Warwick Le Lagon – Vanuatu

Set along the shores of beautiful Erakor Lagoon, the Warwick Le Lagon - Vanuatu is a sprawling property offering a relaxed island living experience, with gorgeous tropical gardens abutting a turquoise-water lagoon, traditional local architecture, and a serene atmosphere. Common spaces are elegant and upscale, with wooden ceilings, pitched roofs, huge windows that can be fully opened to create an indoor-outdoor feel, and heavy wooden furniture with cheerful accent pillows. Although there is a daily entertainment program that focuses mainly on group sports and cultural activities, guests wanting to relax can also snooze under a palm tree by the pool or explore the lagoon either with the free snorkeling gear provided at the resort, or on a kayak or canoe. 

Most guests here are Australian families, so those wanting a kid-free vacation may want to consider the Mangoes Resort, although it is more modest and doesn’t offer direct access to the lagoon. The Terraces Boutique Apartments is a better pick for families wanting the conveniences of apartment living in the same price range as the Warwick Le Lagon, while travelers wanting something more romantic may prefer the Iririki Island Resort & Spa, which is on a small island off the coast of Port Vila. 

Warwick Le Lagon is located on a long peninsula stretching out from Port Vila into the Mele Bay, just outside of the city center, which allows for a secluded, serene feel. The hotel grounds offer direct access to the Erakor Lagoon -- a popular snorkeling and water-sport spot in the area -- via a sandy beach with steps into the water. Those wanting to explore the island can reach several attractions within a 10- to 15-minute drive, including the bustling Port Vila Market, the Ekasup Village, and the Vanuatu National Museum. Other tourist hotspots, such as Mele Waterfalls, the Summit Garden, and Eden on the River are all less than a half-hour drive away. Bauerfield International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. 

The hotel has 143 rooms housed in a number of small, low buildings. Room types range from simple entry-level units with outdoor spaces and garden or lagoon views, to spacious villas with private pools, outdoor bathrooms, and pitched wooden ceilings. Decor varies between room types -- while villas are decorated in a tasteful style that combines local dark woods and more classic furniture, standard rooms feel a tad plain for the price, with simple dark-wood furniture (some of which has seen better days), off-white tile floors, and few ornaments. 

Flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, DVD players, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers are all standard amenities. Wi-Fi is available for a steep daily fee, and some guests have complained that it can be spotty. Additional perks for villas include private butlers, free Wi-Fi, free evening snacks and Champagne, and private pools. Bathrooms range from simple and a tad worn in standard rooms, to huge and decadent in villas. Most rooms have separate showers and tubs (some with jets), basic sinks over beige stone counters and wooden vanities, and hairdryers. Bathrooms in villas are outdoors and have big soaking tubs and direct access to the private pool.  

The Warwick Le Lagon offers a wide array of free non-motorized sports, including snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing. Additionally, there are catamarans and windsurfing boards available for a fee. The main pool is large and pretty, with lots of palm trees and a swim-up bar, but beware of the tiles around it, as they can get slippery when wet. Water activities are offered in a smaller pool, while kids can splash around in a shallow pool also on the main deck. A free, varied buffet is served every morning at the main restaurant, and lunch is available by the pool. For dinner, guests can choose between the buffet or Wild Ginger, an a la carte serving up tasty (if expensive) Asian cuisine. Kids under 12 eat free at the resort.

The spa is elegant and appealing, with several private and couples’ rooms, an area for salon services, and an outdoor pool with lush greenery and loungers. There is also a well-equipped fitness center with a few cardio and strength-training machines, air-conditioning, and big windows, plus two tennis courts and a 12-hole golf course. The kids’ club features an indoor area with video games, tables, and a room for movies, plus an outdoor playground -- but kids aren’t always separated by age, and activities are few and spread out. The hotel also has extensive meeting space and a charming wooden deck over the lagoon for weddings.