Port Vila - Cheapest Accommodation

Could someone point me in the direction of some backpacker friendly cheap accommodation in Port Vila? Do they have any dorms there? I have no access guide books just at the moment, and nothing is jumping out at me on the TT. Basically I want self catering and cheap. A friend told me of a Korean owned place that I can sleep for around 1,500 vatu which sounds ideal, but I cant remember the name of the place. Any ideas?

ps free internet access would be a huge bonus too!

Edited by: middlemef

It would be worth checking if any of the churches have rest houses, similar to the ones in Honiara. Try Presbyterian or Anglican churches.

USP often rents out their staff bungalows off-term. Stayed in one of them, great accommodation and inexpensive. Don't remember the price, though; it was on a list of budget accommodation available at the airport.

OK, I was there years ago, but as of then, the Kalfabun Guest House charged that price for a dorm and had in fact been about the cheapest place in Vila for ages. It is along the road from the airport to the town. Updates about it would be welcome, it somehow stayed out of the LP guides forever.

Coconut Palms has rooms for about 3,000 and City Lodge for about 5,000. Beachcomber and Hideaway both have dorms but are outside Vila. Hibiscus charges around 2,000 pp for dorms.

There is no backpacker scene in Vila.

u_s, do you know anything about the Kalfabun as of nowadays?
Still running, how much...?

I'm not in Vila anymore. Can't help. If anyone wants to try it, the phone number used to be 24484. Maybe still is ? ?

The Korean-owned place is probably Blue Pango motel - near the village of Pango just outside Vila (prob 5-10 mins on a bus).

Bring your chequebook. Such a deal !

http://raywhite.vu/cgi-bin/clients/rwnz//profile.cgi?propertyid=BU2229103&gid=24004

Have a look at this site. They have a good reputation.

http://www.vanuatu-hotels.vu/

They do have low cost accommodation and I do seem to remember seeing something basic run by Koreans. Have a look anyway.

A Room With a View is run by Koreans. It's filthy. In my room the toilet pan was grey with dirt above the water, the bathroom floor didn't drain properly, the self catering kitchen area had no pots, pans, plates or cutlery and was in a dark unlit corner, there was no top sheet on the bed, just a sarong to wrap yourself in. The view over the bay is good but the traffic noise makes it hard to enjoy. I'd booked over the internet for 6 nights but left after 1.

The place that took me in was Travellers Budget Hotel - it's brilliant - very clean, inexpensive, good kitchen, wonderful friendly hosts. Look at all the (genuine) reviews on TA. It's on the recommended list from the tourist info in Port Vila.

Excellent response, cheers guys!

I did in fact head to the Hibiscus for my first night (1600vt per night for dorm), which is ok, but have since taken my friends advice and moved to the Blue Pango Motel (yes the Koren run place - 1300vt per night dorm, 10min bus into town 150vt) which is an improvement on the Hibiscus and it has a pool, but it does lack atmosphere - probably because it is practically empty at the moment!