Mangoes Resort in Vanuatu

SD › Vanuatu Hotels › Mangoes Resort Review
Updated: January 7, 2021

See Also

Review of Mangoes Resort in Vanuatu

Mangoes Resort – Exquisite, large, and tropical – but out-of-the-way and adults-only.

As delicious as the fruit, this cluster of boutique bungalows is in Seaside, a suburb about twenty minutes on foot from downtown Port Vila. Separated by about ten meters, each villa is very welcoming and stylish, with a likable Melanesian décor and plantation-style shutters. All feature kitchenettes, spacious living/dining rooms, extended patios, and floor-to-ceiling louver windows to catch the breeze – which is useful, because some only have overhead fans. Other villas feature plunge pools. The resort is close to the water, so views are panoramic, encompassing twisting lagoons and lofty mountains. And three small but shady pools are scattered among the verdant gardens of paw paws, coconuts, and, of course, mangoes. The only drawback is the isolation, with only a few facilities nearby. And be warned: no children are allowed.

Mangoes Resort – The Basics

  • Location: Top (northern) end of Captain Cook Avenue, about 20 minutes’ walk from the center of Port Villa on the main island of Efate. About 20 minutes’ drive from the airport.
  • Guests: The resort is adults only, so no children are allowed. Given the serenity and isolation, most guests seem to be older.
  • Beach: There is no public beach in or around Port Vila. The nearest serviceable beaches are around the Breakas Beach Resort, about 6 km south along the peninsula.
  • Views: A few have uninterrupted views of the lagoons and distant mountains, but most face the gardens.
  • Wi-Fi: Free for guests in the lobby/bar/restaurant areas, but guests are charged for Wi-Fi in their rooms.
  • Parking: Limited parking spots at the entrance. Free and secure, but first come, first served.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 24923
  • Email: mangoes@vanuatu.com.vu
  • Website: mangoesresort.com

Mangoes Resort – Amenities

  • Pool: Surprisingly, there isn’t 1 pool but 3. Each is small, but shady and inviting.
  • Spa: There is no proper spa, but massages are available in the open-air thatched hut among the lawns.
  • Fitness Center: Guests can use the gym at the sister resort, The Terraces, next door.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Some bungalows have private plunge pools – tiny but appealing – and the apartments feature private pools large enough for swimming.
  • Activities: Guests can use the tennis court in the neighboring resort: The Terraces. Also, free yoga lessons.

Mangoes Resort – Food and Drink

  • Restaurant & Bar: Easily the finest in the Seaside area, the Mangoes Restaurant continues the enchanting colonial theme. Popular among locals for breakfast, organic ingredients, and the changing menu, it’s hard to ignore the seafood platter or prawn curry.
  • Breakfast: Included in all rates.
  • Room Service: Available during restaurant hours – 7 am to 9 pm.

Mangoes Resort – Rooms

  • Room Types: Garden View Bungalow • Lagoon View Bungalow • Lagoon View Pool Bungalow • Garden View Pool Apartment
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed in or anywhere near the rooms or public areas. Best to puff away on the road outside.
  • Best Room: Twice the size of the bungalows, the Garden View Pool Apartments feature private swimming (not plunge) pools and large outdoor terraces. Spacious and super-comfortable, the modern art however, takes some getting used to.

Mangoes Resort – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

    There is very little in the immediate area, but these 3 places in nearby hotels are within walking distance:

  • Retreat Seaside Resort – Expat hangout, with pub meals, pizzas, daily specials and happy hours. Also, movie nights, sports on TV, and gorgeous lagoon views. 700m south along Captain Cook Avenue.
  • Navarra Restaurant – Wide range of meals, including steak, lobster, and pasta. Try the Vanuatu Tapas. Also lunchtime specials. In the Coconut Palms Resort, about 700m south via Captain Cook Avenue and Rue Cornwell street.
  • Leaf Restaurant – Renowned across the island for all-day dining, cocktails, and banana pancakes. (Yes, really.) Also, terrific for trying traditional food. At Poppy’s on the Lagoon, 750m south along Captain Cook Avenue.

Almost next to each other on Elluk Road, about 1.5 km south via Captain Cook Avenue, and readily accessible by public minibus are:

  • Spice – Classy Indian, offering more than just curries. Lunchtime specials, children’s menus, and vegetarian meals.
  • L’houstalet – Chic French (yes, with frogs’ legs and escargots), but also very popular for pizza. Same owner for 40 years and probably no redecorating since.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • A few basic shops along the main road, about 500m up Captain Cook Avenue and past the roundabout.

Local Transport

    From the roundabout about 200m up Captain Cook Avenue, public minibuses hurtle along to Port Vila and beyond every few seconds.

Mangoes Resort – The Hotel

The resort features 3 small pools that are inviting.

Surprisingly, there are 3 small pools at the resort, rather than a single large one, and each is shady and inviting.

The lobby is very stylish and welcoming.

The lobby area attached to the restaurant at the resort is stylish and welcoming.

Mangoes Restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating.

Mangoes Restaurant offers a range of meals inside and out.

Bar guests can relax on the wooden deck among tropical gardens.

The restaurant also has a bar, with relaxing seats on a wooden deck among tropical gardens.

Massages are offered in a thatched hut in the lawn.

There is no spa, but massages are available in a thatched hut among the lawns.

The villas feature tradition wooden louver windows.

Instead of glass, villas feature wooden louver windows that catch the breeze.

Villas are spaced out and offer decent privacy.

Villas are separated and secluded among the tidy gardens.

Apartments feature a contemporary design.

The apartments are more contemporary in design.

Garden View Pool Apartments have decent-sized pools.

The Garden View Pool Apartments feature swimming pools.

The bright Villa bedrooms feature traditional arts.

The villa bedrooms are brightly decorated with traditional art along the walls.

The lounge area in villas are big and well-furnished.

Villas feature extended living areas with dark wooden furniture and a tiled floor.

All villas have a well-equipped kitchenette.

All villas have kitchenettes, which are useful considering the lack of nearby restaurants.

Spacious and appealing lounge areas in some villas.

Some of the living areas in the villas are nicer and larger than others.

Some villas have a small plunge pool.

Some villas have plunge pools, but without much privacy.

Leaf Restaurant at Poppy’s on the Lagoon Resort is nearby.

One of the few restaurants within walking distance is the Leaf Restaurant at Poppy’s on the Lagoon Resort, further down Captain Cook Avenue.

Spice cafe serves classy Indian food.

About 1.5 km south of Mangoes via public minibus, Spice is a classy café offering Indian cuisine and much more besides.

Retreat Seaside Resort's restaurant is like a pub.

About 700m down Captain Cook Avenue, the restaurant/bar at the Retreat Seaside Resort is just like a pub.

Navarra Restaurant in Coconut Palms Resort is close by.

Another eatery within walking distance is the Navarra Restaurant in the Coconut Palms Resort.

Wild Pig Bar near Navarra is popular for its cocktails.

While visiting the Navarra, maybe also enjoy a cocktail at the Wild Pig Bar.

L’Houstalet next to Spice Restaurant has remain unchanged for 40 years.

L’Houstalet, almost next to the Spice restaurant, has been operating in the same place and with the same owner for over 40 years.

Port Vila is located right on the harbor.

About 1.5 km away, the center of Port Vila is pleasantly located alongside the harbor.

A harborside walkway encircles much of the town's center.

Much of the town center is lined with a walkway along the water’s edge.

The produce market in the city center is a must-visit.

Worth a wander about is the produce market in the center of the capital.

There are plenty of souvenir stalls near the produce market.

There are, of course, many places to buy souvenirs; this collection of stalls is near the produce market.

All Vanuatu Hotel Reviews

Read More

Get All New Content

• My Travel Newsletter