10 BEST Boutique Resorts in Tonga 🌺 [2024]

1. The Reef Resort (Vava’u)

Find your own quiet corner of Kapa Island in Vava’u at The Reef Resort. Stay in one of only five fales scattered across the hillside and beachfront of this stunning island. The contemporary bungalows feature a king canopy bed and an extra single or two bedrooms with a king and a queen. Dining is easily the main event here as European Polynesian cuisine is prepared by decorated German or Swiss chefs. Such dining experiences are welcome, especially after hiking over the island to the breathtaking bay of Port Mourelle or making use of the kayaks, a clear-bottom kayak, SUP boards and Hobie cat to explore the surrounding waters and nearby Japanese Coral Garden (see the 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Vava’u). For more about staying in Vava’u, check out Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.

Check The Reef Resort out:

• The Reef Resort on Booking.com
• The Reef Resort on Trip.com

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2. Sandy Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

In the idyllic islands of Ha’apai, you’ll feel away from the world, which is further enhanced by staying at the boutique Sandy Beach Resort on Foa Island. Your accommodation is one of 12 modern and airy fales with cool tile floors and an ensuite bathroom. From your verandah, you’re a few steps on your private walkway to the beach. Enjoy breakfast and fine dining from the dining terrace which specialises in some of the seafood and lobster dishes. The resort also offers whale swimming, fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling in its very own marine reserve just off the beach. Learn more about staying in the islands of Ha’apai in Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.

Check Sandy Beach Resort out:

• Sandy Beach Resort on Expedia
• Sandy Beach Resort on Trip.com

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3. Serenity Beaches Resort (Ha’apai)

A tranquil retreat on Uoleva Island, Serenity Beaches Resort is an idyllic choice in Ha’apai. Choose from one of 11 unique open-air or fully-enclosed fales each nestled in a private section of forest and each with an outside garden bathroom. Either way, guests spend their time here doing yoga in the pavilion, dining on healthy meals made from fresh local ingredients in the homely dining fale, and making use of SUP boards, kayaks and snorkelling gear to explore the wonderful underwater world from beaches accessible from the front and back of the resort. The resort also operates whale swimming tours in the season, but your most frequent encounter with the whales will most likely be seeing them from the beach! See more resort paradises like this in The Top 30 Resorts in Tonga.

Check Serenity Beaches Resort out:

• Serenity Beaches Resort on Booking.com
• Serenity Beaches Resort on Trip.com

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4. Treasure Island Eco Resort (Vava’u)

Get the real island experience at Treasure Island Eco Resort and its eight traditionally thatched fales. The resort on Eueiki Island in Vava’u has 48 acres (19 ha) of private island for its guests, offering an off-the-grid experience with solar power and a rainwater filtration system. Enjoy unique whale swimming experiences from the resort’s outrigger or enjoy complimentary use of kayaks, snorkelling gear and volleyball equipment. Meals are available as part of a meal plan at the on-site restaurant, and note that children under 12 are only allowed under special arrangements. The resort is open for the whale season until November. Learn more about this resort in the 10 Best Eco Resorts in Tonga.

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5. Blue Water Retreat (‘Eua)

The closest thing to a resort on ‘Eua, Blue Water Retreat offers a small selection of ocean-view ensuite bungalows; four with a queen/twin bed with double and single occupancy rates and three family bungalows. The bungalows are recently renovated and feature a private deck where you can watch the sunset and see whales on the horizon during the whale season. Also in the mix are elegant glamping tents atop an elevated private deck and kitted out with tasteful furniture. Ferry/airport transfers are included in the accommodation rates, while whale watching, spearfishing and island tours, as well as creative buffet-style meals at the onsite restaurant, can all be organised with the resort for an effortless stay. See how BWR compares to other stays on the island in Where to Stay on ‘Eua: The Best ‘Eua Accommodations.

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6. Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses (Tongatapu)

For something utterly unique, check out the lodges suspended in the trees at Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses. This handbuilt wonderland among the forests of Tongatapu‘s eastern side consists of two queen ensuite treehouses and one family treehouse, each distinctive and artistically finished. The property is a joy to explore between the communal lodge, fire pit, carved sculptures and suspended bridges leading to your fairy-light-lit abode. Watch the forest come to life at night with a fire show! While a light breakfast is included in the rate, breakfast and dinner are available to purchase should you not want to venture the 35 minutes it takes to get into Nuku’alofa. Note that there are children and dogs on the property. See more stays like (or more “unlike”) this in the 10 Most Unique Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Tukulolo Treehouses out:

• Tukulolo Treehouses on Booking.com

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7. Katea Retreat (Tongatapu)

A boutique beach resort on the southern corner of Tongatapu, Katea Retreat offers a blissful stay for couples and groups of up to four – that is, until it’s Wednesday or Friday night or Sunday afternoon when its restaurant comes to life with cultural dancing and a traditional Tongan umu – see the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga. But back to the accommodation, each of the five contemporary bungalows features a queen bed or two queens, a kitchenette with a gas stove, an ensuite bathroom and a balcony overlooking the breathtaking beach and reef below. The latter you’ll love to explore with its golden sands and arching rock formations – as featured in the 20 Best Beaches in Tonga. Free airport shuttles are available, while cultural medicine walks are also on offer. Learn more about staying on Tonga’s main island in Where to Stay on Tongatapu: The Best Accommodations.

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8. Mala Island Resort (Vava’u)

Set on 20 acres (8 ha) of a stunning private island, Mala Island Resort provides an idyllic stay in Vava’u. You’ll have access to a white sandy beach with fantastic snorkelling just 3 m (10 ft) from the shore. The eight fales are decorated with beautiful tapa-cloth and woven panel walls with bed layouts of either two queens or one king bed. The ensuite bathrooms have hot water, while outside is your private deck boasting amazing island and ocean views. Relax in the open-air restaurant with an a la carte menu and free WiFi. There are also kayaks and SUP boards to make use of, while tours with outside operators can also be arranged from the resort. What’s more, Mala Island is one of the closest to the main island, with airport transfers taking approximately one hour.

Check Mala Island Resort out:

• Mala Island Resort on Expedia
• Mala Island Resort on Trip.com

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9. Kitesurf Tonga (Ha’apai)

As you might have guessed, Kitesurf Tonga has a thing for kitesurfing, considering they have some amazing kitesurfing grounds right on their doorstep on Uoleva in Ha’apai. However, the kitesurfing opportunities only begin to scratch the surface of what this boutique resort has to offer. Here, you’ll be staying in one of the five timber fales set among coconut palms. You’ll have a few luxuries, including memory foam beds and a very spacious ensuite with hot solar showers. Snorkelling from the shores, making use of the stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, dining on creative cuisine using produce grown at the resort… It’s also all on the cards at “Kitesurf”. Note that the resort is open from April to November.

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10. Mystic Sands (Vava’u)

A boutique resort on the waterfront of ‘Utungake Island, which is connected to the main island of Vava’u by a causeway, Mystic Sands is easy to get to from Neiafu yet provides a tranquil retreat. Stay in one of the modernly-furnished double or family rooms with ocean views and the beach just steps away. Each room has kitchenette facilities for self-catering (including a coffee plunger – woohoo!) but you might just feel that the included breakfast is enough, while you may also want to take the opportunity to order the meals available or even try an umu. The hosts can also organise a number of activities around the island for you or you can just make do with the complimentary use of the kayaks, swimming pool and beach games.

Check Mystic Sands out:

• Mystic Sands on Booking.com
• Mystic Sands on Trip.com
• Mystic Sands on Expedia

© TongaPocketGuide.com