If you’d rather keep your accommodation costs to a minimum and save your money for tours and experiences then this local’s guide to the Top 15 Cheap Sleeps is for you! Most of the budget accommodation Espiritu Santo is centred around the main town of Luganville, which is handy to shops/markets/dive centres. But keep in mind Luganville is definitely not a romantic or beautiful place to chill out. For better locations you need to look farther afield (in particular the east coast of Santo) so check out the handful of out of town hotel/motel/backpacker options as well. (*Note – for bungalow style accommodation see our blog Top 12 Bungalows and Cottages Espiritu Santo)
Cheap Accommodation In Town (Luganville)
Hibiscus Attraction Centre/Le Motel Hibscus – Espiritu Santo
This small motel run by hosts Marie France Ro and Lois Delattre is perfectly located 2 blocks from the centre of town, so it’s quiet and handy. The self-contained rooms have everything you need – kitchenette, bathroom, fly screens and fan. The gardens are cute and there are large communal tables where you can meet other people and dine together. The accommodation is basic, but kept spotlessly clean and there is free wifi and laundry facilities available. Great reviews and extremely helpful and friendly hosts. Rooms prices start from around 3500vt ($37AUD) a night for up to 3 people – a bargain! Special rates available for monthly bookings. Contact +678 36 727 or +678 595 0052, Hibscus website Email lemotelhac@gmail.com or facebook
Lapita Lodge – Espiritu Santo
Quiet, peaceful airy and clean, Lapita Lodge consists of two “houses” each with 3 rooms sharing a bathroom and kitchen and dormitory with its own bathroom and kitchen. The internet is free, the water hot, the surrounding gardens lush, the verandahs spacious and the staff friendly and helpful. Short walking distance to main street. Room prices are very similar to Hibiscus Motel and Tropicana Hotel. One of the best upmarket budget accommodation Espiritu Santo options. Contact +678 37791 or +678 7737791 email lapitalodge@vanuatu.com.vu or Facebook
Tropicana Motel and Backpackers – Espiritu Santo
Located only two blocks from the main street and close to the food markets, Tropicana Motel, consists of 19 small rooms centred around a communal courtyard – 4 double rooms, 8 single rooms, 5 double bunk rooms, a dormitory and a family unit. All rooms have their own bathroom, ceiling fans and insect screens but the kitchen is shared and communal. There is free wifi in the courtyard. Overall the motel is clean but basic and host/owner Kenneth Seol is helpful and accommodating, Double rooms start from around $30-40 AUD a night and dormitory accommodation starts from around 1500vt pp per night. Reviews are good with only minor complaints about the hot water and noise from the courtyard. Contact +678 779 2943 or Facebook
Coral Sea Motel – Espiritu Santo
This handy little motel is located on the hill above the town of Luganville (below Deco Stop Lodge) and offers half a dozen clean, simple rooms with sea views. Prices start from around 3000vt pp per night ($35 AUD pp). Reviews are generally very good. The Chinese owners also run another motel called Matelweli Motel down the road. Contact +678 534 4968 website
The Best of the Rest
There’s a fairly big drop off in standards and service between the 4 accommodation houses listed above and the rest of the bargain basement hotels/motels in Luganville. However, for those who don’t mind basic living conditions and have a relaxed approach to cleanliness, this could be an option for you! Best to hit the streets when you arrive in Luganville and ask around – Motel Le Nemo, Natapoa Motel, Bamboo Motel, Blue Island Villas.
Cheap Accommodation Near Town
Philomenas Lodge – Espiritu Santo
Philomena’s Lodge is located about a 10 min drive south of Luganville near the end of the tar seal road. It’s clean and well run and has self contained rooms that overlook the water surrounded by gardens. Basic but nice. Jerry Willie the owner is a great guy. Room rates start from around 3000vt per person including breakfast! Contact +678 735 9746 email philolodge@gmail.com or Facebook
Migotty Motel – Espiritu Santo
Locally owned and operated, Migotty Motel may have an unfortunate sounding name but it offers 6 great value rooms with amazing views over the Segund Channel and Aore Island as well as backpacker rooms in Ocean View House (just behind the motel). Three of the rooms (Royal Garden Studios) are self contained studios with a kitchenette, air con, fan & ensuite bathroom (sleeps 3-4 people). The other 3 rooms (Garden Studios) are more basic but have a roofed terrace and a little garden area. There’s free wifi at the bar area and a small pool. It’s cute, colourful and quirky, Prices start from around 1800vt ($25 AUD) per person per night. Migotty Motel is ideally located half way between the airport and Luganville. Contact (+678) 36494. 678 5351028 email stayatmigotti@gmail.com or facebook
Hidden Lodge – Espiritu Santo
This locally owned guesthouse is located about 10 minutes east of Luganville (in Showgrounds area). The cabins are basic but comfortable enough for the budget traveller and overlook a pretty courtyard garden. Charlie, his wife Sylvie and their daughters are welcoming. Hidden Lodge as a a good base to begin your adventures on Santo, Room rates start from around $40 AUD per night. Rustic, basic no frills accommodation for a cheap price. Check with Santo Travel in Luganville for contact details.
Cheap Accommodation Out of Town
Turtle Bay Beach House, Turtle Bay – Espiritu Santo
Turtle Bay Beach House offers beautiful clean, self contained cottages and houses with all the mod-cons for a bargain basement weekly or monthly price. Studio cottages start from around $400 AUD for the week for 2 people which works out to less than $35 pp per night. The 2 bedroom beach house starts from $800/week for up to four people. The property is a short walk away from Turtle Bay Lodge where you can enjoy food/drinks if you don’t want to cook yourself. Otherwise each room has its own cooking facilities and an option to cook on the covered overwater deck with BBQ/electric cookers. Price includes use of an onsite laundry and kayaks/SUPs. Located at Turtle Bay (about 25 min from town on Santo’s east coast), the house is surrounded by islands, reef, blue holes and coconut plantations. All rooms have fans, hot water and private ensuites with showers. Vanuatu Ph 678 7788590 or What’s App 61 491166194 (Alex Bortoli) Turtle Bay Beach House Website email ambortoli@gmail.com & facebook
Aore Island Air BnB and Guesthouses – Espiritu Santo
There are a number of cute guesthouses and Air BnBs on Aore Island directly across the channel from Luganville. Many start from as little as $35 pp. There’s usually great snorkelling and swimming out from of most of them, the only drawback being you can only to get to the island is by water taxi (which costs $12 each way) and there are no shops on the island (so BYO food/drinks). Other than that, it’s an idyllic location. Try Island View cottages or Aoridise or Island Escape website
Lonnoc Beach Bungalows – Espiritu Santo
If you’re after a stunning location for a cheap price, then Lonnoc Beach Bungalows might be a good option. All the rooms overlook beautiful Lonnoc Beach (about a 45 min drive north of Luganville) and are surrounded by spacious, tropical gardens. Famous Champagne Beach is only a short stroll or kayak away. Keep in mind the bungalows are basic and a little run down in places. Prices start from around $75 AUD a night and include breakfast. There’s also dormitory style backpacker accommodation (4 per room) from 3000vt ($35AUD) per person including breakfast. Or you can camp near the beach for only 1000vt ($12) per night. Facilities include an on-site restaurant, Wifi (costs extra) and on site watersports (costs extra). Very basic, no frills accommodation – reviews are mixed. Contact – 5695140 or 5906863 email lonnocbungalows@gmail.com & website
Towoc Bungalows – Lonnoc Beach, Espiritu Santo
Just down the road from Lonnoc Beach Bungalows is Towoc Bungalows. They are run by Janet and her family. Simple and clean with a small on-site restaurant and a beautiful beach out of the front, this is an idea place to chill out and relax. Lots of space to roam around. Prices start around $75 AUD including breakfast.
Contact Janet on 678 5636173 or email her at towoc.bungalows@hotmail.com or check them out on facebook
Hideaway Paradise Bungalows – Espiritu Santo
Hideaway Paradise Bungalows is located on an isolated peninsula surrounded by beaches just south of Port Olry (look for the sign on the main road) or about 45 min drive north of Luganville. There’s a range of cute bungalows to choose from including a tree house and a new overwater bungalow with a large deck. Lots of great snorkelling to enjoy out front. Lots of big trees. There is a small restaurant on site which serves basic food but its probably wise to bring your own as well. Prices start from around 6000vt ($75 AUD) per night and include breakfast. Contact +678 535 5060 email: pascalrite4@gmail.com
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