The Melanesian Port Vila — Restaurant in Efate

It’s not a long flight from Melbourne to Port Vila (8 hours with a stopover in Brisbane) but once you get off the plane and the humidity hits you, it’s tiring. A quick taxi ride 1800vt to the Melalnsian Port Vila Hotel and greeted by lovely people who checked me in quickly. This isn’t a hotel with someone to open the door, automatic doors, lifts, escalators etc. However, someone will take your luggage to your room if you ask. Up two flights of stairs and into my room which was lovely and nicer than I expected. Located at the end of the complex meant it was quiet - ✔️. A niceish view over the pool - ✔️. Air conditioning that actually works - ✔️. Clean room with big bed - ✔️. Only downside was that the internet is dreadful. Whether you’re in your room or the foyer it’s just not good. But don’t worry, I found the whole mid Port Vila the same. If a restaurant said free wifi it can be either non existent or not bad - but never great. The shower is over a bath, toiletries supplied, hair dryer, small safe, good hanging space for clothes, good sized luggage rack, tv with multiple channels with English speaking shows. Many of them are streamed from Australia. Outdoor deck area with two chairs and a table. Complimentary tea and coffee and drinks in the mini bar at mini bar prices. The pool is large and very clean and there is a smaller pool nearby for kids. Breakfast is on the Oasis level which is the pool level. It’s pretty basic but do remember it’s a 3 star hotel. You have a choice of pancakes, white bread for toast, baguettes that aren’t really baguettes, tiny croissants, pineapple or orange juice, tea or coffee, choice of three cereals, plus fresh fruit. It’s simple fare and will be a good start to your day. There is an option to have hot food such as eggs but that is an extra charge starting at 500vt. The walk to ‘town’ or the market takes around 15 minutes at the most and it’s all downhill. There is a bus stop out the front and it’ll cost you around 100vt. Same on the return trip. Just look out for the vans that have a red B on their number plate and flag one down. This place isn’t very wheelchair friendly and I met a couple both with walking sticks saying they’d struggled going to many of the well known places because it doesn’t accommodate anyone with a disability. Melanesian Port Vila is kid friendly but only saw two who were under 10 who never left the pool. There is parking on site if you have a car. At the front of the hotel is Casino 22 and you’ll have some free vouchers in your room to use there. This isn’t beach front and has no views of the sea. But I’ll say it mention again, it’s 3 star and for that upmarket resort experience you’d need to pay considerably more. Ergo - this isn’t so much for honeymooners and more for regular travellers. Also met quite a few business...

After receiving a room rate over the phone and writing an email to reservations, I received another price, Vatu 3.500 more. I specifically asked for a room for 3 people. We went there for a special occasion, therefore I took the room. Plastic cards were given at the reception for pool towels. My daughter and I got changed and asked at the bar, next to the pool, where to get the towels: down at reception. Not very convenient, as you then have to go down the stairs. They used to have towels next to the pool, but, obviously not anymore. After a nice swim, we showered and got dressed, ready for a drink. Bar tenders didn't pay any attention and after a while I went to the bar and asked for some drinks. It took quite a while You would expect, that staff walks around and sees whether people like to order another drink. At 5.30pm we went to our meeting and had a great night. Bar was clised after the gathering finished. In the morning, the dirty glasses, bottle and ashtray were still on the table outside 🤔. The included breakfast is a joke: 2 different jams, Nutella spread and peanut butter for toast or croissant. Two different fruits and tea and coffee. The coffee was good. I ordered bacon and eggs. I had to return them, as the egss were not cooked properly. The room and bathroom were very clean and the bed...

I had a 1-bedroom apartment to myself. There were to be 2 of us but my friend pulled out at the last minute. The hotel had set up a second bed for him in the spacious living area at no extra charge. The apartment was spacious and clean, with a well-stocked kitchenette. There was no fresh milk in the fridge and it wasn’t strictly available from room service, but one of the young staff went out of his way to bring me some in a big cup. It was a long hot climb up the stairs to the second floor, and no lift. I needed the exercise, but it wouldn’t suit the elderly or frail. And of course a man carried my suitcase up and back. The wifi was pretty good, and there was a lovely big TV screen that was uncomplicated to work, if like me you were happy with ABC and SBS. I was there for the weekly Sunday night barbecue and cultural show, which was terrific. You could tell it was authentic local people taking part in the singing and dancing including women and children, demonstrating a culture that is still alive to an important extent. The main host man was happy to demonstrate how traditional instruments had been adapted to use modern materials like glass in some cases. There...