Iririki Resort

This information is posted in response to a request from Pepita - Pepita: there is also a copy in your PM box.

Iririki was much better than I expected. The waterfront faves were just great. I had requested faves beyond the point - getting towards Snorkeler's Cove and would highly recommend this. It means that you are away from any potential noise from the little ferry (however I didn't think it was noisy - more cute than noisy) and the sight of down town Port Vila which looks just a titsy ramshackle from the water. Instead our fave gave great views of the harbour, its entrance, a wonderful range of yachts and the constant interest of the bright yellow water taxis taking children to school, women to the market etc. Sunsets from our balcony were always brilliant although a few times we went up to the infinity pool and adjacent bali hai cafe and had sunset cocktails there. Just minutes walk took us to Snorkelers Cove were the snorkelling was excellent - huge diversity of beautifully hued fish. (Incidentally I've snorkelled in the Caribean, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji and Sri Lanka and still thought Snorkeler's Cove was good).

Michener's was lovely for breakfast and the other restaurant over the tiny strand (can't recall its name) was rather nice - contemporary, elegant food.

The infinity pool was lovely and the other series of swimming pools were larger than I expected.

Staff were excellent, very helpful and I thought, efficient.

The ferry to Iririki was free for guests - a charge for others.

We had lunch at Breakas and were absolutely delighted that we hadn't chosen it although it had been on my shortlist. Its restaurant was very small, with a very, very limited menu. The pool was miniscule, the beach was OK but with winds and choppy seas the snorkelling would have been unpleasant. Basically Breakas gave me a teeny sense of claustrophobia. The taxi ride and cost to get into Port Vila for alternative dining and prowling around I thought was an issue.

Some nice places to eat in Port Vila - most low key. We particularly enjoyed El Gecko and the Waterfront cafe and the little patisserie just across the road from the market and Iririki ferry. All these were popular with the locals. The patisserie was really good for lunch and snacking on pastries.

Costs: there was really not much difference between the costs for food and drink between the resort and Port Vila.

Lunch at the resort cost 2650 vt for two.
The resort seafood buffet (loved the food - hated the cute 'island dance'/entertainment) and a couple of cocktails and beers every day (we were there for 7 days) was about 14,500 vt.

Costs in Port Vila all for 2 people (at various establishments):
lunch 3,000 vt
lunch 2,900 vt
dinner (at the Waterfront Cafe) 7,600 vt
dinner 4,00 vt
dinner 6,000 vt
dinner (at Moorings) 12,000 vt.
dinner 6,500 vt.

Taxis have a set price - from memory around 2,000 vt to Breakas.

I was keen to hire a car however our friends were not interested and I thought the cars were just a little expensive as was petrol. If you do consider hiring a car - go for a 4 wheel drive as a lot of the island is apparently unsealed and I think the hinterland could be quite fascinating. Incidentally we hired a 4 wheel drive in Fiji for a week and took it over some nice rough roads to get to various villages.

We went to Hideaway to snorkel. Snorkelling was nice. However the beach bar/cafe does a roaring trade in hamburghers and chips. By around 2pm the whole place just reeked with a fatty, oily smell.

And for the sunsets - doesn't get better than faves no 28 and 29 or the pool at Iririki. Moorings would also give you sunset views as does the very quirky numbawan cafe in downtown Port Vila.

Note: watch your step on wooden decks at Iririki if there has been rain. I slipped on the lower deck at the infinity pool (before I had a cocktail) and came down with a huge crash - brilliant multihued bruise. Others also had a few slips and slides.

Hope all this helps and happy to answer other questions if I can.

regards

Kalki