About this hotel
General information
Tamanu on the Beach is a small resort of 15 individual villas on its own white-sand beach on Efate, about 20 minutes’ drive from central Port Vila. The villas carry a French Caribbean touch — high ceilings, soft lighting, verandahs turned towards the water — and stand along the shore and in the tropical garden just behind it, so most of them look out over the Pacific.
The mood is quiet and unhurried, and the resort suits couples and families alike: several villas have private plunge pools, the two-bedroom villa sleeps up to six, and children aged 3–12 have a club of their own. Beyond the beach there is a saltwater pool, petanque and volleyball courts, a day spa working with products made in Vanuatu, and an open-air restaurant above the waves that cooks with local produce, from tuna to Vanuatu beef.
Location
The resort sits on the Pacific coast of Efate, on its own white-sand beach, about 20 minutes by road from the centre of Port Vila. Transfers are arranged by the resort and must be booked in advance: the standard transfer is a seat in a shared vehicle, and a private transfer can be reserved separately.
Spa
Tamanu Day Spa is open daily from 9am to 5pm and works with Volcanic Earth, a skincare range made in Vanuatu; every treatment starts with a foot wash. Massages include aromatherapy with oils blended into local coconut oil, a firmer massage with black pepper and mandarin oil, a massage with Tamanu Body Butter (tamanu oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil and papaya), volcanic hot stones, back, neck and scalp, and a foot massage with a peppermint soak and scrub. Facials range from a honey-and-pumice exfoliation with a white clay mask to a hibiscus facial and a men’s facial. Longer packages combine scrubs, wraps, massage and facials — a coconut and coffee scrub with a chocolate and coconut wrap, for instance, or the Romantic Escape Ritual for two. The spa boutique sells local handicrafts, clothing and Volcanic Earth products.
Sports & leisure
On site there is a saltwater swimming pool, petanque and volleyball courts and the resort’s own beach. The resort holds regular live-music evenings and cooking classes, and the team helps plan other outings around the island. The 83 Islands craft distillery, about 15 minutes’ drive away, runs tours with tastings of its gin, rum and chocolate.
For children
Kokonas Kids Club takes children aged 3–12, with indoor and outdoor play areas and staff to look after them. The spa offers a gentle 30-minute Tamanu Pikinini Facial for children aged 12 and under, made without exfoliants.
Restaurants & bars
Tamanu On The Beach, the resort’s open-air restaurant, sits right on the beach with wide ocean views and serves from 7am to 10pm daily. The kitchen buys as much as it can from local markets and producers and adds a daily blackboard of seasonal specials to the menu: local tuna as sashimi, carpaccio or tartare, local fish baked in banana leaf with coconut, Vanuatu eye fillet, a seafood curry in coconut milk, a separate choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and desserts made with Vanuatu dark chocolate. The bar pours Australian, New Zealand and French wines and mixes cocktails with gin and rum from the local 83 Islands distillery; there is also a children’s menu, and dietary requirements are catered for.
Swimming
The resort has its own private white-sand beach with clear blue water. Besides the sea there is a saltwater pool, and the plunge pool villas each have a small private pool by the verandah.
Pets
Pets are not allowed at the resort, with the exception of guide dogs.
Rooms
Tamanu has 15 individual villas in five categories, from beachfront villas with private plunge pools to garden-view villas and a two-bedroom villa for a family or two couples.
Every villa has air conditioning and ceiling fans, a balcony or verandah with outdoor furniture, bathrobes, a flat-screen satellite TV with free in-house movies, Wi-Fi, a bar fridge, tea and coffee facilities, a telephone, a hairdryer, an iron, a safe, a separate shower, daily housekeeping and room service.
Beach Front Plunge Pool Villa
Set right on the sand at the front of the beach, with a private plunge pool and a large separate bathtub. A king-size bed that can be split into two singles, plus two separate daybeds for extra guests.
Beach Front Villa
A beachfront villa facing the sunset, with high ceilings and a raised bath for two looking over the beach and ocean. A king-size bed that can be split into two singles and two single daybeds; up to 4 guests.
Two Bedroom Plunge Pool Villa
A few metres back from the beach in the tropical garden: two large air-conditioned bedrooms, each with its own bathroom (a deep soaking tub in the main one), and a verandah with an ocean view and an extra-large plunge pool. Up to 6 guests.
Deluxe Villa
A garden-view villa styled in white with blue accents, with a private balcony, a walk-in shower and a bathtub. Up to 3 guests.
Beach View Villa
A few metres back from the shore, with views of Tamanu Beach, an open-air bathroom and a verandah with a hammock or lounger. Up to 2 guests.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.