Moorings Hotel: Port Vila, Vanuatu Review
If you are looking for a family-friendly hotel in Port Vila, Vanuatu, both close to the airport and the town with shops and restaurants, keep reading to see if Moorings Hotel is a good fit for your family.
Our family opted to stay at the Moorings Hotel on our holiday to Vanuatu as we did not want to stay in a resort, and we wanted a budget-friendly option where we would not have to rent a car.
With a swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, a restaurant, and within walking distance of shops and restaurants, we found Moorings Hotel to be both a kid-friendly and a budget-friendly hotel option in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Do you need Travel Insurance? We used Cover-More for our holiday in Vanuatu.
Arriving in Port Vila, Vanuatu
After flying into Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) in Port Vila on Vanuatu’s Efate island, we opted to get free 3-day visitor SIM cards, exchanged money, and took a taxi to Moorings Hotel.
Moorings Hotel is less than a 10-minute drive from the airport. Our taxi cost $1,500 Vatu, which at the time equaled about $18 AUD or $13 USD.
It is easy to spot official taxis in Vanuatu as they have a T on the license plate. A bus in Vanuatu, which can look similar to a van, has a B in red on its license plate.
Taxis line up outside the airport, and staff are on hand to help as needed.
Map Showing Moorings Hotel Location in Port Vila
Checking in at Moorings Hotel
As soon as we arrived at Moorings Hotel, we were welcomed with a welcome drink and a welcoming staff.
I browsed the rack of tourist brochures to the right of the check-in desk and picked up the ones that looked interesting, as we didn’t make any plans prior to our holiday in Vanuatu.
Two members of the staff answered our questions and advised us on tour options. Unfortunately, we arrived the day before a cyclone was set to hit offshore, and they warned us that we shouldn’t book anything for the next day.
The Rooms at Moorings Hotel
⭐ 4/5 🗺️ Port Vila ✅ Book Now
Moorings Hotel is a 3-star resort with standard rooms that sleep 2 guests and family rooms that sleep 4.
Cots (or as I would call them, cribs) are available upon request.
Each room includes an ensuite as well as a mini-fridge, tea kettle, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans.
All rooms at the Moorings Hotel have a balcony or a terrace.
Standard Room at Moorings Hotel
For those who aren’t fussed about their view, a standard room at the Moorings Hotel is the most budget-friendly option.
As the standard room only sleeps 2, this room is obviously just an option for single people, couples, or 1 parent traveling with 1 child.
The standard room has a King bed that is convertible into 2 twin beds, and a cot is available upon request.
Pool View Rooms
The pool view rooms at Moorings Hotel are standard rooms with a pool view. Each room sleeps 2 with a King bed that is convertible into 2 twin beds.
Harborview Rooms
Harborview rooms sleep 2 with a King bed that is convertible into 2 twin beds. As the name implies, the Harborview rooms overlook the harbor.
Family Rooms at Moorings Hotel
The family rooms at Moorings Hotel sleep up to 4 with bunk beds and a King bed.
Moorings Hotel Swimming Pool
The swimming pool at Moorings Hotel is located between the buildings, next to the bar, and with a view of the harbor.
The bottom floor of the pool view rooms overlooks the pool and has a chair outside on the terrace. The 2nd floor has a balcony that overlooks the pool.
A collection of colorful chairs is located on each side of the pool.
Pool towels need to be signed out at the front desk.
Recreation Options at Moorings Hotel
From the first time she saw the see-through kayaks on the wall by the lobby, my daughter wanted to ride in one.
The water was rough after the cyclone, so we waited until the end of our holiday, and she finally got to ride on one on the last morning of our stay at Moorings.
Kayaks are available to rent at the front desk of Moorings.
I didn’t read the guidebook Moorings has in their guest rooms until a few hours before we checked out, but it appears as though things have changed.
The guidebook mentions board games and a lending library, neither of which I found. I asked the staff about a book exchange, but they said they didn’t have one.
Complimentary Breakfast at Moorings Hotel
Everyone who stays at Moorings Hotel has access to a complimentary continental breakfast that begins at 7 am.
Daily options include tropical fruit, yogurt, cereal, toast, fish-shaped pancakes, juice, milk, tea, and coffee.
Generally, the breakfast buffet is the same daily, though the fruit does change. We saw bananas, papaya, grapefruit, and pineapple.
Those who want can order a hot breakfast and an espresso-based coffee.
Seaside Bar and Bistro
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Seaside Bar and Bistro is located inside the Moorings Hotel in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
While all of the seating is technically outside, there is inside (under a roof, with partial walls) seating and outdoor seating available.
The breakfast menu includes egg dishes, a breakfast burrito, and a tropical breakfast buffet.
Snacks are served throughout the day, and there are lunch specials that include a drink. Lunch options include fish dishes, burgers, and pasta.
Dinner is served at Seaside Bistro each evening and includes options such as fish, steak, and chicken dishes as well as vegetarian options. Dinner specials are available in addition to the main menu.
A kid’s menu is available with kid-friendly options such as pizza, spaghetti, and fish and chips.
We found the portions to be large, and the food was delicious. It is hard to tell quite how large the adult meals are, as they were stacked on top of mashed potatoes.
Dessert is served at Seaside Bistro throughout the day.
The bar has a few seats that are swings, which, of course, my kids wanted to try. They aren’t meant to swing far.
The bar is open all day, starting with juice and coffee in the morning and moving to beer, wine, and cocktails in the afternoon. Happy hour takes place from 5 pm until 7 pm daily.
Book your stay at Moorings Hotel.
Things to Do Near Moorings Hotel with Kids
Lots of shops and restaurants are within walking distance of the Moorings Hotel.
If you turn right when you exit the hotel, after about a 2-minute walk, there is a small beach and picnic tables. Another minute more and there is a small playground.
A much larger playground is in town by the harbor near where the cruise ships come in.
We weren’t there on a cruise ship day as it was canceled due to the cyclone, but there are lots of shops and a market nearby, and a lot of people set up their products on cruise ship days.
If you want to learn as you walk through town, there is an option for an audio tour of Port Vila.
Tana Russet Plaza
A shopping mall with a movie theatre and restaurants, Tana Russet Plaza is a good place to hang out on a hot or rainy day.
Tana Russet Plaza is just a few minutes’ walk from the Moorings Hotel.
Vanuatu National Museum
While it is within walking distance, it is up a bunch of stairs and a bit of a hike. Either way, the Vanuatu National Museum is worth exploring. You can add on a tour or choose to wander on your own.
Note that there is no air-conditioning inside the Vanuatu National Museum.
Hideaway Island
A short taxi ride or bus ride leads to the ferry dock to Hideaway Island. The ferry ride is 4 minutes long.
Once on Hideaway Island, families can relax, participate in water sports, and snorkel to the world’s only underwater post office.
Tours from Moorings Hotel
Vanuatu offers many options for day tours. Here are a few options that include hotel pick-up.
We enjoyed both of the day tours that we took from Moorings Hotel. Unfortunately, it was muddy during our stay due to the cyclone, and we were unable to go to the waterfalls.
Port Vila Island Tour
Visit the Blue Lagoon, swim with the turtles at Turtle Sanctuary, visit Eton village, and learn the history of the island on the Port Vila Island Tour.
Another option for a similar tour is through Holiday Makers. We took a half-day tour with Holiday Makers that included Eton Beach, the Blue Lagoon, swimming with the turtles, a visit to a cultural village, and lunch.
Eden on the River Day Tour
The Eden on the River Day Tour is a family-friendly tour that includes swimming, a choice of 2 guided tours, a BBQ lunch, and miniature golf.
Eden on the River Cooking Tour
Swim in the river and learn to make a traditional dish that you will then eat for lunch with Eden on the River Cooking Tour.
Kids 9+ can participate in the cooking tour.
Mele Cascades and Waterfall
Walk through the jungle and swim at the waterfall on the Mele Cascades and Waterfall Day Tour.
Lelepa Island Tours
We joined in on the Lelepa Island Day Tour, which was recommended by our hotel. The day tour includes snorkeling, lunch, and visiting historical caves and a village on Lelela Island, off the coast of Efate Island, where Port Vila is located.
Read all about our Day Tour to Lelepa Island.
Restaurants Near Moorings Hotel
Kesorn’s Exotic Thai
As a family, we decided Kesorn’s Exotic Thai was our favorite restaurant. We liked it so much that we ate there twice, which is unusual for us as we like to try new things.
Kesorn’s Exotic Thai has both indoor and outdoor seating, and the view from the outdoor seating is beautiful.
They do have a buffet once a month on the 3rd Saturday, but we chose to order off the menu both times. If you go for lunch, there is a lunch buffet on Thursdays.
Reefers Restaurant and Rum Bar
Another option within walking distance of the Moorings Hotel with a beautiful view is Reefers Restaurant and Rum Bar.
Banyan Beach Bar
Next to Moorings Hotel is Banyan Beach Bar, a bar and restaurant with outdoor seating.
The menu at Banyan Beach Bar includes salads, burgers, and pizza.
The Stonegrill Restaurant
Across from Kesorn’s Exotic Thai is The Stonegrill Restaurant, where food is cooked on a stone at your table.
Moorings Hotel with Kids Wrap-Up
Book a Stay at Moorings Hotel in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
For anyone looking for a nice, clean, budget-friendly hotel near central Port Vila, Vanuatu, Moorings Hotel is a great option.
We weren’t expecting anything fancy, and as a 3-star hotel, it feels like Moorings Hotel makes a little bit of extra effort to excel.
The staff at Moorings is friendly and kind, always asking us how we are doing and our plans for the day. They help book tours and give advice when asked.
Our room was basic, clean, and a little bit run-down. Some of the shutters on the windows were missing, but it did not affect our stay.
While we would have preferred a little bit more variety at breakfast, since we basically ate the same meal 4 mornings in a row, it is great to have breakfast included.
The wifi worked well in the lobby, restaurant, and by the pool, but it cut out a lot in our room. I am not sure if that is always the case. We did have visitor SIM cards from the airport, and those worked well.
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