Dates of Stay 1 – 13 July 2014
Will We Return Yes
Rates Studio Gardenview from $220. One bedroom beachfront from $325.
Value for money Good
ROOM
Check-in Check-in time is 2pm standard, however check with the staff regarding when your flight may arrive
Check-out 10am
Room Type Studio Beachfront
Rate $280 per night
Breakfast Continental breakfast
Facilities
Tea and Coffee: Yes
Biscuits: No
Milk: Yes
Mini Bar: No
Clock Radio: Yes
Fan: Yes
CD Player: No
TV: No
TV Channels: N/A
Air-conditioning: No
Internal or External Noise: Very quiet. Sit on the balcony and hear the waves on the beach in front of you.
Work Desk: No
Powerpoints: Sufficient
Ironing Board: Yes
Bath robes and slippers: No
Lounge: Two single lounges
Wifi: There is no Wifi available in the resort rooms, however free Wifi is available in the Resort Lounge/Restaurant area. Speeds are slow but sufficient.
Services directory: Yes
Ventilation: Good
Smoking: All rooms are non-smoking
Bathroom
Size: Average
Cleanliness: Spotless
Space to put own toiletries: Yes
Tissues: Yes
Quality of complimentary toiletries: Average
Shower temperature: Varied. The hot water systems are small.
Shower power: Varied from poor to good
Water stays in shower: Yes
Internet Access
Availability: No resort rooms have Wifi, however it is available in the Lounge/Restaurant area.
Functionality: Works. It is slow but sufficient. Try and avoid peak times when other resort users are also using it as this does slow it down more.
Cost: Free. Ask the staff for the password.
Room service
There is no official room service offered, however if you have a special requirement or happen to fall sick, the staff are extremely helpful and will do whatever they can to accommodate you. We had meals delivered as a result of Susie injuring her leg and it was always delivered with a smile and no hassle at all.
THE RESORT
Size 18 bungalows situated along the beachfront of Aore Island
Proximity to Town Located 3km across the channel from Luganville, the capital of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Regular ferry services are run from the resort throughout the day if you do need to head to the shops. There are no shops on Aore Island.
Easy to find Yes. All locals within the town will be able to point you in the direction of the wharf, and it is just a 10-minute boat ride from there. If it is a clear day, you can see the resort across the channel.
Facilities
Concierge: No
Currency Exchange: Yes
Safety Deposit Box: Yes
Guest Dry Cleaning: No
Guest Laundry: Yes
Business Centre: Yes, charges apply
Meeting Rooms: No
Photocopying and Faxing: Discuss any requirements with the staff
Check-in
Queues: None
Time Taken: 2 minutes
Accuracy: Correct
Politeness: Smiles all round
Newspaper offered: No
Staff
Friendliness: Very friendly
Responsiveness to complaints: We had no complaints
Helpfulness: Very helpful
Cleaners: Very friendly
Restaurant
Table Availability: Straight away
Politeness: Smiles all around
Range available: Quite a good range that changes daily, though full vegetarians may find it harder. Fresh fish and local beef feature prominently on the menu.
Cost: Reasonable
Accuracy of order: Very good
Presentation: Very nice
Overall food rating: Good
Presentation The main resort Lounge/Restaurant area is built as a traditional Melanesian style Nakamal, with no windows, and under a large, high-ceiling thatch roof. It is beautiful to look at, and the décor on island nights when it is fitted out with flowers and palm leaves is something to see. All tables and lounges look out over the channel and it is kept very clean and tidy, as with the pool and surrounds.
Fitness Activities
Swimming Pool – Yes
Tennis Court – No
Gym – No
Sauna – No
Snorkelling – Yes
Scuba diving – Yes
Surfski/canoe – Yes
SUITABILITY
The location is not particularly suited to young children. The remote location makes it perfect for couples or those with older children who want to really get away and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you don’t mind the daily ferry trips across to Luganville – which can be an absolute delight when the water is like glass and you can look down to see the fish swimming beneath you – then it’s a great base to explore this northern area of Vanuatu. The rooms do not offer self-catering so be prepared for this cost.
LOCATION
Nearby Attractions There are plenty of options for snorkelling and scuba diving, with the SS Tucker, SS President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point close by. Champagne Beach is a half hour drive from Luganville across the channel, as is Port Olry and the Blue Hole, which is a must-see. Local tour operators offer trips to the Millennium Cave, and everything else the island of Santo has to offer.
Address Aore Island, Sanma Province, Vanuatu Phone: +67 836705 Web: www.aoreislandresorts.com
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