The Havannah Vanuatu - Exclusively for adults

The Havannah Vanuatu is an adults-only resort in Samoa Point, with guests aged 16 and over. It is a small, single-storey property with 16 rooms, built in 2009 and renovated in 2015, so the scale is more considered than sprawling. English and French are spoken by the hotel team, which makes the first practical conversation rather easier after a long journey.

The mood is built around sea views, outdoor space and grown-up downtime rather than family entertainment. You have a garden, terrace, private white-sand beach and an adults-only infinity pool, with the restaurant looking across Havannah Harbour. It is the sort of place where the useful question is not what to do next, but whether to walk to the terrace or stay where you are.

The resort sits at Samoa Point on the north-west coast of Efate, in Vanuatu, directly beside the sea. Its private beach has white sand, sun loungers and parasols, so you are not relying on a shuttle to reach the water for a swim or a spell with a book.

Port Vila is a 30-minute drive away, and the airport is also 30 minutes by car. That keeps the resort within reach of the island’s main town without putting you in town itself. The setting is useful for a quieter base, while excursions can take you towards islands, waterfalls, markets and other parts of Efate.

The accommodation is arranged around villas, cottages and double-room options, with private bathrooms across the listed categories. If the view is part of the reason for travelling this far, choose a category facing the sea, water or bay rather than treating the room name as a minor detail. Garden-view options keep things simpler, while the one-bedroom villas give you a more defined retreat for a longer stay.

The more fully equipped villas bring the practical comforts that matter when you return warm, salty and ready to stop being organised: air conditioning, a ceiling fan, fridge, safe, Wi-Fi, television, wardrobe, hairdryer, towels, toiletries and a private bathroom. Bathrobes, tea and coffee facilities, a desk and a dining area are also available in those categories. The room service runs around the clock, useful when your day has followed the tide rather than the clock.

The smaller or less equipped categories are a different proposition, with the private bathroom as the clear constant. For a couple wanting a double bed and a sea-facing outlook, the double villa categories make the choice straightforward. Check the individual room card before booking, as the equipment changes considerably between categories.

The Point Restaurant handles breakfast, lunch and dinner on an open-air terrace overlooking Havannah Harbour through a 270-degree panorama. The cooking is international, but the ingredients keep the menu tied to Vanuatu: local seafood, tropical fruit and vegetables, locally grown beef, and the mix of cultures that shape the country’s food.

Breakfast is served à la carte and is included in the breakfast package. The menus change daily, with an emphasis on fresh, clean and creative dishes rather than a fixed run of resort staples. There is also a bar, while tea, coffee and bottled water are available for the quieter moments between meals.

Room service is available around the clock, and breakfast can be taken in your room. A picnic lunch is also available, which is handy when the day is planned away from the restaurant rather than around it.

The adults-only infinity pool gives you an easy place to spend the afternoon without committing to anything more ambitious. The private beach adds sand, sea and loungers, with parasols and beach towels available. If you prefer to keep moving, the property has fitness equipment, a tennis court, bowling and bicycles, as well as opportunities for fishing and kayaking.

The Havannah Day Spa offers massages and facial treatments, including treatments for couples. That is the sensible option when the legs have had enough but the evening has not yet started. The resort also arranges boat outings, island trips, waterfall visits, market visits and snorkelling, along with cultural excursions.

There is a picnic area and a sun terrace for low-effort time outside. In other words, you can fill the day with activities, or simply move between the pool, beach and spa without anyone asking for a performance.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 22:00, with check-out at 11:00. Airport transfers are available by shuttle and should be arranged with the hotel before arrival. The drive from the airport takes around 30 minutes. Car parking is available free of charge, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The hotel can arrange excursions and transfers, with concierge and ticket-assistance services available. Laundry, luggage storage, a safe and room service cover the less glamorous but genuinely useful parts of a longer stay. First-aid and medical support are also available on site, and accessible facilities are provided.

Visa and Mastercard are accepted. The resort closes each year from 29 January to 11 February, so those dates deserve a glance before you book flights. The property is non-smoking overall, with designated smoking areas.

The resort supports VESS. That is the stated environmental commitment attached to the property, alongside its coastal setting and emphasis on local produce, including seafood, fruit, vegetables and locally grown beef.