Must-see hotels in Tongatapu

  • Nerima Lodge

    Tongatapu

    Simple, quiet, clean, friendly and a short walk to town – just how any good South Pacific guesthouse should be. Downstairs is a sunny communal lounge and…

  • Heilala Holiday Lodge

    Tongatapu

    Photogenic thatched fale (sleeping three) are studded through tropical gardens at Heilala on fab Ha’atafu Beach. There's a restaurant for on-site dinners,…

  • Toni’s Guesthouses

    Tongatapu

    Toni’s is a brightly coloured budget complex in Tofoa, 3km south of Nuku’alofa. On the list are kava sessions, airport pick-ups (T$20), shuttles into town…

  • Waterfront Lodge

    Tongatapu

    The rather boutiquey Waterfront is an elegant offering, with neat gardens and Victorian colonial aesthetics. The eight spacious rooms upstairs feature…

  • Little Italy

    Tongatapu

    There are two floors of Tuscan-toned rooms atop the buzzy Little Italy restaurant. Expect super professional staff and knock-out sea views from the best…

  • Ha’atafu Beach Resort

    Tongatapu

    With a cosmic focus on surfing (owner Steve knows Tonga's waves backwards), this family-run set-up is laid-back and peaceful. Paths connect a range of…

  • Seaview Lodge

    Tongatapu

    This endearing fave a short stroll from town has large rooms with island vibes. The priciest rooms have balconies from which to absorb the namesake views…

  • Holty's Hideaway

    Tongatapu

    Run by an expat Australian couple, Holty's is a simple, laid-back alternative to the resorts along Ha'atafu Beach. Book the large house (sleeping 10) or…

  • ‘Utu’one Bed & Breakfast

    Tongatapu

    Down near the ferry piers and the fish market, 'Utu'one is a bastion of cleanliness surrounded by things otherwise. It's a two-storey white hacienda, all…

  • Blue Banana Beach House

    Tongatapu

    Looking for a simple, fetching, self-contained studio nested into the trees on the shore, all to yourself? The beautifully decorated Blue Banana fale…

  • Noa Guest House

    Tongatapu

    Not far from church, town and sea, yellow-painted, two-tier Noa has a plumb location and plenty of rooms, from dorms to basic singles and doubles and…

  • Villa Apartments

    Tongatapu

    Nuku'alofa's classiest beds? You could be right. These sassy NZ-owned apartments on Vuna Rd overlook the sea from a broad balcony, and tick all the…

  • Emerald Hotel

    Tongatapu

    One of Tonga’s newer hotels has 20 bright, clean, spartan rooms over two levels. Air-con, friendly staff, in-room safe, wif-fi, minibar, the Emerald…

  • Backpackers Townhouse

    Tongatapu

    This rickety hostel doesn't look like much from the dusty street out the front, but inside things quickly improve. There's a cheery communal kitchen…

  • Ola’s Guest House

    Tongatapu

    Formerly Ali Baba's, this out-of-the-way place is funky and friendly. Floors are chequered blue-and-gold, and the seven rooms (with two shared bathrooms)…

  • Sela’s Guest House

    Tongatapu

    Sela's is a long-running, warrenlike and very basic guesthouse that wouldn't comply with many Western building codes. Still, it's a cheap and cheery…

  • Captain Cook Apartments

    Tongatapu

    Trim two-bedroom serviced apartments with full kitchen and living area, peeking at the sea through casuarina trees. The complex (six apartments) has been…

  • Winnie’s Guest House

    Tongatapu

    This homely five-room house about 2km from town out near the hospital has a well-equipped kitchen, shared bathroom and a comfy lounge. Run by 91-year-old…