Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort in Vanuatu

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Updated: January 11, 2021

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Review of Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort in Vanuatu

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – Charming and refined, with lush gardens and a lagoon setting.

Run by a New Zealand couple living on-site, this petite adults-only resort faces the Second Lagoon (which looks exactly like a river). The three thatched-roof bungalows are delightfully hidden behind tropical plants, offering seclusion and tranquility. Simply furnished and not particularly Melanesian in décor, they are still spacious and very comfortable. The two apartments are above the main building with the bar, restaurant, and reception, which can all be noisy at times, though the wide balconies offer wicker chairs, a welcome breeze, and lagoon views. This place is about relaxation, so it’s adults-only and TV-free. The only downside is the isolation, with very little nearby, but public transport to Port Vila is quick and frequent.

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – The Basics

  • Location: Along Teouma Road, the major road heading east from Port Vila, on the main island of Efate. Almost opposite the Korman Stadium, about 4 km from downtown and 8 km from the airport.
  • Guests: Strictly adults only, so no children allowed. And most guests are probably older.
  • Beach: It faces a lagoon, but there is no sand in front – only mangroves and rocks. There is a pleasant but small and artificial beach at the Tropicana Resort next door, which is available to anyone using their bar or restaurant.
  • Views: Bungalows face the gardens and apartments overlook the lagoon, but views are mostly blocked by trees.
  • Wi-Fi: Free for guests in the lobby/bar/restaurant area. The apartments are within range, but management has future plans to ensure that Wi-Fi also extends to the bungalows.
  • Parking: A handful of free and secure spots at the entrance along the main road, some 200m from the lobby.
  • Nice Perks: Honeymooners receive a bottle of wine on arrival.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 22 866
  • Email: bookings@vilachaumieres.com
  • Website: Facebook

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – Amenities

  • Pool: The pool is adequate considering the limited number of guests, but seems lost among the gardens and is rarely used.
  • Spa & Fitness Center: Not expected or provided at this sort of small resort.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not expected or provided.
  • Activities: Gear for snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding available for hire.

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – Food and Drink

  • Restaurant & Bar: The Vila Chaumières restaurant is renowned countrywide, with a chef who’s been there over for 20 years. The setting perched over the water is romantic and the cuisine mostly French, but with the sort of prices almost expected in Paris. Try the coconut crab or organic Vanuatu beef. Vegetarian meals also available.
  • Breakfast: Includes a decent ‘tropical’ (continental) breakfast at the lovely over-the-water restaurant.
  • Room Service: Available during restaurant hours – 12-2.30 pm and 6-9 pm.

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – Rooms

  • Room Types: 2 Lagoon View Apartments above the main building • 3 Garden Bungalows in the garden
  • Smoking Rooms: Smoking is not permitted inside the buildings, but is allowed elsewhere (including the balconies/patios).
  • Best Room: The Lagoon View Apartments above the restaurant can be noisy, but they’re otherwise charming, with views down the length of the lagoon from the broad balconies packed with outdoor furniture.

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

    The choice within walking distance along the main road is limited to 2 places:

  • Lagoon Bar & Grill – Perched above the water at the Tropicana Resort next door. The menu is limited but the setting is superb. Great for seafood and locally-raised beef.
  • The Beach Bar Café – In the MG Cocomo Resort, 350m towards town. The limited selection includes pasta, curries, and burgers. The Deck bar offers happy hours, movie nights, and live music/entertainment.

Otherwise, catch a minibus to Port Vila. These places are along the more convenient northern end of the main street:

  • The Rossi Restaurant – Stylish bistro overlooking a garden and facing the harbor, with a tiny playground. Focuses on Italian fare. At the northern end of the seaside path.
  • Banyan Beach Bar – Casual bar/café with likable wooden counters, plush sofas on the sand, abundant shade, and a playground. Small but rocky beach. Trendy DJs on weekends.
  • Nambawan Café – Perfect waterfront position near the market. For juices, baguettes, and pizzas at reasonable prices. Packed out for movies on some evenings.

Nearby Market or Grocery

  • About 500m along the main road towards town, the huge Au Bon Marché supermarket also offers a limited selection of takeaway food.

Local Transport

    Plenty of public minibuses hurtle along the main road to Port Vila. To charter one anywhere further, negotiate with drivers who hang around the Au Bon Marché supermarket.

Vila Chaumières Restaurant & Resort – The Hotel

The resort is very close to Port Vila.

This welcoming resort is located about 5 minutes by minibus from Port Vila.

The resort has an excellent tropical setting by the Second Lagoon.

The resort’s tropical setting along the Second Lagoon is superb.

The lagoon is river-like with mangroves and unsuitable for swimming.

The lagoon is nothing like those found in Fiji or Tahiti. With mangroves across the narrow waterway, it resembles a river, with limited opportunities for swimming.

The resort waters are ideal for kayaking.

The calm water in front of the resort is ideal for kayaking.

The cosy adults-only resort has 5 accommodations.

With a total of only five bungalows and apartments, this adults-only resort is compact and cozy.

The pool is decent but under-used.

The pool is a good size, but lost among the gardens and probably under-used.

The resort restaurant is right on the water.

The restaurant at the resort features a superb setting and traditional design.

The gardens have appealing furniture.

The gardens near the restaurant and reception are dotted with stylish tables and chairs.

The resort bar serves nice drinks.

The bar at the Vila Chaumières offers a wide range of drinks.

The resort restaurant has a romantic setting.

The resort restaurant is particularly romantic at night.

Lagoon View Apartment balconies have appealing furniture.

The broad balconies in the Lagoon View Apartments are packed with delightful furniture.

Apartments are decorated with lovely traditional arts and crafts.

Apartments feature some lovely Melanesian arts and crafts along the walls.

The apartments are spacious, stylish and simple.

Apartments are simply furnished but spacious and stylish.

The bedrooms feature an unnecessary mosquito net.

A mosquito net is not necessary, but adds to the tropical ambience.

Lagoon views from apartments are lovely.

Views of the lagoon from the apartments are lovely.

Garden Bungalows' lounge area is surrounded by tropical gardens.

The Garden Bungalows have lounge areas alongside the lush gardens.

The bungalows and spacious and bright.

There is plenty of space and light in the bungalows.

Bungalow bedrooms are bland but spacious.

Bedrooms in the bungalows can be a little dark and simple, but they’re certainly spacious.

Bungalow balconies are surrounded by tropical gardens.

Bungalows feature small balconies facing the thick tropical gardens.

Tropicana Resort next door has a restaurant.

The closest restaurant outside the Vila Chaumières is at the Tropicana Resort next door.

Lagoon Bar & Grill has excellent setting and food.

The Lagoon Bar & Grill at the Tropicana offers a superb setting and tasty food.

Cocomo Resort nearby has an excellent restobar.

About 350m along the main road towards town, the MG Cocomo Resort has an excellent bar and restaurant.

Beach Bar & Cafe at Cocomo has a wooden deck.

The Beach Bar & Cafe at the Cocomo includes a wooden deck facing the lagoon.

Banyan Beach Bar has a small rocky beach and shady seating.

The Banyan Beach Bar on the northern edge of Port Vila features a small rocky beach and plenty of shady seats.

Banyan Beach Bar is popular for exotic cocktails.

The sofas on the sand at the Banyan Beach Bar are ideal for exotic cocktails and tasty snacks.

Rossi's is popular for its Italian food and harbor-side location.

In Port Vila, The Rossi Restaurant provides Italian cuisine in a lovely garden and harbor-side setting.

Nambawan Café in downtown is delightful and affordable.

The Nambawan Café in downtown is delightfully casual and affordably priced.

The capital's main street is full of shops.

Almost all shops in the capital are along one main street.

Port Vila is located on the harbor.

Port Vila is pleasantly located alongside the harbor.

Port Vila has several souvenir stalls near the produce market.

One reason to visit the capital are the numerous souvenir stalls near the produce market.

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