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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Set in a beautiful waterfront location, Turtle Bay Lodge is situated half way to the famous Champagne Beach and a leisurely kayak from both the Riri and Matevulu Blue Holes it is the ideal place to experience Santo. You can relax on the private beach, swim in the outdoor pool or enjoy a range of watersport activities. Snorkel the coral reef one side of the property or laze in the calm waters of the bay on the other. Kayak across to Turtle Island or one of the Blue Holes. The tour desk can organise a full range of Santo activities for you or you may choose to rent one of the onsite cars to see the Island at your own pace. Turtle Bay Lodge guests enjoy free continental breakfast .The onsite Salty Dog Restaurant and Bar are both open daily, serving cocktails and an extensive menu of local seafood, organic beef and vegetables and pizzas. Turtle Bay Lodge is a registered PADI diving centre.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Family
Languages Spoken
English, French
Location
East Coast Road, Luganville, Espiritu Santo Vanuatu
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Turtle Bay Lodge emerges as a cherished retreat, with guests frequently lauding its comprehensive amenities, which include glamping and a selection of delectable dining options. Its prime location is a hit for easy access to nature and splendid water vistas. The serene atmosphere is accentuated by well-appointed rooms, adding to a tranquil experience.
Visitors appreciate the lodge's value, with affordable activities and accommodations. Exceptional service is another highlight, with a staff that's both welcoming and adept at coordinating tours. The cleanliness throughout the lodge consistently earns high marks, making for an overall peaceful stay.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Affordable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Abundant
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Upon arriving to the lodge all we saw were big smiling faces. The staff were fantastic and very helpful. The managers Vicky and Mick were very hands on and great hosts. The rooms were always clean and the common areas were well equipped to accommodate for visitors as well as in house residents (though they really did prioritise in house residents with great seating when they had local talent in). The location of the lodge is ideal as it was close to a lot of different attractions ie blue holes and snorkelling locations. The lodge also had a lot of different hire options available at great rates such as kayaks and quad bikes if you wanted to venture out yourself. I will definitely be recommending Turtle Bay Lodge to all my friends.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicky Langford, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 18 Jun 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to post a review, 719charmaines ! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us, and that our staff were fantastic and you enjoyed our great location here in Santo. The blue holes are always a particular highlights whendone by kayak. We hope to see you back again with us
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I'd start my review by mentioning how good the place is, clean, well maintained, great views, well trained staff etc.. but this time perhaps it's worth mentioning the food first. Chef George does a great job and belts out some really tasty vegetarian food. The owner herself is vegetarian, so that probably helps. The curry puff in Pumpkin Puree was a fine dish - Give it a try!
Aside, the place is really well maintained, the owners do a great job of entertaining the guests. The rooms are done up tastefully despite how santo being a commodity scarce island.
Overall, I'd recommend this place when you visit Santo!
Keep up the good work. Matt and Team
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Date of stay: August 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:The luxury tents are the best!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from louise moss, Owner at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 19 Aug 2020
Thanks Aj, so glad you enjoyed your stay at Turtle and everything we have to offer.And we will be passing your compliments on to Chef George.We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
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We stayed a week and had a lovely relaxing time, Turtle Bay Lodge is on the East coast of Santo, a reasonable drive from Luganville in the south or Champagne Beach and Port Olry in the north. This quiet location not only has a swimming pool and toddler pool, but a reef to investigate at low tide and a quiet bay for snorkling. Sitting in the restaurant you can watch the fish jumping in the quiet bay (and feed them) or go snorkling and watch a million beautiful fish swimming around the "nursery" reef. Their colour and sizes were amazing. The grounds are beautifully maintained and butterflies greet you as you walk passed the hibiscus' heading to the restaurant for meals. The meals were lovely with a nice selection and the staff attentive and friendly, ready to learn about your activities for the day and make conversation. Our rooms were right on the water, clean and newly renovated. They were serviced daily. We had a wonderful restful stay and would go back in an instant.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:All rooms faced the water, some closer than others.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Turtle Bay Lodge, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 22 Sept 2022
Many many thanks for your fabulous review. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at Turtle Bay Lodge and hope you are able to visit us again one day!
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Whether you want to be busy touring every single day or prefer to just relax- Turtle Bay Resort will suit. It’s located mid-way on the east coast road between Luganville and Port Orly, you’ll find many of Espiritu Santo’s best attractions nearby (white sandy beaches, blue holes, turtle & dugong watching,) horse riding or kayaking, snorkeling and swimming right at the resort. It’s amazing how much there is to see. We stayed 6 nights in a marquee with the mod cons yet felt like we were on a private island. The owners’ personal touches are evidence throughout the carefully designed complex, the staff couldn’t do enough for us and the food was varied & delicious. We had a comfortable queen bed in our marquee, screened windows and door, air conditioning, a shower with great water pressure, and a separate toilet and sink. There is a fridge. We even had a small backyard and an elevated front deck from which we could see 2 turtles swimming in the Bay. The marquee locks up with high quality fittings so there is no need for a safe. Wish we could rate it higher than 5. Thank you Matt and Louise for a wonderful stay.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Marquee rooms were quiet. Family rooms are on the other side of the resort.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Turtle Bay Lodge, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 9 Oct 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time to write us such a great review. We are so glad you loved your stay in the marquees and enjoyed the fabulous location of Turtle Bay. Please tell your friends about us and we hope you can visit us again one day!
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Beautiful location, nice and tucked away from roads right on the water. Very peaceful and quiet. We stayed in the marquees (glamping tents with water views) and these were very tidy and comfortable.
We kayaked to the Matevulu Blue Hole and quad biked to Champagne Beach and Port Olry. Saw some dugongs in the bay as well and there’s some nice little islands nearby that you can kayak around. The water is amazingly warm and clear and very safe for swimming in. Aside from that, it’s a brilliant place to just unwind with the sound of the waves to relax to.
At the restaurant, cocktails were amazing and about the same price you’d pay in Australia. Food was tasty with very generous portion sizes, again about the same price as you’d pay back home. There’s not a lot else around but the menu is very extensive so there’s something for everyone.
Staff were lovely and friendly and helpful with booking taxis and things.
Only downsides were slow wifi (seems to be a Santo problem). Also the hot water was temperamental, but not a big deal for the warm climate of Vanuatu. Certainly didn’t detract from the experience at all - we didn’t raise it with the managers because we weren’t that fussed, but I am confident they would have sorted it promptly had we brought it to their attention.
Definitely recommend giving a visit if you’re heading to Santo!
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicky Langford, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 8 Apr 2023
Thank you for choosing to stay with us. We are glad you enjoyed our selection of food and enjoyed the cocktails and all the delights Santo has to offer. We hope to see you again here in Santo.
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What a great little location for a getaway. Stayed in one of the Marquee rooms and it was perfect location with a nice breeze from the sea, although the room had air con with the open design and fan it was not required. Enjoyed great lunch, dinner and breakfast during the stay. The food selection was great and the food very enjoyable. The service from the staff was first rate, very attentive and they served up some top cocktails.
Overall a great place to getaway, relax and enjoy some good food.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Turtle Bay Lodge, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 20 Feb 2022
Thank you for giving us your feedback on your recent stay with us. The Marquees are indeed a great a place to relax and unwind. We are pleased to hear you sampled an array of dishes from our menu and nice to hear that our staff looked after you so well. We look forward to welcoming you both back to enjoy some more food and cocktails with us.
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Had eaten here before but this was my first stay. Did not disappoint. The location is amazing . If the weather is good it looks like a Pacific island brochure. If the weather is bad it looks even better. The gardens have recovered from the cyclone and the flowers are just stunning. I stayed in a tent. Doesn't sound that good till you experience it. Imagine a hotel room on a platform with a tent over the top. A gentle breeze keeps it nice and cool; there is aircon if needed. Comfortable bed and spacious en suite with great attention to detail. The tents are very private and I was tempted to just sit outside and do nothing. Instead I went to dine and had a great meal. All the staff are good at their job. It is so nice to find staff who deliver what people want. The meal was served without fuss, bother or haste. The menu choice had something for everyone without going overboard. I had a piece of steak that really was cooked exactly how I had asked for it to be done. I now know why Santo beef is famous. It was at least as good as anything I have tasted in the UK. Most importantly the owners and the staff work as a team and make guests feel welcome. They know their trade and together with a stunning place offer great service.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:The tents are larger and quieter
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from louise moss, Owner at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 18 Oct 2020
Thank you so much for your awesome review. WE love the location at Turtle Bay too and our new Waterfront Marquees are a great addition to the resort and are guests are loving them! We are lucky enough to have Chef Matt Lambert from The Blue Marlin Club in Port Vila at Turtle Bay at present and our restaurant is growing from strength to strength and we are very proud of the delicious food that is being served. Finally our staff do indeed work as a great team and love to welcome all of our guests. We do hope to see you back at Turtle Bay in the near future! Good luck for your return to England....
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My family had a wonderful week staying at Turtle Bay Lodge with 2 adults and 3 kids (aged 4, 6 & 8).
We stayed in a 2 bedroom beachfront that was absolutely perfect for our family of 5. The accommodation was comfortable, clean and spacious with all linen and towels provided. The rooms opened up onto a large decked area that was a great addition to the rooms complete with additional outdoor shower.
Breakfast was a highlight with cereals, toast, lime juice and the best selection of fresh fruits every morning (and tea and coffee if required). All meals we ate in the restaurant were delicious and the menu is extensive enough to last a week or so of dining.
Everything from snorkel gear, kayaks, and the pool etc were clean, well maintained and in great working order. The lodge also helped with car hire, transfers and all bookings.
Last but not least are the staff. They are absolutely brilliant and make the lodge a home away from home. Always accommodating and friendly, they helped to make our stay easy, relaxing and memorable.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicky Langford, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 26 Aug 2023
We are overjoyed to read your 5-star review from your family holiday with here at Turtle Bay Lodge ! Thank you for your kind words will pass your lovely comment to our staff, it was a pleasure to host your family . We are pleased to hear you enjoyed our breakfast amd meals in our resaurant and any feedback is welcomed as are always striving to improve.
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I have just spent 5 glorious weeks staying at Turtle Bay Lodge. The first 2 weeks were with friends in the Sea View Family Room, then 3 weeks in the Ocean Front Double with my partner. Our flight was delayed a day and our room had been booked by new arrivals so we moved into one of the Private Waterfront Marquees. This leaves me in the unique position of being able to comment on all but one of the rooms. Each has its own charm. The Private Waterfront Marquees are very romantic, have the comfiest mattresses EVER, giant showers, and the view you wake up to is to die for. Private steps into the water are the icing on the cake. The Ocean Front Double is so spacious with a roomy kitchen area and like all the rooms, plenty of storage space. All of the rooms have covered porches extending the space even more. The Sea View Family Room has a massive porch and a very well-designed bathroom with a huge shower. Every room in the resort looks straight onto the water which is only meters away. The lush landscaping ensures privacy and is immaculately maintained. The food in the restaurant is absolutely delicious. There was not one thing on the menu I didn't like. After last year's visit there I started making some of the dishes at home and everyone loved them. I am mad about snorkeling, and being able to walk out of my door and straight into warm tropical water brimming with life is pure bliss. The variety of corals and fish is incredible. The Lodge can also take you on snorkeling trips offshore in one of their boats. If diving is your thing, Mick and Vicky have fabulous dive spots for you and their Padi dive centre has everything you need from raw beginner to expert. They can also organise a huge variety of activities, each one of which is better than the last. I could snorkel down the sparklingly clear river from the Riri Blue Hole every day of my life. All of the staff, housekeepers, grounds staff, restaurant staff, reception, and dive staff are so friendly, happy, and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble for Managers Vicky and Mick, they could not be better. They pay attention to every detail and really make you feel completely at home. You could not find a better place to stay. If I ever win lotto, I'm buying a room there!
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vicky Langford, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 26 Aug 2023
Thank you Jo for the glowing review! We are grateful for your kind words and are pleased to know that your second long stay with us had exceeded your expectations. Thank you for choosing us!" "We are overjoyed to read your 5-star. We will see you again back in Santo and staying in anyone of our rooms.
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Absolute paradise. Turtle bay lodge is about 20 mins out of the township of Luganville which made it feel like a remote island paradise. Pure waterfront, falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean, waking to see the sunrise, from your bed. The accommodation had all the amenities you need, we had both an oceanfront double room, a studio room with bathroom, tea/coffee, and small fridge, and the marquee tents, like eco glamping tents, with full bathrooms and tea and coffee facilities and a small fridge. - they were really fun and well set up. If you dont do heat well for the time of year we went marquee tents have air-conditioning, oceanfront double do not. The restaurant offered a large number of options for all meals, the servings are large, and sometimes they didn't have the options due to delivery and supply challenges, however plenty of other options available and it was never a problem. Vicky, Mike and all the staff are warm, friendly, fun, would go out of their way to make sure you had what you needed, to arrange taxis or transfers or day trips with most being added to your room bill which you signed off ech night. We had to cut one of our arranged day trips short as my husband became unwell, and our driver Eric called the lodge to let them know, and they checked on us throughout the day. We were there for new years eve and they put on a show with fire dancers, and the a great local performer Desmond who sang us to past midnight and had everyone up dancing. Was a great night with a delicious BBQ buffet dinner. Activities are endless both at the lodge with snorkelling and scuba tours, kayaks, stand up paddle boards or just lazy by the water on a hammock or sun lounger. Rhey have quad bikes and rental cars for hire. And away from the lodge, which is close to 3 of the blue holes, which are stunning, champagne beach and Port Orly. Remember to take vatu cash with you as custom land fees are collected at the entry to all locations like the blue holes and beaches and range from 1000 - 1200 vatu. We all had a magic time and would recommend to everyone.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Air con is not in the oceanfront rooms. The lodge is out of town about 20 mins. We had difficulty...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Turtle Bay Lodge, General Manager at Turtle Bay Lodge
Responded 7 Jan 2024
Thank you very much for a lovely and positive review. We take pride in knowing our customers are happy with their experience. Thanks for your support, we really appreciate it! See you on your next trip to Santo.
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There are more places to choose from in the Luganville area.
PRICE RANGE
$248 - $308 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
turtle bay hotel espiritu santo
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Turtle Bay Resort
LOCATION
VanuatuEspiritu SantoLuganville
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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