Aore Island Resort

There is no grand entrance drama here: you arrive by boat, cross a private island, and settle into a beachfront bungalow surrounded by tropical gardens. Aore Island Resort is a small resort with an intimate feel, built for travellers who would rather hear the water than a road. Its English-language information is aimed at English-speaking guests, which gives you a clear starting point when arranging the stay.

The appeal is straightforward. You can swim and snorkel from the beach, eat on site, and spend the evening with local music, dancing and stories rather than hunting for entertainment elsewhere. Couples are particularly well suited to the setting, while family rooms, babysitting and children of all ages make the resort workable for a wider group.

The resort sits on Aore Island, in Luganville, Vanuatu, directly on the coast with a private beach area. Espiritu Santo is reached by a short ferry crossing from Luganville; the journey takes about 15 minutes. That makes the resort feel properly separate without turning every arrival or trip into an expedition.

Santo-Pekoa International Airport is about 4.4 miles away by road, with the drive taking around eight minutes before the boat crossing. Across in and around Luganville, you have cafés and restaurants, while Tutu natural park is about 1.7 miles away and the SS President Coolidge wreck is about 5 miles away by road. Champagne Beach, the Blue Holes and Riri Bluehole are also available as excursions from the resort.

The accommodation is made up of bungalows, and the useful detail is what you get inside rather than a parade of room labels. A refrigerator gives you somewhere for cold water when the day has taken its toll, while tea and coffee-making facilities cover the first cup before anyone starts discussing the morning boat. There is also an iron, a ceiling fan, and a private bathroom with a hot shower and hairdryer.

The beachfront position is the main reason to choose this style of accommodation. You are close to the sand and the water, with snorkelling directly outside the bungalow rather than a shuttle ride away. Sun loungers and parasols are available on the beach, and adult snorkel and mask use is included for exploring the shallows. Family rooms are available, while couples can keep things simple with a bungalow close to the sea.

Daily housekeeping keeps the return from the water uncomplicated. The ceiling fan is a practical touch in a tropical climate, and the private bathroom gives you the hot-shower reset that saltwater alone cannot quite manage. Cots and extra beds can be arranged for the relevant accommodation, and children of any age are welcome.

The Nakamal is the centre of the resort's food operation, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner indoors. Breakfast is included with every stay, which removes one piece of morning logistics before you head towards the day's activities. The menu changes twice daily, using local and seasonal produce rather than running the same script from one meal to the next.

Lunch and dinner combine Pacific cooking, local seafood, island-influenced dishes and international favourites. Santo beef, lobster and other local seafood can appear alongside lighter meals, salads and pizzas, with the kitchen's pizza oven earning its keep when you want something familiar. The restaurant also offers an all-day menu for lighter eating between activities.

There are two restaurants on site and a bar, so you can keep meals close to the bungalow rather than crossing back to Luganville every evening. Special-diet menus can be arranged, and packed lunches are available for days spent away from the table. The resort also runs themed evenings, including the Island Night, with traditional ni-Vanuatu performers, musicians and storytellers, plus the opportunity to try kava.

The 12-metre outdoor swimming pool offers an alternative to the sea when you want water without waves, fins or a mask. On the beach, sun loungers, chairs and parasols make the practical business of doing nothing easier, while the gardens, terrace and sun terrace give you more places to sit when the bungalow feels too close and the beach feels too bright.

Snorkelling starts directly from the shore, and canoeing, cycling and walking are available for days when a little movement is preferable to another horizontal hour. Fishing and boat excursions can be arranged, while the tour desk can help with local culture and trips around Santo. Champagne Beach, the Blue Holes and Riri Bluehole are among the excursions offered.

Some evenings bring traditional ni-Vanuatu performances, with live music and local storytelling. Spa facilities and massages are also available, including back, neck, head, hand, foot and full-body treatments. For couples, that gives the day a sensible ending: water, food, a treatment, then very little else.

The resort provides ferry transfers to and from Espiritu Santo, making the island crossing part of the arrival plan rather than something you need to solve independently. An airport shuttle is also available, and the tour desk, concierge service and luggage storage help with the less glamorous parts of travel. Private and express check-in and check-out are available.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 18:00, while check-out is from 07:00 to 10:00. Let the resort know your expected arrival time so the boat connection can be organised around your flight. The airport is close to Luganville, but the ferry still has to be factored into the overall journey.

WiFi is available free of charge in public areas, including the restaurant area. You can pay with cash, Visa or Mastercard. Laundry, babysitting and airport transfers are available as additional services, and non-smoking rooms are offered throughout the resort.