Turtle Bay Lodge

Group of three, stayed 3 nights. Managers very friendly and helpful. Take footwear to walk out on reef - can only fully swim out at high tide. Generally always a nice cooling breeze at dining area which has a beautiful outlook.

Beautiful view on the reef and island but the staff isn't managed. Australian manager, Ellen, seems to be on holidays like you. She is with her husband here to take your money and wake after the staff to take her time. Ths staff does what he can. He isn't organised so you wait one hour and half your breakfast, your meal, your dinner, even if there is not many customers. It was awful. We had a water break during the morning and Helen gave us a little bottle of water to brush our teeth, we had 2 electricity breaks. The manager apologises it's a fact but you paid the hotel and its services an expensive price. If you want to waste your time on expensive holidays go to Turtle Island Hotel.

Placed in a very old style dorm room, no kettle for a simple cuppa, so had to go through bar and pay $3 each time. No cooking facilities or fridge in room, which made it very expensive as we were so far from town to buy local food & expensive taxis. Also told that our room rate did not include breakfast, so again lots more money spent in their restaurant. Even as guests we had to hire kayaks @ $60 per four people. Bathroom was very poor with shower needing update and drain unblocked. Rooms needed extra fans or back door to let air through. Local staff very good.

Fantasic location, and it was very handy to have cooking facilities in the room as meals are pricey (throughout Vanuatu) but the meals in the resturant were superb, continental breakfast was great to have fruit salad as well as toast and jam and on the last few days even avocado. The hot water was reliable. I thought it was cheeky that they charge extra for WiFi, snorkling equipment and kayaks, as every other place we have stayed those items are usually free for guests. It was a nice touch that mosquito coils were in the room and in the resturant to help with the hungry mosquitos. We had a lovely time during our stay, theres a fantastic small reef just off shore perfect for snorkling, we actually hired dive bottles and went for a dive out there, theres such a variety of fish and coral, and we got some great underwater photos. We also went horse riding just down the road which was wonderful. Our room was perched looking right onto the water front which was fantastic. It really needs a bit of money spent on it as it is run down, the pool is NOT at all inviting. Leaking roof in the resturant. Rooms need a thorough clean and possibly a fresh coat of paint. It would also be good to have decent beds in the rooms, between the roll-together and the lumpy pillows we didn't sleep well. Also the staff (not all) could do with a friendly reminder to smile, it makes your meal awkward when the staff member serving it doesn't seem to want to be there.

We are a family of four and we all had a fantastic holiday. The view from our veranda was beautiful. 20 steps away was the ocean with the most exciting coral reef we've ever seen. We went snorkeling several times every day and every time we saw new kinds of beautiful colourful fish. And the kids had lots of exciting hermit crab races on the beach! Because the ocean was right at our doorstep we never missed having air conditioning. One morning we hired canoes and went to see the nearby blue hole. It was a magical trip up the river and an even more magical experience swimming in deep, blue, clear waters where the sun's rays looked like they were coming from below! We had most of our meals at the restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort which has a breathtaking view over the pristine ocean and surrounding islands. One day the whole island would be out of onions, but their cook was a wizard! He could substitute anything and make it work. Every meal was fresh and tasty and well prepared in his clean and tiny kitchen. All staff were very friendly and helpful and we only have positive tings to say about our stay.Yes, it's not 5 star accommodation, but we knew that when we booked. We were after a place where we felt 100% welcome, well looked after and able to either be on our own or be social and this place was perfect for us. The whole place had a very open and welcoming felling about it and most nights guests from different rooms would end up having dinner together and talk.

Espiritu Santo is basically a third world country with small villages that still live in thatched huts and open air walls. That said, these are self professed "happiest people in the world". Turtle Bay Lodge is on the ocean. Our room was 50 feet from the beach. There is not a swimming beach at the property, but there is snorkeling. When tide is out, you can walk to the island in the bay. My son and I were here to see where my Sea Bee father was stationed for 3 years during WW11 and I was fascinated by the military history of the island. We kayaked across the ocean bay up a river to a "blue hole" from the resort. The food was excellent and the service is by villagers who work at the resort. Rooms are not 5 star, but considering where you are, more than adequate. Donna (manager) and Kyle (assistant) work tirelessly to set you up with transportation and tours to what you want to see. High recommendation from me.

We had an amazing time! Carl and all the Vanuatu staff were more then great. Nothing was too hard with a no problem consider it done attitude. We would recomend this relaxing, easy going place to anyone. Thankyou Carl for going the extra mile for us! Thankyou Rachel for tailoring my pizzas for me! Thanks Patricia for letting me use the massage facility to give my fiance her remedial massage. We also recomend the Island massage it was great!!!