The Accommodations in Tonga with the Best Restaurants and Food Experiences
If finding a place to stay in the islands of Tonga also means finding a great place to eat, then you’re in luck! We’ve put together this list of the best resorts and accommodations in Tonga for foodies, which essentially means accommodations with fabulous restaurants and meals to indulge in. Some also feature food-orientated activities, such as guided medicine walks and Tongan umu buffets. Check out our favourites in the list below!
Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country, especially when it comes to accommodation. With that in mind, some of the services accommodations provide are known to change without notice. If there is any information needing an update in the listings below, feel free to reach out!
1. The Reef Resort (Vava’u)
Sure, the snorkelling, lavish fales and Hobie Cat sailing might be a reason to stay at this boutique resort on Kapa Island, but the main reason to stay at The Reef Resort is the food! Seafood reigns supreme where you’ll experience fresh catch of the day, whether it’s tuna, mahimahi, parrotfish, snapper or lobster, while other produce is fresh from the market. This resort in the Vava’u Group prides itself on hiring internationally decorated chefs to prepare the ingredients of the Pacific in creative ways. Meanwhile, your stay here will be in one of the five premium fales either on the hillside or on the beachfront. Learn more about this resort in the 10 Best Luxury Resorts in Tonga.
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© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Seaview Lodge & Restaurant (Tongatapu)
Any foodie will probably know that staying in the capital is a must during your time in Tonga, and one of the stays you might want to consider is the Seaview Lodge & Restaurant. This boutique hotel on the waterfront of Nuku’alofa features colonial-meets-Tongan-inspired guest rooms with a choice of either a sea view with a balcony or a garden view. Continental breakfast and free WiFi are included, while meals can be enjoyed at the on-site restaurant serving contemporary European haute and Tongan fusion cuisine. Learn more about the accommodation in the 20 Best Hotels & Resorts on Tongatapu.
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© TongaPocketGuide.com3. 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. The retreat also offers unique guided tours of its surrounding beach and forest to identify and learn about Tonga’s vegetation and how it has been used for centuries for food and medicinal purposes. As for 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. Discover more places to stay on the main island in our guide, Where to Stay on Tongatapu: The Best Accommodations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. Sandy Beach Resort (Ha’apai)
If the islands of Ha’apai are calling you instead, take a look at the Sandy Beach Resort. It has a small selection of freestanding beach bungalows with an ensuite and private verandah to enjoy the beach views. Guests have access to a wealth of complimentary activities and paid excursions, from horseriding to whale swimming, while the resort also prides itself on its restaurant which is the closest thing you will find to fine dining in Ha’apai. For instance, indulge in fresh fish and lobster paired with good wines, beers or something off the cocktail menu. What’s more, the resort hosts a Tongan umu night with cultural dancing once a week during the high season. Learn more about the resort in the 10 Best Resorts in Ha’apai.
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© TongaPocketGuide.com5. The Harbourview (Vava’u)
The main reason to stay at this resort on Vava’u, apart from its convenient location near Neiafu, is its restaurant. As listed in the 10 Best Restaurants in Vava’u, The Harbourview Restaurant boasts premium European and locally inspired cuisine with options for those with special dietary needs. Plus, with its view overlooking the Port of Refuge, the restaurant entices you to stay awhile. The accommodation has a selection of queen and twin ensuite rooms, as well as a self-contained two-bedroom family bungalow and a bungalow with interconnecting rooms and a kitchenette. For more about its location and other places to stay, check out our guide on Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.
Check The Harbourview out:
© TongaPocketGuide.com6. Waterfront Lodge (Tongatapu)
Enjoy a boutique hotel-style accommodation with a delightful restaurant at the Waterfront Lodge in Nuku’alofa. On the waterfront road, Vuna Road, the colonial-style lodge boasts character and charm, complemented with modern and fresh furnishings. There are eight double rooms available with either a garden or sea view. As a bonus, be reassured that your stay will be a peaceful one with the lodge’s strict no-child policy. Learn more about Waterfront’s reputable restaurant in the 20 Best Restaurants in Tonga.
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© TongaPocketGuide.com7. Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers (Vava’u)
For sampling authentic Tongan cuisine while enjoying an island getaway on a budget, stay at the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers in Vava’u. You’re free to bring food from the mainland and cook it up in the resort’s communal kitchen. Otherwise, leave room on for the weekly Tongan feast cooked in an underground oven called an “umu”! Breakfast and dinner are also available daily for a reasonable price, providing guests with the authentic experience of Tongan meals with much produce coming from the island and the local market. Learn more about the accommodation here in the 5 Best Budget Resorts in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com8. Blue Water Retreat (‘Eua)
The closest thing to a resort on the island of ‘Eua, Blue Water Retreat typically includes buffet-style dinners in their dining fale each night which are much more creative than most. Dine on Pacific Rim cuisine with something different to choose from each night, while dietary needs are also seen to with imaginativeness – just let the resort know of any dietary requirements in advance. In between meals, relax in your ocean-view bungalow or glamping tent and join one of the resort’s whale watching, spearfishing or island tours. See more options on the beautiful island in our guide, Where to Stay on ‘Eua: The Best ‘Eua Accommodations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com9. Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant (Tongatapu)
The Little Italy Hotel brings all of the charms of Europe to the shores of Nuku’alofa. The boutique hotel has “Standard” and “Ocean View” rooms with private balconies and interconnecting rooms. Stays at this waterfront accommodation include a continental buffet breakfast each morning and all of your expected hotel amenities. As for dinner, you need only go downstairs to one of the most popular restaurants in town, the Little Italy Restaurant which serves irresistible (and humongous) pizzas, pasta and some of the best cheesecakes in The Kingdom (or, at least, in our humble opinion).
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(c) tongapocketguide.com10. Talei’s Guesthouse (‘Eua)
A well-presented guesthouse complex at the northern end of Angaha village on ‘Eua, Talei’s Guesthouse boasts six private units, as well as a restaurant and liquor store on-site. Food is at the fore of this affordable accommodation with breakfast included and one of the only restaurants on the island, which spruces up a nice selection of Tongan meals, as well as crowd-pleasing fish and chips. All rooms are ensuite with necessities like a desk, hot water and a fan, while layouts consist of queen, twin and triple (one queen and one single) rooms. Your hosts also offer complimentary wharf/airport transfers. For more stays like this, check out the 20 Best Guesthouses in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore About Resorts and Accommodations in Tonga for Foodies
That’s it for the best resorts and accommodations in Tonga for foodies. For more about making food the priority of your getaway, take a look at the following articles:
Finally, if you’re still struggling to find the perfect place to stay, start from scratch with Where to Stay in Tonga: The Best Accommodations in Tonga. Plus, get even more trip-planning tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.
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