Erakor Island Resort & Spa in Vanuatu

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Updated: January 7, 2021

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Review of Erakor Island Resort & Spa in Vanuatu

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – Tropical island paradise, yet oh-so convenient and perfect for families.

The concierge in Melanesian attire bellows from a conch shell upon arrival, and the gracious welcome and tradition continues throughout. Immaculately-raked sandy paths lead through flourishing tropical gardens to some budget rooms and a range of villas – some semi-detached and others with two bedrooms. Most villas face the sea, with waves sometimes lapping just meters away. Some feature private plunge pools, with wooden decks, sloping palms, and swinging hammocks adding to the tropical vibe, while others have outdoor jacuzzis (which are not that private). Perhaps surprisingly, there is no pool, but the beaches are divine. This is a genuine island getaway, yet only ten minutes from downtown Port Vila. If not staying, certainly get a day pass.

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – The Basics

  • Location: On the private Erakor Island, about 4 minutes by boat from a terminal on the mainland near Port Vila on the main island of Efate. A total of about 10 minutes by bus/taxi and boat from downtown and 30 minutes from the airport.
  • Guests: Caters very well to families, though everyone is welcome.
  • Beach: On a private island with 3 beaches given idyllic names: Sunset, Coconut, and Calypso. They are small, but serviceable, and the 1 near the reception is exceptionally inviting.
  • Views: Most villas face the sea very close by, but not all have perfect views or direct access to a beach. Budget rooms face the gardens.
  • Wi-Fi: Available free for all guests throughout the island, although access is not always that good.
  • Parking: Ask management about parking at the boat terminal on the mainland. There are no vehicles on the island.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 23098
  • Email: book@erakorislandresort.com
  • Website: erakorislandresort.com

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – Amenities

  • Pool: Surprisingly, there is no resort pool for guests.
  • Spa: The Essence of Erakor Day Spa is outstanding, with pricey but luxurious packages. Get pampered using local products. The building doesn’t look much from the outside, but is popular among day-trippers from other resorts.
  • Fitness Center: None.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Some villas feature jacuzzis, while a few have private plunge pools.
  • Activities: Free rental of snorkeling gear, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Also available: beach volleyball, petanque, and pool table.
  • For families: Fun stuff includes basket-weaving, sand-drawing, and cooking classes. Also, a wooden playground alongside the sea, children’s movies on the beach, and bonfires.

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants & Bars: Aqua on Erakor Overwater Restaurant – Magnificent setting overlooking, and on top of, the lagoon. Pleasingly affordable considering its monopoly. For breakfast, as well as seafood and steak all day. Daily specials, children’s menus, live music, and happy hours • Calypso Beach Bar & Café – Casual, on the sand, for cocktails, simple lunches (e.g. burgers and wraps), and all sorts of shakes, juices, and ice creams.
  • Breakfast: Buffet breakfast is included in all rates.
  • Room Service: Available during restaurant hours – 7 am to 9 pm. Also, romantic private dinners available on the beach or in a hut over the water.

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – Rooms

  • Room Types: Garden Room (with 1 or 2 bedrooms) • Lagoon Villa • Beachfront Deluxe Spa Villa • Honeymoon Pool Villa • Deluxe Honeymoon Pool Villa • Beachfront Family Loft Villa • Sunset 2 Bedroom Loft Villa • 1 Aqua Blue Beach House (with 4 bedrooms and private beach)
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking in the rooms or public areas, but okay elsewhere.
  • Best Room: Other than villas with 2 or 4 bedrooms, the best options for couples are the Beachfront Deluxe Spa Villas. Within meters of the lagoon, they are particularly spacious and luxurious, with jacuzzis on the patios overlooking the water.
  • For families: The 1-bedroom villas can accommodate families of 4. Others have 2 or even 4 bedrooms.

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – What’s Nearby?

Restaurants & Bars

    It’s possible anytime of the day or night to get the resort boat to the mainland, and take a taxi (usually unmetered) to Port Vila, but most guests won’t bother. If keen, however, try these places along the main street in Port Vila:

  • Le Café du Village – Idyllic Mediterranean-style bistro alongside the harbor. Coffee, breakfast, and tasty snacks. An interesting changeable menu, with daily specials.
  • Jill’s Cafe – Popular and casual. Specializing in Tex-Mex as well as wraps, salads, and coffee. Great Wi-Fi.
  • Jungle Café – Bright-green street-side setting, with tasty meals, lunchtime specials, and Wi-Fi.
  • Nambawan Café – Pleasingly cheap considering the perfect waterfront spot. Juices, baguettes, pizzas, and free moonlight movies.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • A small shop sells basic supplies on the island, but guests are advised to stock up beforehand or head into Port Vila.

Local Transport

    The only way on and off the island is by the resort boat, which leaves from a terminal on the mainland near the Warwick Resort. Departing when required 24 hours a day, travel is free for guests. Pre-arrange a pick-up from the mainland at night. Unmetered taxis loiter around the mainland terminal for transfers to Port Vila and anywhere else.

Erakor Island Resort & Spa – The Hotel

The resort is only accessible by boat.

Erakor Island is only accessible on the resort boat from the mainland.

Boats travel to and from the mainland frequently.

Boats to and from the mainland leave when required, and only take a few minutes.

The island resort is a tropical paradise.

The resort is a very welcoming tropical island paradise.

Out of the resort's 3 beaches, the one near the reception is the best.

There are three small beaches around the island. The best is near the jetty and reception.

Free kayak rentals make exploring the lagoon even more fun.

Among the attractions is free rental of kayaks to explore the calm lagoon.

Views from everywhere on the island are great.

Not all of the island is encircled by beaches, but the views and breeze are always excellent.

The resort restaurant also serves breakfast.

The main restaurant in the resort also serves breakfast, which is included in the rates.

Good cocktails are served in the main bar.

The bar in the main restaurant offers a wide selection of cocktails.

The restaurant deck provides splendid views.

Perched above the water, the restaurant provides splendid views.

Restaurant offers children's menu and seafood specials.

The restaurant has a children’s menu and daily specials, usually with seafood.

The restaurant offers themed buffets or traditional entertainment at night.

Most nights, there are themed buffets and/or traditional entertainment.

The resort can be reached by boat from the mainland.

The island is within a few minutes of the mainland by boat.

The resort's restaurant offers great views of the mainland.

Views of the mainland during the day and night from the restaurant are lovely.

Tour Hut is the place to go to avail activities.

The Tour Hut offers a range of daily activities for children and the family, and can organize all sorts of tours.

The island even has a makeshift chapel.

Half the fun is exploring the island, often stumbling across things like a makeshift chapel.

The resort boasts the best spa in Efate Island.

The spa may look modest from the outside, but is renowned across Efate Island.

Calypso Beach Bar & Café serves drinks and ice-creams.

The Calypso Beach Bar & Café sells drinks such as beers, shakes, and juices, as well as ice-creams.

Calypso offers light meals and beatiful views.

The Calypso also serves light meals on tables along the beach.

The resort has a nice children's playground by the sea.

Popular among children is the wooden playground alongside the sea.

Hammocks tied to palms give a tropical vibe.

Hammocks strung between palm trees add to the island getaway vibe.

The island has a small shop selling basic supplies and souvenirs.

A small shop on the island sells basic supplies and a few souvenirs.

The resort features sandy paths and lush gardens.

Sandy paths through lush gardens lead to the rooms and villas.

Most villas are separate and secluded.

Some villas are semi-detached, but most are separate and secluded.

The outdoor spa baths in some villas are good but not private.

Some villas feature outdoor jacuzzis (that are not particularly private).

Most villas face the sea and have a patio to enjoy the view.

Most villas face the sea, with extended patios packed with relaxing outdoor furniture.

Villas are well-decorated with traditional pieces.

All villas are tastefully decorated with plenty of traditional arts and crafts.

Villas with plunge pools are very appealing.

Villas with a plunge pool are particularly colorful, with a very appealing design and décor.

Villa bathrooms are very appealing.

The bathrooms in all villas are also delightful.

The lounge area is larger villas is comfortable and colourful.

The larger villas have comfortable living areas with colorful cushions and art.

Private lounge chairs outside villas give fantastic sea views.

Beyond the extensive patios, private lounge chairs face the sea.

Hammocks tied across the property give off a tropical vibe.

Hammocks among the abundant palms add enormously to the tropical ambience.

Some villas even have a private plunge pool.

Some villas feature a plunge pool between the patio and beach only meters away.

Tropical vegetation provided much-needed privacy to some villas.

Most villas are separated and secluded behind tropical vegetation.

Nambawan Café is very popular in Port Vila.

Nambawan Café is one of several appealing eateries facing the harbor in central Port Vila.

Le Café du Village has an excellent waterside setting.

The Mediterranean-style Le Café du Village offers a magnificent waterside setting in the capital.

The capital is located on the harbor.

The capital is nicely located along the harbor.

Port Vila offers good options for souvenir shopping.

One reason to catch the boat back into Port Vila is to visit the souvenir stalls.

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