The Terraces Boutique Apartments In Vanuatu

SD › Vanuatu Hotels › The Terraces Boutique Apartments Review
Updated: January 10, 2021

See Also

Review of The Terraces Boutique Apartments in Vanuatu

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – Secluded and swanky, but sterile and isolated.

These ultra-chic boutique-style studios and apartments are in square buildings across a prime hilltop setting. They are however, less austere inside, with splashes of color and even some Melanesian décor. All feature stone baths, plunge pools, and substantial balconies/patios. The twin-level apartments (with one or two bedrooms) also have kitchens. All accommodations face distant lagoons and mountains, but there are not enough gardens. The tennis court is a surprise, and the pool has infinity-style edges that blend into the foreground. It feels remote, yet is only ten minutes by minibus from downtown Port Vila. Overall, it provides comfort, seclusion, and exclusivity.

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – The Basics

  • Location: Along the other (eastern) side of the peninsula from Port Vila, in a suburb called Seaside on the main island of Efate. Next to the sister resort, Mangoes (which is far nicer), at the far northern end of Captain Cook Avenue. About 25 minutes on foot from the center of Port Vila and 7 km from the airport.
  • Guests: Seems to cater almost entirely to young couples and groups. Perhaps families and older guests would not appreciate the trendy and austere design. And children under 5 are not permitted.
  • Beach: There is no public beach along this part of the peninsula. Catch a minibus to the beaches near the Breakas Beach Resort, about 5 km south along the peninsula.
  • Views: All studios and apartments offer decent views of the lagoons and mountains but are at least 300m from the water’s edge.
  • Wi-Fi: Available free throughout.
  • Parking: Very limited parking available at the entrance. Try the sister resort, Mangoes, next door.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 24923
  • Email: theterraces@vanuatu.com.vu
  • Website: theterracesvanuatu.com

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – Amenities

  • Pool: Small infinity pool, but rarely used because all apartments have a private plunge pools.
  • Spa: A masseuse can visit rooms if required. Otherwise, a hut at Mangoes, the sister resort next door, offers massages but nothing else.
  • Fitness Center: Ultra-modern gym alongside the tennis court.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All apartments have private plunge pools.
  • Activities: A tennis court.

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – Food and Drink

  • Restaurant & Bar: Perhaps surprisingly, there is no restaurant or bar on the grounds. Guests are urged to visit the neighboring sister resort, Mangoes. Easily the finest in the Seaside area, Mangoes Restaurant features an enchanting colonial theme. Popular among locals for organic ingredients and the changing menu, it’s hard to ignore the seafood platter or prawn curry.
  • Breakfast: Most rates include a continental ‘tropical’ breakfast served at the neighboring sister resort, Mangoes.
  • Room Service: Available from Mangoes Restaurant next door during restaurant hours – 7 am to 9 pm.

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – Rooms

  • Room Types: Terrace Studio • 1 or 2 Bedroom Apartment
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed inside the rooms or around the public areas. Okay on the patios/balconies.
  • Best Room: There isn’t that much difference among the rooms, but the 1 Bedroom Apartments are very spacious. Spread across 2 levels, they feature full-sized kitchens, plunge pools, huge living/dining areas, and delightful (but distant) views of the lagoons.

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

  • Retreat Seaside Resort – likeable expat hangout, with pub meals and happy hours. Also, movie nights, sports on TV and gorgeous views. 700m south along Captain Cook Avenue.
  • Navara Restaurant – At the Coconut Palms Resort, about 700m south along Rue de Wales street. Broad menu, including steak, lobster, and pasta. Try the Vanuatu Tapas.
  • Leaf Restaurant – All-day dining, and popular for cocktails and banana pancakes. (Yes, really.) Also, ideal for trying traditional food. At Poppy’s on the Lagoon resort, 800m 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, with plenty of other tasty meals on offer. Lunchtime specials, vegetarian meals, and a children’s menu.
  • L’houstalet – Chic French (with frogs’ legs and escargot), but also very popular for pizza. Or maybe try the Flying Fox and Onion Soup. Same owner for 40 years, and probably not renovated since.

Nearby Market or Grocery

    A few basic stores are along Rue de Wales, just down from the roundabout which is 100m up Captain Cook Avenue.

Local Transport

    From the roundabout 100m up Captain Cook Avenue, public minibuses head every few seconds to Port Vila and beyond.

The Terraces Boutique Apartments – The Hotel

The chic design of the entrance is appealing.

The entrance sets the tone, with a square grey-and-white design.

The resort is located at the top of the Captain Cook Avenue.

The Terraces is at the top northern end of Captain Cook Avenue, a fairly quiet street through the suburbs of Port Villa.

The lobby area is modern and very welcoming.

The reception is oddly unattended, but the lobby area is quite pleasant.

Captain Cook Avenue is a residential area.

Side streets off Captain Cook Avenue are home to many local families.

The infinity pool offers good lagoon views.

The infinity pool provides some distant views of the lagoons (and of the back of some apartments).

The swimming pool is appealing but lacks shade and is always empty.

The pool sparkles but lacks shade. It’s almost always empty because every apartment has a private plunge pool.

The swimming pool is next to a rice field.

Alongside the pool is a tiny rice field.

The resort even has a tennis court.

The tennis court is a surprise.

The room blocks are ultra-chic.

All studios and apartments are in ultra-chic blocks of one or two levels.

Rooms at the top have the best views.

Those at the top of the hill offer the finest possible views of the lagoons and mountains.

The rooms are colorful and welcoming.

Inside, the décor is considerably more colorful (and welcoming) than the outside would suggest.

Rooms furnishings are questionable but overall likeable.

Some of the furnishings are impractical (e.g. the precariously positioned lampshades) but the overall décor is likable.

The art in the rooms is traditional.

The modern art along the walls hints of a traditional design.

Lagoon views from room balconies are sometimes obstructed.

Views from the balconies/patios of distant lagoons and mountains are sometimes obstructed by neighboring buildings.

Dining options are available at neighboring sister resort, Mangoes.

Guests are urged to eat and drink at the neighboring sister resort, Mangoes.

Mangoes Restaurant next door is styish and appealing.

Mangoes Restaurant, next door to The Terraces, is stylish.

The only massage option is a tiny hut in the sister resort next door.

There is no spa at The Terraces, and the sister resort next door only offers a hut on the lawns for massages.

Navara restaurant nearby serves excellent meals.

One of the best hotel restaurants nearby is the Navara, at the Coconut Palms Resort, about 600m south of The Terraces.

Wild Pig Bar at Coconut Palms is popular for kava.

Before dining at the Navara, perhaps enjoy a drink – maybe, kava (a strong alcoholic drink) – at the Wild Pig Bar, also at the Coconut Palms.

L’houstalet French restaurant is old and renowned.

For over 40 years, the sassy L’houstalet has served snails and frogs’ legs as well as pizza and other meals. It’s about 1.5 km by minibus south of the resort.

Spice restaurant is popular for its excellent Indian fare.

Next to the L’houstalet is Spice, an elegant place for Indian food.

Leaf Restaurant nearby offers good meals.

Another great place to eat is the Leaf Restaurant, almost hidden in Poppy’s resort, about 800m south along Captain Cook Avenue.

Retreat Seaside Resort nearby serves decent meals.

More low-key is the pub-like setting and meals at the Retreat Seaside Resort, about 700m south along Captain Cook Avenue.

The produce market in Port Vila is worth a visit.

One reason to venture into Port Vila is the produce market.

The capital is located right on the harbor.

The Vanuatu capital is nicely located alongside a harbor.

Port Vila offers a lot of shopping options.

There are more than enough places to spend money in Port Vila, with most shops along the one main street.

The capital has a lot of eateries.

There are also plenty of places to eat in the capital.

All Vanuatu Hotel Reviews

Read More

Get All New Content

• My Travel Newsletter