the villas ain't cheap, but WOW ! Beautiful settings, well equiped, spacious, superb service, wonderful activities, great food, what else ? Even with pretty bad weather, it beats being stuck anywhere else on the island. Would I rather save a a few hundred dollars and get depressed elswhere ? Hum...No ! Better 4 days at Eratap than a full week elswhere,,,

Eratap was everything we wanted and probably exceeded our expectations, to be honest.

After a fairly harrowing and stressful six months, and before I dove into a new job, we wanted a short holiday where we could destress and relax, but somewhere where we could still have a variety of experiences. While doing my research, my criteria were: short direct flight from Brisbane to minimise travel time; relaxed luxury; great snorkelling straight off a beach; great food; other water sport options, options to experience a local culture (or not); and stand alone bures (fares/huts) on the beach. I didn’t want a big resort and I didn’t want to have to take a lift to a 3rd or 4th floor. I wanted to be able to walk out my door straight onto the beach. We had been to Castaway Island in Fiji before, and enjoyed that. We looked at the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Noumea. But Vanuatu came up trumps and there were actually a few options. The Havannah was another one that I looked long and hard at.

From the moment we cleared customs in Port Vila, everything was perfect. Team member Ciel picked us up at the airport and offered us cold bottles of water for the drive in a comfortable, air conditioned shuttle. When we pulled up at the resort, some 30 minutes later, manager Pascale came down the steps to greet us, whisked away our bags, ushered us to a comfy lounge and had a lovely fruit cocktail brought to us. She ran through all the details of the resort and our package and then walked us to our villa.

There are only 16 villas at Eratap, all right on either the ocean beach or fronting the stunning lagoon behind. There are 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom options. They are extremely spacious and well appointed in the South Pacific style, with palm frond thatch roofing, wooden louvres to allow through-breezes, outdoor (and indoor, if you prefer) showers. There is a good size living area in each villa and a large smart TV should you wish to watch (we didn’t turn it in all week).

All have sun loungers on a back deck area and then a separate thatched gazebo closer to the water, also equipped with sun lounges. Some also have private plunge pools.

The views are spectacular, making for a wonderful spot to watch the sun set over a couple of late afternoon drinks.

Each villa is very private and also has an expansive patch of green lawn.

The main restaurant and bar opens onto the ocean and features tables inside, on the deck or set up down on the sand if you wish, where you can ditch your shoes and have your toes in the sand.

There is a gorgeous central pool surrounded with a dozen or more sun loungers.

We had a blissful week, snorkelling every day - either out front of the restaurant, or off Castaway Island, a small uninhabited island the boat boys will drop you at (just at minute hop by boat). They will happily take you anywhere you want to go and wait for you to return. The coral and fish were amazing - heaps of variety, with our personal highlight being a school of around 20 clownfish darting in and out of their anemones. We kayaked three mornings on the lagoon, a beautiful experience just after sunrise when the reflections were at their best and no ripples disturbed the surface of the water. We got our steps up (and compensated for eating so much lovely food) with some brisk morning walks out to the turn off to the resort - around 6km there and back.

We enjoyed a trip to the local village of Eratap, escorted by team member Mac, who happens to be the eldest son of the village chief, lending the whole experience real authenticity and insights.

And we thoroughly enjoyed the organised fire dancing held on one night a week, which was heaps of fun and ended with all the guests invited down on the sand to participate.

Highlights were the picnics over on Castaway Island. Order it the night before and the team packs you an esky with fresh baguettes, chicken or ham, salad, fresh fruit salad, and drinks of your choice. You just rock up at the jetty and it is waiting for you and they drop you at the island for a couple of hours exclusive access. One side of the island is the aforementioned snorkelling spot, the other is the most spectacular white sand beach, with turquoise lapping water, perfect for swimming.

Also a highlight was the full body massage in the open sided day spa, fringed with gardens of hibiscus and frangipani.

But the biggest highlight was the amazing staff. All so friendly, welcoming, quick to share a laugh or to assist. Whether on the boats, in the day spa, doing housekeeping, or serving in the restaurant, they were all just brilliant. Most live in the nearby Eratap Village and the resort picks them up of a morning and ferries them to and from. After a week they are like family and it brings tears to your eyes to have to hug them and say goodbye. Special shoutout to Melanie, Mac, Joseph, Pascale and Sharon.

The food in the restaurant was excellent and if you are so inclined, they will deliver it to the poolside or to your villa as well. Nothing is ever too much trouble.

Tony (the owner) has done a wonderful job creating a little patch of paradise that honours and celebrates the traditions and culture of this beautiful island and its people.

if you are considering Eratap, go!!! You will not regret it.