Review: Iririki Island Resort and Spa
July 31st 2010 04:37
Category: No Category
The main entrance off the Iririki wharf
Iririki was where I chose to have the wedding. I was all fine with the choice until just a few weeks before departure I read some of the really horrible reviews on the net and started having my doubts.
Complaints ranged from dirty bathrooms, lack of service, slow service, too expensive etc etc
But then, there are also reviews that say it was wonderful and the most beautiful holiday etc etc.
Read one of the most disgrutled accounts of someone's stay at Iririki
I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I did note a few things about the resort that have room for improvement, but you know what? As a frequent traveller, you know things happen, you know that different people have different expectations and sometimes you just have to go along with it.
The resort location is perfect. Iririki is on a small island of its own, with a 24 hours free ferry operating to and from the wharf at Port Vila. Being literally across the water (the ferry ride takes a whole three minutes) not only are you in the centre of town, you are also away enough to escape if you really wanted to.
The small beach on Iririki, where we got married
The Fares- We stayed one night in the Fares type of accommodation. This section is an adults only section only over 12s can access. It is understandably old (most of the complaints were those who stayed in a Fare) but still comfortable and feels very special. I felt the bed is a little old, could do with an update but everything else was fine. Especially love the balcony, where you can just sit and relax with a book, or have a romantic in room dinner (Around AU$95 per couple, three course, with a nice table setting on the balcony and all courses delivered to your room).
The Apartments - this is a brand new part of the resort, and it is absolutely FANTASTIC. It is also an area where children are allowed so perfect for families. The apartments all have a balcony and most have a jaccuzi on the balcony. The beds are new and comfortable and it comes with a full kitchen and laundry facilities. We were upgraded to this as a wedding couple, otherwise at around AU$500 per night we could never afford it. You can do the same type of balcony dinner here too and the best thing? All apartments look over the water towards the outer harbour side, so you are not stuck looking over to Port Vila town all the time.
On the balcony at the apartments
The resort accommodation comes with breakfast, which is alright. The breakfast is the same everyday with selections of fruit, bakery, cereals and hot items such as sausages, fried rice and cooked eggs. The standard buffet breakfast really, but better than just continental which I know a few friends staying at other resorts ended up getting. Meals at Iririki are not too badly priced for what they are. There are three restaurants to choose from, one Cafe, one Family Casual dining and one five star restaurant. We ate at all three of them, and I must say, an AU$30 meal at the five star restaurant was pretty good.
The staff were friendly enough, however it is in the culture to take things slowly, hence a lot of the complaints were that things get done really slowly there is no sense of urgency. I don't blame the resort, in fact I quick liked it. If you are on holidays then why rush? Sure sometimes you need to remind them a few times before they eventually bring you that glass of water, but it's in their culture and as long as the water still comes with a smile and a shy apology, I have nothing to complain about.
For couples, an Iririki Pass is great value. However make sure that if you don't get it at check in, you ask for it and wait there until you are given, as I have mentioned, things get done slowly and sometimes get forgetton, it's better to just have patience and watch them do things if you really want something to be urgently done.
For a five star resort, I would conservatively give it a 6 out of 10 rating, mainly because of the Fares needing a bit of bedding upgrade. Otherwise, you know what? I'd be happy to stay there again.
One of the swimming pools (there are two) at Iririki
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Comment by katyzzz
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Love Adventures
it certainly was a lovely place
Thanks for coming by!
Comment by Patricia
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It was beautiful and romantic, the rooms unfortunately just a little out dated!
Thanks for visiting!