south along the peninsula.
  • Views: Most rooms face inwards towards the gardens or pool, but some apartments do front the main road, which is reasonably noisy.
  • Wi-Fi: Free for guests at the lobby and in the bars/restaurants, but access is not guaranteed in all rooms.
  • Parking: Limited secure and free parking is available near the entrance.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 23696
  • Email: info@coconutpalms.vu
  • Website: coconutpalms.vu

Coconut Palms Resort – Amenities

  • Pool: Is a good size, with shade and grass all around.
  • Spa & Fitness Center: Not expected or provided at this standard of resort.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not expected or provided.

Coconut Palms Resort – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants & Bars: 5 Heads Café – Street-side at the lobby. Bright and airy, claiming to serve ‘Vanuatu’s best coffee’. • Poolside Café – The name says it all. Congenial for coffee and cocktails. Also light meals • Wild Pig Bar – Free tasting of kava (a strong alcoholic drink) for hotel guests, a pool table, happy hours, and music/entertainment most nights • Navarra Restaurant – Lunchtime specials and a wide range of meals, including steak, lobster, and pasta. Try the Vanuatu Tapas.
  • Breakfast: Pleasingly, rates include a buffet breakfast.
  • Room Service: Not available.

Coconut Palms Resort – Rooms

  • Room Types: Coco Single Room (with bunk beds) • Hibiscus Room • Superior Orchid Room • Palms Deluxe Apartment
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed in the rooms, but permitted on the patios/balconies.
  • Best Room: The Palms Deluxe Apartments feature kitchens and king-sized beds. Ask for ones facing the gardens (rather than the road) and furthest from the noisy pool and noisier bar.

Coconut Palms Resort – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

    Choose from these nearby options to avoid a special trip into Port Vila.

  • Ah Tong Restaurant – Cheap and tasty Chinese café/takeaway at the top of the Rue Cornwall street.
  • Emily’s Café – At The Sportsmens Hotel, about 500m up Rue Cornwall and to the south. Expat hangout with imported wine, pub meals, and 24-hour service.

These 3 restaurants are in nearby hotels:

  • Poppy’s on the Lagoon – In the Poppy’s resort. Renowned across the island for seafood, burgers, traditional food, and even banana pancakes. On Captain Cook Avenue, about 500m down Rue Cornwall street.
  • The Melanesian – ‘Pacific fusion cuisine’, barbecues, and buffet nights with themes and entertainment. About 750m south via the main road, Rue Dartois.
  • Mangoes – In the Mangoes Resort and easily the best restaurant in the area. Organic ingredients and changing menu daily. Try the seafood platters and locally-raised steaks. About 800m north via Captain Cook Avenue.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • A handy minimart is directly opposite the resort entrance. A supermarket is at the top of Rue Cornwall street.

Local Transport

    Minibuses pass along Rue Cornwall street to Port Vila and beyond. More regular along Rue Dartois (200m up Rue Cornwall) and Captain Cook Avenue (250m down Rue Cornwall).

Coconut Palms Resort – The Hotel

The resort entrance is tropical and welcoming.

Located among the inner suburbs of Port Vila, the entrance is tropical and welcoming.

Rooms are in likeable blocks.

There are several different buildings, with some rooms in a likable three-level block.

The landscaped gardens are very pleasant.

The small areas of gardens are pleasant and feature thoughtful landscaping.

The cafe is by the decent pool.

The pool is a decent size and alongside a café.

The pool is very inviting and modern.

The pool is the sort more expected of a boutique city hotel than a beach resort, but is nonetheless inviting.

Some apartments lack privacy due to their shared veranda.

Some apartments are in a row, with reduced privacy along the shared patio.

Few rooms face the main road instead of the gardens.

The block of rooms facing the road perhaps should be facing the gardens instead.

Navarra Restaurant is spacious with traditional decor.

With a traditional décor and tropical plants, the Navarra Restaurant is spacious.

The Poolside Café is popular for coffee, cocktails and light meals.

The Poolside Café is great for coffee, cocktails, and light meals.

5 Heads Café in the lobby has a fantastic design.

The 5 Heads Café at the lobby features a delightful design of stone and wood.

Apartments are spacious but bland.

The apartments are roomy but the décor is a little bland.

Apartments are spacious and have a traditional decor.

Apartments feature sofas and some traditional arts and crafts on the walls.

All apartments feature a usable kitchenette.

Apartments also come with kitchenettes.

A supermarket and Chinese takeaway are close by.

The resort is the suburbs, with a decent supermarket and Chinese café/takeaway just up the street.

Mangoes Resort within walking distance has the best dining options.

The best place to eat and drink within walking distance is at the Mangoes Resort, about 800m to the north along Captain Cook Avenue.

The restaurant at Mangoes Resort is classy and delightful.

The delightful restaurant at Mangoes features a classy layout and tropical feel.

The Melanesian Resort is within walking distance.

Also within walking distance is the restaurant at The Melanesian Resort, about 750m to the south.

The Melanesian Resort is known for its buffets.

Buffets are popular at The Melanesian Resort.

Poppy’s on the Lagoon nearby serves excellent meals.

About 500m down the street, Poppy’s on the Lagoon is another splendid place to eat, preventing a trip into Port Vila.

Port Vila has many shops and eateries.

Only a kilometer walk, or a very short trip by minibus, Port Vila offers enough places to eat, drink, and shop.

Parks in the capital offer great harbor views.

There are a couple of parks in the capital from which to enjoy the harbor views.

The seaside path in central Port Vila is pleasant.

A pleasant seaside path stretches along much of central Port Vila.

Port Vila is located by the harbor.

The capital is nicely located alongside the harbor.

The downtown market sells fresh produce.

The market in downtown sells vegetables, fruit, meat, and flowers.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.