When thinking of the perfect honeymoon spots to recommend to your clients, you might go straight to Bora Bora or Santorini, but Papua New Guinea plays home to a collection of unique hotels and resorts that might surprise you! Whether you are looking to recommend somewhere new and off-the-beaten-path, or a wild-card suggestion, Papua New Guinea has fantastic options for couples seeking something different to the stock-standard. From luxury hotels in the beautifully lush highlands to overwater bungalows sitting atop aqua blue seas, locally hand-built PNG-style resorts in (what feels like) the middle of nowhere, Papua New Guinea has a unique array of accommodation options that will blow your clients away.
With direct flights from Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney, Papua New Guinea offers untouched, remote escapism in a destination that is easily reached. In fact even the most well-travelled duo most likely will have not explored it yet! So when the couples of the world can finally escape and celebrate having not driven each other to insanity during ISO, get them thinking about going somewhere completely different, while still offering the reassurance of it being a close-to-home, accessible destination.
- LOLOATA ISLAND RESORT
How does a long weekend in paradise sound? Loloata Island Resort is located a short boat ride from Port Moresby, making it an accessible overseas destination suitable for a long weekend away. Loloata Island Resort is a contemporary, brand new resort, complete with 68 rooms (including 22 overwater villas), two restaurants, a swimming pool, private beach, and a day spa. The island itself sits on the edge of the Papuan Barrier Reef and there are 29 surrounding dive sites where experienced divers can explore colourful reefs teeming with sea life, discover shipwrecks, and even come across a WWII Boston Bomber. Or for those that feel like relaxing, spend some time by the pool with a cocktail in hand! Loloata Island Resort also offers day passes for approximately AUD $40, which includes boat transfers from Port Moresby.
- RONDON RIDGE
Rondon Ridge is the pinnacle of luxury nestled within a remote and rural setting. Sitting at 7,100 feet above sea level, on the outer fringes of the Kubor Range and boasting panoramic views of the Wahgi Valley below, Rondon Ridge is a truly spectacular wilderness lodge. It’s the kind of hotel that even the most discerning of travellers won’t believe exists in Papua New Guinea. Guests are accommodated in 24 beautifully modern rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and warmed king beds for those fresh highlands nights. Some of the rooms even boast floor to ceiling windows giving an incredible view of the valley below. Guests can then spend their days visiting the nearby highlands tribes and chocolate and cocoa plantations, which Trans Niugini Tours can organise for you.
- TUFI RESORT
Tufi Resort is located in Oro Province, just a short flight from Port Moresby. This pristine region is home to rainforest-covered mountains, deep fjords and crystal clear waters and reefs. Tufi offers amazing marine diversity and a variety of diving experiences including fjord, reef and wreck diving. While at Tufi you can also experience incredible scenic walks, waterfalls and of course, the tribes of Tufi, who will welcome you with open arms into their traditional way of life. Tufi’s accommodation rates include guests’ meals (consisting of continental breakfast, lunch and a 3 course dinner); imagine enjoying a 3 course meal at the end of a day, served on a stunning terrace offering 180 degree views of the sea, mountains and fjords. If your clients are feeling extra adventurous, they can even stay overnight in a traditional village guesthouse to authentically experience the culture and tribal way of life.
- TAWALI RESORT
Tawali Resort is located in a secluded area of Milne Bay amongst local fishing villages, and accessible only by boat. Built on a limestone bluff eighty feet above the water, Tawali offers its guests a private retreat that gives the kind of isolation that we all want right now, with only 21 guest rooms! Tawali was constructed by local craftsmen and you will find beautifully carved totems and woodwork in the spacious main lodge and throughout the resort. As electricity wasn’t previously in existence in this remote location – until Tawali was officially opened – the resort itself was all hand-carved and hand-built by skilled locals, without the aid of power tools. Every single timber board that needed to be cut, every carving, and most of the furniture was built onsite. Beyond the resort itself is beautiful Milne Bay; a destination that put Papua New Guinea on the map as a diver’s paradise. With WWII wrecks in the area, such as the Black Jack B17F Flying Fortress bomber just off the beach at Cape Vogel, and an array of superb reefs, it’s easy to understand why Milne Bay is on the “must do” list for most keen divers. But if diving isn’t your client’s thing, there’s still plenty of rainforests, waterfalls and private islands to explore; plus you can’t go to Tawali without visiting a local tribe and enjoying a mumu feast!
- WALINDI PLANTATION RESORT
Diving that you’ll talk about for years to come? Absolutely. WWII plane wrecks to explore? Check. Waterfalls, hikes, local tribes, authentic food and beautiful accommodation? Without a doubt! Like so many people before, your clients will quickly fall in love with Walindi Plantation Resort. Walindi has 20 accommodation rooms (Bungalows & House Rooms), where your clients can base themselves before exploring everything that beautiful New Britain island has to offer – if they’re out snorkelling or diving, they’ll be the only tourists; if they’re exploring the local waterfalls, they probably won’t see another soul.
- LISSENUNG ISLAND RESORT
With only 14 guests able to stay at Lissenung Island Resort at any one time, this is the secluded Pacific island hideaway your clients have been looking for! The resort features six deluxe oceanfront rooms, all with private facilities, and all with hardwood floors and spacious, relaxing verandahs. The heart of the island and where guests will eat their meals is the Haus Win; the thatched-roof main building with sandy floors and walls open to nature, furnished with local art. For keen divers and water-based adventurers Lissenung Island Resort has it all: Pelagic fish action, currents, wall and muck diving, wrecks and beautiful reefs, clean surf breaks and authentically-colourful cultural experiences. Plus the resort also runs its own turtle conservation programme from September to March every year to help protect the local population of turtles, with guests encouraged to help out with the resort’s efforts.
Did you know? In Papua New Guinea the reefs are owned by traditional land owners. In order to keep diving sustainable and to support the traditional land owners, there is a small “dive fee” which is then paid to the traditional land owners. So not only will you be diving incredible reefs, you’ll also be supporting locals to help keep Papua New Guinea’s reefs pristine for many generations to come.
Find your own escape at www.papuanewguinea.travel
