Want to be adrift in the daydreamy South Pacific as soon as possible? Read our list of the top 10 resorts for families in the South Pacific to help you decide on your next holiday.
Want to be adrift in the daydreamy South Pacific as soon as possible? Read our list of the top 10 resorts for families in the South Pacific to help you decide on your next holiday.
Warwick le Lagon – Vanuatu is a tropical paradise of cascading waters and lush gardens on the shore of Erakor Lagoon in Port Vila. With two tennis courts, a 13-hole golf course, water sports, a huge swimming pool and a children’s pool, the kids will easily burn all that youthful energy without stepping foot outside the resort.
If the adults need a time out at the Oasis Spa, fitness centre or with a romantic meal, a kids’ club is available to keep little ones busy. When the time comes to explore, stop by the local market or tour the nearby beaches, waterfalls and the stunning blue pools.
Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu is a renowned family favourite thanks to its combination of fun zones for the kids and secluded quiet zones for the adults. Located just minutes from town on exclusive lagoon frontage, the resort offers a variety of accommodation ranging from the spacious family suite (which comes with a Banyan treehouse- themed room for kids) to overwater villas.
Drop kids aged three to 12 off at the kids’ club or the activities hut for nature walks, treasure hunts and more, while you unwind at the spa or sink a few holes at the adjacent golf course.
Set on the picturesque Aroa Beach, water-loving families will be in paradise at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium. Keep yourself busy with daily activities like lei making, ukulele lessons and fish feeding, or explore the sparkling blue waters of the resort’s private beach by snorkel, kayak and paddleboard.
The resort does an excellent job of catering to kids, offering the Banana Beach Playland Creche for babies and toddlers, the Moko’s Kids Club for those aged four to 11 and the Teen Zone for older kids. Come dinnertime, mum and dad can enjoy a cocktail at Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill while little ones indulge in the ‘Gone Troppo’ menu.
Relax your days away on Iririki Island’s 130-metre beach, and enjoy a range of activities by night when you stay at Iririki Island Resort & Spa. Monday evenings spotlight Polynesian dance performances, while you can feast on an array of traditional dishes at Azure Restaurant on Tuesdays. Wednesday is for cheese and wine lovers; Friday presents a gastronomic experience with fresh seafood platters; and Saturday brings the heat with a beach barbecue and fire show. There is also lots to do before the sun goes down with diversions including kayaking safaris, diving lessons and coconut husking.
Nestled in an oasis of tropical gardens and set on its own private beach, Poppy’s on the Lagoon Resort channels a distinct castaway vibe. Yet, this island paradise is just 15 minutes from town and entertains guests with everything from art classes to free use of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and outrigger canoes. Kids can get their hair braided while parents indulge at the day spa, then reunite for a meal at The LEAF Restaurant, offering locally grown products with beautiful overwater views.
With just 29 luxuriously appointed bungalows and villas, Pacific Resort Aitutaki, offers an intimate stay surrounded by lush tropical gardens, white-sand beaches and a stunning lagoon. The self-guided snorkelling tour along the Aquatic Eco-Trail is a must-do for families, as is the Wednesday night buffet dinner featuring entertainment by local Aitutakians accompanied – think, island drummers, guitarists and ukulele players. If you’re after something more romantic, the resort offers private dining experiences in your very own Bedouin-style tent on the beach.
Lush and secluded, Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort truly showcases the natural beauty of Samoa. There is a blissful beach to explore and unparalleled access to snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking and cycling experiences. For those who feel like staying close to home, the lagoon-style pool is ideal for lazy days, while the tennis courts offer the opportunity for families to partake in a little friendly competition. Visit the Apolima Fale daily for a spectacular breakfast buffet, and then again on Friday evenings, when they offer delicious meals and an entertaining cultural show.
A stay in one of the stunning overwater bungalows at the Four Season Resort Bora Bora is a life-changing experience. Start your day with breakfast delivered by canoe to your private deck, and then wander over to the pool for an early morning swim or to lounge in a thatched cabana. Spend your day splashing in the lagoon-style pool, or take to the seas and help chefs catch the fish of the day. If you’re worried about entertaining the little ones, don’t be – the Kids For All Seasons will keep them busy on their own a Polynesian adventure.
The epitome of barefoot luxury, Ratua Island Resort and Spa shows guests a side to Vanuatu they’ve likely never seen before. Avid anglers can jump on board a charter in the hope of wrangling a blue marlin, while equestrians can take a tour of the island on horseback, swimming bareback through the lagoon with their noble steed. After all the adventure, a stunning spa sits over the water, offering guests ocean views during their personalised treatments.
Any day that starts with a complimentary tropical breakfast is going to be a good one, and at The Edgewater Resort & Spa, that’s exactly what’s on offer. Sprawled across 2.5 hectares, this resort has something for everyone: a tennis court, cooking lessons, live entertainment and themed nights, Coconut Kids Club, a salon and spa, and a sand deck beside the pool (best enjoyed with a cocktail at sunset). Accommodation offers views of the garden, lagoon and beach, and can cater for up to six guests.
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