Iririki Island Resort & Spa in Vanuatu

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Updated: January 7, 2021

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Review of Iririki Island Resort & Spa in Vanuatu

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Magnificent and massive tropical island escape – yet almost in downtown.

This is truly unique: a large resort on a private island only three minutes from the capital. A variety of recently-renovated accommodations are sprinkled among vast landscaped gardens, ranging from traditionally-designed farés (bungalows) – some adults-only and above-the-water – to self-contained apartments in blocks that are more contemporary but still stylish. Most accommodations face the sea or exquisite gardens. The other amenities are extraordinary: several pools, tennis courts, daily activities, a free kids club, and, tucked away, a casino. If not fortunate enough to stay, a reasonably-priced day-pass provides access to everything, including free rental of snorkeling gear, bicycles, and kayaks.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – The Basics

  • Location: On Iririki Island, 3 minutes by boat from central Port Vila, and then another 15 minutes to the airport.
  • Guests: Caters to everyone, but most guests are families and couples, probably younger.
  • Beach: There are several glorious beaches. The main one is around the jetty area; another at Snorkelers Cove on the island is also ideal for underwater exploration.
  • Views: Most rooms, bungalows, and apartments face the ocean; some perched above the water or only 10m away. Others face the garden paths.
  • Wi-Fi: Usually free, but may depend on how the room is booked; check with the hotel.
  • Parking: There are no vehicles on the island. Ask about parking on the mainland when booking.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 35060
  • Email: hello@iririki.com
  • Website: iririki.com

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Amenities

  • Pools: Two main pools. One has 4 tiers, with water cascading between each level. The Sunset Pool is more for adults, with a swim-up bar.
  • Spa: Iririki Spa is considerably better than most. Located at the highest point of the island, it provides luxurious treatments and delightful views.
  • Fitness Center: Excellent gym with all the latest equipment.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: None of the accommodations have private pools, but some do feature a jacuzzi on the balcony/patio.
  • For families: Nightly buffets and live entertainment, tennis courts, a 4-tiered pool (with a children’s splash area), and a games room. Also, free rental of kayaks, catamarans, snorkeling gear, and bicycles.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants: Azure Restaurant – Very romantic, with intimate tables and gorgeous views (especially at night). Try the seafood platters and locally-raised beef with vegetables from the island’s organic garden. Regular live entertainment and buffets • Infinity Bar & Café – Casual, alongside the main pool. Relax with a cocktail, light meal (mainly burgers, pizzas, and salads), and live entertainment at night • Sunset Pool, Bar, & Grill – With a swim-up bar. Also, salads, burgers, baguettes, and pasta.
  • Bars: Jewel Lounge & Bar – Caters to high-rollers at the casino. Limited menu focuses on Asian cuisine and tasty grills • Snorkelers Cove – At the second beach, offering sunset cocktails, lounge chairs, and light meals.
  • Breakfast: A magnificent buffet breakfast is included in all rates.
  • Room Service: Available 24 hours a day.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Rooms

  • Room Types: Island Faré (bungalow) • Premium Overwater Faré • Premium Waterfront Faré • Deluxe Pool View Room • Deluxe Ocean View Room • Deluxe Family Faré • Deluxe Villa • Penthouse Suite • Tri-level Penthouse
  • Smoking Rooms: Smoking is not allowed in any rooms or public areas, but permitted elsewhere.
  • Best Room: Although not as traditionally-designed as others, the Tri-level Penthouses are sublime: spread across 3 levels, with broad views from maximum floor-to-ceiling windows, kitchenettes, laundry, and even jacuzzis on the balconies. Each can easily accommodate up to 8 guests.
  • For families: A wide range of options: standard farés can add in 1 extra single. Rooms (really apartments), with a kitchen and laundry, accommodate a family of 4, and the Deluxe Family Farés are designed for groups of 5 (but, oddly, have no kitchen or laundry).

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

    These places are within an easy walk along the main street from the boat terminal in Port Vila:

  • Chill – Upstairs at the market, almost next to the boat terminal. Pricey, with more affordable lunchtime specials. Popular and family-friendly for pizzas, pasta, and steaks. Children’s menu available.
  • Le Café du Village – Idyllic Mediterranean-style bistro alongside the harbor. Coffee, tasty meals, and an interesting changeable menu with daily specials. About 300m south.
  • Jill’s Cafe – Popular casual café. Specializes in Mexican food as well as wraps, salads, and coffee. Great Wi-Fi. 200m north.
  • Nambawan Café – Pleasingly cheap considering the perfect waterfront position. For juices, baguettes, pizzas, homemade pies, and moonlight movies.
  • The Rossi Restaurant – Elegant bistro with Italian food, garden setting, sea views, and a tiny playground. About 750m north.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • The main street in Port Villa is dotted with general stores and minimarts. The terminal for boats to the island is alongside the produce market.

Local Transport

    The only way on and off the island is by the resort boat, which is free and leaves when required, 24 hours a day. The trip takes about 3 minutes. Boats leave from a tiny jetty next the produce market in the center of Port Vila. Plenty of minibuses head in both directions along the main street in Port Vila for exploration of the island.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa – The Hotel

The island resort is just 3 minutes by boat from the mainland.

Dominating the harbor at Port Vila, Iririki Island is accessible in about three minutes from a private jetty.

Boats facilitate transfers between island and Port Vila 24 hours a day.

Boats travel between Port Vila and the island every few minutes, as required, 24 hours a day.

Adults-only overwater bungalows are secluded and excellent.

The adults-only overwater bungalows offer seclusion and magnificent views.

Guests are welcomed on a large jetty and lobby.

An extended jetty and large lobby welcome resort guests and those visiting for the day.

The Jewel Casino is by the jetty.

Near the jetty, but hidden away from accommodations, is the Jewel Casino.

The resort is based on a large private island.

The resort is based on a 69-acre private island.

The huge resort offers buggies for guest transfers.

The island is so big that guests are often transferred on buggies.

The Sunset Pool is one of the pools offering ocean views.

Alongside the ocean, the Sunset Pool is not the largest in the resort.

The Sunset Pool is popular mostly with adults only.

The Sunset Pool is more often frequented by those without children.

The main pool is very popular with families due to its unique design.

The main pool has 4 tiers and is popular with families.

The resort has excellent facilities for children.

Facilities for children are wonderful throughout the island.

The resort also features 2 tennis courts.

Among the many amenities are 2 tennis courts.

Snorkelers Cove is an excellent place to dive on the island.

One of several beaches around the island, Snorkelers Cove is particularly delightful under the water.

The resort offers free rental of kayaks.

Among the resort’s attractions are the free rental of kayaks.

Sunset Pool, Bar & Grill is one of many eateries on the island.

The Sunset Pool, Bar & Grill is one of many places to eat and drink and is more popular with adults.

Sunset Pool, Bar & Grill offers great views of Port Vila.

Views from the deck at the Sunset Pool, Bar & Grill extend across to Port Vila.

Premium Overwater Farés (bungalows) offer magnificent sea views.

The Premium Overwater Farés (bungalows) are perched above the sea.

Many bungalows are secluded and offer sea views.

Other bungalows are sprinkled along the coastline, offering seclusion and sea views.

Bungalows along the garden paths have limited views.

The third type of bungalows are lined along garden paths, with possible sea glimpses.

Some rooms are in blocks in different sections of the island.

A variety of rooms are in three-level blocks in more secluded parts of the island.

The rooms are very spacious and feature good views.

The rooms – which are really apartments – are spacious, with full-length windows offering maximum views.

Room balconies offer superb views.

The balconies attached to the rooms offer superb views of alluring islets.

Some villas feature Jacuzzis on balconies/verandas.

Some of the villas and all of the suites feature jacuzzis on the balconies/patios.

Most rooms have a well-equipped kitchen.

Most rooms are self-contained, with fully-equipped kitchens.

Port Vilas has pleasant seaside parks and paths.

Only three minutes by boat from the island is Port Vila, with pleasant seaside parks and paths.

The main street in Port Villa offers many shopping options.

There are more than enough places to shop along the main street of the capital.

The produce market in Port Vila also has a few souvenir stalls.

Next to the boat terminal in the center of Port Vila, the produce market also offers a small range of souvenir stalls.

Le Café du Village near the boat terminal is the nicest eatery.

Arguably the nicest eatery in Port Vila is Le Café du Village, a short walk south along the main street from the boat terminal.

Nambawan Café by the boat terminal is very popular.

An easy stroll north of the boat terminal in Port Vila, the harborside Nambawan Café is lovely, and shows free movies most evenings.

Rossi's bistro near the boat terminal offers a garden setting with harbour views.

About 500m north of the boat terminal, Rossi’s is another inviting bistro, with harbor views and a garden setting.

Jills Café offers Tex-Mex food and Wi-Fi.

Jill’s Café, about 200m north of the boat terminal, is popular for Tex-Mex food and Wi-Fi.

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