The Melanesian Port Vila in Vanuatu

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Updated: January 10, 2021

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Review of The Melanesian Port Vila in Vanuatu

The Melanesian Port Vila – Attractive, traditional, and midrange, with a beach resort feel in the suburbs.

Within walking distance of central Port Vila, but with a pleasant residential setting, this likable resort is popular with expat workers in the know. The square white buildings are modern, but the thatched passageways and guest lounge bursting with artifacts add to the Melanesian aura. Rooms face inwards, avoiding traffic noise, while many overlook the sparkling pool and the separate splash area for toddlers from full-length windows. Rooms are agreeably spacious and airy, with splashes of South Pacific in the art and linen – but some rooms only have overhead fans. All feature extra single beds, and apartments have kitchenettes. Bonuses are the tennis court and, for some, the onsite casino.

The Melanesian Port Vila – The Basics

  • Location: On Rue de Picardi street, almost on the corner of the main road, Rue Dartois, in the suburbs of Port Vila on the main island of Efate. About 800m from downtown and 15 minutes from the airport.
  • Guests: Seems to focus mostly on business people, but pretty good for families, too.
  • 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 4 km south along the peninsula.
  • Views: All rooms face the gardens, pool, or quiet access road.
  • Wi-Fi: Free for all guests throughout the hotel.
  • Parking: Enough free and secure parking at the entrance.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 22150
  • Email: melanesian@vanuatu.com.vu
  • Website: melanesianportvila.com

The Melanesian Port Vila – Amenities

  • Pool: Sizable and sparkling, with a separate children’s area attached.
  • Spa & Fitness Center: The Eden Hair & Beauty Spa offers a modest array of the usual treatments.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not expected or provided at this sort of midrange resort.
  • Activities: The tennis court is a surprise.

The Melanesian Port Vila – Food and Drink

  • Restaurants & Bars: Le Melanesian Restaurant – ‘Pacific fusion cuisine’, with barbecues and buffet nights featuring entertainment. Recently revamped as the Ristorante Casa Mia, a classy Italian bistro with an extensive wine list • Oasis Bar & Grill – Casual and poolside, with a cheerful Melanesian ambience. Cocktails, happy hours, and buffets with entertainment several times a week • Jungle Bar at 21 – Drinking, gambling, and free tasting of kava (a strong alcoholic drink).
  • Breakfast: Substantial continental buffet breakfast is included in all rates.
  • Room Service: Available during restaurant hours – 7 am to 9 pm.

The Melanesian Port Vila – Rooms

  • Room Types: Orchid Room • Orchid Superior Room • The Melanesian Suite • Hibiscus Studio Room (with kitchen but fan only) • Hibiscus Apartment (with 1 bedroom) • Bougainvillea Apartment with 1 or 2 bedrooms (and fan only)
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed in the rooms or public areas.
  • Best Room: The Orchid Superior Rooms are along the top floor, offering optimal views and the greatest distance from the pool and bar, which can get noisy. They feature gorgeous hardwood furniture, extended balconies, and air-conditioning (some other rooms only have fans).
  • For families: An extra single bed already in most rooms.

The Melanesian Port Vila – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

  • Golden Port Restaurant – In the Golden Port Hotel, about 200m away at the top of Rue de Picardi street. Cavernous, with dazzling views and astonishing variety.
  • The Blue Marlin Club – Spectacular views, sunset cocktails, and silver service. Bookings advisable for dinner, and a swimming pool for patrons. Only 350m south along the main road that heads into Port Villa.
  • Spice – Classy Indian, with lunchtime specials, children’s menu, and vegetarian meals. About 500m south along Elluk Road.
  • Navara Restaurant – Wide range of meals, including steak, lobster, and pasta. Try the Vanuatu Tapas. In the Coconut Palms Resort, about 800m north up Rue Dartois road.
  • Le Café du Village – Idyllic Mediterranean-style bistro alongside the harbor. Coffee, tasty snacks, and an appealing changeable menu. About 700m north along the main road through Port Vila.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • Several grocery stores are within walking distance along Rue Dartois road. The massive Au Bon Marché supermarket is at the roundabout, about 500m south along the same road.

Local Transport

    Public minibuses pass by along the main road, Rue Dartois, into Port Vila and beyond every few seconds.

The Melanesian Port Vila – The Hotel

Rooms are in motel-syle buildings with balconies.

In white motel-style buildings, the rooms feature balconies.

Thatched umbrellas give the resort a tropical vibe.

The thatched umbrellas help add to the tropical resort vibe, although the hotel is in the suburbs of Port Vila.

The lobby features traditional arts and crafts, and is very welcoming.

The welcoming guest lounge at the lobby is packed with traditional arts and crafts.

Covered walkways connect the rooms to the lobby.

Covered walkways between the lobby and rooms add to the appeal.

The bright blue swimming pool is very inviting.

The bright-blue pool is more inviting than at other hotels nearby.

Many rooms overlook the noisy pool and bar.

Many of the rooms overlook the pool and bar, but both can be reasonably noisy at times.

Oasis Bar & Grill has a very pleasant Melanesian feel.

The Oasis Bar & Grill alongside the hotel pool offers a pleasant setting and Melanesian feel.

Breakfast buffet is served at The Oasis.

The Oasis serves breakfast for all guests.

Most rooms are spacious and appealing.

Most rooms are spacious and nicely decorated.

Some rooms are bland and need redecoration.

Some rooms could use a bit more color or traditional arts/crafts to brighten them up.

Most rooms offer an extra bed.

Almost all rooms have extra single beds.

World-class dining at The Blue Marlin Club.

An easy walk from the top of Rue Picarde street is The Blue Marlin Club, a world-class restaurant with silver service and a pool for patrons.

The Blue Marlin Club offers stunning views from its deck.

Views from the pool deck at The Blue Marlin Club are stunning.

Navarra Restaurant at a nearby resort serves great food.

The Navarra Restaurant, at the Coconut Palms Resort about 800m up Rue Dartois road, is another great place for meals and live entertainment/music.

Wild Pig Bar is popular during happy hours.

Also at the Coconut Palms Resort, the Wild Pig Bar offers a pool table and happy hour.

Fantastic harborside setting of Le Café du Village.

Along the main street in downtown Port Vila, Le Café du Village boasts one of the nicest harborside settings in the capital.

Golden Port Restaurant nearby offers great views and Chinese food.

Near The Melanesian, the Golden Port Restaurant offers a wide variety of Chinese food and delightful views.

Spice offers a wide variety of Indian food.

An easy walk south along Rue Dartois, Spice is a stylish Indian eatery offering more than just curries.

Port Vila is located on the harbor.

Only a short walk from the hotel, Port Vila is nicely positioned alongside the harbor.

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

Worth visiting in the town center is the produce market.

Souvenirs can be bought in the capital's market.

The market in the capital also has a few stalls selling souvenirs.

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