Port Vila’s landmark Grand Hotel & Casino has officially reopened after a 15-month transformation, adding 74 refreshed rooms to Vanuatu’s fast-recovering tourism inventory.
The eight-level harbourside property, originally built in 2003 and temporarily closed following the December 2024 earthquake, has been structurally strengthened and redesigned under Melbourne-based owners Zagame Corporation.
The reopening comes as Vanuatu’s broader accommodation sector nears a full recovery. According to the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO), more than 90 per cent of the destination’s hotels and resorts have now reopened, while Australian arrivals rose 27 per cent in the first eight months of 2025, already surpassing 2024’s full-year total.
Wholesaler, My Holiday has described 2025 as its biggest year on record for the destination, with bookings up 40 per cent on the prior year.
What’s changed inside the Grand?
The Grand Hotel says its entire team was retained throughout the 15-month redevelopment, a decision Chief Operating Officer Mark Stanford described as non-negotiable. “They are the heart of the Grand,” Stanford said.
“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back to a hotel that feels familiar yet completely renewed, and to play our part in Port Vila’s continued growth.”
The restoration was delivered by Melbourne-based boutique studio Lukas Design and Vancorp Construction, which the hotel says has three decades of experience across Australia and the Pacific.
The exterior now features a coral-toned finish, while guest rooms include European marble en-suites, 55 to 65-inch HD televisions with Chromecast, and upgraded lighting and workspaces. The upper-tier Panorama Rooms and Level Six suites add curated minibars, coffee pod machines and private balconies overlooking Port Vila Harbour.
For corporate and incentive groups, the property says it can cater for conferences of up to 80 delegates and events for up to 120 guests across five flexible spaces, with upgraded AV and high-speed Wi-Fi. Its CBD location sits around 15 minutes from Bauerfield International Airport.
What’s on the menu?
The most notable shift may be the food and beverage offering. The hotel’s 90-seat harbourside restaurant has been relaunched as the Grand Dining Room, operating under a culinary philosophy the hotel calls Soul, Salt & Earth. The menu is led by Zagame Group Executive Chef Chris Bonello, based in Melbourne, and delivered on-site by Head Chef Richard Layson, with a focus on South Pacific seafood and locally grown produce.
For coffee lovers, the Grand Hotel is also the first venue outside Australia to serve Zagame Bros Coffee Co., a Melbourne-based specialty brand, delivered via a mobile espresso cart. The hotel has also revived its Sunday brunch, a long-standing social fixture in Port Vila, and added a poolside Cabana Pool Bar & Lounge.
Where does this fit in Vanuatu’s 2026 outlook?
The Grand’s return adds to a growing pipeline of capacity across Port Vila. Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu is expected to relaunch by mid-2026 following its own refurbishment, while boutique newcomer Turtle Cove Villas opened on Efate’s northern coast in January.
On the airlift side, Qantas has upgraded its Brisbane to Port Vila service to daily from March through October 2026, more than doubling capacity on the route to 35,500 seats.
Solomon Airlines is also adding flights on the Brisbane-Espiritu Santo corridor.
VTO CEO Adela Issachar Aru said the reopening strengthens the destination at a critical moment. “The Grand has long been a cornerstone of our offering to holidaymakers,” Aru said.
“Its revival shows that Vanuatu is open, ready and excited to welcome more Australian travellers.”
Zagame Corporation Director Robert A Zagame said the investment reflects a long-term position on the Pacific. “The Grand represents our future vision in the Pacific,” Zagame said. “Grounded in timeless values, delivered with modern execution, and shaped by our deep belief in Vanuatu’s future.”
Room rates start from AU$340 per night, according to the hotel, with bookings now open at www.grandvanuatu.com
KARRYON UNPACKS: With 74 rooms now back online, rates from AU$340 and Qantas flying daily from Brisbane, the Grand gives advisors a refreshed upper-mid option in Port Vila right as destination capacity and airlift hit new highs. One to flag for couples, corporate groups and incentive planners looking for a waterfront base with conference facilities and dining that goes beyond the resort buffet.
