The Terraces Boutique Apartments, Vanuatu

We arrived in Port Vila quite late in the evening.  Even later by the time our baggage was sighted.  We found our way to the taxi rank and boarded two taxis for the short journey to The Terraces.  The taxis cost AUS$25.00 each and the chaps were very friendly and helpful and offered to pick us up the next morning for our transfer to Espiritu Santo.  Sorted!

The apartments are situated high up on a cliff.

The apartments are situated high up on a cliff.

When we arrived at The Terraces it was almost midnight and there were two chaps waiting for us who helped haul our luggage up to our allocated apartment.  And I do mean ‘haul’ as there were several flights of stairs to negotiate.

Entrance

Entrance

Walking in to the apartment was like walking into an oasis.  These are stunning apartments that are new, clean, and beautifully furnished.  I don’t have many interior images to show you as obviously it was dark by the time we arrived and then we instantly mucked them up by liberally scattering our luggage.

There are some stairs...

There are some stairs…

Each apartment has it’s own infinity plunge pool and as we were hot and exhausted, the first thing we did was scratch through our luggage and try to find our swimsuits so we could hop into that pool as quickly as possible.  It was very relaxing and therapeutic to have a midnight swim.

And a few more stairs.

And a few more stairs.

One criticism I do have of these apartments is that we opened the door of the fridge and it was bare.  Not a jug of water nor even a tray of ice.  I realise that in apartments you do have to provide everything yourself however, when you have travelers arriving at midnight, long after the local shops have shut, some refreshments would be more than a little welcoming.  In those instances I’m quite happy to raid a mini-bar.

Love the colour of the pool

Love the colour of the pool

I did find the manager the next morning and told him I thought some items in the fridge either complimentary or available to purchase would be nice and he advised there should have been some water in the fridge and definitely some cubes of ice.  He appreciated my thoughts on providing some sort of a mini-bar so perhaps this might be something they introduce in the months ahead.

An early morning swim in the plunge pool

An early morning swim in the plunge pool

The main bedroom is up a flight of wooden stairs and is spacious with a tremendous easterly view over the lagoon at Port Vila.  It’s very separate from the second bedroom and comes with its own balcony.  The bathroom is very generously proportioned and I loved the bath and walk-in shower.

A very spacious bathroom

A very spacious bathroom

Meanwhile, an extra bed had been rolled into the second bedroom so the little guy didn’t have to sleep standing up.  Even with three king-single sized beds, the room was still spacious.  Everyone in that room had a great sleep except Arabella who was coming down with tonsilitis – to be continued…

If only I had time for a bath!

If only I had time for a bath!

We had a very comfortable night sleeping in the king-sized bed.  Not wishing to miss our early morning flight, I didn’t black-out the room and instead slept with the blinds open.  It’s just I didn’t realise the sun would begin to rise just after 4.30am.

Path leading to our apartment

Path leading to our apartment

What has staggered me about Vanuatu is how it is on the same time-zone as Sydney (during daylight saving).  It is in the same latitudinal position (pretty much), as New Zealand that is two hours ahead of us yet Vanuatu is two-hours behind New Zealand.  That explains the early sunsets and the early sunrises.

15.01.08.20

Enjoying an early morning swim

Up at 5am we had plenty of time to explore the resort and found it to be a very contemporary, private and peaceful place to stay.  The wet-edge infinity pool overlooks the most incredible view of Port Vila and with just 16 apartments in the complex, you are always going to have tranquility and peace.  And the opportunity to lie on that sunbed by the pool without having to worry that thousands of others might have the exact same idea.

The public pool

The public pool

My only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer.  I wouldn’t really recommend The Terraces if you’re having a fleeting stay like we did.  This apartment complex is very luxurious and very unique and to fully appreciate the experience including the swimming pool, gymnasium and tennis court, you need to stay for at least a couple of nights.

Just love an infinity pool.

Just love an infinity pool.

The Terraces Boutique Apartments, Port Vila, Vanuatu:  Rue De Wales, PO Box 862, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Ph:  +678 24923

 

Comments

  1. This one is going in my wish list 🙂 Liz x

  2. That pool looks blissful! I could do with a bit of that. 🙂

  3. I feel more rested just having read this post.. xxx

  4. What an amazing place – and as you say, a shame you had just one night and a short one at that. You packed a lot of swims in at least! It gives you somewhere to return to if you’re back in the future. I hope Arabella’s throat improves too…

  5. What a nifty place. How did you find it? I hope everyone, including Arabella, is feeling okay now?

  6. That place is extraordinary! What a gorgeous pool. You’re absolutely right about having some staples in the fridge. We rented an apartment in Barcelona and there was only a Nespresso coffee maker with 4 pods, we went through them the first day and I had no idea where to buy more pods!

  7. I look at these photos and I can just feel the warmth and humidity, which I miss. I live in a moderate climate, but it is dry. Having grown up in Florida, I am just a Tropical Gal at heart. Love the infinity pool–in fact the entire place looks just lovely and perfect for a vacation.

  8. This looks like a really lovely place. No wonder you wished you could have stayed longer.

    What is an infinity pool?

  9. Wow! Marvelous!

  10. That infinity pool is GORGEOUS! And there was so much light at 4am! WOW! I kinda wish we had that much light at 4am as my day starts early and going to work in the dark gets boring! xxs

  11. What a lovely way to slide in to your holiday! Can’t wait to read more.

  12. Oh, you would have been pleased to get here – even if it was the middle of the night – and dip in that pool would have lifted the spirits and got you in holiday mode.

  13. What a great place Charlie, love the pool.

  14. You’ll just have to make another visit here so you can really enjoy the experience 🙂 Those pools certainly do look gorgeous indeed Charlie, and I hope poor Arabella feels better soon xox

  15. Wow, what a great location! Love the pool and even the tub looked very inviting!

  16. This holiday is sounding better by the minute.

  17. OMG it looks like an ideal holiday destination 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  18. What beautiful accommodation! It’s so nice having your own plunge pool 😀

  19. Waw, What a beautiful place to stay in! everything you have shown us looks really cool, modern & awesome!

  20. Looks like you’re having a wonderful, relaxing time … this place looks gorgeous … and that pool … wow!

  21. Looks like a great place and awesome pools.

  22. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!! I love infinity pool, especially with an amazing view like this! I also love to soak my body in the bathtub… Now I’m fully jealous. 😀 Hope you enjoyed the stay!

  23. The pool is gorgeous and what a beautiful view! It does seem like a lot of luxury for just one night. I do think you know how to find the most interesting places to stay!

  24. Looks fab and as you say over night is not long enough.
    Caro

  25. I had to just look up where you were visiting. I love how tiny the island looks next to Australia. It looks like your apartments were amazing. That pool and that view, stunning! Hugs, Terra

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