The Havannah

The Havannah occupies a quiet curve of Samoa Point on Efate's northwest coast, facing the protected waters of Havannah Harbour where the American Pacific fleet once anchored during the Second World War. Today the harbour's claim to fame is gentler: it frames some of the South Pacific's most dependable sunsets, and the resort's seventeen villas are arranged along the waterfront to catch every one of them.

This is an adults-only property by design, and its scale keeps things personal. Villas run from garden hideaways to absolute-waterfront retreats with plunge pools and decks a few steps from the sand; interiors favour a simple island elegance of timber, thatch and white linen. Days pass with snorkelling over nearby coral gardens, paddling the flat harbour waters, boat trips to offshore islets and village visits that showcase Vanuatu's living Melanesian culture.

The open-sided restaurant and jetty dinners make the most of Vanuatu's seafood—the country's beef is also justly well regarded—while the pool terrace and small spa hold the middle of the day. Port Vila is around forty minutes away, useful for arrival logistics and market mornings. As Vanuatu's most polished stay, The Havannah pairs genuine South Pacific ease with just enough refinement.